Week two of spring training is in the books! We take a look back at some of the week’s top performing prospects. You will notice a few recurring names from last week’s list such as Bobby Witt Jr. and Andrew Vaughn.
Bobby Witt Jr.
The Royals’s young 21-year old shortstop prospect continued hitting this week, and more notably, showed tons of pop. The star in the making has tallied nine hits throughout his first eleven spring games, three of those hits leaving the yard, including a 484-foot BOMB on March 8. Witt Jr. improved on his already impressive slash line that now reads .333/.379/.667.
For Witt Jr, this could mean an early promotion to Double-A ball. The last time minor league games were contested, Witt Jr was playing rookie ball where he showed decent bat to ball skills posting a .262 average through 37 games. The Royals will not rush Witt Jr to the big as it is unlikely they will be competitive this year, but Witt is the cornerstone for this franchise. We can expect him to make a quick ascent through the minor leagues, even as a high school pick.
Andrew Vaughn
Another repeat on this list is the 22-year-old Cal product, Andrew Vaughn. We mentioned Vaughn’s power last week and all he has done since then is prove us correct.
Perhaps more notably, Vaughn has shown extreme plate discipline, a rare trait from young hitters these days. In his eleven games, Vaughn has battled out six free passes to only five strikeouts. Again, an unusual trait for a power hitter.
So far this spring, Vaughn has compiled eight hits in 26 at-bats, pushing his slash line to .308/.438/.462 on the young spring. This performance for Vaughn has done wonders for his chances to make the Opening Day roster in Chicago. With Jose Abreu manning first base, there was some uncertainty where the young slugger would fit in. But manager Tony La Russa has been plugging him in the lineup as the DH and it appears very likely that that is where we can see him slotted on Opening Day if he begins the year in Chicago.
Bobby Dalbec
Red Sox fans can rejoice looking at the next couple names on this list after having to bid farewell to their beloved “Killer Bs” that brought them a title in 2019. Even with Jackie Bradley Jr, Mookie Betts, and Andrew Benintendi sporting different jerseys this season, the Red Sox still have hopes of being competitive. Adding to a young core of Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, and Alex Verdugo, Bobby Dalbec has made his presence known this spring.
The corner infielder has slugged five hits through his first six spring games this year; four of which turned into souvenirs. On Wednesday, the University of Arizona product mashed a grand slam over the left field wall, bringing his RBI total to eight for this young campaign. With plus power and an above-average arm, the Red Sox believe they have a powerhouse corner of the infield pairing a slugging Dalbec with All-Star, Rafael Devers. Expect Dalbec to make the Opening Day roster and keep him in mind when placing your Rookie of the Year bets.
Jeter Downs
Jeter Downs, who was acquired in the trade that sent MVP Mookie Betts to Los Angeles, has also inspired hope in a Red Sox fan base that has seen them underperform since being on top of the baseball world only two seasons ago.
Downs started off his weekend by ripping a single through the right side in his only at bat on Friday afternoon. Downs has raked this spring while showing flashes of being a more than capable middle infielder.
The former first round pick is now 4-8 with a long ball and three RBI in his nine games thus far. The hot start has certainly helped Downs’s case to make the big club this summer. We probably will not see him on Opening Day, but expect to see the 22-year-old in the bigs at some point this season.
He recently suffered a “side” injury, which could be an oblique injury. As of this posting there’s no word on a timetable or severity of injury.
Heliot Ramos
An under the radar performer this spring has been Heliot Ramos who has been absolutely mashing. The 21-year-old Opening Day hopeful is hitting an outrageous .429 with three homers and a stolen base. With a young outfield in San Francisco, Ramos has every chance to prove himself worthy of adding to that core this spring, and he is doing just that.
The former first round pick of the Giants finished last season at the Double-A level where he hit .242 and managed a .321 OBP in 25 games. However, the Puerto Rican native has been far more impressive this spring, smashing the ball all over the yard. It will be interesting to see if the Giants decide to take him out west with them this April with a young outfield core of Alex Dickerson, Mike Yastrzemski, and rookie Mauricio Dubon also vying for a starting role.
Keep an eye on Ramos the rest of the spring as he fights for an Opening Day roster spot.