Spring Observations: Position Players
This post and Monday’s are meant to compile all spring observations of prospects on the big league side of camp before spring training was cut short. Today’s is for position players and Monday’s was pitchers.
Shea Langeliers
Notes: Top standout among position player prospects in camp; carried himself like he belonged; continued to impress with bat; short balanced swing; feel for barrel; consistently loud contact; gap approach; 1.85 pop time; excellent catch-and-throw; quick feet and sound mechanics; solid-average receiving.
Comments: Langeliers played above his pre-draft reports in exciting fashion and that continued into spring big league camp. He was the most impressive position player among prospects in camp. The first-rounder looked like he belonged as a leader behind the plate, showing off his plus defensive tools and plus to plus-plus arm. His bat has played above pre-draft reports and was exceptional in camp, showing a feel to hit against advanced pitchers, making a lot of loud contact and looking comfortable at the plate. He’s quickly developing into an impact catching prospect.
Cristian Pache
Notes: Typical near-elite defense in center; range is amazing; reads/routes continue to improve; bat remained on grade in small sample; swing geared for inner half; has shored up lower half of body well; struggles covering outer half of plate; swing-and-miss remains.
Comments: Pache was Pache this spring. It’s 70 defense in center with a fringe bat that will play up some days and record four strikeouts other days. His swing is geared to pull and lift from the inner half of the plate, which will work fine when he gets his pitch to hit and will allow him to produce at a good rate, but he’ll also flail on spin away and rack up high strikeout totals. Nothing Pache did this spring means a cause for change in grades.
Drew Waters
Notes: Pressed considerably at the plate; was noticeably uncomfortable; huge swing-and-miss based on over-aggressiveness; was consistently in between pitches and behind in the count; continues to have a strong feel for the barrel when he’s comfortable and gets his pitch; showed athleticism and speed; above-average defender in corners.
Comments: Waters experienced a lost spring training because of over-aggressiveness at the plate. He was noticeably pressing and it cost him. He was constantly behind in the count and in between pitches, and his swing-and-miss showed as a result. When he’s comfortable, Waters hits at a plus-potential level based on a short, quick stroke that covers the zone. His aggressive approach has shown more at higher levels and is causing concern for some, but I remain high on his hit tool. Waters showed his athleticism by being aggressive on the basepaths, stealing bases, and ranging well in the outfield. He’s a solid defender for the corners and would be capable of playing center.
Bryce Ball
Notes: 70 raw showed in-game; massive power to all fields; tracks well; covers the zone with a feel to hit; quick bat for his size but can get caught on velo in at times; inconsistent results against advanced pitching.
Comments: Ball performed about as expected this spring, flashing his 70 raw power with massive shots to all fields while also swinging through stuff at times to remind us all he’s barely out of the draft as a late-round pick. Ball handles himself exceptionally well at the plate against advanced pitching, tracking well and covering the plate. There are times when he makes weak contact from shortening his stroke and settling. Considering it was his first spring as a pro, he was outstanding and continues to show why he’s a legitimate first base prospect.
Braden Shewmake
Notes: Showed contact approach; lots of contact from balanced, level swing; little impact in the barrel; soft outs; serviceable shortstop glove; soft hands; average range.
Comments: Shewmake has above-average raw power, but the question is how much he’ll tap into in games. He showed his balanced, level swing this spring, covering the plate well and making a lot of contact. That approach can cost him power, though, as he made soft outs and didn’t produce much loud contact. Shewmake has an average glove for shortstop with enough range and instincts that help everything play up. It’s also an average arm. He continues to track as a utility player.
Trey Harris
Notes: Pressed at the plate; over-aggressive approach; continued to show impressive bat speed; lacks fluidity in swing and can cut himself off; ranged well but limited to left field.
Comments: Harris continues to track as a bench outfielder or up/down guy, best case as a platoon bat. He didn’t show his typical contact-heavy hit tool based on huge bat speed. He pressed at the plate and swung through some. He is capable of covering the zone and hitting the gaps consistently when he’s on, but impact power is the concern. He’s also limited to left field but ranges well there.
Greyson Jenista
Notes: Shortest pro swing to this point; slightly more loft; solid-average bat speed; tracked better than usual; decently loud contact.
Comments: Jenista continues to look more comfortable at the plate after developing well last season. His current swing is the shortest it’s been since the draft and he’s added slightly more loft to help tap into his power a little more. It remains a mechanical swing and doesn’t cover the outer half that well, but he’s made good strides at the plate and is working to avoid becoming depth entirely.
Jonathan Morales
Comments: Morales is a depth catcher, but he showed his worth in that role this spring. He’s sound across the board, including a contact-oriented bat and average to above defensive tools. The Braves could do much worse from their emergency catcher position at Triple-A Gwinnett.
Alex Jackson
Comments: Jackson continues to look better behind the plate to the point of being valuable defensively. He’s a solid receiver and overcomes fringe feet with a cannon arm. It’s a different matter at the plate, where he continues to show massive swing-and-miss. He has to start making contact at a serviceable rate to have a chance.
William Contreras
Comments: There weren’t enough looks at the plate to put toward his report. His receiving continues to be raw with a hard mitt at times. There’s still a noticeable gap between present and his future potential.