Re: [情報] Prospects Will Break Your Heart
In part one of the series, we checked in on the pure shortstops in the
minors, the players who stand above the rest with the leather and project to
stay at position all the way up the chain. The criterion for inclusion in
this particular series was a placement on the Baseball Prospectus 101, a team
top 10 list, or a mention as an “On the Rise” candidate for the individual
team prospect ranking series, so the pool of talent is by no means the entire
ocean. By breaking down these featured prospects, the goal is to highlight
the extreme depth at the position in the minors, while also shedding some
light on the early season developments of the talent in question.
Part 2 will focus on the players housed in the tier below the pure leather
wizards in the minors, but ones who still have the quality to stick around at
the position despite some whispers to the contrary. It needs to be remembered
just how difficult it is to profile as a shortstop at the highest level, as
only a select few can stand above the crowded field of highly skilled
individuals and wear the badge of the position. The “Pure Enough” tier
features prospects known more for their offensive potential than their
defensive heroics, but we shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss their skill at
the position just because the profile lacks the cloak of the magus. These
combo prospects have some of the highest ceilings in the minors, with impact
potential bats and the actions and arms to make plays at a premium position
on the diamond.
The Pure-Enough Shortstops
Javier Baez (Cubs)
Placement on BP 101: 20
Current Level: High-A Daytona
2013 Sample: .207/.242/.483 (13 games; 58 at-bats)
Notes: You can make the case that Baez has the highest offensive ceiling of
any shortstop prospect in the game, thanks in large part to his elite bat
speed. Baez generates silly amounts of torque in his setup and swing, which
can make a baseball have a sad if he finds a way to put the barrel on it. The
biggest hurdle has been an immature approach to hitting, which is a very
see-ball, hit-ball mentality, and Baez often sees the ball and attempts to
hit the ball when he shouldn’t. So far in 2013, the 20-year-old prospect is
continuing to show an aggressive approach at the plate, expanding the zone
and giving pitchers a roadmap for his exploitation. If he can work himself
into better counts and not forecast the fastball timing in his swing, he
should find more contact, which would let his near-elite raw power find its
way into game action with more consistency. On the defensive side of things,
Baez is better than people realize, with whispers of an eventual move to the
hot corner but more than enough talent to handle the demands of shortstop;
his arm is strong enough to play anywhere on the diamond and the hands are
soft and the actions fluid. The range isn’t special, and as he continues to
physically mature and add muscle mass, he is a good candidate to lose some
lateral quickness and overall speed. He could emerge as a Gold Glove-caliber
third baseman thanks to the arm and glove, but if the range holds, he can
stick around at shortstop for the foreseeable future.
Addison Russell (Athletics)
Placement on BP 101: 22
Current Level: High-A Stockton
2013 Sample: .190/.292/.286 (5 Games, 21 at-bats)
Notes: Russell’s a stud, with the potential for a 6 hit tool and 6 power if
everything clicks. Coming into his professional career, there were big
question marks about his defensive skill set, with a thicker build raising
some red flags about range and fluidity of actions at shortstop. But Russell
arrived on the scene with a better body than people expected and better
all-around chops at the position, not only giving hope that he could stave
off a positional switch in the minors, but changing his projection at the
position as well. They way it looks right now, Russell is a shortstop and is
going to stay a shortstop, with enough arm and glove-work to handle the
position. It’s not always silky smooth and easy, but its not awkward and
clumsy either, as there is feel involved and a strong work ethic to improve.
If the bat does what the bat is projected to do, Russell could develop into
one of the top prospects in the game.
Carlos Correa (Astros)
Placement on BP 101: 26
Current Level: Low-A Quad Cities
2013 Sample: .250/.415/.438 (8 games; 32 at-bats)
Notes: With early coverage being the way it is, not many of my industry
sources have been able to put eyes on Correa in his full-season debut. I was
on a call about another player when a scout asked me if I had anything good
on Correa. He scouted the kid as an amateur and loved him, and had just
recently put eyes on him for the first time since he was drafted 1:1 by the
Astros last June. While slobbering all over the kid, the scout suggested that
Correa’s “Presence Factor” was off the charts, which I quickly told him I
was going to steal for my own use on Baseball Prospectus. Presence factor is
an ideal way to describe Correa, who might be only 18, but who carries
himself like a seasoned veteran, both in terms of in-game approach and work
ethic. The raw tools are all there to develop into a superstar talent, with
better-than-you-think defensive chops at shortstop and big raw power, but the
glue that will hold the monster together is makeup, and Correa wears his like
a number on his back. You don’t have to be a scout to sit in the stands and
recognize that something separates Correa from the majority of players on the
field. While it’s clear that he’s a raw talent with rough edges and several
developmental obstacles to overcome, it’s also clear that there is something
special about the prospect. Presence Factor: Special.
--
*Athletic frame.
*High baseball IQ. Xander
*Smooth, fluid swing. Bogaerts
*Elite batspeed. #01
*Strong and explosive hands.
*Above-average-to-better power ceiling, potential 30 home run bat.
--
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