If I can keep it up all month, 31 days of positive posts! There's going to be enough negativity going around with the Cardinals not in the post-season.
Day 24
Yairo Munoz is a 23 year old utility man with 307 games at SS in the minors, but over 40 at 2B, over 90 at 3B, and over 30 in the OF. His production in the minors has bounced around quite a bit. He spent time at AA and AAA last year - so maybe rushed a bit? In any case, in just over 1,900 PA in the minors, he has a .267/.308/.408/.716 line with 95 doubles, 16 triples, 41 homers, 228 runs, 228 RBI, and 58 steals (but 24 caught stealings). He is said to have an above average hit tool and power, with average speed and defense, with the exception of his cannon for an arm. He was #13 on MLB Pipeline’s end of 2017 list. He was given a C+ grade by Sickels and was between 21 and 28 on his list.
Those are the words I wrote over at Flyover Country Baseball after the Stephen Piscotty trade last offseason. Those counting stats per 600 PA in the minors were 30 doubles, 5 triples, and 13 homers with 71 runs, 71 RBI, 18 SB and 8 CS.
So what's so positive about all of that? Well, he spent just over half a season in the majors and had a .276/.350/.413/.763 line with 16 doubles, 0 triples, 8 homers, 39 runs, 42 RBI, 5 SB, and 6 CS. Let's break that down point by point.
Munoz was only 23 years old this season.
His batting average was 9 points higher than it was for his minor league career.
His on base percentage was 42 points higher than it was for his minor league career.
His slugging percentage was right in line (5 points above) with his minor league career.
His OPS was ~7% higher than his minor league career.
His per 600 PA numbers were right in line (29 doubles, 0 triples, 15 homers, 71 runs, 77 RBI) with slightly more power but using his speed in a slightly worse way than his minor league numbers.
If a guy can basically replicate his minor league numbers in his first go at the major league level and even slightly improve upon them...that's a pretty darn good positive.
Positive October Day 24, in the books!
In case you missed them: