De Vries is taking on the Arizona Fall League with Ethan Salas. “I am proud of being with Ethan here,” De Vries said. “I knew him the Dominican Republic even before pro ball. We have a really good relationship and he’s happy to help me and hang out with me.”
“I’m excited to be here sharing a locker room with a lot of future big leaguers,” De Vries said via translator Juan Pena, a trainer with the Padres. “I’m excited for the opportunity and enjoying it. I feel like I’m getting the hang of things. I’m feeling better at the plate and my shoulder is feeling good.”
Ranked No. 28 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list, De Vries signed for $4.2 million out of the Dominican Republic in January. He has the potential for solid or better or tools across the board, could develop into a 30/30 player and shows the polish to develop skills to go with his impressive tools. The biggest question is whether he’ll stay at shortstop, but his offensive production should make him a star even if he winds up at second or third base.
De Vries finished his first professional season with a .238/.361/.442 slash line, 11 homers and 13 steals in 75 games at a level where he was four years younger than the average player. He said he’s hoping to build on that performance in Arizona.
“I just started adjusting after coming back from my first shoulder injury and things started out playing better,” De Vries said. “I was recognizing pitches better, taking better swings and making better contact. Everything just fell into place.
“I want to keep working on the strike zone and recognizing pitches, keep making good contact. I just want to get some more at-bats and progress from there.”
Salas also has joined the Javelinas, giving De Vries the opportunity to learn from a player who has gone through many of the same experiences. Salas has gone 4-for-17 with a homer in four games with Peoria.
I’m so ready for these young men to be called up! Elite players at their position!
The future of this team. Imagine Salas + De Vries + Tatis + Merrill. Absolute insanity. Also, I wonder which 1# international prospect preller is getting this time?
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“I’m excited to be here sharing a locker room with a lot of future big leaguers,” De Vries said via translator Juan Pena, a trainer with the Padres. “I’m excited for the opportunity and enjoying it. I feel like I’m getting the hang of things. I’m feeling better at the plate and my shoulder is feeling good.”
Ranked No. 28 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list, De Vries signed for $4.2 million out of the Dominican Republic in January. He has the potential for solid or better or tools across the board, could develop into a 30/30 player and shows the polish to develop skills to go with his impressive tools. The biggest question is whether he’ll stay at shortstop, but his offensive production should make him a star even if he winds up at second or third base.
De Vries finished his first professional season with a .238/.361/.442 slash line, 11 homers and 13 steals in 75 games at a level where he was four years younger than the average player. He said he’s hoping to build on that performance in Arizona.
“I just started adjusting after coming back from my first shoulder injury and things started out playing better,” De Vries said. “I was recognizing pitches better, taking better swings and making better contact. Everything just fell into place.
“I want to keep working on the strike zone and recognizing pitches, keep making good contact. I just want to get some more at-bats and progress from there.”
Salas also has joined the Javelinas, giving De Vries the opportunity to learn from a player who has gone through many of the same experiences. Salas has gone 4-for-17 with a homer in four games with Peoria.
I’m so ready for these young men to be called up! Elite players at their position!
The future of this team. Imagine Salas + De Vries + Tatis + Merrill. Absolute insanity. Also, I wonder which 1# international prospect preller is getting this time?
Merrill’s acolytes. KTF!
Spoken like a true ESL human