Phillies prospect taking part in Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby
The Phillies will have one prospect participate in the Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby this Saturday.
The highest-ranked Philadelphia Phillies prospect playing in the Arizona Fall League will be participating in the league's Home Run Derby this weekend. Gabriel Rincones Jr. — the Phillies' No. 9 prospect — has been selected to participate in the event.
Rincones was drafted in the third round of the 2022 draft by the Phillies. The 22-year-old slugger bashed 15 home runs in his first minor league season. In 120 games at Low-A Clearwater and High-A Jersey Shore, the young left-handed hitter showed off his power. He slugged .427 overall and posted a .778 OPS.
The Florida Atlantic product is a top-10 prospect in the Phillies system due to the power potential that he holds. Scouts are not too keen on his defense, and he grades out to have a below-average arm and below-average speed. He projects to be a left fielder but has played right field as well.
At 22 years old, the Phillies want to tap into the power-hitting prospect's raw power sooner rather than later. He has shown pop at the plate but has also struck out a considerable number of times. He will continue to work on contact. If the contact becomes more consistent, Rincones will hit the ball out of the yard.
After just one full season of professional baseball, it is hard to judge a player's makeup. Rincones, despite some struggles, has shown tremendous power potential. While he has only hit two home runs in the AFL this season, he has racked up 13 RBI and is hitting .284.
No. 9 @Phillies prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr. had 2 hits including a long home run in the Arizona Fall League! 💪 pic.twitter.com/B7pLyHjKA0
— Phillies Player Development (@PhilsPlayerDev) October 14, 2023
Rincones has climbed the ladder in the Phillies farm system this season. He's still a long way from being a can't-miss prospect, but the offensive tools are there. The AFL Home Run Derby is another chance for him to showcase those skills.
If you are over the Phillies' loss and longing for some baseball this weekend, the event will be streamed on MLB.com at 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. If nothing else, it will be entertaining to watch some of the game's next generation show off their power skills.
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