Newcomer To Keep An Eye On: Lucas Erceg, 3B
Birthdate: 5/1/95 (21 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: rookie, low A
Stats in 2016: .327/.376/.518, 9 HR, 9 SB
Erceg was an enigma in draft time, with a wide array of opinions on where he would go and where he should go in the draft. He left Cal after his sophomore season, and the reasoning why depended on your source, which led to some worried about his make up.
Erceg got tremendous marks as a pro for his work on and off the field, which should wipe all those sorts of questions away. He has the physical tools to be a high-end third baseman both on the offensive and defensive end.
One of the more intriguing comps I got on Erceg was a “lefty-hitting Ryan Braun coming up”. That’s intriguing, though from my own video on Erceg that I’ve seen, I’d say he’s a legit third baseman, whereas Braun really stayed at 3B only to keep his bat in the lineup as he moved quickly up the system.
Erceg could be a guy who ends up a top 50 guy by midseason with the power he has and the high-end defensive tools. I was surprised to see some places listing Erceg with only an average run tool as he exhibited at least an above-average run tool, if not fringe-plus.
Erceg will likely start 2017 at high-A and could be a guy that moves fast through the Brewers system if his bat keeps producing.
Next: Dodgers Top 10 Prospects
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