LaMonte Wade

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #17 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The Twins drafted Wade in the ninth round in 2015 because of his fluid lefthanded swing and chance to stick in center field. He progressively climbed the minors and made his major league debut in 2019. He returned to Minnesota in 2020 and appeared in 16 games while playing all three outfield spots and first base. 
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Among Wade’s standout tools is his tremendous batting eye. His patient approach and ability to control the strike zone have yielded a strong walk rate in his brief major league time, helping make up for a lack of impact in his swing. The Twins have tried to open Wade's stance up so he has more room to turn on inside pitches. A solid-average runner, Wade is serviceable at all three outfield positions but is better in the corners. His best defensive position is first base. 
  
  THE FUTURE: The Giants acquired Wade from the Twins for righthander Shaun Anderson. San Francisco optioned him to Triple-A to begin the season but could call on him in-season if a need arises in the outfield.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #18 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Wade has had a knack for being a productive player wherever he plays. He missed some time in 2019 with a thumb injury, but returned to make his MLB debut. Wade's value is largely tied to a very discerning batting eye and his solid athleticism.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wade fits the profile of a useful backup outfielder. He is extremely patient at the plate. He has the barrel control to survive with two strikes, forcing pitchers to make an extra pitch or two. What keeps him from being a regular is his below-average power. He has some strength, but his swing is geared for line drives and ground balls. He is an above-average runner, but he's fringy defensively in center field and fits better in a left field because of a fringe-average arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wade's ability to get on base makes him a useful fourth outfielder and he can play all three outfield spots, although he's not a viable long-term backup plan for oft-injured Byron Buxton in center field. He will compete for a big league roster spot in spring training.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #21 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: A ninth-round steal after a broken hamate bone marred his junior season at Maryland, Wade signed for $163,800 after slugging the Terps past top-ranked UCLA in an NCAA regional.
  
  Scouting Report: Wade saw his strikeout rate climb in his first crack at Triple-A last season, but his plate discipline has been a consistent strength as he’s risen through the system and even back to his college days. Wade has a line drive swing with some pull-side power, but he doesn’t project to add much more. With a sturdy frame and above-average speed, Wade has overcome a fringe-average arm well enough to play some center field. He projects as a solid fourth outfielder who profiles best on the corners. He is also an instinctive baserunner with a career success rate of 78.7 percent as a basestealer.
  
