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Cristian Pache, OF

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Scouting report

Pache played in two 2020 regular season games before he was thrust into the Braves' NLCS lineup due to Adam Duvall's oblique injury. Even though he hit .278/.340/.474 as a 20-year-old at Double-A Mississippi, there are still some level-headed, long-term questions about Pache's offensive ability. He had a 17% swinging strike rate in 2019 (if we 20-80'd swinging strike rates, that'd be a 30), and you might quibble with elements of the swing, most notably that the bat path only allows for power in certain parts of the zone, and that Pache's pitch recognition is just okay (it actually looks better this spring). But Pache can square velocity and he's a ferocious rotator with power. He's also athletic enough to make adjustments in order to get to that power (though selectivity might be an issue). Couple this power-hitting potential with some of the flashiest, most acrobatic defense in pro baseball and Pache has a cathedral's ceiling. Pache's reads in center, his contortionist's ability to slide and dive at odd angles to make tough catches and position himself to throw, as well as his arm strength, combine to make him an elite defensive center fielder. He's a likely perennial Gold Glover barring an unexpected, precipitous physical regression. Even if he's not posting All-Star offensive statlines, he'll provide All-Star all-around value. Expect him to hit about 20 annual pull shots, perhaps with a below average OBP. (Alternate site, MLB)