Pirates SS Yordany De Los Santos has been living in the present and making the most of his limited opportunities with Pittsburgh this preseason, popping three home runs in just 11 plate appearances, good for a 394 wRC+. Prior to spring training, he had played just two games above Low-A and slashed .249/.311/.388 in 116 games there last year, but he was 20 years old posting an average (95 wRC+) against older players (+1 years on average) in full-season ball, so I’m looking past the slash line a little bit and gazing longingly at his 51 stolen bases in 65 attempts. That’s a 78 percent success rate, which ain’t great but isn’t the kind of red flag that would stop a youngster from running. He looks bigger this year than his listed 6’1” 170 pounds, and while a reality beyond their listed size is true of just about every international signing, De Los Santos looks like a major leaguer, physically, when glanced through my admittedly large television screen. At 21 years old, he’s ripe for a statistical breakthrough playing in a hitter-friendly home park for High-A Greensboro. If that materializes, he’ll be headed to Double-A by midseason. Won’t turn 22 until February 17 of next year. There’s a lot to like here.
Please, blog, may I have some more?