Saturday, October 22, 2016

Arizona Fall League Weekly Check In: Tyler Wade


The New York Yankees have a problem that I think every team wants to have, too many good prospects at the same position and not enough affiliates, at bats and innings to keep them all happy. When you have that problem you can do one of two things. One, you can trade them, or two, you can team them a new position. The Yankees are doing the latter during this Arizona Fall League season with shortstop prospect Tyler Wade. Wade is learning the outfield, specifically center field, for the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Wade’s bat in my opinion is lacking. That’s one of the reasons I don’t rank him as highly on my prospect lists as most. You can survive that with great defense at either second base or shortstop but I’m not sure you can out of your outfielders as much. Let me rephrase, you can make do but it’s not ideal when you’re trying to build a team and a lineup. Oh well, the Yankees and their staff know more than I do I’m sure so my trust has to be put into the process.


So here is what Wade has done thus far down in Arizona while learning his new position. Is this just something New York is doing in the winter or will this stick going forward? Stay tuned. 

.091/.231/.091/.322 slash in three games and 11 at bats. Wade has mustered just one hit thus far this winter.

4 comments:

  1. Curious, why would they move the player lacking the bat to CF? Unless it's just at bats. The kid is a better defensive prospect at middle infield. Why not move Matteo? Heck, middle infield is a spot where you can survive in majors with poor offense... See Stephen drew and Brendan Ryan, as most recent examples. Doesn't fly at center.

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  2. Curious, why would they move the player lacking the bat to CF? Unless it's just at bats. The kid is a better defensive prospect at middle infield. Why not move Matteo? Heck, middle infield is a spot where you can survive in majors with poor offense... See Stephen drew and Brendan Ryan, as most recent examples. Doesn't fly at center.

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  3. Darly, Good thinking with Mateo!
    A few weeks ago I had Dermis Garcia 3rd base, DiDi infield/OF, Wilkerman Garcia infield, Gleyber Torres infield...Mateo CF!
    Mateo is the fastest , by far, good athlete, good glove and a good enough hitter...thus we don't have to worry about the corner outfielders being fast!
    We also have Thairo Estrada at 3rd along with Miguel Andujar!
    Me thinks, there may be a trade in the winds! Da, no kidding I haven't heard that one before!

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    Replies
    1. Daryl,

      I have no idea why they decided to move him to the outfield. Necessity? Maybe just so he has the position in his back pocket? The Yankees are known for letting players learn new positions in the instructs, the AFL and the winter leagues. It's not that odd. Seems especially odd with Wade since he is one of the closer prospects to the Major Leagues though.

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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)