Why Billy Amick is One of Baseball's Best Third Base Prospects

Personally, I think that Brooks Lee is going to lock down 3B for the next several year at least, but happy to have Amick developing. Looks like he had a solid start and it'll be interesting to see how fast he's pushed and how well he does this season. You can never have too much talent.

He will be 22 (still fairly young) the whole season, so hopefully he is in AA by the end of the season, good luck kid.

48 minutes ago, Cody Christie said:

Yes, I don't think there is any reason to rush him. Let him get comfortable at each level while continuing to work on his swing. 

it was such a small sample size at Ft Myers that we really don't know who he is yet. As a college player, you'd hope he could control the strike zone against A-ball pitchers, and he did grabbing plenty of walks. But while the overall OPS was solid for the FSL, the .222 batting average is more concerning. That said, a handful of hits in 63 ABs makes a big difference, so it could just be small sample size.

That's why i think the full year of pro baseball will be so interesting with him. He showed he could compete out the gate and doesn't need time in rookie ball/complex league/etc and can play in A-ball already. But let's see how a full year of professional baseball impacts him. He is coming form a high level program at Tennessee and Clemson is significant as well, so he's had good competition and hopefully decent coaching, access to high level training etc.  Now he gets to do this as a job and focus entirely on being a baseball player with a lot more games. Should be fun to track, seems like he was a solid pick.

I thought Bill Amick would have been taken before we got him in the 2nd round which makes us fortunate. While Lewis still at 3B so far with Lee probably taking over, eventually Correa & Culpepper moving there. It'll be a pretty crowded position. But I wish him well, you never know what pans out at the end. It's good to know that we have him as a good option if & when we need him.

Billy Amick had 77 plate appearances for the A ball Ft. Myers team as a 21 year old. Paul Molitor had 556 plate in his age 21 year old rookie season for the MLB Milwaukee Brewers, which was followed by 645 PA, a .322 BA, and a .842 OPS in his sophomore jinx campaign. The Twins will be elated if Billy Amick puts up those numbers in MLB next season. No pressure though. I certainly hope Amick does well.

I think what we have found out lately is the difference in offensive production needed from 3B to 1B down the defensive spectrum.  
 

If Amick can play a solid 3B the bar for a good bat at 3B is much different.  I thought when they drafted him they weren’t sure he could stick at 3B and would likely need to move to 1B.  Hopefully his athleticism suprised and playing a good big league 3B isn’t out of the question.

SMH and disagree.  Amick is not likely a good prospect, and even the 10th best 3B prospect doesn't usually make it to the majors because 3Bmen in the majors are guys that were former SS prospects.  The few who came up at 3B were outstanding hitters, meaning they destroyed college and the minors and didn't strike out there.  Amick strikes out too much to be a legit prospect...probably.  His homers were hit in a tiny college ballpark.  Look at how the Tennessee hitters who had a meh k rate have done in the minors.  Can't think of any?  My point exactly.  I can give you a few first rounders:  Drew Gilbert, Sterlin Thompson, Jordan Beck, and don't forget our own 2nd rd pick Alerick Soularie.

Amick played professionally against guys his same age who were a long way from the majors, and he didn't impress.  Most quality college prospects find their way to A+ after a short stint in low A.  The real hitting prospects are the ones who handle low A well at age 19 or less, not struggle at age 21.

This was a really bad draft, and the Twins would have been well-served to draft more of their pitching projects.

If the Twins dub Lee as our third baseman, then they should move Lewis to first. With Correa at SS that just leaves second base, which can be filled with any combo of Castro, Julien, Keaschal, Eeles....

On 12/14/2024 at 12:15 AM, twinstalker said:

SMH and disagree.  Amick is not likely a good prospect, and even the 10th best 3B prospect doesn't usually make it to the majors because 3Bmen in the majors are guys that were former SS prospects.  The few who came up at 3B were outstanding hitters, meaning they destroyed college and the minors and didn't strike out there.  Amick strikes out too much to be a legit prospect...probably.  His homers were hit in a tiny college ballpark.  Look at how the Tennessee hitters who had a meh k rate have done in the minors.  Can't think of any?  My point exactly.  I can give you a few first rounders:  Drew Gilbert, Sterlin Thompson, Jordan Beck, and don't forget our own 2nd rd pick Alerick Soularie.

