Baseball Prospectus | | Eyewitness Scouting Report


	Jake Cave Born: 12/04/1992 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 0"	Weight: 200
	Primary Position: CF

Skinny frame; long legs; looks like a CF; might have slight room for growth into frame but could take away from speed.

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	08/18/2014
Dates Seen	8/15/2014 - 8/17/2014
Affiliate	Trenton Thunder (AA, Yankees)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Video
2016	Moderate	45	No

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	45	Average bat speed; hands are quick through zone but struggles to get body started; decent barrel control; does not have the swing to catch up with high-end velocity; struggles to turn on heat; ability to hit opposite field helps this; not afraid to slap ball the opposite way; feet can become noisy; shifts his balance too often; has good hip torque but squishes the bug too much; unnecessary movement that almost hinders his ability to stay fully balanced; shows ability to recognize same side spin; average eye but has a good approach.
Power	30	fringe raw power; swing is not conducive for power and he lacks the bat speed and raw strength to provide impact; ball does not sound great off bat when he barrels a pitch.
Baserunning/Speed	50	4.27 home to first; slow getting out of the box; not a burner; decent second gear; speed is not an impact tool in his game; likely does not steal many bases at higher levels; might be able to swipe 5-8 a year.
Glove	50	Good instincts in the field; good first step; able to sufficiently track a ball hit directly over his head and make a basket catch; average speed and average agility; routes are good; does not cover terrific ground but could play an average CF in majors; likely best used sparingly out there.
Arm	50	Average arm strength; has some loft in his throws but there is enough effort in them to make decent deliveries; suitable for CF and works for corner OF as well.

Cave does not have any tools above average, but he has solid instincts and hustles at all times. He likely fills the role of a 4th outfielder, but could be a solid stop-gap type for a season if necessary.

His ability to play CF boosts his value, as his tools would be below average at the corners. Cave just reached Double-A and is still learning how to adjust his approach at the plate towards pitchers with more junk than stuff. He also has some issues with high-end velocity that will need to be ironed out before reaching the majors.