Just when we thought Baseball America had made some progress by including a couple of Astros' prospects in their Hot Sheet last week, they go and do this, comparing Jose Altuve to some nutbag from the Cubs. Jim Callis responds:
Altuve isn't an elite prospect. He has a gift for putting the bat on the ball, but he takes a huge hack and is very aggressive at the plate. I see him as a .280/.330/.400 hitter. He has average to plus speed but won't be a big basestealer, and he's a solid defender.
The other guy - wait for it - bigger, has more power, but isn't as quick.
8 comments:
If he thinks Altuve's most likely outcome is .280/.330/.400 from an at least average defensive second baseman, how is that not an elite prospect? An essentially league average hitter up the middle is quite valuable.
The kid hit an INSIDE THE PARK HOME RUN! I can't wait to see what the Little Engine That Does in a full ML season.
I'm sure "tiny" has had to deal with people doubting his abilities for his entire life simply because he's not some roided up, monster of a man. He proved his doubters wrong by chasing .400 in the minors this year and will continue to do so by finishing up this season in the majors with impressive numbers.
David Eckstein - .280 .345 .355. I guess I'd settle for Altuve.
Given the fondness he's displayed for swinging the bat, he might need to hit .300 (which I think is very possible) to get to a .330 OBP.
But hell, he's only what, 21? Maybe one day he will calm down a bit and realize that his strike zone is a very small target for pitchers. Too early really to predict what kind of hitter he'll end up as.
He showed a decent ability to talk walks his first few professional seasons, but that has understandably waned as he's rocketed through the system the last two years. I think he'll eventually settle in around 50-60 BB for every 600 PA
I'm waiting to see the power he flashed in the minors this season, but I think this may be down to Brad Mills.
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