PROSPECT ROUNDUP: SLADE HEATHCOTT

I’m going to throw a name out at you may not have heard of… Slade Heathcott. The well-mannered Texan was the Yankees 1st round pick in 2009 and is projected to be a solid outfielder at the major league level in a few years if all goes well.

Last year Heathcott was simply average with only a .258 batting average and an OPS of .712. However, in 2011, he’s looking like a top prospect. 27 games in, Slade Heathcott’s hitting .327 with 3 homers, 11 doubles, and 2 triples, which gives him an OPS of .955.

His first few games were the best yet, he was hitting in the .450s and got his pair of homers almost immediately, so some could argue it’s just a fluke start that makes him look good, but I disagree. I say that if after you cool down you’re still managing to keep your batting average from dropping below .300, you’re doing something right. Expect a rapid promotion to High A Tampa, and perhaps another to Trenton by the end of this year. I’d expect Heathcott to make AAA in 2012 with a good chance to make the team in 2013. All indications are this would happen, especially if he’s hitting the way he is and keeps it up.

--Grant Cederquist, BYB Staff Writer

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