With approximately a week left in Spring Training, minor league teams are in full swing on the backfields in Sarasota, Florida. Several more moves were made over the weekend, and we start to have a clearer view of how teams align before the regular season kicks off in April. In today’s outlook, we’ll examine the Bowie Baysox (Double-A) and their outlook for hitting. You can take a look at Bowie’s pitching outlook here.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
Chance Sisco – C
Sisco, 21, should be a household name for Orioles’ fans. The catcher is the best position prospect in the system. After hitting .297/.376/.415 between Frederick (A+) and Bowie last season, Sisco will start the 2016 season with Bowie (20 games in 2015). Lots of scouts are down on his defense, but as I stated in his full scouting report, he showed a lot of improvement as last season progressed.
Adrian Marin – SS
After spending the past two seasons with Frederick, it’s time for Marin to show if he can handle the talent of Double-A. Although Marin was with Bowie on the taxi-squad at the end of 2015, he didn’t appear in a game. Certainly, Marin is still young (will be 22 years old when the season starts) – but he has yet to show a productive season at the plate. His below average arm will force him to a new position, and that come during the 2016 season.
Drew Dosch – 3B
After a very hot start with Frederick last season (.348 on-base percentage) – the 23-year-old third baseman was promoted to Bowie for the rest of the season. In 68 games, Dosch struggled and posted a .238/.286/.307 line. However, it was only his second year in professional baseball. His bat won’t generate a lot of power, but he’s patient at the plate and puts the ball in play. Full write-up here.
Mike Yastrzemski – OF
After a brief stop in Frederick during the 2014 season, Yaz has spend the past 171 games in Bowie, posting a .247/.314/.383 line. The former Vanderbilt University standout posted a .388 on-base percentage in May last season, but would hit .223/.291/.360 with 62 strikeouts the rest of the season. After spending 171 games in Bowie, I would fully expect Yastrzemski to be fully capable of hitting Double-A pitching in 2016. Yaz will likely hit leadoff or second for the Baysox this season, and could see a call to Triple-A Norfolk at some point.
Glynn Davis – OF
Much like Yaz, Davis has spent the past year and half with Bowie. Davis, 24, will open the season as an everyday starter in the outfield, but could move to left-field depending on the roster and Josh Hart. He’ll mostly bat towards the top of the order, and if he can do a better job of getting on base, he has chance to steal between 30-40 bases. His speed is one of the best in the organizations, but he needs to get on base to use it. He’s stolen a total of 45 bases the past two seasons, but could see an increase this season.
Austin Wynns – C
Wynns doesn’t profile as a prospect to many, but his ability to call a game and receive pitches is one of the best in the system. He posted a career high best .347 on-base percentage in Frederick last season and does a good job of working opposing pitchers. He likely won’t have a chance to play everyday with Chance Sisco on the team, but when he does get a chance, he makes it count.
Alex Liddi – 1B/OF
Signed as a minor league free agent during the off-season, Alex Liddi could see a bulk of time playing first base for the Baysox in 2016. With Norfolk being full in the outfield and at first base, Bowie doesn’t really have a full-time first baseman. Originally signed in 2005 by the Seattle Mariners, Liddi has appeared in 61 big-league games (all with the Mariners) – hitting .208/.266/.370. In addition to playing briefly for the Norfolk Tides in 2013 (49 games) – Liddi has played in Double-A and Triple-A for the Dodgers, White Sox and Royals. He’s a career .268/.331/.452 hitter with 135 home runs in ten minor league seasons.
Reggie Yinger has spent the parts of five seasons as a Player Development Coordinator for the Baltimore Orioles. He has extensive experience in computer programming and baseball.