Video Transcript
I’m gonna go over to Colorado- and predict a breakout.
I’m gonna go over to Colorado- and predict a breakout.
Because, of course, I hammered the Colorado Rockies over 52 and a half wins.
Because, of course, I hammered the Colorado Rockies over 52 and a half wins.
I also bet them 60 plus wins at plus 370, and I bet them 65 wins at plus 950.
I also bet them 60 plus wins at plus 370, and I bet them 65 wins at plus 950.
How are they gonna get there?
How are they gonna get there?
Ezekiel Tovar putting up a five F4 or higher for the Rockies, and I don’t think that this is out of bounds crazy.
Ezekiel Tovar putting up a five F4 or higher for the Rockies, and I don’t think that this is out of bounds crazy.
In 2024, posted a 3.7 F4, 96 WRC plus, 45 doubles, and 26 home runs, with the ability to be an elite defender.
In 2024, posted a 3.7 F4, 96 WRC plus, 45 doubles, and 26 home runs, with the ability to be an elite defender.
He was in the 99th percentile in outs above average in 2024.
He was in the 99th percentile in outs above average in 2024.
He’s always been able to hit all types of pitches, good numbers against both fastballs, breaking balls, off-speed pitches.
He’s always been able to hit all types of pitches, good numbers against both fastballs, breaking balls, off-speed pitches.
He’s only 24 years old.
He’s only 24 years old.
Most hitters like that struggle against spin.
Most hitters like that struggle against spin.
Tovar’s been good across the board, and I also think another level that he can unlock in his profile is increasing the amount of stolen bases.
Tovar’s been good across the board, and I also think another level that he can unlock in his profile is increasing the amount of stolen bases.
He’s got upper end speed.
He’s got upper end speed.
In five games in the World Baseball Classic, he’s already stolen two bases.
In five games in the World Baseball Classic, he’s already stolen two bases.
And not to mention, I mean, the World Baseball Classic, he’s been phenomenal for Team Venezuela.
And not to mention, I mean, the World Baseball Classic, he’s been phenomenal for Team Venezuela.
Been playing really good defense.
Been playing really good defense.
He’s hitting 435.
He’s hitting 435.
He’s got an OPS at 1190.
He’s got an OPS at 1190.
But what we do know is that he’s an elite defender.
But what we do know is that he’s an elite defender.
He’s got 75th percentile speed.
He’s got 75th percentile speed.
He’s got the pop to hit 30 home runs.
He’s got the pop to hit 30 home runs.
It’s a great park to hit in to spray all of those doubles.
It’s a great park to hit in to spray all of those doubles.
He puts that all together, makes moderate improvements on offense.
He puts that all together, makes moderate improvements on offense.
He’s a four to five win shortstop, and if he takes a big leap, I don’t think being a six win player is out of the realm of possibility for Ezekiel Tovar in 2026.
He’s a four to five win shortstop, and if he takes a big leap, I don’t think being a six win player is out of the realm of possibility for Ezekiel Tovar in 2026.
Not at all, and I just think also just having a competent team around him helps.
Not at all, and I just think also just having a competent team around him helps.
I think having a competent front office, which we presume it will be now.
I think having a competent front office, which we presume it will be now.
It, it can’t be less competent.
It, it can’t be less competent.
maybe arming him with a little bit more information and preparation, ’cause they The biggest Achilles’ heel in Tovar’s game is just his, his lack of approach and how aggressive he is.
maybe arming him with a little bit more information and preparation, ’cause they The biggest Achilles’ heel in Tovar’s game is just his, his lack of approach and how aggressive he is.
I mean, and i- it’s not He, he whiffs more than anybody in terms of cumulatively because he swings so much.
I mean, and i- it’s not He, he whiffs more than anybody in terms of cumulatively because he swings so much.
It’s not because- Yeah he’s gonna swing and miss a ton.
It’s not because- Yeah he’s gonna swing and miss a ton.
I think the bat to ball is good enough there.
I think the bat to ball is good enough there.
He’s always been aggressive, dating back to when I’ve covered him as a prospect, but I still think that’s something that he can rein in.
He’s always been aggressive, dating back to when I’ve covered him as a prospect, but I still think that’s something that he can rein in.
And to your point, there is the blend of w- sneaky, legit power and enough field of hit to get to it if the approach stops undermining it.
And to your point, there is the blend of w- sneaky, legit power and enough field of hit to get to it if the approach stops undermining it.
So, yeah, I think with the defense, the speed in that ballpark with a team that’s gonna be a little bit more competitive with, I think, a little bit more information at their disposal instead of being the cavemen of MLB- Yeah i- in terms of how they’re approaching things out there, I think it’s gonna go a long way and, and I, I hope it translates because Tovar’s a really fun player to watch, and is a player that, you know The reason why they extended him, like, this is a guy that can be, the usher to this next era for the Rockies, to, to start to play a little bit more competitive baseball.
So, yeah, I think with the defense, the speed in that ballpark with a team that’s gonna be a little bit more competitive with, I think, a little bit more information at their disposal instead of being the cavemen of MLB- Yeah i- in terms of how they’re approaching things out there, I think it’s gonna go a long way and, and I, I hope it translates because Tovar’s a really fun player to watch, and is a player that, you know The reason why they extended him, like, this is a guy that can be, the usher to this next era for the Rockies, to, to start to play a little bit more competitive baseball.
To your point about the Rockies leaving the Stone Age, Paul DePodesta was brought in, and if you have seen the movie Moneyball, he was based off Jonah Hill’s character.
To your point about the Rockies leaving the Stone Age, Paul DePodesta was brought in, and if you have seen the movie Moneyball, he was based off Jonah Hill’s character.
so for the first time in a long time, they’re looking at real numbers here, and I know that sounds crazy, but the Rockies- And they’re making transactions.
so for the first time in a long time, they’re looking at real numbers here, and I know that sounds crazy, but the Rockies- And they’re making transactions.
They weren’t even making transactions before.
They weren’t even making transactions before.
They didn’t have much of an R&D department until a few years ago.
They didn’t have much of an R&D department until a few years ago.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I mean, this team has been perpetually behind the eight ball.
I mean, this team has been perpetually behind the eight ball.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Perpetually behind, and now they’re finally starting to get it.
Perpetually behind, and now they’re finally starting to get it.
Now, we’re not all the way there yet.
Now, we’re not all the way there yet.
No.
No.
Again, I think 65 wins would be awesome, but, it’s all about just getting better and better and better, and that’s what I’ve seen from Ezekiel Tovar as well in spring, in the World Baseball Classic so far.
Again, I think 65 wins would be awesome, but, it’s all about just getting better and better and better, and that’s what I’ve seen from Ezekiel Tovar as well in spring, in the World Baseball Classic so far.
I think he’s a really good player.
I think he’s a really good player.
About the Author
