The Nine In '09: Matt West
Jason Parks
Matt West - Photo courtesy of Drake BomberOver the next nine days I will profile the nine players that I encourage you to pay attention to during the '09 season. These players were not included on BBTiA's Top 25 Prospects list, and they all played in the Arizona Rookie League and above during the '08 season. I excluded all players that were not stateside in '08, but I will focus on the Dominican Summer League prospects before the minor league season begins.
The prospects that will be profiled might not be the biggest names, or have the highest ceilings, but they are the players that I think have a chance to take big steps forward during the '09 season. Who is on your list?
Matt West
The former second-round pick out of Bellaire, Texas hasn't exactly set the world on fire during his brief professional career (96 games), but that doesn't mean the future isn't bright for the young infielder. West appeared to take a step back in '08 after putting up strong offensive numbers in '07 while playing in the Arizona Rookie League. After advancing to the Northwest League in '08, West didn't demonstrate the power that some scouts expected, but there were signs that an offensive breakout might be around the corner.
You aren't going to find many telltale signs in the statistical record that suggest West is progressing as an offensive threat. He only managed to slug .358 in '08, which isn't the kind of performance you normally expect from a second-round pick. However, West impressed his coaches with his work ethic and made the kind of progressions that won't show up on a stat line. West might have failed in his on-the-field execution, but his work off of it was starting to turn heads.
West continued to impress during the Fall Instructional League by tapping into some of that offensive potential against some of the most promising talent in the minors. West has fast hands and strong wrists that help him get around on balls inside. He has above-average power to all fields, and a smooth swing that sends eye-level ropes screaming across the diamond. At this point, West doesn't have much lift to his swing and tends to be gap-to-gap, but over time should develop into a 20-25 home run threat.
His defense is solid at third base, with a strong arm and good footwork. West is more athletic than people realize and I think an eventual move to second base wouldn't be out of the question. He should start the year in full-season ball as the starting third baseman for the Low-A Hickory Crawdads in the South Atlantic League. Look for West to continue his solid approach at the plate while adding more power to his offensive game. I expect to see at least an 80-point separation between batting average and on-base percentage and at least a .400 slugging percentage.
West is a prime candidate to announce himself to the prospect world, and I believe the '09 season will be the proper introduction that West missed out on in '07.
Reader Comments (14)
For now I'd rather see him stay at 3B if his power really projects that well. They need someone besides Whittleman as a 3B prospect (if you really call Whittleman a 3B with his glove.)
I completely Agree, they need to keep him at third and let him continue to develop there.
I assume they will keep at West at 3B (the system isn't exactly flush with 3B), but I wanted to point out that his athleticism could allow for a move to 2B if the situation called for it.
Some decent B-level players were non-tendered yesterday who could help Texas if we could get them on 1 or 2 year deals:
Ty Wigginton, 3B
Joe Nelson, RP
Daniel Cabrera, SP
Don't know how much these guys would cost, but I'm sure JD is looking into it...
The way you have West profiled here, it kind of reminds me of Blake Dewitt. Do you think that's a fair comp for West's possible ceiling Jason? Granted, Dewitt never did slug below .400 in the minors, save for a 26 game stint in AA in '06, so maybe that's not a such good comp after all...
I agree on Cabrera. I was about to include him in my trade proposal for Liz when I saw he was being non-tendered.
He's exactly the type.
I agree that Wiggington's numbers are offensively good enough, even good if last year was the norm and not the high, and defensively comparable with Metcalf's.
But (I can't run the numbers right now) I believe those offensive #'s are almost identical with a platoon between Metcalf (vs righties) and Duran (vs lefties). They each have shown extreme splits (reverse-splits for TM), and Duran can back up SS,2B, and as 5th OF as well. He's the best glove we've got in the whole infield, so defensively we'd end up with a 2/3 comparable, 1/3 improvement at fielding, plus development... and extra $ for Sheets... if we stick with our current tandem.
ps This is the year to trade for Vitters.
Whether or not the Peavy deal is dead, CHC has real needs that we can meet with valuable extras, and if some of them are pitchers such as Feldman, CHC could still use that (plus Kendrick, for example, from Philly, to give to SD, who don't really need a 3B prospect (They have Headley, and need pitching).
Once Teixeira signs with a contender, How about Feldman, Benoit and Murphy (left-hand-hitting OF they need) and Cat in exchange for Vitters (and Marquis,whom we then flip with Blalock and Mendoza for Liz and a COF prospect). Cat allows CHC to trade DeRo to get more pitching for SD. If Baltimore wanted Padilla instead, NYMets are desperate for SP's & interested in Marquis. If we add Byrd, they might give up their rookie phenom bat, weak glove, Daniel Murphy (backup LF and 3B). So we'd end up with Vitters,Daniel Murphy, and Liz, with about 26 million in change...
with a good idea of where to invest it.
Jon: I like the Blake DeWitt comp. At the beginning of his professional career, DeWitt was able to flash the power that many thought West would be able to show. I still think West will get there, but '09 should be a very significant season for him. Can he put the suspension to start his career behind him? Can he translate his batting practice performance to real game action? Will his body start to limit his athleticism?
Lots of questions, but lots of promise. That is why West is on this list.
I was just reading a post on Lone Star Ball and it had a story from Kanas City the Royals will have a payroll between 70 and 75 Million. I have begun to believe that hard cap of 68 million is absolutely a PR move by the Rangers. They will have to above that if they sign Ben Sheets and whoever they want to go after. I would seriously consider signing Ty Wiggington to Play third base and I would also sign Daniel Cabrera to give him a much needed second chance.
Great read as usual Jason. Just wondering, is Jared Hyatt going to be one of the 9?
GDawg: Hyatt will not be included on the list. He's an interesting arm, but not a player that has the ability to take a large enough step forward in my book.
Jason - I am impressed with your analysis of Matt West. While his offensive numbers were not as strong as the previous year, he certainlty did not fall on his face. He is athletic and the power will increase. He also had some issues that held him back last year. That should be behind him and I too look for a solid 09 for a 20 year old young man.
Matt West I see as a young Ty Wigginton. Versatile and average, but not great. Still an asset for any team.
if you want a real story about matt west try searching through his trash cans for syringes.