Rincon Off to Slow Start

While top infield prospects Logan Forsythe and James Darnell are off to strong starts for Double-A San Antonio, the system’s third best infield prospect isn’t having anywhere near the same level of success.

Fort Wayne third baseman Edinson Rincon is off to a .129/.176/.161 start.

Rincon essentially gets a season-long mulligan because he’s a 19-year-old in a pitcher-friendly league. He could struggle all year and start next year as a 20-year-old in Low-A again. Even if he takes two years to master the level, he’ll hit Lake Elsinore at 21.

In fact, I’d say that if Rincon manages to post a .760 OPS this year in the Midwest League, it’ll put him as a huge prospect to watch. He already has a sound approach at the plate, and if he can get to Lake Elsinore next year at age 20, he’ll be way ahead of the age curve going into a hitter-friendly league.

There are significant defensive issues with Rincon, although he’s only made one error in eight games, so that’s a good sign. It’s just important he stays healthy and mentally prepared for the duration of the grind of his first full season.

I wouldn’t worry about Rincon unless he really winds up below the Mendoza Line for the duration of the season, or gets moved to another position due to bad defense.