AB | 428 |
---|---|
AVG | .231 |
OBP | .302 |
SLG | .437 |
HR | 18 |
- Full name Michael Andrew Yastrzemski
- Born 08/23/1990 in Andover, MA
- Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 178 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Vanderbilt
- Debut 05/25/2019
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Drafted in the 14th round (429th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2013.
View Draft Report
Yastrzemski, the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, had a modest first three years at Vanderbilt, where he has been a regular since midway through his freshman season. He never hit better than .296 before breaking out in Southeastern Conference play as a senior, going 39-for-97 (.402) to lead the league in 26 conference games. At 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, he doesn't have a plus tool but has tremendous savvy and has been considered one of the SEC's top baserunners the last three seasons. He's a fine defender in right field with a strong arm as well. Yastrzemski has a quick, line-drive stroke and can pepper the gaps but will have to play some center field or be a fourth outfielder as a pro, because he lacks corner power.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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When the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski played at three levels on the farm in 2014, it looked like he might be on a fast track to Baltimore. But while Yastrzemski remains well-regarded by the Orioles brass, his inability to put up better numbers at Double-A Bowie slowed his progress in 2015. Drafted three times, Yastrzemski signed with Baltimore after a four-year career at Vanderbilt. He reached Bowie in 2014 and elevated his play in the postseason, batting .406 with 10 extra-base hits in nine games as the Baysox won the Eastern League title. He's a line-drive hitter with average bat speed, an all-fields approach and solid pitch recognition. His power, which surprised in 2014, grades a tick below-average. He shows the ability to get to a good fastball. He's a good defender whose best position probably is right field thanks to average speed and an accurate, average arm. Yastrzemski's team-first makeup would suit him in a role as an extra outfielder, and he should report to Triple-A Norfolk for 2016. -
The grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, the younger Yaz was drafted twice before the Orioles signed him--by Carl's Red Sox out of high school in 2009 and by the Mariners in 2012. The Orioles signed him after a four-year career as a starter at Vanderbilt and he finished his first full season at Double-A, blazing through three levels. With no offensive tool that rates plus, Yaz just keeps hitting, making the South Atlantic League all-star game and hitting for the cycle with high Class A Frederick. He hit to all fields with some power with solid pitch recognition. Yastrzemski credits a strong mental approach as a key to his success. Scouts say he's baseball's equivalent of a gym rat who plays hard and never takes a pitch off. His smarts and savvy play at the plate, where he was able to often work himself into fastball counts; on the bases, as his average speed plays up; and defensively, as he takes good routes and closes on the ball well. His arm rates solid-average but is very accurate, helping him rack up 15 assists. Yaz will return to Double-A, where he ended last year. He profiles as a championship-caliber fourth outfielder, but could be more if he keeps hitting like he did in 2014.
Draft Prospects
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Yastrzemski, the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, had a modest first three years at Vanderbilt, where he has been a regular since midway through his freshman season. He never hit better than .296 before breaking out in Southeastern Conference play as a senior, going 39-for-97 (.402) to lead the league in 26 conference games. At 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, he doesn't have a plus tool but has tremendous savvy and has been considered one of the SEC's top baserunners the last three seasons. He's a fine defender in right field with a strong arm as well. Yastrzemski has a quick, line-drive stroke and can pepper the gaps but will have to play some center field or be a fourth outfielder as a pro, because he lacks corner power.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Some look at Yastrzemski's breakout season with a healthy amount of skepticism. A senior-sign 14th rounder out of Vanderbilt in 2013 who had one great year in four as a Commodore, he played the SAL portion of the season as a 23-year-old. But for all that, scouts and managers couldn't help but be impressed. Yastrzemski hit for average and power while showing a tick above-average run tool. "That's a baseball player," Hagerstown manager Patrick Anderson said. "The barrel works through the zone real well. He runs a little bit and plays solid defense. I loved him." Scouts see Yastrzemski as a potential fourth outfielder who could continue to exceed expectations. One evaluator likened him to veteran big league outfielder David DeJesus.