Todd Johnson

Prospect Update – Luis Vazquez Nailed How to Do July

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I last wrote about Luis Vazquez back in June. It hardly seems that long ago, but a lot has happened since. With an advanced defensive skill set, Luis filled in first at AA Tennessee from late April to late May and then at AAA Iowa to mid June. But when the healthy guys started returning to those squads, Luis was finally given a permanent home for the season in mid June. The 19-year-old was assigned to Eugene, the same affiliate where he spent all of 2018 at 18 years of age.

ImageIt’s been fun watching him the past 6 weeks really grow and develop at a high rate of speed. The first couple weeks at the plate in June were kind of rough, but a little change in his approach turned a .164 batting average in June into a .281 batting average in July. 

All the Emeralds’ coaching staff did was tell him to stop taking the first pitch in every at-bat. So, instead of falling behind in every AB, he became more aggressive and pitchers stopped grooving strike one. I talked to the Emeralds’ road play-by-play man, Pat Zajak, who has seen both versions of Luis. He was he said about Luis’ growth this year.

“The Cubs really like Vazquez. There’s a reason why he spent time at AA and AAA for short stints this year. The defense work is certainly there with him at shortstop to play at an advanced level. His bat is the reason why he’s still here. Let’s not forget that he’s just 19-years-old. He’s still very young. […] You can tell there’s a little bit more calmer approach at the plate.” 

When I watch him play, I see a confident defender unlike any other in the Cubs’ system. I think he’s major league ready for that side of the ball right now. And at 19, the Cubs have been in no hurry to rush him up the food chain. But if his bat is going to play, that could change everything. 

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I really like his size and frame. He was 6’1” when the Cubs took him in 2017 at 17. He’s still filling out. He has the potential, with a good approach, to hit for some power like this, which he did at Iowa.

I’m curious how July carries over to next month and just exactly where he will start in 2020. 

Here’s the thing, though, no matter what the Cubs do with him, it’s not going to be surprising next year because his defense is going to be the main reason for his placement. He will be 20 to start 2020 and it would not shock me to see him play anywhere from South Bend to Iowa at some point next year. He is that good in the field. Exhibit A

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