Does Yamaico Navarro Have a Bright Future?

by Jeff Zimmerman on Oct 24, 2011 11:45 PM EDT in Kansas City Royals News

I was looking the other day for players with good minor league plate discipline and some power (Ben Zobrist and Dustin Ackley clones). The criteria was the following in any season of AA or AAA:

Walked over 11%
Struck out less than 15%
Greater than 200 PA
ISO > 0.100 (some power)
Under the age of 23

Eighteen players made the list. Here are 15 of the non-Royals related players:

Hank Conger,Matt Wieters,Jed Lowrie,Elijah Dukes,Luis Valbuena,Daric Barton,Andy LaRoche
Chris Coghlan, Jonathan Lucroy,Jeff Fiorentino, Kurt Suzuki,Buster Posey,Logan Morrison,Andrew McCutchen,Dustin Ackley.

Some good, some bad.

The three Royals related players are:

Kila Ka'aihue - a no brainer.

Billy Butler - again, a no brainer

Yamaico Navarro - What the F?

The same Yamaico Navarro that we traded free swinging Mike Aviles for from Boston. He has not shown the same level of disipline while in the majors (6% BB%, 28% K% in 112 PA), but had a 10% BB and 15% K rate combined in AA and AAA.

I am not sure what to make of the numbers or the comparison players, but he may be a diamond in the rough. Maybe even a better possible answer at 2B.

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Comments

I have the weirdest boner.

"On the last day of your life, don't forget to die."

- David Berman

by Crooow on Oct 24, 2011 5:29 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Are you in math class?

Because I always felt weird with math boners too.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Oct 24, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm hoping he at least gets a good look.

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room!

by KeepItCopacetic on Oct 24, 2011 5:37 PM EDT reply actions

The better question might be

who is the better Navarro prospect, Ray or Yamico?

by dooblay on Oct 24, 2011 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

easy

Ray Navarro Yamico

- .-. ..- … – / – …. . / .—. .-. - .. . … …

by Jeff Zimmerman on Oct 24, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

whole lotta hype

for basically one pretty good year

by dooblay on Oct 24, 2011 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

At least it's not Navarro Ray Yamico

because having Ray for a middle name puts you at high risk for being a serial killer.

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room!

by KeepItCopacetic on Oct 24, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

What about Billy Ray?

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Since 2006: Royals win% = .420, Chiefs win% = .354

by averagegatsby on Oct 24, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, that did come to mind when I posted it..

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room!

by KeepItCopacetic on Oct 24, 2011 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Ray Wayne Navarro

by dooblay on Oct 24, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Bert Sugar Ray Nararro Yamico

by dooblay on Oct 24, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Judging by that picture... How can he have anything other than a bright future?

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Since 2006: Royals win% = .420, Chiefs win% = .354

by averagegatsby on Oct 24, 2011 5:45 PM EDT reply actions

Alex hit the ball, I was surprised he was in the picture ;)

- .-. ..- … – / – …. . / .—. .-. - .. . … …

by Jeff Zimmerman on Oct 24, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm going with no

but Yamaico Navarro could be a useful bench player.

His overall numbers in the high minors are not real impressive (in the context of evaluating his future as a major leaguer):

AAA: 267/343/454, 309 PA
AA: 248/333/388, 530 PA
Overall: 279/348/430, 1998 PA

He seems to be lacking the “hit tool” and relies on keeping the bat on his shoulder until absolutely necessary in order to compensate for the mediocre batting average. As Gregor Blanco has demonstrated, a player can generate a little bit of value with that skills set to carve out some sort of major league career, but probably not enough to ever stick as a regular (unless he can actually play regularly at SS, which from what I remember from the scouting reports, is not likely).

by Gopherballs on Oct 24, 2011 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

Isn't the difference though that Yammy (if you will) has a chance to hit with a bit of power, while

Blanco never did?

Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Oct 24, 2011 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

They are similar in that they take a walk first, swing second approach

They are not the same overall player as they have different secondary skills, but basically you are swapping out Navarro’s edge in power (Blanco posted nearly .100 ISO in the minors, so the difference is only about .50 ISO in the minors) for Blanco’s edge in speed. In either case, major league pitchers are not going to be afraid to throw them strikes because neither are going to make a lot of great contact, even though Navarro can occasionally put one in the gap and Blanco can occasionally beat out a throw or take extra bases.

by Gopherballs on Oct 24, 2011 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

gotcha

At least Navarro’s upside (albeit unlikely) includes some power, something Blanco never really had.

Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Oct 24, 2011 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

He seems like a near prototype bench player

He has positional flexibility and some ability with the bat. Doesn’t kill you on the bases either, IIRC. This is the type of guy who could be really helpful in all those World Series games we’ll be playing in NL ballparks.

by WURoyal on Oct 25, 2011 1:22 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

i really was eager to see who this navarro yamaico is

by BeauJackson on Oct 24, 2011 6:07 PM EDT reply actions

Where does he fit in?

With Escobar being a great shortstop and the possibility of Gio, Gia? playing second is he just the future Mitch Maier? Are we going to start seeing Yamaico writes home from summer camp in spanish?

by MVP-Gordon on Oct 24, 2011 6:25 PM EDT reply actions

I hope he fits as the Royals' IF utility man for 2012 (and perhaps beyond)

If for no other reason than it likely means Getz is gone and there are no Bloomquistian FA signings.

by Sweep_the_Leg on Oct 24, 2011 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions

i think he's a better bet to be a solid big leaguer than gia

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 24, 2011 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

This is almost certainly true given Navarros ability to play anywhere in the IF

Assuming he could play COF if needed as well.

