Reports are that the Baltimore Orioles will be recalling Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia today.* It***8217;s hard to believe that he***8217;s going to come up to be used as a bench player, assuming he hits, so is he a player fantasy owners want to target?* Let***8217;s take a look:
Biographical Information:
Age ***8211; 26-years old
Height ***8211; 6***8217;5***8243;
Weight ***8211; 200 lbs.
Position ***8211; Outfield
Bats/Throws ***8211; Left/Right
2013 Statistics (Double/Triple-A):
.365 (95-260), 7 HR, 44 RBI, 45 R and 1 SB in 260 AB
Can we really count on that type of production in the Major Leagues? The average has come courtesy of a .417 BABIP, so right off the bat we know it’s an unsustainable number.* While he hit the ball well at Triple-A, it was a small sample size (60 AB) so we can simply throw that out.* In 200 AB at Double-A he has posted a 17.7% line drive rate, slightly above average for the league (15.7%), yet owns a .420 BABIP (.307 is the league average).
Yes he has shown a solid eye at the plate (16.1% strikeout rate vs. 10.7% walk rate at Double-A).* He also has stayed inside the strike zone (10.5% OSwing% compared to an 11.2% league average).* That said, to think that he’s going to hit for a big average would be a mistake.* Think .270-.280ish with .300 upside, but not much more than that.
You also have to wonder how much power he is going to be able to hit for.* While he has 7 HR at Double-A, it came courtesy of a 20.6% HR/OFB.* The fact is that he doesn’t hit the ball in the air very much (20.7% OFB rate at Double-A), instead consistently driving the ball into the ground (58.5%).* That’s certainly not an enticing number.
Baseball America posted the following scouting report (which is from January 2012) at the time the Orioles signed Urrutia (you can view the entire report by clicking here), which resembles the concerns he***8217;s shown this season:
The Orioles already have solid outfield (Adam Jones, Nick Markakis & Nate McLouth), so while he could see the occasional game out there you would think he’s being looked at to fill the black hole that has been the team’s DH spot this season.* He could win the job outright, or he could enter a platoon with Nolan Reimold.
Outlook:
The early success from Yasiel Puig is going to help convince some people that Urrutia is going to definitely excel upon his recall.* Don’t let that happen to you.* While he does have potential, his minor league average is misleading and he doesn’t appear primed to hit for a significant amount of power.* That makes him more of a deep league flier more than anything.
Waiver Wire Guidelines:
10 Team League –*Not*worth it
12 Team League –*Worth*monitoring to see what happens
14+ Team Leagues –*Depends on your situation, but*is probably worth the risk
AL-Only Leagues – Must Add
Sources – Minor League Central, Baseball America
More...
Biographical Information:
Age ***8211; 26-years old
Height ***8211; 6***8217;5***8243;
Weight ***8211; 200 lbs.
Position ***8211; Outfield
Bats/Throws ***8211; Left/Right
2013 Statistics (Double/Triple-A):
.365 (95-260), 7 HR, 44 RBI, 45 R and 1 SB in 260 AB
Can we really count on that type of production in the Major Leagues? The average has come courtesy of a .417 BABIP, so right off the bat we know it’s an unsustainable number.* While he hit the ball well at Triple-A, it was a small sample size (60 AB) so we can simply throw that out.* In 200 AB at Double-A he has posted a 17.7% line drive rate, slightly above average for the league (15.7%), yet owns a .420 BABIP (.307 is the league average).
Yes he has shown a solid eye at the plate (16.1% strikeout rate vs. 10.7% walk rate at Double-A).* He also has stayed inside the strike zone (10.5% OSwing% compared to an 11.2% league average).* That said, to think that he’s going to hit for a big average would be a mistake.* Think .270-.280ish with .300 upside, but not much more than that.
You also have to wonder how much power he is going to be able to hit for.* While he has 7 HR at Double-A, it came courtesy of a 20.6% HR/OFB.* The fact is that he doesn’t hit the ball in the air very much (20.7% OFB rate at Double-A), instead consistently driving the ball into the ground (58.5%).* That’s certainly not an enticing number.
Baseball America posted the following scouting report (which is from January 2012) at the time the Orioles signed Urrutia (you can view the entire report by clicking here), which resembles the concerns he***8217;s shown this season:
“A 6-foot-3, 180-pound switch-hitter, Urrutia is a corner outfielder with a solid, level stroke that produces line drives, with a better swing plane from the left side. He has solid bat-to-ball ability and average power. While there***8217;s not much projection remaining, Urrutia***8217;s body does have some room to fill out, so he could add more pop, but he doesn***8217;t have prototypical power for a corner outfielder. He***8217;s a good athlete for a corner outfielder and just around an average runner. He could begin his career in Double-A.***8221;
Expected Role:
The Orioles already have solid outfield (Adam Jones, Nick Markakis & Nate McLouth), so while he could see the occasional game out there you would think he’s being looked at to fill the black hole that has been the team’s DH spot this season.* He could win the job outright, or he could enter a platoon with Nolan Reimold.
Outlook:
The early success from Yasiel Puig is going to help convince some people that Urrutia is going to definitely excel upon his recall.* Don’t let that happen to you.* While he does have potential, his minor league average is misleading and he doesn’t appear primed to hit for a significant amount of power.* That makes him more of a deep league flier more than anything.
Waiver Wire Guidelines:
10 Team League –*Not*worth it
12 Team League –*Worth*monitoring to see what happens
14+ Team Leagues –*Depends on your situation, but*is probably worth the risk
AL-Only Leagues – Must Add
Sources – Minor League Central, Baseball America
More...
