(In photo: Dante Bichette Jr)If you follow Bleeding Yankee Blue closely, you’ve probably noticed every other article with my name on it says PROSPECT ROUNDUP. The majority of the articles I’ve written here have been related to the minor leagues, whether it’s about Jesus Montero (PROSPECT ROUNDUP: JESUS MONTERO), the Killer B’s (FEATURE: ATTACK OF THE KILLER B's), Slade Heathcott (PROSPECT ROUNDUP: SLADE HEATHCOTT), or even Bryce Harper (WHY BRYCE HARPER COULD BE A YANKEE). It shouldn’t be a surprise that I’m pretty big on prospects, and have eagerly anticipated the 2011 draft for weeks. That being said, I have all you need to know about the Yankees first draft pick, Dante Bichette Jr.
First off, let me start by explaining that the Yankees did not have a first round pick this year, since the Yankees acquired Type A free agent Rafael Soriano from the Tampa Bay Rays during the off season. If you're not aware, when a team signs a Type A free agent they forfeit their first round pick to the team who lost that player. Although they did not have a first round pick, the Yankees did have the 51st overall draft pick as compensation for the Marlins signing Type B free agent, Javier Vazquez. Sounds confusing I know, but stay with me.
The Yankees selected Dante Bichette Jr. The name sounds familiar right? Bichette’s father, Alphonse “Dante” Bichette Sr. was one of the most feared players of the mid-1990s while he was with the Colorado Rockies. In 1995 he was perhaps the most dominant batter in the game, batting to a .340 average with 40 HRs and 128 RBI, nearly winning the Triple Crown, and finishing 2nd in NL MVP voting.The Yanks are hoping that translates to Junior, because if it does, they just picked a Golden boy.
That being said, know this; Bichette has raw talent. I say raw, I don’t mean inexperienced because Dante has lived and breathed baseball since he was little, as you might expect from the son of an MLB star. When I say raw, I mean he’s got odd mechanics and the success he’s had thus far in his career has come mostly from pure talent and hard work.
(In photo: Dante Bichette Jr)Based on some scouting reports and videos first thing I noticed about Bichette is his excellent bat speed. Best of all, his quick swing seems to effortlessly generate huge power. One video below has him depositing a ball 423 feet into the right field bleachers in a home run derby contest… as a sophomore. He doesn’t have to sacrifice as much bat speed as most players do when taking a power swing, which leads me to project that he’ll have plus power if he develops as we all hope.
As a senior at Orangewood Christian High School in Florida, he batted a team best .640, with 10 long balls, 14 doubles, 40 RBI, and 58 runs. It may just be high school ball, but that’s simply phenomenal. If the Yankees can make adjustments to improve his reaction time and bat speed, then he’ll be able to accomplish a lot on a professional level.
Some say he may be a difficult signing seeing as he’s committed to the University of Georgia and has said he’s always wanted to go there, but I think the Yankees have a shot. Why? Because Joe Girardi and and Dante Bichette were best friends. Joe’s son is named Dante. The two of them have undoubtedly been in contact, and if Bichette Jr. wasn’t planning on playing for the Yankees, his father would have told Joe “Don’t draft my kid, he’s set on going to college and you’d just be wasting a pick.” It’d be a huge shock if he passes up the Yankees offer, even more so when you consider the big bucks they have to offer him.
Bottom line, If everything goes according to plan, I project him to be a middle of the order power hitter, perhaps 5th. There’s even less information available on his defensive abilities, but he supposedly has a good arm and about average 3rd baseman accuracy. He’s also played shortstop, but he’s expected to be a 3rd baseman or corner outfielder at the next level.
The only low point of Draft Day 2011 was watching former Yankee 1st round pick Gerritt Cole going 1st overall to the Pittsburgh Pirates, but I guess the joke’s on him. Sure the Yankees lose out on a potential ace, but he’s going to end up on one of the worst teams in baseball, and if he indeed signs he will be skipping his senior year of college, and he’ll be on a bad team. His loss.
(In Photo: Gerritt Cole)So, are you happy with Dante? Are you impressed? Tell me what you think. Make sure you comment.
--Grant Cederquist, BYB Staff Writer
--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Associate Editor
Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.
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