Ok so other than the name Mookie Betts what else do we need to know about this guy?
He's 5'9" and 156 lbs so yeah small
Born October 7th 1992
He's right handed and plays 2B. His arm is considered sub par which likely limits his ability to play SS.
He was a champion bowler as a kid, but I'm unclear why people care about this, other than it suggests he can deal with some pressure.
Awards
Red Sox ML Base Stealer of the Month (Aug/Sept 2012)
South Atlantic League Player of the Week (May 6-12, 2013)
2013 South Atlantic League All-Star
SoxProspects.com Awards
SoxProspects.com Player of the Week (May 6-12, 2013)
SoxProspects.com Player of the Week (May 13-19, 2013)
SoxProspects.com Player of the Month (May 2013
Sox prospects scouting report
Scouting Report: Athletic infielder who had been committed to playing at Tennessee prior to signing. Excelled in four sports in high school. Plus speed. Ability to impact a game with his legs. Compact, level swing. Fluid load. Solid-average hit tool. Solid overall approach for someone his age, works counts, and isn’t overly aggressive. Plus strike zone judgment. Potential to produce high levels of contact as he continues to develop. Below-average power potential. Small-framed and lean. Solid-average-to-better arm. Fluid and smooth actions defensively. Soft hands. Former shortstop learning how to play second base as a professional. Tends to stay back on balls rather than charge. Defensive skills and instincts to transition quickly to second base. Plus defensive potential.
He started with just one game in the GCL in 2011.
In his real first pro season he was placed at Low A at Age 19
His stat line showed minimal power but good speed and most importantly a really interesting batting eye
Well shit I can't do tables apparently
Age 19 G 71 AB 251 R 34 H 67 2B 8 3B 1 HR 0 RBI 32 BB 32 K 30
AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS
267/352/307/658
Note more BB than K as a 19 year old but almost zero power
This year though the power emerged. He was placed at A ball full season.
In 76 games he had 33 XBH, 24 2B, 1 3B and perhaps most surprisingly 8 HR while still sporting a bloody impressive 58:40 BB to K ratio.
Read that line again I'll wait.
58 BB in just 76 games, with power and plate discipline and pretty good def
His line before promotion was 296/418/477/895
At Salem his line so far in 31 games is
278/363/463/826
14:14 BB/K
10 XBH (4 2B, 2 3B and 4 HR)
OH I almost forgot career to date 53 SB vs 6 CS and this isn't a low level thing, in 31 games at Salem he's got 14 steals with 0 CS.
Pretty interesting for a 20 year old. I LOVE when prospects show these kinds of BB to K ratios and power. If you give me a kid with as many BB and XBH as Ks I'm going to likely see a guy with real potential. The on base skills so far seem totally legit, the power is surprising but if real, exciting. The numbers are a sort of Pedroia light but with speed.
A few articles for your reading pleasure
He made the BA midseason surprise list
http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/midseason-prospect-update-the-minor-league-all-surprise-team/
Article from July on fangraphs suggesting he's the best performing prospect in A ball
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/daily-notes-scout-leaderboards-for-class-a/
Also a fangraphs link naming him one of the five most interesting fringe prospects
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-fringe-five-baseballs-most-compelling-fringe-prospects-14/
As with all (it seems) smaller guys he's going to have to prove it at every level, but the on base skills and speed seem legit, the scouting defensively is very solid and if the power shown for the first time this year holds up, prepare to hear that name more. He's only 20 and is on pace for AA at 21.
MOOKIE!!!