Cristian Pache

Pache has been an exciting, yet flawed prospect for five years now, and he finally reached the majors in 2020, getting four regular-season plate appearances and another 25 across 12 playoff games. The righty-hitting outfielder hit his first MLB home run in the NLCS off lefty Julio Urias. His hit tool has always been his worst tool, while his center field defense is a game-changing weapon that should keep him in the lineup for a few years no matter how much he struggles at the plate (within reason). His 70-grade speed will aid him in the outfield and on the sprint speed leaderboard, but he was 8-for-21 on SB attempts at Double-A (60.4% success rate for his career) and did not even attempt a steal in 26 games at Triple-A. Pache has enough pop to ambush mistakes, but his AVG and OBP will likely relegate him to the bottom third of the lineup. He should open the year as Atlanta's everyday center fielder.

This has always been the case with Pache, but as he nears his big-league debut, it is worth repeating: his hit tool is easily his worst tool. If he can't fix his extremely pull-heavy approach, he will be easily neutralized by shifts in the majors. This doesn't mean he is not an awesome real-life prospect. He could win multiple Gold Gloves in center field and could hit 25-plus home runs in his peak power seasons. There would not be a big gap between his real-life and fantasy value if his plus speed translated as well on the bases as it does in center field, but he was 8-for-21 on stolen-base attempts at Double-A (60.4% success rate for his career) and did not even attempt a steal in 26 games at Triple-A. So, for all the 60s and 70s on his scouting report, if he only hits .250 with 25 home runs and a handful of steals while batting at the bottom of the order, he will be a late-round pick in mixed leagues.

There may not be a more overrated position player for dynasty leagues than Pache. He does very well on real-life prospect rankings because he has a chance to be an 80-grade defender in center field, but there is a big gap between his projected defensive value and what he will likely contribute at the dish. Pache has been able to post decent batting averages, largely because his speed allows him to leg out groundballs against minor-league defenders. He is still learning to utilize his 70-grade wheels on the bases -- Pache was only 10-for-18 on stolen-base attempts last year, including the Arizona Fall League. The Braves are trying to coax more power out of him, which has resulted in elevated strikeout totals. He is being fast-tracked to the big leagues because of his glove, while his bat probably needs two more seasons in the minors. His defense will earn him an everyday job, which could lead to 20-plus steals, which is the main selling point for fantasy.

Pache has 200 hits in 176 games as a pro and zero of those have left the yard. Five or six years ago, he wouldn't have been very appealing in fantasy leagues, but as a 70-grade runner with solid bat-to-ball skills, he is intriguing in today's speed deprived landscape. His center field defense is elite, which means he doesn't have to do much damage with the bat to profile as a regular. If he gets everyday at-bats, Pache could offer 30-plus steals annually throughout his 20s. He was the youngest hitter in the Sally League and was still almost a league average hitter (98 wRC+) without hitting a home run. Some evaluators expect him to eventually offer double-digit homer pop as he continues to grow into his athletic 6-foot-2 frame. He has a pull-heavy approach (50.4 percent), which is a bit concerning, so it's not a lock that he will hit better than .260 or .270. Fortunately Pache's walk rate continues to trend up, and if that continues, his stolen-base upside will increase, as will his chances of hitting atop a big-league lineup.

The Braves' recent uptick in international activity is starting to bear fruit, with Pache being just the latest in a line of high-pedigree hitters to impress as a 17-year-old in his stateside debut. He fits the mold of a lanky, toolsy center field prospect. Pache hit .309/.349/.391 with four doubles, seven triples and zero homers across stops in the Gulf Coast and Appalachian leagues, but at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, and with plus bat speed, it won't be long before he starts hitting balls over the fence in games. His plus-plus speed and knack for making good contact define his present offensive skill set, and for someone who could spend the bulk of his age-18 season at Low-A Rome, that should be enough to get the attention of prospect hounds. In leagues where owners need to be overhasty to land prospects like Victor Robles or Ronald Acuna, it's worth taking a flier on Pache this offseason in case he hits the ground running in the Sally League.