WildBB
Yogi n da Bear
Right now it is unknown that the D-Backs could indeed plan on sending Marte permanently back to 2nd base. Mainly for his long term upkeep/wear and tear on his body.
And there are some intriguing options for this franchise in the coming years, as well as a platoon option this coming season. I'm thinking of either Dalton Varsho or Tim Locastro along with a possible mid level veteran in FA for 2-3 yr. option contract.
Beyond that they are loaded with minor league talent coming up through the system in that time frame. Varsho will be 1st to have an opportunity, rated #5 overall in D-Backs farm system per Athletic sports writer Jim Bowden.
5. Daulton Varsho, C/OF
Age: 23
HT: 5-10 WT: 195
B: L T: R
Drafted: 2nd round, 2017, University of Wisconsin
Stats (AA): Slash line: .301/.378/.520 2B: 25 3B: 4 HR: 18 RBI: 58 SB: 21 CS: 5
There are not a lot of players who can play both catcher and center field and that says it all in terms of Varsho. He is an explosive athlete that does a good job behind the plate. He receives well and is a very good blocker. He has a quick release and calls a good game. He can stay behind the plate and he has also shown the ability to play a solid center field. He impacts the ball offensively and gets on base. He is the son of former major league outfielder Gary Varsho, who played for me when I was the GM of the Cincinnati Reds several decades ago.
Scouting Grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 55 RUN: 55 ARM: 45 FLD: 50
1. Alek Thomas, CF
Age: 19
HT: 5-11 WT: 175
B: L T: L
Drafted: 2nd round, 2018, Mt. Carmel HS, Chicago, Ill.
Stats (A/A+): Slash line:.300/.379/.450 2B: 23 3B: 7 HR: 10 RBI: 55 SB: 15 CS: 11
Thomas is an elite top-of-the-order bat and at least an average defensive center fielder. He has on-base skills and showed the ability to drive the ball in a pitcher-friendly league. He performed well at an advanced level for a first-year full-season player. He has special baseball instincts, runs the bases well and in time profiles to a potential 20/20 type hitter.
Scouting Grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 50 ARM: 45 FLD: 60 RUN: 60
2. Kristian Robinson, OF
Age: 18
HT: 6-3 WT: 192
B: R T: R
Signed: Nassau, Bahamas
Stats (A/A-): Slash line: .282/.368/.514 2B: 13 3B: 2 HR: 14 RBI: 51 SB: 17 CS: 5
Robinson is a tremendous athlete that flashes all the tools. At 18 years old, he plays the game with the calm and poise of someone several years older. He has shown patience at the plate and the ability to hit for power. He can play center field and he has the athleticism and instincts to not only stay there but to develop into an above-average defender.
Scouting Grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 60 RUN: 55 ARM: 55 FLD: 55
4. Corbin Carroll, CF
Age: 19
HT: 5-10 WT: 165
B: L T: L
Drafted: 1st round, 2019, Lakeside HS, Seattle, Wa.
Stats (Rookie/A-): Slash line:.299/.409/.487 2B: 9 3B: 7 HR: 2 RBI:20 SB: 18 CS: 1
Carroll is an advanced 19-year-old who carried a .400 on-base percentage through his first half-season. He has patience at the plate and no panic in his game. He profiles as a top-of-the-order type table-setter. He showed doubles power and hit a couple of home runs. He is a smart base runner, with good speed and can really play center field. His make-up, character and competitiveness will be a difference-maker for him.
Scouting Grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 45 RUN: 65 ARM: 45 FLD: 55
And there are some intriguing options for this franchise in the coming years, as well as a platoon option this coming season. I'm thinking of either Dalton Varsho or Tim Locastro along with a possible mid level veteran in FA for 2-3 yr. option contract.
Beyond that they are loaded with minor league talent coming up through the system in that time frame. Varsho will be 1st to have an opportunity, rated #5 overall in D-Backs farm system per Athletic sports writer Jim Bowden.
5. Daulton Varsho, C/OF
Age: 23
HT: 5-10 WT: 195
B: L T: R
Drafted: 2nd round, 2017, University of Wisconsin
Stats (AA): Slash line: .301/.378/.520 2B: 25 3B: 4 HR: 18 RBI: 58 SB: 21 CS: 5
There are not a lot of players who can play both catcher and center field and that says it all in terms of Varsho. He is an explosive athlete that does a good job behind the plate. He receives well and is a very good blocker. He has a quick release and calls a good game. He can stay behind the plate and he has also shown the ability to play a solid center field. He impacts the ball offensively and gets on base. He is the son of former major league outfielder Gary Varsho, who played for me when I was the GM of the Cincinnati Reds several decades ago.
Scouting Grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 55 RUN: 55 ARM: 45 FLD: 50
1. Alek Thomas, CF
Age: 19
HT: 5-11 WT: 175
B: L T: L
Drafted: 2nd round, 2018, Mt. Carmel HS, Chicago, Ill.
Stats (A/A+): Slash line:.300/.379/.450 2B: 23 3B: 7 HR: 10 RBI: 55 SB: 15 CS: 11
Thomas is an elite top-of-the-order bat and at least an average defensive center fielder. He has on-base skills and showed the ability to drive the ball in a pitcher-friendly league. He performed well at an advanced level for a first-year full-season player. He has special baseball instincts, runs the bases well and in time profiles to a potential 20/20 type hitter.
Scouting Grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 50 ARM: 45 FLD: 60 RUN: 60
2. Kristian Robinson, OF
Age: 18
HT: 6-3 WT: 192
B: R T: R
Signed: Nassau, Bahamas
Stats (A/A-): Slash line: .282/.368/.514 2B: 13 3B: 2 HR: 14 RBI: 51 SB: 17 CS: 5
Robinson is a tremendous athlete that flashes all the tools. At 18 years old, he plays the game with the calm and poise of someone several years older. He has shown patience at the plate and the ability to hit for power. He can play center field and he has the athleticism and instincts to not only stay there but to develop into an above-average defender.
Scouting Grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 60 RUN: 55 ARM: 55 FLD: 55
4. Corbin Carroll, CF
Age: 19
HT: 5-10 WT: 165
B: L T: L
Drafted: 1st round, 2019, Lakeside HS, Seattle, Wa.
Stats (Rookie/A-): Slash line:.299/.409/.487 2B: 9 3B: 7 HR: 2 RBI:20 SB: 18 CS: 1
Carroll is an advanced 19-year-old who carried a .400 on-base percentage through his first half-season. He has patience at the plate and no panic in his game. He profiles as a top-of-the-order type table-setter. He showed doubles power and hit a couple of home runs. He is a smart base runner, with good speed and can really play center field. His make-up, character and competitiveness will be a difference-maker for him.
Scouting Grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 45 RUN: 65 ARM: 45 FLD: 55
