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“What the heck is 17 year old Kenly Hunter doing ranked in the Cardinals organization’s Top 30??”
The DSL wrapped up today, Muddy, and I plan to start a thread very soon about the exploits of our kids down there — it’s the deepest crop we’ve had in the Dominican Republic in a while. But meantime here’s the Cliff’s Notes on Hunter:
Good defensive centerfielder who hit .314 this year, drew walks (OBP of .420+ every month), didn’t fan too much, and swiped 25 bags in just 37 games (only nabbed twice). Per both scouting and the stats, it’s a well-rounded skillset that to me fully justifies a ranking in the mid-20’s or so. All young Kenly was missing in the DSL was power, and as I’m sure you’re well aware, that’s frequently the last tool to develop. And anyway, if he eventually hits for average, runs the bases well, and covers the outfield grass with aplomb, that’s enough for a solid MLB regular even without any power.
Thanks so much, Bob. What struck me was his age of 17 years old. He’ll definitely be one that I’ll keep tabs on.
Thanks for asking the question Mud and bringing him to our attention. And this forum is lucky to have guys like Brian and Bob who can give us the breakdown on these young players.
Memphis is using Westerholt at leadoff. Is that manager Ben Johnsons decision or do any of you who would know think that’s by suggestion of the front office? IF we had some better mobs do you think leadoff is a good spot for him?
Is that manager Ben Johnsons decision
If he wants a job next year he is on board with the incoming PD regime.
I’m pretty certain he’s hitting leadoff to maximize his number of at bats and get him closer to ready. I don’t think it has anything to do with where he might bat in St Louis. He might leadoff someday, but odds are he’ll hit 6th or 7th when he’s first called up.
Besides, leadoff hitter is not really a skill to develop (I know most will disagree here). A player leads off every inning. The only time it is scripted is the first one. A hitters job is always to hit or find another way to reach base. The situation might dictate how to do so but typically 9 times a game someone leads off and it’s not normally the selected leadoff hitter. Just bat your best hitters 1-4 to give them the most at bats.
The org has had decent success developing hitters who can hit well in the minors and even upon arrival in MLB. There have been problems when opposing orgs have had a chance to discover and exploit vulnerabilities, and it is our turn to make adjustments. My thought on that, as I have often previously expressed, is that the hitter arrives with a carefully developed optimized swing, but the problem is that it is his only swing, and once opponents figure out how to pitch and defense around it, the hitter is sunk. Our power bat types all get derailed by that phenomenon, but it is not limited to power bats. There is just no way to predict if yet to arrive hitters will fare any better.
Jnevel, that is definitely the modern way of looking at leadoff it but it wasn’t always the case, say for the first 100 years of MLB. Traditionally the first couple of hitters were the table setters to get on base in front of the boppers but teams don’t always do it that way any longer. In 1985 Whitey always had Coleman, McGee, and Herr in front of Jack CLark which was a classic NL style. Tony LaRussa had more of an AL background so it caught me by surprise when he had Larry Walker batting second. That is much more common now with Judge regularly hitting second and Ohtani leadoff.
Is there anything wrong with that? The American team is much harder to get on with so many good, established American pros wanting to join. He would have a much better shot getting playing time with Korea.
Koperniak I think will be on Great Britian even though he was just born there while his parents were on deployment.
Yeah, they do a lot of things all the time. For instance, Ohtani plays in the U.S. and he’s certainly not from Texarkana…If you can hit it, throw it, and catch it, you can play in Chelyabinsk as long as the weather permits.
Among a poll of MLB executives on who they predict will win Rookie of the Year, JJ Wetherholt received the most National League predictions to win it with 30.2% of votes
I think anyone questioning JJs defense before this weekend has had the question answered. He made a couple great plays. Also, he shortly will have his prospect status ended.
He has exceeded my defensive expectations based off scouting reports I had read saying 50-55 grade. He has made some incredible plays and he knows the fundamentals very well
JJ has been very good with the glove, and his hitting still has another stride to get, IMO. He’s on pace for a 25-30 HR season and possibly leading NL Rookies in WAR. I’m not sure if he’ll get to that dinger total, but if the batting average comes up and he ends up with a .270/.380/.440 line with 20ish homers and great defense, he’ll have an excellent shot at rookie of the year.
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