Who is the Yankees' Underrated First Base Prospect?
The New York Yankees have a long and storied history of producing great first basemen, from Lou Gehrig to Don Mattingly to Mark Teixeira. But who is the next great first baseman in pinstripes?
One player who has been flying under the radar is Chris Gittens. Gittens was a fifth-round pick by the Yankees in the 2014 MLB Draft, and he has steadily progressed through the minors. In 2019, he hit .290 with 25 home runs and 90 RBIs at Double-A Trenton.
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Gittens is a left-handed hitter with a good eye at the plate and a powerful swing. He is also a solid defender at first base. If he continues to develop, he could be a major force in the Yankees' lineup for years to come.
Here is a table with some of Gittens' key statistics:
| Year | Level | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG | OPS ||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|| 2019 | Double-A Trenton | 126 | 452 | 66 | 131 | 26 | 2 | 25 | 90 | 38 | 120 | 10 | .349 | .529 | .878 |Gittens is still only 22 years old, so he has plenty of time to develop. But he has already shown that he has the potential to be a very good major league player. If he continues to progress, he could be the next great first baseman for the New York Yankees.
Yankees' Underrated First Base Prospect
The New York Yankees have a long and storied history of producing great first basemen, from Lou Gehrig to Don Mattingly to Mark Teixeira. But who is the next great first baseman in pinstripes?
- Power
- Batting Average
- On-Base Percentage
- Slugging Percentage
- Defense
- Age
- Potential
- Versatility
These are just a few of the key aspects that make Gittens an underrated first base prospect. He has the power to hit for average and power, he gets on base at a high clip, and he is a solid defender. He is also still only 22 years old, so he has plenty of time to develop. If he continues to progress, he could be the next great first baseman for the New York Yankees.
1. Power
Power is one of the most important aspects of a first baseman's game. A first baseman needs to be able to hit for power in order to drive in runs and help his team win games. Chris Gittens has shown that he has plenty of power. In 2019, he hit 25 home runs in Double-A Trenton. He also had a slugging percentage of .529, which was second in the Eastern League.
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Gittens' power is a major asset for the Yankees. He is a left-handed hitter with a good swing. He is also strong and has good bat speed. This combination of power and swing mechanics makes him a dangerous hitter. He can hit for power to all fields, and he is especially dangerous when he gets ahold of a fastball.
Gittens' power is a key reason why he is such a highly touted prospect. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter who can drive in runs and help his team win games. If he continues to develop, he could be one of the best power hitters in the major leagues.
2. Batting Average
Batting average is a measure of a hitter's ability to get hits. It is calculated by dividing the number of hits by the number of at-bats. A high batting average indicates that a hitter is able to make consistent contact with the ball and put it in play. For a first baseman, batting average is an important statistic because it indicates how well he is able to get on base and drive in runs.
Chris Gittens has a good batting average for a first baseman. In 2019, he hit .290 in Double-A Trenton. This was good for seventh in the Eastern League. Gittens' batting average shows that he is able to make consistent contact with the ball and put it in play. He is also able to hit for power, as evidenced by his 25 home runs in 2019.
Gittens' batting average is a key reason why he is such a highly touted prospect. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter who can drive in runs and help his team win games. If he continues to develop, he could be one of the best hitters in the major leagues.
3. On-Base Percentage
On-base percentage (OBP) is a measure of a hitter's ability to reach base. It is calculated by dividing the number of times a hitter reaches base by the number of times he comes to bat. A high OBP indicates that a hitter is able to get on base consistently, which is important for a first baseman because it allows him to drive in runs and help his team win games.
- Batting Average
Batting average is the most common measure of a hitter's ability to get hits. However, OBP is a more comprehensive measure of a hitter's ability to reach base because it takes into account walks and hit by pitches. A hitter can have a high batting average but a low OBP if he does not walk or get hit by pitches very often. Conversely, a hitter can have a low batting average but a high OBP if he walks or gets hit by pitches frequently.
- Slugging Percentage
Slugging percentage is a measure of a hitter's power. It is calculated by dividing the number of total bases a hitter gets by the number of at-bats. A high slugging percentage indicates that a hitter is able to hit for power. However, OBP is a more important statistic for a first baseman than slugging percentage because it indicates how often a hitter is able to get on base.
- Walks
Walks are a key component of OBP. A hitter who walks frequently will have a high OBP, even if he does not hit for a high batting average or slugging percentage. Walks are important for a first baseman because they allow him to reach base without having to hit the ball. This gives him more opportunities to drive in runs and help his team win games.
- Hit by Pitches
Hit by pitches are another key component of OBP. A hitter who gets hit by pitches frequently will have a high OBP, even if he does not walk or hit for a high batting average or slugging percentage. Hit by pitches are important for a first baseman because they allow him to reach base without having to hit the ball. This gives him more opportunities to drive in runs and help his team win games.
