Who Do You Love? - Issue #5
OF Won Bin-Cho, STL
Cho (or WBC as I've dubbed him) is an 18 year old high schooler from South Korea signed by the Cardinals this past international signing period.
I talked about him on this past episode of "On The Farm" but just to reiterate: he's super raw with no track record.
So why am I crushing on him?
It's the power of "If":
- IF he doesn't add too much weight (he's being billed anywhere from 190 to 215 right now on a 6'3 frame). The American diet is much different (read: fattier) than what I imagine WBC regularly ate. Additionally, the little bit of video that's available shows some improved muscle definition from early 2021 to now. Hopefully he avoids the Victor Robles route when it comes to strength-training
- IF he is able to show adequate pitch recognition. It's not just velocity that'll be the question for Cho but also how he does with breaking balls. If he can show appropriate ability to pick up hitters' pitches to damage, it's a plus. I'll take a moderately high K rate from a teenager as long as the power is there.
- IF he shows that power to all fields. If he's able to use what appears to be a fundamentally sounds swing to elevate pitches to the gaps while maintaining his pull-sode, his outlook starts to get really exciting. I wouldn't expect him to go line to line but if he can do more than just turn on inside fastballs (😉) then he's in the right path.
A teenage man-child that forgoes the KBO draft entirely to play in the MLB and signs to one of the most consistent franchises with little history of Int'l position players from Southeast Asia. Color me intrigued
SS James Triantos, CHC
Triantos is coming off an excellent pro debut. After being drafted in the second round by the Cubs, the Virginia prep baller posted .327/.376/.594 with 6HRs over 109PAs in the Arizona Complex League. Not bad for an 18 year old.
Going further, Triantos shows a remarkable bat to ball skill, able to manipulate the barrel to drive pitches in all parts of the zone. Add to that the fact that he's strikeout avoidant (16.5%K rate) and he's just my type: highly rated hit tool with doubles power.
There are a couple possible blemishes however: His days as a SS could be numbered due to average arm strength and range, a contact-heavy 2B is slightly less valuable but still attractive.
Secondly, I wonder if he'll reach the 20+ HR level to boost his overall potential value among middle infielders. His mechanics and approach, while on the verge of exceptional, are currently primed for more hit than power. He doesn't walk at a particularly high rate (6.4%). The swing doesn't generate the type of hand-hip separation known to help maximize bat speed
All that being said, I'm fascinated by what Triantos has delivered thus far. Even if he told out as a a doubles heavy, mid-OBP middle infielder, that's someone I can learn to love.
OF Gabriel Gonzalez, SEA
Oh look, it's baby JRod! I kid, but the teenage Gonzalez is sure to turn heads and draw some comparisons with his projectable frame, outfield skill, and capable power.
Here's a statistical comparison between Rodriguez & Gonzalez's 1st pro seasons
Awfully appealing, no? But before you declare your undying love for the barely legal Gonzalez, it's important to remember:
A) Rodriguez is a generational talent for a reason. He's big league ready within 3 years of debuting. What's the likelihood of Seattle hitting paydirt twice with a similar player type?
B) There's next to no video publicly available of Gonzalez. That's not completely surprising given that he played in the Dominican Summer League and hasn't debuted stateside yet. However, this also means I'm in a long distance relationship with Gonzalez, waiting for any word to come my way of his exploits.
C) He's a leggy boy and if he grows any taller, you start to get concerned about his control of those levers through a consistent swing.
But even with those concerns, Gonzalez may be the guy I'm most invested in seeing succeed out of all my crushes.
P Ryan Murphy, SFG
If I'm most invested in Gonzalez, Ryan Murphy from little Le Moyne College might be my second biggest crush. He's shown a solid four pitch mix and a pension for generating swings & misses. The Giants are like the perfect, traditional nuclear family for Murphy; they raise their kids to respect their elders and throw strikes.
The Cupid's arrow, though, was this interview with Roger Munter. Just reading his process and his self-awareness on his own development made me feel good about rostering him. Such a thoughtful young man.
Who are some of your prospect crushes? Leave a comment or shoot me a tweet @InsideFastball!
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