BA GRADE
50
Risk: Extreme
Born: July 5, 1998. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 215. Drafted: HS—Toronto, 2016 (2nd round). Signed by: Dennis Sheehan.
Yerzy settled in during his second pro season and put together some of the more impressive offensive numbers in the system in 2017. The power bat the D-backs envisioned out of the draft began to emerge, as Yerzy began driving balls to the opposite field and also began to tap into more power to his pull side, as well.
By the end of the 2017 season, Yerzy controlled the zone and put together quality at-bats as well as anyone at Rookie-level Missoula. Questions still remain on the other side of the ball, however. Yerzy’s receiving skills improved behind the plate but he still struggled at times on pitches with late life. His transfer is sound and his throws are mostly accurate, but his pop times on throws to second base were still below-average. His large 6-foot-3 frame will always pose a challenge when it comes to throwing, but scouts have concerns about his overall athleticism, as well. Still, Yerzy has made strides defensively and could continue to do so given how little experience he had catching high-caliber pitchers as an amateur.
Yerzy does not run well, leading some to believe he’s a catcher or bust in terms of a long-term position. Others see a potentially special bat that could play at first base or as a DH—if traded to an American League club—if his catching doesn’t continue to improve.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2016 |
Diamondbacks (AZL) |
R |
.196 |
27 |
102 |
5 |
20 |
|
Missoula (PIO) |
R |
.250 |
18 |
60 |
2 |
15 |
2017 |
Missoula (PIO) |
R |
.298 |
54 |
225 |
36 |
67 |
Minor League Totals |
.264 |
99 |
387 |
43 |
102 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2016 |
Diamondbacks (AZL) |
3 |
0 |
1 |
15 |
4 |
|
Missoula (PIO) |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2017 |
Missoula (PIO) |
12 |
0 |
13 |
45 |
24 |
Minor League Totals |
17 |
0 |
14 |
61 |
28 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2016 |
Diamondbacks (AZL) |
22 |
0 |
0 |
.220 |
.255 |
|
Missoula (PIO) |
16 |
0 |
1 |
.274 |
.283 |
2017 |
Missoula (PIO) |
45 |
0 |
0 |
.365 |
.524 |
Minor League Totals |
83 |
0 |
1 |
.314 |
.416 |
|