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Aug 17, 2023 11:16:45 GMT -5
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Post by KoreaSoxFan on Aug 17, 2023 11:16:45 GMT -5
www.baseballamerica.com/stories/hitting-data-standouts-from-the-2023-mlb-draft-part-1/
Kyle Teel, C, Red Sox
Virginia—Round 1, Pick 12
Teel’s ability to hit for both contact and power is well represented within the numbers, with an overall contact rate of 81% and an in-zone contact rate near 90%. His exit velocity data is above-average with an average exit velocity of 89 mph and a 90th percentile exit velocity of 106 mph. Teel has a slightly aggressive approach and expands the zone at a higher than normal rate, but it’s in check enough to avoid raising any red flags.
He has little issue handling a variety of pitch types, with no pitch type generating a higher whiff rate than 27%. His splits against lefthanded pitching leave something to be desired. In 87 at-bats between the Cape, Team USA and his 2023 spring with Virginia, Teel hit .243/.356/.270 against lefthanded pitching. It wasn’t a matter of elevated whiff against lefties but a matter of an overly passive approach against samehanded pitching. Teel seemed more than fine taking his walks against lefthanders, employing a more passive approach backed by the drop in swing rate against southpaws.
While this is a concern, Teel did significant damage against righthanded pitching, hitting a robust .424/.490/.714 across all competitions. Teel is an exciting catching prospect with the athleticism to move off the position and the impact in his bat to develop into a top prospect.
Nazzan Zanetello, SS, Red Sox
Christian Brothers College HS, St. Louis, Mo.—Round 2 Pick 50
One of the top athletes in the draft, Zanetello is one of the few athletes where we have pro-style athletic testing publicly available. He tested out as an elite athlete per the Loden score, and was an outlier as far as quickness, speed and power. While Zanetello is plenty raw from a skills perspective, he’s a twitchy, explosive athlete with a wiry, projectable 6-foot-2 frame.
Zanetello rarely chases outside the zone, with a low chase rate on the summer circuit last season. He does, however, lack pure bat-to-ball ability, leading to a fair amount of swing-and-miss. His explosiveness at the plate lends hope that he can overcome his lack of contact and have impact power. His bat speed is eye-catching as he takes powerful strokes. As a runner Zanetello is easily plus, with quick explosive strides at take off, and he gets to top speed quickly. He’s also shown skills in center field in addition to shortstop, hinting at potential positional flexibility.
Kyle Teel, C, Red Sox
Virginia—Round 1, Pick 12
Teel’s ability to hit for both contact and power is well represented within the numbers, with an overall contact rate of 81% and an in-zone contact rate near 90%. His exit velocity data is above-average with an average exit velocity of 89 mph and a 90th percentile exit velocity of 106 mph. Teel has a slightly aggressive approach and expands the zone at a higher than normal rate, but it’s in check enough to avoid raising any red flags.
He has little issue handling a variety of pitch types, with no pitch type generating a higher whiff rate than 27%. His splits against lefthanded pitching leave something to be desired. In 87 at-bats between the Cape, Team USA and his 2023 spring with Virginia, Teel hit .243/.356/.270 against lefthanded pitching. It wasn’t a matter of elevated whiff against lefties but a matter of an overly passive approach against samehanded pitching. Teel seemed more than fine taking his walks against lefthanders, employing a more passive approach backed by the drop in swing rate against southpaws.
While this is a concern, Teel did significant damage against righthanded pitching, hitting a robust .424/.490/.714 across all competitions. Teel is an exciting catching prospect with the athleticism to move off the position and the impact in his bat to develop into a top prospect.
Nazzan Zanetello, SS, Red Sox
Christian Brothers College HS, St. Louis, Mo.—Round 2 Pick 50
One of the top athletes in the draft, Zanetello is one of the few athletes where we have pro-style athletic testing publicly available. He tested out as an elite athlete per the Loden score, and was an outlier as far as quickness, speed and power. While Zanetello is plenty raw from a skills perspective, he’s a twitchy, explosive athlete with a wiry, projectable 6-foot-2 frame.
Zanetello rarely chases outside the zone, with a low chase rate on the summer circuit last season. He does, however, lack pure bat-to-ball ability, leading to a fair amount of swing-and-miss. His explosiveness at the plate lends hope that he can overcome his lack of contact and have impact power. His bat speed is eye-catching as he takes powerful strokes. As a runner Zanetello is easily plus, with quick explosive strides at take off, and he gets to top speed quickly. He’s also shown skills in center field in addition to shortstop, hinting at potential positional flexibility.