Jace LaViolette OF, College(Texas A&M). DOB: 12/4/2003. B- L, T-L. 6'6", 230 lbs.
2023(College): .287/.414/.632, 21 HR, 18 SB, 17.1% BB, 26.8 K%, 280 PA.
2023(Cape Cod League): .381/.500/.429, 19.2 BB%, 23.1 K%, 26 PA.
2024(College): .305/.449/.726, 29 HR, 7 SB, 19.2 BB%, 24.3 K%, 334 PA.
Tremendous combination of size, athleticism and power. Fast enough to play CF with an arm strong enough to play RF. Unfortunately his shakiest tool is the most important one, hit. He shows good plate discipline with high walk rates which often come with higher strikeout rates because if you are choosy about what balls you swing at in the zone, you are going to see more 2-strike pitches you don't strike out until after you get to two strikes. So that may explain it but the MLB Pipeline scouting report talks about swing and miss within the strike zone which is a red flag, IMO. On video he looks like a lefthanded version of Kris Bryant. I don't see an arm bar. He keeps his elbows bent which helps him get around on pitches on the inner half and his arms are long enough he should be able to also cover the outside corner. The potential is obvious but also some bust potential if he doesn't show improvement in in-zone contact skills.
Can you explain what you mean by "arm bar"? I've played and coached a lot of baseball and never heard of this term. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI am not a scout and am not sure if I have this right but after doing some reading and watching a lot of videos of swings, my current understanding is an arm bar is when the batter locks his front elbow in an extended position kind of like the front arm of a golf swing. This probably gives better access to pitches on the outer half of the plate and generates more opposite-field and straightaway power. The downside is the barred arm makes the swing vulnerable to getting jammed on the inside corner. To get around on inside FB's, hitters can keep their front elbow bent which keeps their hands closer to their body while generating pull power. It seems arm barring is controversial with some analysts seeing it as a big negative while others don't think it is important and some seeing it as more of a positive. Maybe another reader/commenter can disabuse me of this notion?
DeleteFormer SF Giants minor league outfielder Ismael Munguia recently found a new home with the New York Yankees on a minor league deal per Jeff Young in Around the Foghorn.
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