BP scouting report on Buxton

[gunnarthor]

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=26653

 

 

"At the plate, Buxton has lightning quick (and strong) wrists that allow him to get through the zone as fast as any prospect in baseball. This, along with excellent balance, plus pitch recognition skills and the ability to get extension to hit the ball the other way, gives him a chance for a plus-plus hit tool when all is said and done. He’s a smart and patient hitter who isn’t afraid to wait for his pitch and will draw more than his fair share of walks. Though that patience can sometimes put him into two-strike counts, and because he doesn’t “shorten up” in those situations, he will put up his fair share of strikeouts as well.

 

Once Buxton reaches base, be prepared to see an awful lot of pickoff attempts as the outfielder possesses elite speed, an easy 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale. His ability to read pitchers has seen significant improvement, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he ended up as a perennial stolen base leader in the American League—assuming he can get on base enough to run.

 

While the hit tool is more advanced, Buxton’s power is still being tapped into, though he’s far from a slap-hitter at the plate right now. The swing is fairly flat, but Buxton has vastly improved his ability to transfer his weight. The combination of that and his plus bat speed gives Buxton at least a potential above-average power tool. His wheels also give him a chance to turn singles into doubles, and doubles into triples, so that always helps the ol’ slugging percentage as well."