Article: TD Top Prospects: #4 Oswaldo Arcia

[Parker Hageman]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1367-TD-Top-Prospects-4-Oswaldo-Arcia

[Oldgoat_MN]

There is so much buzz about Sano, Hicks, Gibson, etc. Unless his minor league numbers are a complete fluke Arcia is potentially the biggest threat we have coming in a long time.

I think this kid is something special.

 

Thank you Parker. Nice article.

[Parker Hageman]

His numbers in the Florida State League suggest to me that his stats are not a complete fluke. I'm definitely higher on Arcia after delving into his background more -- am I'm absolutely smitten with that swing.

[roger]

I have been and remain of the opinion that he is the Twins #1 prospect. Maybe Buxton, Sano or Meyer have a higher upside. But being further away, there is a greater question to their ever achieving it. On the flip side, Arcia could hit well over .300 average with 30+ home runs...how much better can any of the three ever be?

[Seth Stohs]

I am very high on Arcia, but Parker's right in his article... the one concern is his ability to hit left-handed pitching. I hope that the AA numbers are the real deal.

[jimbo92107]

I haven't seen any video of Arcia hitting. How does Arcia's lefty swing compare to Parmelee's? Whose swing does it remind you of?

[tjsyam921]

Unless there's a injury, I would say he'll get the call in July if Morneau gets traded, and Parmelee moves to first.

[cmathewson]

He reminds me of Jason Kubel before the knee. Maybe we'll see what Kubel's career would have been like but for the career-threatening injury.

[Parker Hageman]

the one concern is his ability to hit left-handed pitching. I hope that the AA numbers are the real deal.

 

I'll also add that his strikeout rate is uncomfortably high too. He's young so there is the possibility that those will come down. That is one of the bigger difference between he and Jason Kubel at this time -- Kubel did not have nearly this high of a strikeout rate.

 

I haven't seen any video of Arcia hitting. How does Arcia's lefty swing compare to Parmelee's? Whose swing does it remind you of?

 

There is an abundance of Arcia clips/packages available on YouTube and more highlights on MiLB.com. In terms of comparing to Parmelee specifically, Arcia starts with lower hands and has a less pronounced leg-kick (Parmelee really gets that front leg up with a longer stride forward). Both generate power in their hips but in different ways.

 

Watching the clips, there is something very familiar about his swing that I cannot quite put my finger on it -- I want to say a Yankee for some reason -- but he does have some Kubel elements to it as well.

[Twins Twerp]

What would his arm rate on the scale? I know the surgery had to take its toll but I have seen reports of a possible plus arm that fits well in right. Thoughts?

[FrodaddyG]

What would his arm rate on the scale? I know the surgery had to take its toll but I have seen reports of a possible plus arm that fits well in right. Thoughts?

From what I recall it's an average to slightly above average for right field. Not Hicks, but not Revere, either. Similar to the description Kubel's arm got on his way through the system. (Much like most of Arcia's tools.)

[Parker Hageman]

What would his arm rate on the scale? I know the surgery had to take its toll but I have seen reports of a possible plus arm that fits well in right. Thoughts?

 

I haven't seen his arm in person so just basing it off of scouting reports from BA/BP, it's a solid, middle-of-the-road arm.

 

In terms of judging outfield arms, there seems to be three buckets -- really good, really bad and everyone else. Arcia seems to be in that "everyone else" category. There are things a player can do to make up for having a decent arm -- like charging, quick release, etc -- and that's something I have not seen in person to comment on.