I thought this would be a great topic of discussion. Perhaps some of the more veteran members of this board can shed some light on this.
Every report I've ever read on Ryan Kalish since he was drafted has included the following phrase. "Some scouts see him as a tweener". For those who may not know, a "tweener" is a player who isn't a good enough fielder to play CF and not enough hitting ability to play a corner position. Essentially such a player is a fourth OF. I have to assume that this concern was a reason why Kalish lasted so long the year he was drafted. $600,000, Kalish's bonus award, is a lot of money to spend on a player you essentially project as a backup. Given his bonus, I think its a safe assumption that the Red Sox thought he projected to be much more than a fourth OF.
So far, it appears that there are good arguments for both sides at least in the number. Kalish hasn't shown the type of power that would make him a prime right or left fielder in Boston. Yet he has shown strong plate discipline and the ability to improve when he's challenged. Often these can be the traits of a player who develops a power stroke in his mid 20s.
So how's about it scouts? Stat heads? And even friends of Kalish's if you are around? Will Ryan Kalish be a "tweener" in the majors? Why or why not?
Every report I've ever read on Ryan Kalish since he was drafted has included the following phrase. "Some scouts see him as a tweener". For those who may not know, a "tweener" is a player who isn't a good enough fielder to play CF and not enough hitting ability to play a corner position. Essentially such a player is a fourth OF. I have to assume that this concern was a reason why Kalish lasted so long the year he was drafted. $600,000, Kalish's bonus award, is a lot of money to spend on a player you essentially project as a backup. Given his bonus, I think its a safe assumption that the Red Sox thought he projected to be much more than a fourth OF.
So far, it appears that there are good arguments for both sides at least in the number. Kalish hasn't shown the type of power that would make him a prime right or left fielder in Boston. Yet he has shown strong plate discipline and the ability to improve when he's challenged. Often these can be the traits of a player who develops a power stroke in his mid 20s.
So how's about it scouts? Stat heads? And even friends of Kalish's if you are around? Will Ryan Kalish be a "tweener" in the majors? Why or why not?