59 SS/2B/3B Milan Tolentino (21.2yo, ranked 57th in 2022)
Tolentino is still tough to figure out, so I'm gonna hold on him.
He split the 2022 season at both class A levels with 200h PA at both stops. Tolentino was one of the best players in low A (144 wRc+) with good BB/K and SwStr%, but most of it was a BABIP mirage (433).
After his well deserved promotion to A+ his BABIP dropped to 340 and so did his overall slash line. Tolentino was still an average performer (97 wRc+), because he was able to carry over his elite 15% walk rate. But as we know, walk rate in A Ball isn't an indicator for future success, but K rate is, and Tolentino's jumped from 21 to 31% after his promotion. That's a huge red flag. But since his SwStr% was still good, this suggests Tolentino was too passive at the plate (he was: 4.2 P/AB).
But here's the good part: Tolentino had the best LD% at both levels in his age groups (sample of 138 prospects in class A, 38 in A+). So when he decides to swing, he makes a lot of hard contact, which also helps explain his higher BABIPs.
So how can he improve? Tolentino is a groundball heavy slasher with little power. It would help if he could lift the ball more often, but that's easier said than done. At the same time, he needs to swing earlier in counts to avoid strikeouts and use his speed more to get on base on contact. Tolentino stole 29 bases in 32 tries.
Tolentino gets high grades for his defense and he's played multiple positions. If his base stealing efficiency continues it puts him on track for an Util floor. Since power will never be a part of his game, his hit tool will ultimately decide his prospect stock. Tolentino was supposed to have above average bat control, so he needs to make more contact to improve his standing, especially in an org filled with MIF talent.
On paper, there's an opening or two at AA and a MIF logjam in A Ball, so Tolentino could get pushed up to Akron as 21yo, setting him up for a great chance to turn some heads and shoot up rankings, if he further fine tunes and maximizes his abilities.
Tolentino is still tough to figure out, so I'm gonna hold on him.
He split the 2022 season at both class A levels with 200h PA at both stops. Tolentino was one of the best players in low A (144 wRc+) with good BB/K and SwStr%, but most of it was a BABIP mirage (433).
After his well deserved promotion to A+ his BABIP dropped to 340 and so did his overall slash line. Tolentino was still an average performer (97 wRc+), because he was able to carry over his elite 15% walk rate. But as we know, walk rate in A Ball isn't an indicator for future success, but K rate is, and Tolentino's jumped from 21 to 31% after his promotion. That's a huge red flag. But since his SwStr% was still good, this suggests Tolentino was too passive at the plate (he was: 4.2 P/AB).
But here's the good part: Tolentino had the best LD% at both levels in his age groups (sample of 138 prospects in class A, 38 in A+). So when he decides to swing, he makes a lot of hard contact, which also helps explain his higher BABIPs.
So how can he improve? Tolentino is a groundball heavy slasher with little power. It would help if he could lift the ball more often, but that's easier said than done. At the same time, he needs to swing earlier in counts to avoid strikeouts and use his speed more to get on base on contact. Tolentino stole 29 bases in 32 tries.
Tolentino gets high grades for his defense and he's played multiple positions. If his base stealing efficiency continues it puts him on track for an Util floor. Since power will never be a part of his game, his hit tool will ultimately decide his prospect stock. Tolentino was supposed to have above average bat control, so he needs to make more contact to improve his standing, especially in an org filled with MIF talent.
On paper, there's an opening or two at AA and a MIF logjam in A Ball, so Tolentino could get pushed up to Akron as 21yo, setting him up for a great chance to turn some heads and shoot up rankings, if he further fine tunes and maximizes his abilities.
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