Laurila: Nick Madrigal doesn’t try to hit home runs anymore

From SABR member David Laurila at FanGraphs on March 8, 2020:

There’s no question that Nick Madrigal can hit. The Chicago White Sox drafted the sweet-swinging infielder fourth-overall in 2018 after he slashed .361/.422/.502 at Oregon State University — and he’s continued to rake. Last year, Madrigal put up a tasty .311/.377/.414 slash line between three levels, reaching Triple-A in his first full professional season.

Few doubt that the just-turned-23-year-old will be a solid big-leaguer, as his bat-to-ball skills come with strong defense at the second base position. The question is whether he’ll ever produce more than a modicum of in-game power. Madrigal stands 5’ 7”, and he’s gone deep just four times in 705 minor-league plate appearances.

Could he one day display pop? Mindful that 5’ 6” Jose Altuve homered 31 times last year, I asked Madrigal how much raw power he actually has.

Read the full article here: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/sunday-notes-nick-madrigal-doesnt-try-to-hit-home-runs-anymore/



Originally published: March 10, 2020. Last Updated: March 10, 2020.