Mat 21 BA Prospect Hot Sheet:
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .333/.355/.667 (10-for-30), 4 2B, 2 HR, 5 R, 7 RBIs, 0 BB, 5 SO, 1 HBP
The Scoop: Let’s start with the good. After struggling mightily in his first pro season last year with Double-A Birmingham, Viciedo is batting .294/.325/.523 with nine home runs in 40 Triple-A games. He’s been a masher at home, benefiting from a hitter-friendly park in Charlotte to the tune of .327/.383/.691, and he’s crushed lefthanded pitching. A defensive liability last year at third base, Viciedo has moved to first base and made just one error. Yet there are still reasons to be skeptical. Viciedo has drawn just four walks all season, and away from Charlotte he’s hit .276/.290/.429. The power is very real, but Viciedo will have to do a better job recognizing offspeed pitches and working the count if he’s going to be able to make his good start sustainable.