Kyle Waldrop

[Edd Roush]

So I searched all of this forum for a thread already about Waldrop and couldn't find one so I am dedicating this thread to him.

Waldrop is a lefty hitting OF who the Reds drafted in the 12th round of 2010.

He only got 29 PAs in 2010 and didn't do much in his first year of pro ball.

In 2011, he exhibit enormous power posting a .198 ISO, but struggled with a 22.2% K rate and a 3.4% BB rate. So while he did hit .273 last year, he only had a .305 OBP.

Waldrop has shown great strides in both his K and BB rate in 2012. In 455 PAs this year, he has more than doubled his walk rate to 8.4% and has taken a major chunk out of his K rate and now he is down to a 16.5% K rate. So while his ISO is down to .129, he has shown a much better eye at the plate.

I am going to be very interested to see if he can sustain this BB and K rates when he makes the jump to Bakersfield next year while also seeing if he can up that ISO in the bandbox that is Bakersfield.

[powersackers]

I have seen him live 16 or so times this year. When I talk to casual dans about the Dragons I mention Waldrop, Ryan Wright and now Stephenson as the only potential Reds players someday.

[camisadelgolf]

Originally Posted by powersackers

I have seen him live 16 or so times this year. When I talk to casual dans about the Dragons I mention Waldrop, Ryan Wright and now Stephenson as the only potential Reds players someday.

No Ismael Guillon or Yorman Rodriguez?

[camisadelgolf]

Here is an article by Wally Fish. Apparently he really likes Waldrop.

[RED VAN HOT]

The two aspects of his hitting that stand out to me are his consistency, has been in the .270's virtually all season until cracking .280 recently, and the number of triples, 15 in two years. For comparison, that is the same rate of AB/3B as Hamilton over that span. Given his age and rate of improvement, I think he has time to improve his power and base stealing stats. IMO, he belongs on the radar.

[Edd Roush]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

Here is an article by Wally Fish. Apparently he really likes Waldrop.

Thanks for adding the link, camisadelgolf. I wonder if anyone has heard anything from scouts regarding Waldrop. The 2012 numbers would seem to indicate that he has improved his plate discipline drastically, but I wonder if he is now losing some of his power in result.

Does anyone else have any opinions on him? Can we expect him to be an everyday outfielder in Bakersfield next year or do people expect him to repeat Dayton?

[mace]

I definitely think he's one of the better everyday prospects in the system. Good size, good age, good athlete, left-handed, with a penchant for extra bases. Doesn't seem like a guy who will lack for power in the long run.

[HokieRed]

Definitely my breakout player for 2013, if he can't be said to have broken out already.

[gedred69]

Having a Ft. Myers connection where Waldrop is from, I have followed him with interest. I walked into the park 2 weeks ago just in time to see him get the 1st of his 3 hits that night, the 3rd being a screaming low line drive that was hit so hard it still hit the wall on the fly. Then, to top it off he makes a web gem diving catch. I left 5th/3rd field that night with the same impression I got 2 years ago after watching Gregorious. Okay, you have my attention....