One of the fun things about spring training is when an unknown wins a job. Today that very scenario unfolded in Florida, as Alejandro De Aza -- not exactly a primo prospect -- was named the Marlins’ starting center fielder.
De Aza should give your Roto squad some steals, but don’t kill your FAAB budget to get this guy if you’re in a yearly league. I have two main concerns:
1. Ability to get on base.
In the long run, De Aza might be OK in this area. He showed a decent batting eye in Single-A in 2005 (87/58 K/BB), and his .370 OBP was strong as well. Best of all, he was only 21 when he did that -- I’ll take that patience and OBP from a 21-year-old anytime.
But I’m not sure De Aza is ready for prime time as far as OBP and plate discipline go. Last year at Double-A, he had just a 46/21 K/BB (in 230 at-bats) and .346 OBP. If that’s all he could muster in Double-A, how will he be any better in the bigs?
Let’s say for a second that De Aza’s plate patience will be just as good in the majors as it was at Double-A. If we slot him for 460 at-bats, he’d strike out close to 100 times while walking just 40. Not good for a hitter whose game is speed, not power.
2. Inexperience.
De Aza has just 230 Double-A at-bats, and as documented above, he didn’t exactly master that level. He could probably use a little more time down there, as well as at Triple-A. The Marlins have had success promoting from Double-A before, but De Aza’s skill set doesn’t suggest he’s ready for the move.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Eric Reed called up sooner rather than later. De Aza has plenty of potential, but there are going to be serious growing pains here.
