When it comes to evaluating young prospects, defensive ability often goes overlooked. However, in the case of Cristian Pache, his defensive skills are among his most notable strengths.
At just 24 years old, Pache has already made an impression in the Major Leagues, albeit in a limited capacity.
But the question remains: is Cristian Pache good?.
Defensive Abilities
Cristian Pache is a promising young outfielder with exceptional defensive abilities. Despite being only 24 years old, he has already been recognized as one of the top prospects in all of baseball.
Pache has played a limited number of games in the majors, but his defensive skills have already made a significant impact on the field.
Pache’s Defensive Skills
Pache is widely regarded as a defensive specialist. He possesses excellent speed, range, and arm strength, which allows him to cover a lot of ground in the outfield and make impressive plays.
Pache’s instincts and reaction time are also exceptional, enabling him to read the ball off the bat and take the most efficient route to make a play.
His excellent defensive skills have earned him comparisons to some of the best defensive outfielders in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.
Comparison to Other Outfielders in the League
Pache’s defensive skills have put him in the company of some of the top defensive outfielders in the league. He has been compared to the likes of Andruw Jones, who was a ten-time Gold Glove award winner, three-time All-Star, and a five-time MLB of-the-Year.
He has also been compared to Kevin Kiermaier, who is a three-time Gold Glove award winner and a two-time Fielding Bible award winner.
Statistics That Showcase His Abilities
Pache’s defensive skills have been demonstrated by various statistics. In his short major league career, Pache has posted a Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) score of 5, which is an impressive mark for a player who has played fewer than 25 games.
Pache has also made some incredible plays throughout his career, including an impressive diving catch he made during Game 3 of the NLCS against the Dodgers.
Cristian Pache is a young outfielder who possesses exceptional defensive skills. His elite speed, range, arm strength, instincts, and reaction time make him one of the top defensive outfielders in the league.
Despite his limited playing time at the major league level, Pache has already demonstrated his defensive prowess, and his potential is limitless.
If he can continue to showcase his exceptional defensive abilities, he could become a fixture in the Braves’ outfield for many years to come.
Batting Performance
Pache’s Batting Performance in the Minors
As a minor leaguer, Pache showed flashes of potential at the plate, but overall, he did not excel as a hitter. In six seasons in the Braves’ minor league system, he hit .277/.340/.408 with 24 home runs, 169 RBI, and 93 stolen bases in 441 career games.
He did show some pop in 2018 when he hit 12 home runs in 117 games, but he struggled in the following season, hitting just .277/.340/.408 with two home runs and 36 RBI in 104 games split between Double-A and Triple-A.
Pache’s Record in the Majors
Pache’s short stint in the majors has not been impressive offensively. In 85 plate appearances across two seasons, he has hit just .111/.152/.139 with no home runs, three RBI, and two stolen bases.
He did have a few key hits in the 2020 NLCS against the Dodgers, including a double and a home run in the same game, but he has yet to show consistent production at the major league level.
Comparison to Other Players With Similar Stats
Comparing Pache to other players with similar stats is difficult given his limited sample size in the majors. However, there have been other players in recent years who have excelled defensively but struggled at the plate early in their careers.
For example, Kevin Kiermaier of the Tampa Bay Rays hit just .236/.306/.374 in his first 137 games but has since become a two-time Gold Glove winner and a key contributor to the Rays’ success.
Another example is Jackie Bradley Jr. of the Milwaukee Brewers, who hit.222/.308/.445 in his first 225 games but has since won a Gold Glove and been named an All-Star.
While Pache’s offensive performance has been lackluster thus far in his young career, his defensive prowess and potential make him an intriguing player to watch for the Braves.
If he can develop even a league-average bat, he has the potential to become an impactful player at the major league level.
Potential for Growth
Pache’s Potential to Improve
Christian Pache has already shown glimpses of his potential during his limited time in the majors. His defensive ability is already well above average, and he has even been compared to elite outfielders like Andruw Jones and Kevin Kiermaier.
