Enmanuel Terrero showed some great plate discipline in his jump to the US last year, walking more than he struck out. This led to him getting on base nearly half of his plate appearances (.446 OBP).
He didn’t hit for much power, but at 19-years-old, there was still plenty of time to grow into some and really establish himself as a prospect.
Making the jump to Bradenton this season, it was a rough start for Terrero, as he didn’t pick up his first hit until his fifth game played.
Since then, the left-handed hitting outfielder has taken off and not only become one of the better hitters on the team, but also in the entire Florida State League.
It’s a simple approach at the plate that has allowed Terrero to succeed, and despite not being known for his power, is starting to hit the ball harder this year for Bradenton.
Early on this season, he has put up very respectable statcast numbers for a 20-year-old in his first taste of full season baseball. They look even more impressive when you factor in his rough start to the year, and some (hard hit rate and barrel rate) even approach what the major league average is.
One of the things that have really stood with Terrero at the plate has been his willingness to take what the pitcher gives him, even if it means hitting the ball the other way.
In the video above you can see three different at-bats in which he goes the other way for a hit all while the pitcher works the outer half of the plate against him.
The first clip the pitcher tries to follow up a slider away with a fastball, and Terrero is able to push the ball down the third base line, eventually ending up with a triple.
This kind of approach has led to more batted balls going the other way, as opposed to being pulled, something that is impressive for a young, left-handed hitter.
In the second video, Terrero has also shown the ability to drive the ball as well, even against breaking, and offspeed pitches.
He squares up a fastball and drives it right up the middle in the first clip, and then stays back and waits on a changeup, also picking up a double in that at-bat. He pulls another changeup that he waits back on for another hit in the third and final video.
Making consistent contact has been the biggest key for Terrero, as a little more two weeks into the season he has posted a sub-20% whiff rate against fastballs, with marks of 31.6% and 30% against breaking and offspeed pitches, respectively.
For a young hitter that’s moving up to full season baseball, both of those marks are a strong starting point as he makes adjustments.
Bradenton was going to be an interesting team to watch this season, and they’ve been able to string together some strong offensive performances in the early parts of the season, with a lot of that due to Terrero and his approach at the plate.
