Yoeilin Cespedes was already extremely regarded by the point he joined the Red Sox this previous January. The teenage shortstop signed with Boston for a $1.4 million bonus, the most important of the membership’s worldwide free brokers, and was thought-about by scouts to be among the many greatest pure hitters in his class.
But while you’re speaking a few 17-year-old, you by no means understand how their abilities will translate to the skilled recreation. Fortunately, Cespedes didn’t want lengthy to show he could possibly be the actual deal.
Cespedes greater than lived as much as the hype in his first 12 months with the Red Sox, delivering a standout season as one of many prime gamers within the Dominican Summer League. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound native of the Dominican Republic batted .346 with six dwelling runs, 38 RBI and a .953 OPS in 43 video games this summer time, a efficiency that earned Cespedes recognition because the Red Sox Latin Program Position Player of the Year.
“He put up some offensive numbers that normally for a first-year player you don’t see,” stated Red Sox assistant normal supervisor Eddie Romero. “He made huge strides defensively at shortstop and I don’t want to say he surprised us but he was farther along than we expected.”
Cespedes, who not too long ago turned 18, was at Fenway Park on Tuesday evening to obtain his award alongside the group’s different minor league honorees. Besides attending to soak within the large league expertise, Cespedes additionally obtained to satisfy Rafael Devers, who’s considered one of the best hitter to come back out of the group’s Dominican Academy over the previous decade and with whom Cespedes has drawn frequent comparisons.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling to be compared to him,” Cespedes stated by way of translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “He’s someone I admire and follow a lot, so for me to be compared to him is very special.”
Even earlier than he signed with the group, Cespedes has all the time held a robust affinity for the Red Sox. Growing up, Manny Ramirez was amongst his favourite gamers, and extra not too long ago he’s striven to emulate Xander Bogaerts. He stated Bogaerts was a giant consider his resolution to signal and that he’s all the time admired how straightforward the veteran makes the sport look.
As for his personal model of play?
“I’m just a warrior on the field,” Cespedes stated. “Heart and soul, that’s how I play.”
“You don’t want to leave when he’s at the plate, it’s an exciting at bat, there’s a lot of power,” Romero stated. “There’s impact, he’s up there and he’s up there to do damage.”
Cespedes echoed Romero’s evaluation of his protection, saying he feels prefer it’s evening and day in comparison with how he began the season, and that enhancing his swing selections might be a significant precedence going ahead. Brian Abraham, the Red Sox director of participant improvement, stated studying to make these changes might be essential however Cespedes has already developed good habits that may serve him effectively in his profession.
“I think the really good players challenge themselves, are willing to put in the work and then are willing to make adjustments even if they’ve had success,” Abraham stated. “You hear someone like Triston Casas talk about making adjustments, not only game to game or at bat to at bat but pitch to pitch, the really good players in our system, someone like Cespedes, is able to do that and we’ll look to refine that as time goes but it’s a good start so far.”
Ranked as Boston’s No. 13 prospect, in line with MLB Pipeline, Cespedes continues to be a great distance from reaching the majors. Next season he’ll begin the 12 months within the Florida Complex League, but when issues go effectively it wouldn’t be a shock if he earns a promotion to Low-A Salem.
“I hope so, that’s up to him and we’ll see how he does,” Romero stated. “There’s a couple more things that go into that with opportunities but he’s definitely someone who has earned a trip to the states next year and if he progresses as we think he should I think he could find himself there.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com