Amick played professionally against guys his same age who were a long way from the majors, and he didn't impress.  Most quality college prospects find their way to A+ after a short stint in low A.  The real hitting prospects are the ones who handle low A well at age 19 or less, not struggle at age 21.

This was a really bad draft, and the Twins would have been well-served to draft more of their pitching projects.

 

How can you conclude it was a really bad draft before anyone has a full year in the minors?  4 years from now, Culpepper may be our starting 3B and Amick 1B and a pitcher drafted (pick one) may be a 20 game winner.  It’s waaay too early to say bad draft. 

Small sample size but he looks as advertised. If he develops at an above average pace and plays much better in Iowa, its certainly plausible to see him fast track to MLB in 2026. Chances are probably 50/50 at best tho.  Can he become at least a .280ba guy with 20+hr/yr? Only time will tell!! He is definitely not Paul Molitor but will he be Allstar Billy Amick someday? I wouldn’t bet against him! 

Kyle DeFarge must be up soon for an article. DeFarge doesn't have the size or power potential of Amick, but was projected to be a better hitter, much faster, stronger arm, and much better defender than Billy. While each player gets an opportunity to present their skills and I wish them all well, it would appear that players like Amick and DeFarge did well with their signing bonuses and now face a long road strewn with obstacles to climb toward MLB. I wouldn't bet on anything other than a possible utility role for a ceiling. Baseball is a tough sport.

On 12/14/2024 at 9:32 PM, LambchoP said:

If the Twins dub Lee as our third baseman, then they should move Lewis to first. With Correa at SS that just leaves second base, which can be filled with any combo of Castro, Julien, Keaschal, Eeles....

Some of these guys are going to need to find new positions, or plan on being more versatile. Right now we just have too many similar players that need playing time in the infield. 

16 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Kyle DeFarge must be up soon for an article. DeFarge doesn't have the size or power potential of Amick, but was projected to be a better hitter, much faster, stronger arm, and much better defender than Billy. While each player gets an opportunity to present their skills and I wish them all well, it would appear that players like Amick and DeFarge did well with their signing bonuses and now face a long road strewn with obstacles to climb toward MLB. I wouldn't bet on anything other than a possible utility role for a ceiling. Baseball is a tough sport.

I think you meant DeBarge, but yes, he seems to be the forgotten prospect from this most recent draft. He certainly does seem like a better defender than Amick, but once again, with all these "versatile" infielders in the system, he may find it a battle for playing time. 

19 hours ago, bean5302 said:

If they all had first showings like Keoni Cavaco maybe?

.172/.217/.253 OPS .470 wRC+ 37 in rookie ball with a 4.3% BB rate and a 38.0% K rate would be good enough for me to bet a prospect wasn't going to make it.

Well there is that…

25 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

I think you meant DeBarge, but yes, he seems to be the forgotten prospect from this most recent draft. He certainly does seem like a better defender than Amick, but once again, with all these "versatile" infielders in the system, he may find it a battle for playing time. 

It is nteresting how the FO changed their drafting focus in early rounds to focus on great athletes with college experience. Yes I know thats not their entire focus but its where they start. 

On 12/13/2024 at 5:01 PM, bean5302 said:

90th percentile in A-ball for a 22yr old high draft pick slugger at 3B is kind of expected. The issue with being the 10th best 3B prospect is that SS and 2B prospects who wind up not having the range get pushed to 3B a lot. There's not a ton of information you can really get from a 21 year old prospect just out of the draft (now technically 22), but Amick did hit well in Ft Myers with some pop, not unreasonable K rates and good walk rates. The biggest ding was the batting average, but when you have a .239 BABIP, there's plenty of room for that to be more impressive. The move to Cedar Rapids will hopefully be fun to watch!

Amick is the Twins' #11 prospect in MLB's rating, #39 for Fangraphs.

https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/twins/billy-amick-701771

Here's hoping he proves the scouting reports to be overly bearish and Amick really takes off.

Thanks for some unbiased info on his fielding. So if you throw out the prospect puppy love you have a guy with a promising bat that can’t run field well or throw. Meaning he will end up being a 1b or dh which means he’s going to have to hit a crap ton to help the Twins. High bar to clear. 

Billy Amick could well be a guy who hits a ton. He may also be a very good add-on in a trade.