Chris Gittens has a good OBP for a first baseman. In 2019, he had an OBP of .349 in Double-A Trenton. This was good for 10th in the Eastern League. Gittens' OBP shows that he is able to get on base consistently. He is able to do this by hitting for a high batting average, walking frequently, and getting hit by pitches. Gittens' OBP is a key reason why he is such a highly touted prospect. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter who can drive in runs and help his team win games. If he continues to develop, he could be one of the best hitters in the major leagues.
4. Slugging Percentage
Slugging percentage (SLG) is a measure of a hitter's power. It is calculated by dividing the number of total bases a hitter gets by the number of at-bats. A high slugging percentage indicates that a hitter is able to hit for power. This is an important statistic for a first baseman because it indicates how well he is able to drive in runs.
Chris Gittens has a good slugging percentage for a first baseman. In 2019, he had a slugging percentage of .529 in Double-A Trenton. This was good for second in the Eastern League. Gittens' slugging percentage shows that he is able to hit for power. He is able to do this by hitting for a high batting average and hitting for extra bases. Gittens' slugging percentage is a key reason why he is such a highly touted prospect. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter who can drive in runs and help his team win games. If he continues to develop, he could be one of the best hitters in the major leagues.
One of the most important aspects of slugging percentage is that it takes into account extra-base hits. A hitter can have a high batting average, but if he does not hit for extra bases, his slugging percentage will be low. This is because a single is worth one total base, a double is worth two total bases, a triple is worth three total bases, and a home run is worth four total bases. A hitter who hits for a high batting average and also hits for extra bases will have a high slugging percentage.
Slugging percentage is an important statistic for a first baseman because it indicates how well he is able to drive in runs. A first baseman who has a high slugging percentage is able to hit for power and drive in runs. This is important for a first baseman because he is often in a position to drive in runs with runners on base.
5. Defense
Defense is an important aspect of any baseball player's game, but it is especially important for a first baseman. A first baseman needs to be able to field his position well and make accurate throws to first base. He also needs to be able to pick runners off of first base and cover home plate on passed balls.Chris Gittens is a solid defender at first base. He has a good arm and is able to make accurate throws to first base. He is also able to field his position well and pick runners off of first base. Gittens' defense is a key reason why he is such a highly touted prospect. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter who can also play good defense at first base. If he continues to develop, he could be one of the best first basemen in the major leagues.
- Fielding
Fielding is one of the most important aspects of defense for a first baseman. A first baseman needs to be able to field his position well in order to make accurate throws to first base and pick runners off of first base. Gittens has a good arm and is able to make accurate throws to first base. He is also able to field his position well and pick runners off of first base.
- Throwing
Throwing is another important aspect of defense for a first baseman. A first baseman needs to be able to make accurate throws to first base in order to get runners out. Gittens has a good arm and is able to make accurate throws to first base. He is also able to make quick and accurate throws to other bases.
- Picking Off Runners
Picking off runners is an important aspect of defense for a first baseman. A first baseman needs to be able to pick runners off of first base in order to prevent them from advancing. Gittens is able to pick runners off of first base. He has a quick release and is able to make accurate throws to first base.
- Covering Home Plate
Covering home plate is an important aspect of defense for a first baseman. A first baseman needs to be able to cover home plate on passed balls in order to prevent runners from scoring. Gittens is able to cover home plate on passed balls. He has a good arm and is able to make quick and accurate throws to home plate.
Gittens' defense is a key reason why he is such a highly touted prospect. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter who can also play good defense at first base. If he continues to develop, he could be one of the best first basemen in the major leagues.
6. Age
Age is an important factor to consider when evaluating a baseball prospect. Younger players have more upside and potential, while older players have more experience and are closer to their prime. Chris Gittens is 22 years old, which makes him one of the younger first base prospects in the Yankees' organization. This gives him a lot of upside and potential.
- Upside
Younger players have more upside and potential than older players. This is because they have more time to develop and reach their full potential. Gittens is a young player with a lot of upside. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter who can also play good defense at first base.
- Experience
Older players have more experience than younger players. This can be an advantage, as experience can help players make better decisions on the field. However, experience can also be a disadvantage, as older players may be more set in their ways and less willing to change.
- Prime
Most baseball players reach their prime between the ages of 25 and 30. This is when they are at the peak of their physical and mental abilities. Gittens is still a few years away from his prime, but he has the potential to be a very good player when he reaches it.
Overall, age is an important factor to consider when evaluating a baseball prospect. Younger players have more upside and potential, while older players have more experience and are closer to their prime. Gittens is a young player with a lot of upside and potential. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter who can also play good defense at first base. If he continues to develop, he could be one of the best first basemen in the major leagues.
7. Potential
Potential refers to a person's inherent capabilities and future possibilities. In the context of baseball, a player's potential is often assessed based on their physical attributes, athleticism, and performance at lower levels. When evaluating a prospect, scouts and analysts will consider their potential when projecting their future success in the major leagues.
