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Stacey King -> RE: Players and prospects III (11/9/2015 5:08:21 PM)
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Twins’ Wade A Surprise Sensation
October 15, 2015 by Phil Miller
The draft is a game, that includes some guesswork after the first few rounds, so there’s no shame when a draft pick doesn’t work out the way scouts thought. And the Twins admit: They were wrong about LaMonte Wade.
“I wasn’t sure he could play center field, and didn’t think he’d show much power,” said Mike Radcliff, the Twins’ vice president for player personnel. “But LaMonte has outplayed his stock a little bit, no question. You love kids like this.”
Drafted in the ninth round after his junior year at Maryland, the 21-year-old outfielder settled into the third spot in Rookie-level Elizabethton’s lineup, and provided steady offense all season long. He hit eight doubles, five triples and nine home runs—more power than the Twins expected—while posting a .312/.428/.506 average in 231 at-bats.
“He’s a gap-power guy, but if he pulls it, it can get out,” Radcliff said. He also successfully stole 12 bases in 13 tries.
The reasons for his success quickly became clear, Radcliff said. “He’s got a direct, short (left-handed) stroke, just a natural swing. He hits the ball hard,” he said. “And he’s as focused a kid as you can find. He’s a great effort guy, very intense.”
A converted first baseman, he’s also impressed with his skills in the outfield. Wade’s speed was rated as average at best, but “he’s got great instincts. He takes really good routes,” Radcliff said, “so it doesn’t matter that he doesn’t have blazing speed. Again, his focus really helps him. He doesn’t look like a typical center fielder, but he makes it work.”
So well, in fact, that the Twins promoted Wade to low Class A Cedar Rapids for the season’s final week and playoffs, and he played a significant role in helping the Kernels reach the championship round.
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