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Physical Description:
Undersized, athletic. Some projection remaining, needs to add
strength.
Hit: Starts square with his
hands high. Uses a toe tap timing device. Average bat speed. Has
some length in his swing and an uphill swing path, though less
so in 2023 than he showed in 2022. Swing now is more level and
has been tweaked to hit more line drives. Has solid pitch
recognition skills and knowledge of the strike zone. Rarely
misses pitches in the zone, but will expand at a higher rate
than you would like to see. Will strike out some and there are
questions about how his hit tool will play against more advanced
pitching. Struggles against velocity, especially up, and
advanced breaking balls. Needs to improve his quality of
contact, as his hard-hit rate is still slightly below-average.
Potential average hit tool against right-handed pitchers, but
below-average against left-handers.
Power:
Below-average raw power. Has a little pop for his size, but
produces below-average exit velocities. Potential for
below-average in-game power as well.
Run:
Plus-plus speed. Advanced baserunning instincts. Has shown the
ability to steal bases at high volume with a very good success
rate at the minor league level. Puts pressure on the defense
with his speed.
Field: Inconsistent
footwork and fringy range at shortstop. Can make the routine
play, but there are concerns about how he would adjust to the
speed of the major league game there. Has shown a tendency to
rush plays and has trouble fielding the ball on the run. Looks
more comfortable and profiles better at second base. Hands work
and has shown solid range there. Footwork is sloppy at second as
well, but is within the more forgiving margin for error at that
position than at shortstop. Speed and athleticism might be best
suited for center field, where he played on occasion in 2022
and 2023. Potential below-average defender at shortstop and
average defender at second base. |
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Arm: Below-average arm strength. Shot puts the
ball over and throws lack carry. Arm is best suited for second
base.
Career Notes: Missed his entire
junior season at Texas due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. Spent
time with an independent team in Texas coached by Roger Clemens
during the lost 2020 season. Impressed scouts during 2020 Fall
Instructs. Did not make his affiliated debut until 2021. Had the
fifth-most stolen bases and third-most triples in all of the
minor leagues in 2021. Was acquired with Jackie Bradley and Alex
Binelas for Hunter Renfroe in December 2021 hours before the
lockout. Participated in 2022 Winter Warm-Up. Received a
non-roster invitation to MLB spring training in 2022. Broke
Portland's franchise stolen base record in 2022. Was added to the
40-man roster in November 2022 to protect him from selection in
the Rule 5 Draft in a mild surprise, a decision perhaps in part
made due to the pending MLB rules changes that were meant to put
increased emphasis on stolen bases. Participated in 2023 Rookie
Development Program.
Summation:
Potential up-and-down utility player. Ceiling of solid reserve
utility player. Swing changes heading into 2023 have improved
his hit tool and give him a better chance to handle major league
pitching, but still makes too much weak contact in the air for
someone with his speed profile. Could be better served by
prioritizing contact that allows him to use his speed. Type of
player who benefits from the MLB rule changes that promote speed
and athleticism. Could be a weapon off the bench as a pinch
runner and has athleticism at second base that teams look for.
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