Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | STL | OF/1B/3B | 31 | 35 |
Grades Update: Dec 2020
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 30 | 45 | 55 | 40 | 55 | 40 |
Dec 2020 Report
Evaluator: Matt Thompson
Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2014 IFA, ATL
RuleV: 2020
Physical Description: Barrel chested with big shoulders and strong forearms. Big thighs and lower half. More muscular than soft, which is a recent change. Asked him to get in better shape so he could play the outfield and that's exactly what he did.
Hit: Yepez underwent a physical transformation of sorts, trading some baby fat for muscle, and the results were encouraging. He's more agile and improved his path through the zone. He hammers pitches up in the zone due to a mostly level bat path, but still drives the ball due to raw strength. He's worked on shortening his swing to make more contact, so that's something to watch for as we head into 2021. Still see him as a .240-.250 hitter though. Hit tool is above-average against left-handers, if not better. Grade: 45
Power: I think Yepez is capable of hitting 30 homers consistently in the big leagues, but the question is if his other secondary tools will allow him to get there. The power isn't enough to make up for the other parts of his game right now, but he definitely made strides in the power department, even if they don't immediately show up in the stat line. In 2018 Yepez's average flyball distance was 272 feet, per Prospect Live's MinorsGraphs tool. In 2019 that jumped all the way to 307 feet. He played at the same parks in 2018 as 2019, not including his stint in Double-A, so we have a good size sample to work with here. He knows his literal strength, and is now hunting fastballs to lift pull side. Plus raw power but I'm bumping it down a bit because he doesn't fully get all of it in games yet. Above average bat speed now. Very much tools over production right now. Grade: 55
Field: He's done a tremendous job getting himself into shape to potentially play an OF corner, but ideally you don't want him out there outside of the occasional appearance. He's fine at first base. Really needs a DH in the National League though. Grade: 40
Arm: Strong arm. Arm is playable at third, but the glove isn't. Arm can also put him in right field for a short stint, but again, you don't want him out there. Grade: 55
Run: Below-average runner, but a deceptive first step. Speed isn't a positive part of his game. Grade: 40
Overall: Yepez ultimate role is likely a lefty masher off the bench for a competitive club or as a DH somewhere. I just don't think the glove is playable in the field though. He lacks the range and speed to play in the outfield. He can play an average first base, but at the moment doesn't hit enough for that spot, and probably won't ever really, and while his arm fits at third the rest of him doesn't. The bat must take a jump to the next level for him to be considered for a semi-everyday role however.
OFP: 35
Role: 30 - Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk: Moderate