  The Future: Look for Wade to head back to Triple-A to start 2019 and push for a big league debut.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #17 prospect in 2018
  Plagued by a broken hamate bone in his junior year at Maryland, Wade slipped all the way to the ninth round, even after a powerful display in an NCAA regional upset of top-ranked UCLA. Signed for $163,800, Wade has consistently shown advanced strike-zone discipline and a high-end hit tool. For his pro career he has drawn 17 percent more walks than strikeouts, a trait that can be traced back to his college career. He reminds some of a young Garret Anderson with a high-contact, line-drive swing. He shows occasional pull-side power. Sturdily built with average speed and a fringe-average arm, Wade has handled center field well enough due to his athleticism but projects as a left fielder with the ability to play all three in a pinch. Wade hit just .238 but again showed outstanding plate discipline at the Arizona Fall League until a scary outfield collision with Cardinals' center fielder Oscar Mercado ended his assignment with a week to go. Wade was diagnosed with a concussion but avoided additional injury. He should open 2018 at Triple-A and could push for a big league look soon.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #21 prospect in 2017
  Wade had an up-and-down career at Maryland but finished with a flourish by leading the Terrapins to an NCAA tournament upset over No. 1 overall seed UCLA in the 2015 regionals. The Twins drafted him in the ninth round days later, and the outfielder has found consistency in pro ball. Possessing plus lefthanded bat speed and an advanced knowledge of the strike zone, Wade's bat is his asset. He sprays the ball to all fields, hits both lefties and righties and has walked more (101) than struck out (80) in his pro career. The Twins love his makeup and believe he'll grow into at least average power, and the progress of that development could determine whether he's a fourth outfielder or big league regular. While Wade has center field experience and can handle the position in the lower levels, he's best suited for a corner. He has fringy arm strength but enough speed and athleticism to make up for it. He played well after a June promotion from low Class A Cedar Rapids to high Class A Fort Myers, but a broken hand cut his season short. He'll likely see time at Double-A Chattanooga at some point in 2017.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #264 prospect in 2015 draft
  Wade's best tool is his fluid lefthanded bat. He has plus bat speed and advanced strike zone discipline. Wade has a tendency to finish on top of the ball out front, but his timing has improved from year to year. Wade is a plus runner and moves well under way with an average throwing arm, giving him a chance to stick in center field. The main knocks on Wade are his tiny track record and struggles against quality pitching. Playing for Brewster, Wade was overmatched on the Cape last summer, going 8-for-55, though he did draw 17 walks against 10 strikeouts. He bounced back this spring. After playing first base as a sophomore, Wade moved to center field this year and responded by hitting .347/.467/.483. A hamate injury cost him a month but he showed few ill effects upon returning to the lineup. The team that picks Wade will be betting on his ability to stick in center--he has plenty of speed but has struggled with routes this year--and make adjustments against quality offspeed pitching.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #18 prospect in 2017
  A pure hitter and outstanding athlete, Wade slipped to the ninth round of the 2015 draft but has made the Twins look smart by hitting .295 in three pro seasons with more walks (177) than strikeouts (151).
• 
  Ranked American League #17 prospect in 2015
  The Twins selected Wade in the ninth round of the 2015 draft out of Maryland, and after a hamate injury cost him a month this spring, he finished his collegiate career on a tear, endearing himself to many mid-Atlantic scouts. Wade is a lefthanded hitter with a fluid, athletic swing and outstanding bat speed. He has the ability to drive the ball over the fence to his pull side, and he took advantage of his experience at Elizabethton by ranking among the Appy League leaders with 72 hits, 46 walks, 44 RBIs and a .428 on-base percentage. The Twins promoted him to low Class A Cedar Rapids at the end of August. Defensively, Wade has the plus speed and adequate arm strength to play center field. His instincts are solid but unspectacular, and some scouts feel he will ultimately end up playing a corner-outfield spot.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Twins drafted Wade in the ninth round in 2015 because of his fluid lefthanded swing and chance to stick in center field. He progressively climbed the minors and made his major league debut in 2019. He returned to Minnesota in 2020 and appeared in 16 games while playing all three outfield spots and first base.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wade has arguably the best eye of any player in the Twins system. His patient approach and ability to control the strike zone have yielded a strong walk rate in his brief major league time, helping make up for a lack of impact in his swing. The Twins have tried to open Wade's stance up so he has more room to turn on inside pitches. A solid-average runner, Wade is serviceable at all three outfield positions but is better in the corners. His best defensive position is first base.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wade's on-base skills and defensive versatility give him a chance to stick in a reserve role. He's ready to fill that role now and should be back in the majors in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Twins drafted Wade in the ninth round in 2015 because of his fluid lefthanded swing and chance to stick in center field. He progressively climbed the minors and made his major league debut in 2019. He returned to Minnesota in 2020 and appeared in 16 games while playing all three outfield spots and first base. 
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Among Wade’s standout tools is his tremendous batting eye. His patient approach and ability to control the strike zone have yielded a strong walk rate in his brief major league time, helping make up for a lack of impact in his swing. The Twins have tried to open Wade's stance up so he has more room to turn on inside pitches. A solid-average runner, Wade is serviceable at all three outfield positions but is better in the corners. His best defensive position is first base. 
  
  THE FUTURE: The Giants acquired Wade from the Twins for righthander Shaun Anderson. San Francisco optioned him to Triple-A to begin the season but could call on him in-season if a need arises in the outfield.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wade has had a knack for being a productive player wherever he plays. He missed some time in 2019 with a thumb injury, but returned to make his MLB debut. Wade’s value is largely tied to a very discerning batting eye and his solid athleticism.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wade fits the profile of a useful backup outfielder. He is extremely patient at the plate. He has the barrel control to survive with two strikes, forcing pitchers to make an extra pitch or two. What keeps him from being a regular is his below-average power. He has some strength, but his swing is geared for line drives and ground balls. He is an above-average runner, but he’s fringy defensively in center field and fits better in a left field because of a fringe-average arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wade’s ability to get on base makes him a useful fourth outfielder and he can play all three outfield spots, although he’s not a viable long-term backup plan for oft-injured Byron Buxton in center field. He will compete for a big league roster spot in spring training. BA GRADE 50 Risk: High BA GRADE 40 Risk: Low
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wade has had a knack for being a productive player wherever he plays. He missed some time in 2019 with a thumb injury, but returned to make his MLB debut. Wade's value is largely tied to a very discerning batting eye and his solid athleticism.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wade fits the profile of a useful backup outfielder. He is extremely patient at the plate. He has the barrel control to survive with two strikes, forcing pitchers to make an extra pitch or two. What keeps him from being a regular is his below-average power. He has some strength, but his swing is geared for line drives and ground balls. He is an above-average runner, but he's fringy defensively in center field and fits better in a left field because of a fringe-average arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wade's ability to get on base makes him a useful fourth outfielder and he can play all three outfield spots, although he's not a viable long-term backup plan for oft-injured Byron Buxton in center field. He will compete for a big league roster spot in spring training.