He could be a 15 home run guy if he figures out how to use his power swing more often. He clearly has different swings depending on the situation. When he gets two strikes on him, he completely sells out his power for contact. When he wants to keep his weight back he can run into them pretty good.
Check out this video of him from last year. Look at the different set ups he uses.
Didi Gregorius at the plate for the Carolina Mudcats - YouTube
David Vidal has 2 home runs tonight for Bakersfield, who is up 6-0 in the 6th.
He definitely put a charge into that home run. Didn't look at all like a slap hitter there. It would be nice to see him add a bit more power to his repertoire, but he seems to be doing quite capable at getting on base with his current setup. It would be great to have a guy that can adjust seamlessly between approaches like that depending on the situation, though I don't think selling out for average from time to time precludes his prospect value.
Either way, he looks like he might break into the top 100 prospect list by the time the season is out. Above-average, defensive-minded shortstops with a strong hit tool and power potential aren't always easy to come by.
Didi is a left-handed hitter and HRod switch-hits. At the very least, I think those two and Todd Frazier would give you a better (and more balanced) reserve infield than Harris, Cairo and Valdez - maybe as soon as next year. Of course Gregorious or Rodriguez could be trade bait too. Phillips, Cozart, Gregorious and Rodriguez could also allow the Reds to move Hamilton to CF (if his D does not come around @ SS).
Last edited by corkedbat; 04-24-2012 at 12:39 AM.
The options available in Cozart, Didi, HRod and in 2 years Hamilton make the Phillips signing more and more puzzling to me. That money really could've been more useful for a big bat for left field it seems.
It kinda makes me wonder if this is a signing Bob wanted done so it got done. If that's the case it's pretty terrible.
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