Article: Twins Daily 2019 Top Prospects: #10 Akil Baddoo

[beckmt]

 

Unfortunately, walk rate in the low minors has extremely low predictive value for future performance. Chris Mitchell (who had a stat-based prospect ranking system at Fangraphs and was eventually hired by a front office) ignored walk rate almost completely until AA. And for reference, Buxton and Sano both had BB% and K% rates in Cedar Rapids very similar Baddoo last year.

You are correct about part of this.  Earlier in this thread, it was stated that Baadoo was in the low 30% range the first two months, then dropped to the low 20's the last 4. (strikeout rate).  Also a lot of the called looking K's were very marginal.  It is hard to tell, but a walk rate is hard to teach, especially if their is not a big chase rate.  

[etwinsfan]

 

 

How does he pronounce his name?

I know it is "Ah-kill bah-do" Edited February 5, 2019 by ashburyjohn

[Tom Froemming]

 

Ugh. A Diaz analogy for Baddoo.

 

The reason Diaz has 'disappeared' from the top prospect conversation, is that he shouldn't have been in that conversation in the first place (heading into 2018).

 

If Baddoo OPS's 598 at Fort Myers this season (as Diaz did last year), he will have done it as a player with significant defensive value and flexibility, value on the bases, and at the age of 20...as apposed to Diaz who did so as a player with zero defensive flexibility and next-to-zero defensive value, zero value on the bases...and at the age of 21. (Also, Blankenhorn never saw Fort Myers until his age 21 season...spending his age 20 season in Cedar Rapids being about as good offensively as Baddoo was last year at 19)

 

I won't try to predict the future for any of these guys, but I'm guessing most prospect rankers are going to give Baddoo more rope than Blankenhorn and a lot more rope than Diaz.

Are you trying to suggest that if Baddoo posts a sub-.600 OPS he's not going to slip in these prospect rankings? All I'm trying say is if he struggles, like a lot of guys do making this jump, he's going to get passed by in these rankings.

 

There will be guys who breakout, additions via the draft and, let's face it, a good chance of some talent being added at the deadline again. At the same time, I'm not sure I'd project a single guy ranked ahead of Baddoo right now to graduate from prospect status in 2019, so it's not like room is opening up at the top. Competition for a spot this high is going to be thick.

[AlwaysinModeration]

SD, how about he go with the nickname “Yabba Dah”?

[bird]

 

Bah-Doo

 

FIFY

[DocBauer]

Not going back to the Twins arriving in Minnesota, and skipping the 70's, some of may remember those days, but since the 80's there has been a magnificent group of CF and CF prospects. Really, Puckett really set the stage. And then came Hunter, but not without some struggles initially. Then came Mack, (sorta), and Span, and Revere, (sorta again), and then Gomez. But it was, for years, a nice progression of talent. But Gomez was rushed and found success elsewhere. And then Hicks...not going there, and now Buxton. What else needs to be said we don't already know and haven't spouted out at length in internet ink?

 

He is a tremendous athletic talent that compares to the affor mentioned players that I don't need to go on. Who knows how good he could be? Hopefully his arm will be good enough to stay in CF, along with instinct. But despite his reported "raw" nature, you can't just teach a patient approach at the plate. If his natural instinct is to work the count to his advantage, aggression can be taught and learned.

 

Discipline, athleticism, power and speed are all there. Just give him a little to put it all together.

[BenB]

Looks like he is pretty hard to double up.

[TFRazor]

 

How does he pronounce his name?

Correctly every time

[dmhdale57]

I hope he continues along the top 10 (or better) prospect list.  With the depth ahead of him in the outfield, he could be a nice asset to move at the trade deadline.

[jkcarew]

All I'm trying say is if he struggles, like a lot of guys do making this jump, he's going to get passed by in these rankings.

That’s true of every single highly-regarded prospect that has ever made that jump or ever will make that jump. I’m confuses as to why Baddoo’s situation is uniquely “make-or-break”. At this point you’re kind of obliged to feel that this year will also be a make-or-break for Miranda and will REALLY be make-or-break for Jeffers...two other highly-ranked position players headed for Ft Myers...both older than Baddoo.

[Tom Froemming]

 

That’s true of every single highly-regarded prospect that has ever made that jump or ever will make that jump. I’m confuses as to why Baddoo’s situation is uniquely “make-or-break”. At this point you’re kind of obliged to feel that this year will also be a make-or-break for Miranda and will REALLY be make-or-break for Jeffers...two other highly-ranked position players headed for Ft Myers...both older than Baddoo.

Agreed, I never said it was unique to Baddoo.

[jkcarew]

 

Agreed, I never said it was unique to Baddoo.

Fair enough. Still, age and pedigree has to matter some, right? When Torii Hunter OPS'd 678 in Ft Myers after having gone around 800 in low A...it would have been silly for his prospect status to take much of a hit at all. He was a no. 20 overall pick, offered value beyond the hit tool, and was only 19 years old. Baddoo is not analogous to Hunter, but still...pretty glossy tools and will only be 20.

 

Admitted, (and ironically) his youth kinda works against him in a way, as well...at least in terms of a future with our favorite club. His rule-5 clock started ticking when he was barely 17. He's going to be rule-5 eligible at a relatively early stage of his overall development (almost Dominican-like), which could be problematic for the Twins if he stalls at all in the lower levels.