Andrew Bechtold - 2018

[TNTwinsFan]

Andrew Bechtold

Position: Third Baseman

Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right

6-1, 185lb (185cm, 83kg)

Team: Minnesota Twins (minors)

Born: April 18, 1996 (Age: 21-323d) in Chadds Ford, PA us

Draft: Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft from Garnet Valley HS (Glen Mills, PA) and the Minnesota Twins in the 5th round of the 2017 MLB June Amateur Draft from Chipola College (Marianna, FL).

High School: Garnet Valley HS (Glen Mills, PA)

School: University of Maryland (College Park, MD)

Full Name: Andrew Bechtold

 

Drafted last year, Seth Stohs has done a little work on Andrew; so if you'd like to Get To Know Twins Third Baseman Andrew Bechtold a little better click on that underlined set of words prior to these and whet your whistle a little. Here's a little back ground on what Andrew did in his first season with the Twins:

 

In just about 2 months worth of playing with the Baby Twins in the Appy league in what I am now calling my home state (Tennessee), Andrew racked up 175 PA in 43 games, 43 hits, 10 2B, 1 3B, 2, HR, 19 RBI, 33 Runs, along with a 40/27 K/BB ratio. All that was good enough for a .299/.406/.424 (.829 OPS) slash line. Yup, less than a 2.0 K/BB ratio. For reference, Andrew beat up on all his little brother's friends to the tune of .419/.532/.676 while at Chipola College prior to being drafted to pick on guys his own size. At Chipola he hit 16 2B along with 12 HR  in just 60 games so the power potential is there and will be something to watch for as this season progresses. Oh, and he stole 24 bases while in Chipola as well, so, Andrew, if you're reading this, we'll need to see something in the neighborhood of about 20 steals this season. He also had a 44/49 K/BB ratio...that's right boys and girls: he walked more than he struck out. I'm not sure that kind of K/BB ratio is to be expected as he climbs the Twins' minor league ladder, however, it should speak to how good of an eye at the plate he has. And this was seen in his first taste of pro ball, however, he did strike out in 22.8% of his PA's so he will need to work on that a bit as well. He's only got 2 seasons of college ball under his belt as he was Red Shirted his freshman year, so, that has a chance of working itself out over the next couple of seasons. The good news is that he BB'd in 15.4% of his PA's last year; indicative of a that same keen eye at the plate carrying over from Chipola. Fielding wise, Andrew looks to be pretty decent with the glove. Last year he played 345 innings at 3B making just 6 errors good enough for a .939 Fielding%. He projects to be athletic enough to continue handling the Hot Corner for the foreseeable future.

 

What to look for from Andrew this year:

1. Improved power. If he is moved up to Full Season ball later this year, he has the *potential* to hit for double digit HR. Last year was his first with a wooden bat, and while his Hit Tool carried over, he needs to find that Power Tool he displayed in Chipola.

2. Improved K%: Striking out in 22.8% of your PA in your first year is not bad at all. With a very good BB%, he has displayed discipline at the plate. I would like to see him improve the K% closer to 20% while maintaining that solid BB%.

3. Handle the Hot Corner: He had a solid first go at 3B for the Baby Twins. I want to see him continue to log a bunch of innings at the Hot Corner and become the Twins' Third Baseman of the Future. 

 

2018 Projections:

Although he handled himself very well in Elizabethton and is probably deserving of a promotion to Cedar Rapids, its likely Andrew starts the year in Elizabethton. One reason for that is that I'm not sure that Travis Blankenhorn has done enough to earn his promotion to Ft. Meyers. However, expect Andrew to earn a promotion to Cedar Rapids sometime this summer.

 

2018 Baby Twins Stats Projections:

40 Games

160 Plate Appearances

.324 BA

.437 OBP

.569 SLG

1.006 OPS

 

2018 Cedar Rapids Stats Projections:

60 Games

220 Plate Appearances

.292 BA

.397 OBP

.477 SLG

.874 OPS

 

Yes, I am projecting this kid to shoot up the prospect rankings and be a Top 10 Prospect by Mid-Season. He has the eye, the hit tool, and projectable power that I am predicting he taps into this year and becomes the Twins' Third Baseman of the Future.

 

P.S. Did I mention he stole 24 bases in 60 games while at Chipola?

 

[Squirrel]

Have you seen him play?

[TNTwinsFan]

I have not. Elizabethton is about 5 hours from where I live. So, I probably won't get to see him play until he moves up to Chattanooga.

[TNTwinsFan]

 

Here he is folks! The Twins' Third Baseman of the Future!!!!

[TNTwinsFan]

As one that sports a beard, this kid needs to start growing one...ASAP.

[Squirrel]

 

As one that sports a beard, this kid needs to start growing one...ASAP.

He doesn't look old enough to grow one!