ON Top 50 Prospects 2013 – #36: Tyler Townsend

[Jordan Tuwiner]

http://orioles-nation.com/2012/12/20/to ... -townsend/

Tyler Townsend was the Orioles’ 3rd round selection in the 2009 MLB Draft. He hit .426 with 24 home runs in his record setting senior season at FIU, and, when healthy, his college numbers have translated to the pros.

Townsend has struggled with hamstring injuries over the past few seasons, which has caused him to miss over 100 games. When on the field, Townsend has been productive. His .835 career minor league OPS is impressive, but he has yet to play more than 75 games in a full season as a pro.

He played in just 68 games in 2012, but 10 of them came on rehab with the GCL Orioles. In 21 games for the Baysox, Townsend hit six home runs and posted a .858 OPS.

2013 Top 50 List
36. Tyler Townsend
37. Caleb Joseph
38. Mark Blackmar
39. Sebastian Vader
40. Matt Price
41. Oliver Drake
42. Hector Veloz
43. Wynston Sawyer
44. Matt Bywater
45. Ryan Berry
46. Tyler Kelly
47. Zach Clark
48. Mychal Givens
49. Ashur Tolliver
50. Brady Wager

[ofahn]

Townsend has the potential to be a big bat, but his K rate causes me to be concerned that he will be at the mercy of ML pitchers. Even Mark Reynolds, with all of his Ks, had a good enough eye to carry a respectable OBA because he was willing to take a walk.

The other thing that concerns me about Townsend is that he's regressed at his playing level over the last year. He should have been having a dominant year at AA in 2012, but injuries and ineffectiveness on his return caused him to have about half of his ABs at lower levels. The team just signed Ishikawa to play 1B at AAA because, IMO, they didn't feel that Townsend was ML or even AAA ready. He needs to have a REALLY big year and needs to force his way on to the AAA roster where he needs to be dominant. If not, his dreams of being an ML starter MIGHT be over.

[osforlife]

Townsend has the potential to be a big bat, but his K rate causes me to be concerned that he will be at the mercy of ML pitchers. Even Mark Reynolds, with all of his Ks, had a good enough eye to carry a respectable OBA because he was willing to take a walk.

The other thing that concerns me about Townsend is that he's regressed at his playing level over the last year. He should have been having a dominant year at AA in 2012, but injuries and ineffectiveness on his return caused him to have about half of his ABs at lower levels. The team just signed Ishikawa to play 1B at AAA because, IMO, they didn't feel that Townsend was ML or even AAA ready. He needs to have a REALLY big year and needs to force his way on to the AAA roster where he needs to be dominant. If not, his dreams of being an ML starter MIGHT be over.

Conor Jackson could alse be playing first base for the Tides.

[ofahn]

Conor Jackson could alse be playing first base for the Tides.

True, but I believe he has more innings in the OF than at 1B recently.

[Jordan Tuwiner]

Townsend has the potential to be a big bat, but his K rate causes me to be concerned that he will be at the mercy of ML pitchers. Even Mark Reynolds, with all of his Ks, had a good enough eye to carry a respectable OBA because he was willing to take a walk.

The other thing that concerns me about Townsend is that he's regressed at his playing level over the last year. He should have been having a dominant year at AA in 2012, but injuries and ineffectiveness on his return caused him to have about half of his ABs at lower levels.

The problem is he has never had time to fully adjust at one level. He always comes down with an injury so he never really has time to adapt and understand each level.

[ofahn]

The problem is he has never had time to fully adjust at one level. He always comes down with an injury so he never really has time to adapt and understand each level.

No question, but time is not kind to a prospect, particularly those drafted out of college. Their window is so much shorter and they can't afford any "speed bumps". Townsend has encountered ROAD BLOCKS.