Down On The Farm: Who is Jake Bauers?

Padres’ prospect Jake Bauers: mandatory credit goes to http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/9/8/74220098/cuts/_V3P0219_TC_42814_3210279911_O_o3w3mqrk_kmmhqc5k.jpg

Jake Bauers was drafted without much fanfare in the seventh round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, but he has done nothing but impress since becoming a professional baseball player.

During his first season of professional action, Bauers ended with a triple slash line of .282/.341/.374 which is impressive, but what makes it stand out even more is that he was just 17-years-old.

Bauers was 2.7 years younger than the average age of pitchers he was facing. This season Bauers has been at Single-A Fort Wayne. Despite being even younger (-3.7 years age difference) than his opponents, Bauers has only performed better at the plate .324/.401/.465. However one of my favorite stats for Bauers is that he has 33 walks in 295 PA (11.2% walk percentage).

I like a player who has some plate discipline. Baseball scouts are excited for such a raw talent, and Bauers should only get better as he matures. Bauers should continue to get stronger and develop more power in this swinging stroke.

Still not convinced that Bauers has a bright future? Worried he will be nothing more than the left-handed hitter of a 1B platoon e.g. Garrett Jones? Well sit back and listen.

Bauers actually performs better against left handed pitching. Against left-handers, he owns a triple slash line of .355/.461/.548 versus a triple slash line of .314/.381/.438 against righties.

I know, I am trying not to get too over predict for a prospect who is only 19-years-old and has not played about Single-A, but Bauers has plenty to get excited about.

The last left-handed first baseman the Padres had who could stand up against left-handed pitching was Adrian Gonzalez. I know that is a lofty comparison, but at least, he will be a serviceable first baseman that you can count on e.g. J.T Snow. I would happily take that. Keep the Faith