New York Yankees prospect Blake Rutherford yet to find power stroke
New York Yankees prospect Blake Rutherford has played well through his first 100 professional baseball games. He’s making contact regularly and getting on base a lot. Unfortunately not very many of those hits are landing on the other side of the outfield fence.
Rutherford, who MLB.com has noted to have the potential to hit for “plus power,” has only a single home run this season in nearly 300 plate appearances. While Rutherford has knocked 19 doubles, he hasn’t had a chance to do his best Aaron Judge impression.
It’s beginning to look like Rutherford may not hit for much power at all. Last year, in 130 plate appearances, Rutherford only managed three dingers. Though he’s just 20-years-old and in his second professional season, the 400+ plate appearances have been constantly sans four-baggers.
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Rutherford has done other things well. Along with the 19 doubles, he’s beginning to show his speed. After not stealing a single base last year in Rookie Ball he has picked up nine so far this season while being caught three times.
Per MLB.com’s scouting report, Rutherford has drawn comparisons to 1990s star David Justice, but more athletic. Considering Justice smashed 28 home runs in his rookie season (at the age of 24) and had over 300 in his MLB career, Rutherford will have a long way to go. Justice hit for good power in his minor league career, including 22 home runs during his year in Single-A. Rutherford will need a historic second half to match that total.
Not all outfielders will crank out 30 home runs by the All-Star Break in their rookie year like Judge. Rutherford seems ready to develop into a different type of player; one with qualities more like current Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner.
The lack of power has not done anything to hurt Rutherford’s standing with Baseball America on their top prospect list. He began the year at number 37 and has since moved up one spot to 36 in the midseason re-ranking.
It will be interesting to see how Rutherford continues to develop and how he eventually fits in with the Yankees. Judge has locked himself into right field and Clint Frazier has his eye on left field. Rutherford will also need to pass noted prospect Dustin Fowler who suffered an unfortunate injury in his MLB debut weeks ago.
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A lot can and will change during Rutherford’s trip up the minor leagues and to the Bronx. For now, Yankees fans will have to hope Rutherford develops a few more tools before he wears his first big league Pinstripes.