In my last post, I talked briefly about the LA Angels and their draft haul and where some of those prospects landed. However, I didn't give the new members of the LA Angels organization and, more specifically, new members of our Tri-City Dust Devils their proper welcome.
First, 4th round pick Joe Redfield. Redfield is a 6'2", 21yo, OF out of Sam Houston State University; previously, he went to Temple College. Redfield signed for $472,500, under the recommended value of $603,600. Let's look at the player that is our new OF who reigns from Waco, Tx.
In his two seasons at Temple College, Redfield played in a total of 88G, registering 273AB, scoring 72R, totaling 101H, 17 doubles, five triples, 5HR (all as a sophomore, 61RBI, 28BB-37K, 25SB, and a .370/.448/.524 total slash. He ended his career at Temple with a .970FLD% and only 4E(all as a freshman).
After his second season, Redfield played summer ball for Victoria HarbourCats (Victoria, BC), part of the West Coast League. In 46G, he his 4HR, 33RBI, 27SB, 22BB-26K, and a slash line of .335/.425/.494 for an OPS of .919.
Before the draft, he was playing summer ball again, this time for the Falmouth Commodores (Falmouth, MA), and played in 11G with 0HR, 7RBI, 7SB, 7BB-11K, and a .308/.406/.308 for a .786OPS.
In his lone season in the NCAA, he played in 61G, totaling 300PA, where he had 100H, 19 doubles, 3 triples, 15HR, 56RBI, 15SB, 34BB-34K for a slash line of .402/.485/.683 for an OPS 1.168, which to me is a dominating season and exactly why he earned a nod in the 4th round.
Before we jump into his professional debut stats, I want to point out three things that are jumping off the page to me if they aren't to you.
The speed, a lot of stolen bases in his career, and he doesn't get caught often. He was CS only 4 times in college and 4 times during summer ball. This tells me he is fast and knows how to pick his spots when he decides to flash the wheels.
Defense is vital, as he had one registered error during summer ball. However, there is no data on his fielding during his final college season.
The walk-to-strike-out numbers are nearly identical, which tells me he is a patient hitter and knows what he is looking at. He is a smart hitter, spends his time watching the film, paying attention in-game, and making adjustments from AB to AB.
Since being drafted, Redfield had coffee in the Arizona Complex League (ACL), where he played in 3G with 3H, 0HR, 1SB/1CS, 1BB-1K, and a .633 OPS. That was enough to push Redfield past Single-A Inland Empire and up to High-A. He has since played in 3G, with 4H, 3RBI, 2SB/1CS, 2BB-1K and a 1.053OPS.
Next up, 15th round pick, the 5'10" SS/3B out of Lipscomb University (Nashville, Tn) Caleb Ketchup, who by far has one of the COOLEST names of all time. Ketchup was named a 2022 Collegiate baseball Freshman, ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, and ASUN All-Freshman. He was also a top-500 player in the country from high school. He was ranked as one of the best breaking-ball hitters in the entire draft.
In his two seasons in college, he played in 119G, primarily between 2B/SS. At the plate in his freshman year in 251PA, he had 59H, 15 doubles, 5HR, 24RBI, 32SB/3CS, 29BB-35K for a .284/.378/.428 for a OPS of .806. He then did play in the summer league to less than desirable results in 11 games.
The sophomore season is when Ketchup broke OUT, in 62G and across 306PA, he had 64H, 17 doubles, one triple, 17HR, 45RBI, 31SB/5CS, 44BB, 54K, for a slash of .255/.375/.534 and a .909OPS.
A few things are standing out to me regarding Ketchup.
The power has been developing as he matures and grows into his body. There has been a little of that the double is consistent, likely due to speed. However, the jump and adjustments from 5 to 17 are massive!
The speed didn't drop due to the power uptick. Ketchup is showing real 20/20 potential as he enters the minors.
The glove work, he plays all around the INF, which should bode well for the 21yo INF.
So far, after stopping for a donut in the ACL and appearing in 3G slashing .400/.625/.400 for a 1.025OPS, he hasn't had the same results in High-A after skipping Low-A Inland. He has a .167OPS.
My worry for Ketchup is the INF- 3B Werner Blakely, SS Arol Vera, and 2B Adrian Placencia competition. Blakely is the organization's #3 prospect, Placencia is the #4, and at AA, you have #5 prospect 2B/SS Kyren Paris and #10 prospect 2B/SS Jeremiah Jackson, also Middle INF worth noting as well, #2 prospect SS Denzer Guzman who is down with Inland Empire.
Regardless, we welcome the newly minted pros to the Tri-Cities for whatever time they will be with us.
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This is post 400! Thank you, guys, for all the love and support! Here's to 400 more!