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Drew Ward DOB: 11/25/94 Ht. 6’4″ Wt. 210 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
After a strong first-year campaign in the GCL, Ward was sent to Hagerstown instead of Auburn and held his own despite being 2.5 years younger than the Sally League avergage. Scouts believe he’ll eventually shift over to 1B, noting his poor lateral movement that no doubt is related to his size-16 feet and Marrero-esque running ability. Offensively, he’s still learning to tap into his raw power, which for now is strictly pull-side, though he can hit line drives from left-center to right. Look for him to begin 2015 in Potomac. |
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Cody Gunter DOB: 4/18/94 Ht. 6’3″ Wt. 195 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
As correctly predicted last year, ↑ this guy ↑ leapfrogged Gunter to force the then-20-y.o. to repeat Auburn in 2014. He showed some modest improve- ment offensively but the more dramatic difference was cutting his errors from 20 to 11, which might be enough to stave off a move across the diamond. He’ll be closer to league-average age in 2015, so more power and patience will be expected at Low-A Hagerstown. |
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Kelvin Gutierrez DOB: 8/28/94 Ht. 6’3″ Wt. 185 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Gutierrez made the 2014 list as one of the DSL Bats and as a shortstop. He shifted over to third base to make room for fellow watchlister Edwin Lora but still made strides forward on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he raised his both his AVG and OBP by nearly 30 points while reducing his K rate, albeit slightly. Defensively, he made seven fewer errors in roughly the same number of games, improving his FA from .909 to .934. Thanks to Gunter, he’ll probably start 2015 in Auburn. |
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Younaifred Aguero DOB: 4/10/93 Ht. 6’2″ Wt. 170 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
Like a lot of rookie-level players, Aguero has split time between multiple positions (also 1B and LF) but has spent the most games at 3B, a position that’s been blocked for nearly a decade. He was old for the GCL but put up good numbers (.274/.330/.400) though his playing time in 2014 was diminished compared to 2013 and 2012. If he’s sent to Hagerstown, it’s either to back up “Orange” and Gunter or a sink-or-swim promotion. Otherwise, expect him in upstate New York in ’15. |