Newcomers To Keep An Eye On: Jake Fraley and Ryan Boldt, OF
Birthdate: Fraley – 5/25/95 (21 years old), Boldt – 11/22/94 (22 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: short season A for both
Stats in 2016: Fraley – .238/.339/.364, 1 HR, 33 SB; Boldt – .218/.280/.276, 1 HR, 8 SB
Fraley and Boldt are both polished college bats that could end up showing very well in the long-term outfield plans for the Rays. With both having similar offensive and defensive profiles, it seemed fitting to put them together here.
Fraley is a guy who was excellent with LSU, the best player on that roster, ranking among the SEC leaders in steals runs, hits, and triples. He has tremendous defensive ability that should allow him to play center field going forward.
Boldt was a guy that was highly scouted out of high school before he tore the meniscus in his right knee in his senior year of high school, costing him a chance to be a likely first-round pick. He went to Nebraska and was very solid there, leading to a 2nd round selection for the Rays.
Fraley has elite speed and a solid hit tool. He’s never going to hit for much power, but his pitch recognition is excellent, which should allow him to profile as a leadoff type of hitter going forward.
Boldt has an interesting case in build and future. He has a very good stroke from the left side that generates excellent raw power but has not translated that to game power.
Boldt was a true plus-plus runner before he tore up his knee but is now more a fringe-plus runner. He does have tremendous instincts in the outfield that he could translate well to center field or left field, though his average arm would likely not translate to right.
Both played together in 2016 in the New York-Penn League, and they’ll likely move to low-A together in 2017. It will be interesting to see how these two excellent college players translate their college success in the Rays system.
Next: Mariners Top 10 Prospects
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