If you happened to watch the postseason, you probably saw Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha shutting down opponents (with the exception of Game 6 of the World Series). Wacha was drafted 19th overall in the 2012 draft, four spots after the Indians selected Tyler Naquin 15th overall. (Naquin and Wacha were also teammates at Texas A&M). It’s far, far too early to determine whether or not Naquin over Wacha was a bad choice. I’ve had some concerns though, particularly since a lot of scouts have said they were surprised Naquin went in the first round, and that he projects more as a fourth outfielder. Of course, those predictions could be incorrect; but with the Indians’ long list of first round mistakes during the 2000s, I’m obviously likely to be a bit paranoid.
That’s why I was pleased to hear that Naquin has been performing well during the Arizona Fall League as a member of the Surprise Saguaros. It’s an offense-heavy league, and obviously a small and limited sample size; at the same time, it’s still good to see. Naquin is hitting .364/.429/.568; he is fifth in the league in batting average. He earned player of the week honors for the league’s third week as he went 8 for 20 and had a league-high seven RBI. At one point, Naquin had a 13-game hitting streak during AFL action.
Naquin was also selected to serve as DH on the “west” all star team for the AFL on Saturday, November 1 at Surprise Stadium, alongside highly-touted prospects like Byron Buxton from the Minnesota Twins and Delino DeShields, Jr. from the Houston Astros. The west won 9-2 and Naquin went 1 for 4 with a run scored.
Naquin spent the 2013 season splitting time between the Class-A Carolina Mudcats (108 games) and the Double-A Akron Aeros (18 games). With Carolina, Naquin hit .277/.345/.424 with 9 home runs and 14 stolen bases; in Akron he hit .225/.271/.300 with 1 home run and 1 stolen base. The 22-year-old will likely start the season back in Akron with the newly named Rubber Ducks.
I think the Indians deep thinkers fell in love with the idea of a good OBP centerfielder with a “five” arm.If they drafted Naquin and he ends playing a corner spot it’s another wasted first round pick.
Think it was also to spread the money around. Naquin came in under slot to get Mitch Brown and Keiran Lovegrove who were both considered to be tough signs.
Yeah,a strategy I have a real problem with.
Brown and Lovegrove look like busts so far.
Money had to be the factor so many people passed on Mike Trout, right? It was before the new CBA, but money/signability was still an issue prior to it. I just can’t imagine so many people passing him over…he didn’t go until 25 overall in 2009.