Gia is getting what’s likely to be his only shot with the Royals, IMO.

Navarro’s versatility means he could get a number of extended looks due to roster flexibility (and therefore increased value) and injuries.

by WURoyal on Oct 25, 2011 1:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Got a 5 man race for second and the Utility infielder.

Colon, Bianchi, Navarro, Getz, and Giavotella. Place your bets now.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Oct 24, 2011 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

navarro and getz are the two only serious options to open the season...

and while i think navarro is better…i think it’d be smart to give gio some more time and let navarro play semi regularly as the UIF

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 24, 2011 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

And LF, Maybe

Even RF. Super Bloomers.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Oct 24, 2011 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

why, if you think he’s better than gio, do you think it’d be smart to have him sit?

"On the last day of your life, don't forget to die."

- David Berman

by Crooow on Oct 25, 2011 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions

b/c gia cant do anything else...

so i’d give him most of the ABs at the beginning of the season before giving up on him

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 25, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Who’s going to have the power that highly regarded MLB second basemen have? I could be wrong but it seems like the era of Frank White type hitters is going away and Cano era is coming in. Power more than defense. Do either of these guys have serious potential to be a long term solution at second? Please, let’s not talk about Getz being “Getzy”

by MVP-Gordon on Oct 25, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm fine with him getting regular starts at 2B if Gio doesn't work out.

by Dadunca on Oct 24, 2011 9:38 PM EDT reply actions

This

Hopefully we give Gio a good look this year. If he doesn’t cut it, we can break Yamaico in during the second half and give him a look next year. If Yamaico doesn’t cut it. We can give Colon a shot in 2013/2014.

by Loose Seal on Oct 25, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Gia is not going to get too many chances given his defensive limitations and meh prospect pedigree.

As a not so rangy, 2B-only guy he’s going to have to hit well to stick.

To that end as well, Yamaico and Colon aren’t completely mutually exclusive because they can play multiple positions.

by WURoyal on Oct 25, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Think KC will go with a veteran as the utility infield guy

Unfortunately, that means that Getz is still in the picture. Navarro will either win a starting job at 2B if Giavotella’s injury slows his recovery. Navarro is too young to sit on the bench like Mitch did this year. He has the ability to play various spots – just think they will want him to play in Omaha if he doesn’t start.

by daveyork on Oct 24, 2011 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

How about the other Navarro (Rey)?

Rey Navarro had a breakout year with some insane Wilmington numbers (ISO out of control for that league and a 21 year old MIF).

He’s rule 5 eligible this year. I’m not sure he needs to be protected (I think he will be), but I think he could put up a nice first half in AA and get to AAA around the break.

Best case: if he can hit for double digit HR and a .270 average he might be the 2B everyone though Colon was going to be.

What is the defensive report on him? I assume he’s capable at 3B, SS, and 2B. Any particular observations or notes?

by WURoyal on Oct 25, 2011 1:38 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

pretty sure he's not Rule 5 eligible because he's only been in the Royals system since last May

by BeauJackson on Oct 25, 2011 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Rule 5 eligibility goes by when the player first signed with any MLB team, not his current team

Navarro was drafted by Arizona in 2007, so he would be eligible this year.

by Gopherballs on Oct 25, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Upon further review, statistics indicate he might not be so capable at third.

Or he’s learning the position. Probably a year or so before he’d be a utility guy defensively. Basically, if the bat plays I think he will get a look.

by WURoyal on Oct 25, 2011 1:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

don't put too much stock into Navarro's MLB defensive stats

he is about 800 innings short of those meaning anything and about 1800 innings short of them meaning something.

by Gopherballs on Oct 25, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I was referring to Rey Navarro, and his error rate at 3B in the minors.

by WURoyal on Oct 25, 2011 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

too many Navarros

inadequate sample size warning still applies

by Gopherballs on Oct 25, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm more concerned

With his hitting “ability” as reflected in his overall minor league career. Despite a good half-season at Wilmington this year. That stretch

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by Matt Klaassen on Oct 25, 2011 6:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm more concerned

With his hitting “ability” as reflected in his overall minor league career. Despite a good half-season at Wilmington this year. That stretch

Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
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Before getting tweaked, read up on regression.

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 25, 2011 6:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm more concerned

With his hitting “ability” as reflected in his overall minor league career. Despite a good half-season at high-a this year. That stretch was the only extended MILB stop where’s he’s even managed an OPS over 700.

Still, I have to admit that trade went much better than I thought it would. R. Navarro was a nice depth in a system that isn’t exactly teeming with promising middle infielders. —MK

Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
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Before getting tweaked, read up on regression.

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 25, 2011 6:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

mobile posting is fun

…the only stretch with an OPS over 700 since his second go-round in rookie ball.

Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
My Twitter feed.
Before getting tweaked, read up on regression.

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 25, 2011 6:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Who Are You?

-PB

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Oct 25, 2011 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Obviously his hitting remains a huge question

But there’s statistical reason for hope instead of nothing apart from 2009/2010 scouting reports about decent bat speed.

He’s not old for the level either. If he actually earns a promotion to AAA next year he’ll have advanced as fast as could have been hoped for by any college draftee.

There’s real reason to be interested here. He was a top 15 Dbacks prospect who fell because the bat wasn’t coming around. Now that it has started to produce, I think we should follow him closely (much more so than a guy like Bianchi). I think Sickels missed on him. He should at least be a C if not a C+ guy. I looked it up an he was a 3rd round pick out of PR. I assume he wasn’t a hard sign, but going that early reveals some prospect pedigree as well.

by WURoyal on Oct 26, 2011 1:49 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions