Tyler Wade Stats & Scouting Report

AB	138
AVG	.217
OBP	.285
SLG	.239
HR	0

Full name Tyler Dean Wade
Born 11/23/1994 in Murrieta, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 188 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Murrieta Valley
Debut 06/27/2017
Drafted in the 4th round (134th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2013 (signed for $371,300).

View Draft Report

Wade played at the Jesse Flores Memorial All-Star Game last fall but mostly flew under the scouting radar until this spring, when he has hit .524 with six doubles and six triples through 84 at-bats. He also impressed with his defense at shortstop, showing enough range, actions and above-average arm strength to give him a chance to stick at the position. At 6-foot-1, 178 pounds, Wade is a live-bodied athlete with above-average speed. He has a handsy swing and a line-drive approach, and he could become an average hitter down the road. He needs to get stronger, and he projects for below-average power. A San Diego State recruit, Wade has draft helium and could go off the board as early as the fourth or fifth round.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After a relatively quick rise through the minor leagues, Wade made his major league debut on June 27 and was quickly overmatched by major league pitching. Still just 22, he struck out in 19 of his 63 plate appearances and went just 9-for-58 in his big league time. With Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, however, where he was still nearly five years younger than average in the International League, Wade thrived. He hit .310/.382/.460, the highest marks in all three categories in any of his four full minor league seasons. He showed up to spring training this year noticeably stronger and hit a career-best seven home runs as a result while seemingly sacrificing none of his well above-average speed. He doesn't show standout tools anywhere but on the basepaths, though he doesn't have any glaring deficiencies either. Didi Gregorius and Starlin Castro seem to have a lock on the middle-infield positions in the Bronx, and once he returns from Tommy John surgery top prospect Gleyber Torres will vault back to the top of the Yankees' infield prospects. Wade played outfield in the Arizona Fall League in 2016 and was used all over the diamond this past season in Scranton. With the extra versatility, Wade has the ceiling of a super-utility type of player.
In a system with Didi Gregorius in the major leagues and new acquisition Gleyber Torres atop the depth chart, something had to give with the Yankees' glut of shortstops in the minors. With that in mind, Wade spent the Arizona Fall League beginning his conversion to the outfield. Wade returned to Double-A in 2016 and continued showing his ability to do a little bit of everything. He sprayed the ball to all fields nearly equally and his splits against righties and lefties were nearly identical. He is an above-average runner as well, and his 66 walks were the second-most in the system behind only Hoy Jun Park. Wade still has the skills to play shortstop or second base if necessary and scouts praised his range at shortstop, arm strength and willingness to hang in on double-play turns. He also gets high marks for his makeup and workman-like effort. Wade won't wow anybody with his tools but the sum of his parts makes him an attractive candidate as a utilityman in the major leagues. That is especially true if he shows a smooth conversion to the outfield. He is likely to start 2017 in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Wade was a top 200 prospect out of high school in Southern California and stood out for his ability to get the barrel on the ball and for his smooth play in the field. Seemingly stuck in a pack of talented shortstops within the system, Wade emerged in 2014 after an injury to Abiatal Avelino gave him extended playing time, and he put up solid numbers at low Class A. He continued to shine at high Class A in 2015 and reached Double-A as a 20-year-old. Wade is a shortstop now, but may have to move to second base in the future. He's got quick feet and solid hands, but he needs to gain strength to develop the arm necessary for shortstop. He's a line-drive hitter with a short, compact swing who doesn't project for more power, but could turn singles into doubles with his plus foot speed and instincts on the basepaths. He split his time between shortstop and second base in the Arizona Fall League, and may move to the right side of the diamond in deference to Jorge Mateo. Wade is likely headed back to Double-A Trenton, where he'll continue to work to gain strength and should play shortstop until either Mateo or Avelino move to the upper levels.
The Yankees boast a pack of talented shortstops at the lower levels, most of them plucked from Latin America as teenagers. Wade is the exception. A prep fourth-rounder in 2013 out of the southern part of California, Wade originally was slated to split time at low Class A Charleston with Abiatal Avelino. When Avelino got hurt, however, Wade took on a bigger workload and impressed scouts along the way. A smooth, athletic defender, Wade's hands and instincts, along with just enough arm for the position, ranked him among the best glove men in the South Atlantic League. His lefthanded swing is loose and fluid, and he keeps his hands inside the ball very well, producing lots of line-drive contact. He's a tick above-average as a runner, but his 49 percent success rate shows he could stand some refinement when it comes to basestealing. Wade homered only once in 2014 but finished second on his team with 24 doubles, and scouts believe he has room to add more power to his frame. After a successful intro to full-season ball, Wade likely will spend 2014 at high Class A Tampa as a 20-year-old.

Draft Prospects

Wade played at the Jesse Flores Memorial All-Star Game last fall but mostly flew under the scouting radar until this spring, when he has hit .524 with six doubles and six triples through 84 at-bats. He also impressed with his defense at shortstop, showing enough range, actions and above-average arm strength to give him a chance to stick at the position. At 6-foot-1, 178 pounds, Wade is a live-bodied athlete with above-average speed. He has a handsy swing and a line-drive approach, and he could become an average hitter down the road. He needs to get stronger, and he projects for below-average power. A San Diego State recruit, Wade has draft helium and could go off the board as early as the fourth or fifth round.

Minor League Top Prospects

When Tampa fell out of playoff contention, the Yankees promoted Wade to Double-A Trenton, in part to give phenom Jorge Mateo a look in the FSL. Mateo would have ranked No. 3 on this list had he qualified, but Wade is a totally different type of prospect. He could be New York's long-term solution at second base. Wade's best tool his is plus speed, and he's enough of a pest at the plate to make it a factor. He's a grinder, particularly against righthanders, who can work counts, draw walks, move runners and make contact, with enough gap pop to earn pitchers' respect. Wade's arm strength and range are sufficient for shortstop, but he's a better fit at second base, where with more experience he should be an above-average defender. He needs to polish his defense, baserunning and his approach against lefthanders (.545 OPS), but he has a high floor as a lefthanded-hitting utility infielder and a solid shot at a ceiling as a regular.

Career Transactions

2B Tyler Wade assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas.
San Diego Padres signed free agent 2B Tyler Wade to a minor league contract.
Las Vegas Aviators activated 2B Tyler Wade.
Oakland Athletics sent 2B Tyler Wade outright to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics sent 2B Tyler Wade outright to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics designated 2B Tyler Wade for assignment.
Oakland Athletics selected the contract of 2B Tyler Wade from Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics selected the contract of 2B Tyler Wade from Las Vegas Aviators.
Las Vegas Aviators activated 2B Tyler Wade.
Oakland Athletics sent 2B Tyler Wade outright to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics sent 2B Tyler Wade outright to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics selected the contract of 2B Tyler Wade from Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics selected the contract of 2B Tyler Wade from Las Vegas Aviators.
Las Vegas Aviators activated 2B Tyler Wade.
Oakland Athletics sent 2B Tyler Wade outright to Las Vegas Aviators.
Las Vegas Aviators activated 2B Tyler Wade.
Oakland Athletics sent 2B Tyler Wade outright to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics designated 2B Tyler Wade for assignment.
Oakland Athletics selected the contract of 2B Tyler Wade, , and from Las Vegas Aviators.