His speed, athleticism, and instincts allow him to cover a lot of ground in the outfield, and he has a strong arm that can make accurate throws to any base.
However, his offensive game still leaves a lot to be desired. In his limited exposure in the majors, he struggled to make solid contact consistently, resulting in a low batting average and a high strikeout
rate. However, he has shown some power potential, hitting two home runs in 22 at-bats in the majors and hitting 12 home runs in 104 games in the minors in 2019.
Despite his offensive struggles, Pache’s natural abilities make him an enticing prospect with a lot of potential for growth.
He is still young at 24 years old and has plenty of time to develop his skills. With proper coaching and development, he could become a well-rounded outfielder who contributes both offensively and defensively.
Factors That Could Positively or Negatively Affect His Performance
One major factor that could positively affect Pache’s performance is his experience playing against top-level competition.
While he has struggled at times, he has already faced the best pitchers in the game in both the regular season and the playoffs. This experience should help him adjust to the major league level and make any necessary improvements to his game.
Another positive factor is the Braves’ coaching staff, who are known for their ability to develop young talent.
They have a proven track record of developing elite-level outfielders, including Andruw Jones and Ronald Acuña Jr. If Pache can continue to work with the Braves’ coaching staff, he could develop into a true five-tool player.
On the negative side, injuries could derail Pache’s progress. He dealt with a couple of minor injuries during the 2020 season, and any further injuries could limit the amount of time he has to develop his skills.
Additionally, if Pache struggles offensively and starts to lose confidence, it could negatively affect his defense as well.
Overall, Pache’s potential for growth is significant, but much of it will depend on his ability to improve his offensive game while maintaining his elite-level defensive skills.
If he can do this, he could become a cornerstone player for the Braves and a perennial Gold Glove candidate in the outfield.
Evaluation by Scouting Community
The Evaluative Process
The evaluative process of young baseball players in the Minor Leagues is a crucial aspect of developing potential Major Leaguers.
Scouts typically evaluate players based on physical abilities such as speed, power, agility, arm strength, and defensive ability, in addition to their mental makeup, approach to the game, and overall potential.
The scouting process often begins when players are drafted or signed by teams and continues as they move through the Minor Leagues.
Opinions of Reputable Scouting Organizations
The scouting community has been high on Cristian Pache for a while now, as he has long been regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in all of baseball.
Pache’s speed, range, and arm strength in center field are considered elite, and he has been compared to other top defensive center fielders such as Andruw Jones and Kevin Kiermaier.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Pache has impressed scouts with his approach at the plate and his ability to make consistent contact with the ball.
In terms of overall potential, many scouts believe that Pache has the ability to become an above-average player at the Major League level.
Some even see him as a potential All-Star and a future Gold Glove winner. However, there are also some concerns about Pache’s offensive ceiling, as he has yet to show much power or the ability to draw walks consistently at the Minor League level.
Comparison to Other Top Prospects
When comparing Pache to other top prospects around baseball, his defensive ability is what sets him apart. While there are other young players who have shown similar offensive potential, few can match Pache’s elite defense in center field.
However, it should be noted that some scouts believe that Pache’s offensive ceiling is lower than some of his peers, which could impact his overall ranking among top prospects.
Overall, Cristian Pache is viewed as one of the top young players in baseball thanks to his elite defensive ability and promising offensive potential.
While there are still question marks about his offensive ceiling and ability to adjust to Major League pitching, his defensive skills alone make him a valuable asset for any team.
As a result, Pache should continue to be a highly-regarded prospect in the eyes of the scouting community for years to come.
To Recap
All signs point to yes. While Pache has yet to fully establish himself at the big league level, his strong defensive play and overall potential make him a valuable asset for any team.
With time and experience, there’s no doubt that Pache has the potential to become a star in the league.
So, to answer the question: yes, Cristian Pache is good, and he has the potential to be even better in the years to come.
