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Sox trade for Blake Tekotte


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From this summer...

 

http://www.padresprospects.com/2012/07/25/...-2012/#more-554

 

20) Blake Tekotte – Tekotte remains an extremely interesting power/speed option in the outfield, but injuries have limited his availability this season. He can provide a lot of value as a bench player to a contending team as Tekotte is able to play all three outfield spots. ETA: 2012

 

From May 2011

 

http://rotoprofessor.com/baseball/?p=10119

 

Rookie Report: Who Is Blake Tekotte?

 

Apparently the San Diego Padres had finally grown tired of the lack of production from Will Venable at the top of the lineup. Hitting .224 with a .293 OBP, you really can’t blame them. According to Corey Brock of mlb.com (click here for the article), “The Padres sent outfielder Will Venable to Triple-A Tucson on Monday and purchased the contract of outfielder Blake Tekotte from Double-A San Antonio.”

 

Now, the question for fantasy owners is who exactly is Blake Tekotte?

 

He is a 2008 third round pick of the San Diego Padres out of the University of Miami who actually turns 24-years old today. He started at Double-A this season (after getting 268 AB there in 2010), hitting .291 with 6 HR, 24 RBI, 30 R and 14 SB in 148 AB.

 

Baseball America ranked him as the team’s 14th best prospect prior to the season. Here are a few excerpts from their write-up:

 

“Despite profiling as a top-of-the-order hitter, he has surprising power and finished third in the organization with 18 home runs.”

 

“…incorporated the bunt in his repertoire, as the Padres stressed keeping the ball on the ground and using his above average speed.”

 

“Along with his running speed, Tekotte’s best asset is his plus range in center field…”

 

There certainly is a lot to like from that scouting report. The biggest note may be his defensive ability, which is certainly important in the spacious Petco Park. That alone may earn him plenty of playing time, as a strong defensive ability is a must.

 

The Padres are also lacking a spark at the top of the order. Entering Monday they had scored the fourth fewest runs in the league with 165. Tekotte certainly has an ability to help improve the club there. He posted a .410 OBP at Double-A, and while that obviously is not likely to translate, it is an impressive number.

 

He clearly has a good feel at the plate, with a 14.94% walk rate. He also wasn’t lucky, with a BABIP of .333, a number that certainly can be replicated, or even improved upon, by a player with his speed.

 

Obviously, playing in Petco Park I wouldn’t put too much stock into his power, though it is nice. There’s a chance that he develops into a 10/30 type player, something no fantasy owner would complain about.

 

Is he going to play every day? Maybe not, especially right away, but the fact that the Padres made the move has to make you think that they are going to use him. So, if you are an owner in a deeper format that is desperate to add some speed, he certainly is a player worth taking a flyer on. I wouldn’t use him from the start, as he certainly has the potential to struggle, but before long he could prove extremely usable.

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From Dec 2008, Gifs at link

 

http://www.baseball-intellect.com/Articles...es-6-to-15.html

 

12. Blake Tekotte | CF | B - L | Eugene (SS) | Age - 21 | Drafted - Round 3, 2008

 

The center fielder from Miami doesn't have a lot of strength, but he possess an athletic frame and has above average to plus speed.

 

Blake-Tekotte

 

He drifts his body forward and sweeps his bat through the hitting zone. His swing plane is more "fliner" oriented rather than fly ball, and he should be able to maintain a quality batting average, which will lead to a very respectable OBP when combined with his batting eye.

 

One thing he does that bothers me, is he has a tendency to throw his hands at the ball. So he ends up making contact too far out in front, meaning he's not letting the ball travel deep and meaning his axis of rotation is centered around his core. As I stated earlier, the goal should be to turn the hands and hips together. The below clip should give you a better indication of what I'm talking about. See how the hands get out in front

 

Blake-Tekotte-hip-rotation

 

It's not a powerless swing--he's not lunging and he has a good loading of the hands, but he's certainly not maximizing his power output.

 

His upside is that of an average center fielder, but he might want to work on tweaking his swing where the hands and hips turn together.

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QUOTE (sayitaintso @ Nov 7, 2012 -> 04:40 PM)
Chicago White Sox ‏@whitesox

UPDATE: #WhiteSox have acquired outfielder Blake Tekotte from the @Padres in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brandon Kloess.

Which should give you an idea of his value. Tekotte is a flyer for the 4th OF spot, probably ends up replacing Conor Jackson in Charlotte. Seems a lot like Jordan Danks, really.

 

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QUOTE (IowanSoxFan @ Nov 7, 2012 -> 05:09 PM)
keithlaw ‏@keithlaw

Good fourth OF. Like him a lot "@JimNeedsCoffee: @keithlaw White Sox just got Blake Tekotte. Org guy?"

Anyone else notice that Law has been complementary of Sox moves, since KW gave up the GM job?

 

Anyway, this is trading a high-floor low ceiling reliever (which the Sox have an abundance of), for a low floor high ceiling talent to compete with JorDanks and/or be relief for the OF from AAA. He's still fairly young, they may strike gold. These are good moves to make.

 

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QUOTE (Cali @ Nov 7, 2012 -> 09:24 PM)
This is obviously a practice trade to see how Hahn and the Padres GM like each other.

 

Then Headly comes to the South Side in December :)

 

It's honestly not a bad strategy to work up a rapport with a GM early, and then look to make deals later, especially since a lot of guys may not know Hahn yet.

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