2018 Down East Wood Ducks offensive stats

Yesterday, I did a post about the numbers for the pitchers for the Down East Wood Ducks, the Rangers’ high-A affiliate in the Carolina League. I mentioned that the DEWDs are the most interesting roster to follow among the Rangers affiliates right now, both because of their hitters and their pitchers. So today, we’re taking a look at the Down East hitters.

The stud of the group is, of course, Leody Taveras. The 19 year old switch-hitting center fielder is having a solid season for the Ducks, putting up a .277/.372/.405 slash line with 37 Ks against 26 walks in 201 plate appearances. He’s one of the youngest players in the league, and has yet to have an at bat against a pitcher younger than him this season. If you want to nitpick, you’d like to see more power out of him, but really, given the total package -- he’s considered a quality defensive center fielder and won the team’s Minor League Defensive Player of the Month Award for April — you have to be pleased with what Leody is doing so far this season.

As with the pitchers, there are also some lower profile guys who are off to nice starts as well. Charles Leblanc, a fourth round pick in 2016 who turns 22 next month, has been playing third base for the Ducks and is off to a solid start with the bat, slashing .301/.366/.509 so far. Andretty Cordero, who turned 21 earlier this month, is playing mostly first base, and is slashing .302/.344/.465. He is going to have to hit as he goes up the ranks, as he’s limited defensively, but he’s showing some positive signs, particularly if more power comes as he gets older.