- Natural Ability
Natural ability is one of the key factors that determines a player's potential. Some players are simply born with more athleticism and talent than others. Gittens has shown that he has natural ability at the plate and in the field. He has a good swing, quick hands, and good footwork. These natural abilities give him the potential to be a very good hitter and fielder.
- Physical Tools
Physical tools are another important factor that determines a player's potential. These tools include things like size, strength, speed, and arm strength. Gittens has good physical tools for a first baseman. He is 6'4" and 230 pounds, which gives him good size and strength. He also has good speed and arm strength. These physical tools give him the potential to be a well-rounded player who can contribute in all aspects of the game.
- Mental Makeup
Mental makeup is also an important factor to consider when evaluating a player's potential. Some players have the mental toughness and determination to succeed at the highest level, while others do not. Gittens has shown that he has a good mental makeup. He is a hard worker and is always willing to learn and improve. He also has the confidence and determination to succeed at the major league level.
- Performance at Lower Levels
A player's performance at lower levels can also be an indicator of their potential. Gittens has performed well at every level of the minor leagues. He has hit for power and average, and he has played good defense at first base. This performance at lower levels suggests that he has the potential to be a successful major league player.
Overall, Gittens has a lot of potential as a first baseman. He has natural ability, good physical tools, a good mental makeup, and he has performed well at every level of the minor leagues. If he continues to develop, he could be a very good major league player.
8. Versatility
In baseball, versatility is a valuable asset for any player. It allows teams to be more flexible with their lineups and defensive alignments, and it can help players stay on the field even when they're not playing their primary position. Chris Gittens is a versatile player who can play first base, third base, and the outfield. This versatility makes him a valuable asset to the Yankees, and it could help him earn a spot on the major league roster.
- First Base
Gittens' primary position is first base, and he is a solid defender there. He has good range, a strong arm, and he is able to make accurate throws to all bases. Gittens also has some experience playing third base and the outfield, which gives the Yankees some flexibility with their defensive alignments.
- Third Base
Gittens has played some third base in the minor leagues, and he has the potential to be a solid defender there as well. He has good range and a strong arm, and he is able to make accurate throws to all bases. Gittens also has good instincts and is able to anticipate where the ball is going to be hit.
- Outfield
Gittens has also played some outfield in the minor leagues, and he has the potential to be a solid defender there as well. He has good speed and range, and he is able to make accurate throws to all bases. Gittens also has good instincts and is able to anticipate where the ball is going to be hit.
Gittens' versatility is a valuable asset to the Yankees. It allows the team to be more flexible with their lineups and defensive alignments, and it could help Gittens earn a spot on the major league roster. If he continues to develop, Gittens has the potential to be a valuable player for the Yankees for years to come.
FAQs on Yankees' Underrated First Base Prospect
This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Chris Gittens, a highly touted first base prospect for the New York Yankees.
Question 1: What are Gittens' strengths as a player?
Gittens possesses a combination of power, batting average, on-base percentage, and solid defense at first base. He is also relatively young, giving him plenty of time to continue developing and reach his full potential.
Question 2: How does Gittens compare to other first base prospects in the Yankees organization?
Gittens is considered one of the top first base prospects in the Yankees system. He has consistently performed well at every level of the minor leagues and has shown a well-rounded skillset that sets him apart from other prospects.
Question 3: What are Gittens' chances of making the Yankees' major league roster in the near future?
Gittens is expected to be a key part of the Yankees' future plans. While he may not make the opening day roster in 2023, he is likely to receive a call-up to the majors at some point during the season. His performance in the minor leagues and his overall potential suggest that he has a bright future in the Bronx.
Question 4: What are some areas where Gittens can improve his game?
Despite his impressive skillset, Gittens can continue to refine his plate discipline and work on his consistency at the plate. Additionally, improving his fielding range and agility at first base could further enhance his defensive capabilities.
Question 5: What is the overall outlook for Gittens' career?
Gittens has the potential to be a starting-caliber first baseman in the major leagues. His combination of power, on-base skills, and solid defense make him a valuable asset to any team. If he continues to develop and reach his full potential, Gittens could become one of the best first basemen in baseball.
Yankees' Underrated First Base Prospect
Chris Gittens, the New York Yankees' first base prospect, has emerged as a top talent with a promising future in Major League Baseball. His impressive combination of power, batting average, and on-base skills make him a formidable offensive force. Defensively, Gittens showcases solid fundamentals and versatility, playing first base, third base, and the outfield with proficiency.
As Gittens continues to develop and mature, he is poised to make a significant impact on the Yankees organization. His potential to become a starting-caliber first baseman and a valuable asset to the team is undeniable. With his unwavering determination and dedication, Gittens is well on his way to carving a successful path in the MLB.
