Skip to main content

Prospect Nation 2014: #12 3B Zach Green

By
Zach Green, Image- TriCity ValleyCats
Third baseman Zach Green became one of the Phillies' emerging impact prospects last year in his first full season of professional ball. A 3rd round draft choice from 2012, the 19-year-old stood out as a rising star last year and looked to have a very bright future in his first full professional season.

Upon signing his first pro contract, the righty batting slugger quickly showed his skills with the bat as he sported a .284 average with 13 doubles, a triple and three home runs for the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2012. Green had been committed to playing baseball at Oregon State prior to the MLB draft.

With a body type that is prototypical of a corner infielder at six-foot-three 210 pounds, coaches and scouts speak highly of Green's raw power. The California resident represented the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game last year, winning the league's annual home run derby. With the Cutters, Green batted .252 with 20 doubles (league lead, tie), a triple, 13 homers (league leader) and 41 RBI.

Green is toward the bottom of a growing depth chart at the hot corner for the Phillies. Behind developing stars such as Cody Asche and Maikel Franco as well as prospect Mitch Walding who had a lackluster 2013 season with Class A Lakewood, Green hopes to continue to excel and climb toward his ultimate goal of playing in the big leagues.

Having played shortstop at Jesuit High School (CA), where he batted .403 in his varsity career, the athletic Green was moved to third base after turning pro and has been very capable at the position. The strong armed, accurate throwing youngster has nice range and quick reflexes. It is possible that as Green ages and adds pounds that he could change positions, which he would welcome if it helped him get to the big leagues. His passion for the game is clear as Green simply wishes to play and hit at progressing levels and doesn't worry about his defensive assignment..

Speed is not a big factor of Green's game, but it's not a hindrance either. Successful in 10 of 17 stolen base attempts in the minors, fans should not expect a great amount of steals from Green, though he's got the type legs that could help him go first-to-third and take an extra base when the chance presents itself.

It's likely that Green will begin his 2014 campaign with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. It will be interesting to see how his power performs at Lakewood's home field, FirstEnergy Park, which is typically favorable to pitchers. Williamsport's Bowman Field, where Green tallied nine homers last season in 36 contests, plays the same way, so look for big offense from this soon-to-be 20-year-old this year in the Sally League.

Click here to view the running list of this year's countdown. 


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PhoulBallz Interview: Reading second baseman Jesmuel Valentin

By
Jesmuel Valentin, image- Jay Floyd Switch-hitting infielder Jesmuel Valentin has been a bit of an underrated contributor with the Double-A Reading Fightins. Heading into action on Friday, Valentin was batting .339 over his last 14 games. Overall this season, the 22-year-old is batting .282 with four home runs and 35 RBI in 64 games. Valentin, who plays mostly second base, but dabbles at shortstop a bit also, is the son of former big leaguer Jose Valentin . The Puerto Rico native was a supplementary round pick (51st overall) of the Dodgers in 2012. He was acquired by the Phils as part of the Roberto Hernandez trade in 2014. Recently, I spoke with Jesmuel about his team's success, growing up around the game and more. Read ahead for that full interview. -The Reading team has been great and you've contributed very nicely to the club's success. What are your thoughts on competition in the Eastern League this year? I just came here with the mindset that...
Post a Comment
Read more

2018 Phillies Prospect Countdown: #25 Second Baseman Jesmuel Valentin

By
Jesmuel Valentin, image- Jay Floyd Second baseman Jesmuel Valentin has become a solid contributor at each level he has played and could possess the ability to continue that success as he approaches the big leagues. Last year in spring training with the big league team Valentin proved he could contribute and earned consideration at making the Phillies opening day roster. His 2017 was cut short at the Triple-A level due to an injury in May, so he wasn't healthy for a call up during the season. But now, fully healthy and on the diamond in the Roberto Clemente League (the Puerto Rico Winter League), Valentin is hopeful he'll get another shot at his big league dream this year. Selected as the 51st overall draft pick in 2012, Valentin was quickly a well-hyped prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers system. Upon signing his initial professional contract fresh out of high school, the switch-hitter debuted in the rookie level Arizona League, posting a .211 average while...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rappers in Phillies Caps

By
Weekend greetings to you phine pholks out there. Today's post features pictures of rappers wearing Phillies caps. Why rappers in Phillies caps, you ask? Because... Any other questions? We will start things off properly by going with a highly recognizable hip hop star. 50 Cent stays constantly relavant by consistantly creating radio friendly material to help sell (G) units, while he "keeps it real" by still rapping about the thug life he lived before becoming the 2nd highest earning black entertainer in America. 50 is seen here in a recent interview rocking a throw-back Phillies cap. Next up we'll use a throw-back screen cap from what may be the very first major appearance by a rapper wearing Phillies gear. Chuck D, of legendary rap group Public Enemy, wore a Phillies cap in the music video for rap anthem Fight The Power in 1989. The song was the lead single from the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film Do The Right Thing . Next up we'll go with some home grown tal...
3 comments
Read more