Drew Waters is an up-and-coming talent in the world of baseball. As a switch-hitting outfielder, he has the unique ability to approach each at-bat with two vastly different swings. This versatility makes him a valuable asset to any team, and it’s what attracted the attention of the Kansas City Royals.
What is a Switch Hitter?
A switch hitter is a baseball player who has the ability to bat from both sides of the plate, either left or right-handed. This means they can face left or right-handed pitchers and will have a better chance of reaching base or hitting for power, depending on the pitcher’s throwing arm.
The advantages of switch hitting are numerous. For one, it provides the batter with an advantage against pitchers. A switch hitter can choose to bat on their dominant side depending on the pitcher’s tendencies.
For example, if a left-handed pitcher is on the mound, the switch hitter might choose to bat right-handed to better handle the breaking pitches.
Switch hitters also benefit from more playing time and versatility in their role on the team. A switch hitter can be called on as a pinch hitter late in a game for a strategic advantage or can be placed in a platoon situation where they can start games against pitchers who they have an advantage against.
However, there are also some disadvantages to switch hitting. For one, the player has to learn two different swings, which can be challenging and take more time to develop. Additionally, because the player is splitting their focus between two swings, they may not become as proficient at either one as a single-handed batter.
Despite these challenges, switch hitters are a valuable asset to any team. They are relatively rare in baseball, with only a small percentage of players able to switch hit at a high level. However, some of the all-time greats of the game were switch hitters, such as Mickey Mantle, Pete Rose, and Chipper Jones.
In conclusion, switch hitting is a valuable skill for a baseball player to have. While it may come with some challenges, the benefits in versatility and strategic advantage make it a worthwhile investment for players and teams alike.
Drew Waters’ Baseball Career
Drew Waters was born on December 30, 1998, in Woodstock, Georgia. He started playing baseball at a young age and showed a remarkable talent for the sport. He was a standout player in high school, attracting the attention of several college recruiters and MLB scouts.
As a switch-hitter, Waters was a rare commodity in the game of baseball – a player who was equally skilled with both hands. He worked hard to perfect this skill throughout his formative years.
Waters was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He began his professional career with the Gulf Coast League Braves, a rookie-level team, where he hit .278 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 23 games. The following year, Waters moved up to the Class A Rome Braves, where he batted .293 with nine home runs and 52 RBIs in 117 games.
In 2019, Waters played at the Double-A level with the Mississippi Braves. He spent the entire season there and played in 134 games, batting .309 with seven home runs, 53 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. His performance in the minor leagues earned him a spot on the All-Star Futures Game, where he went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored.
In 2020, Waters participated in MLB’s alternate training site due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he spent most of the 2021 season back at Triple-A with the Gwinnett Stripers. Despite a slow start, Waters finished the season strong, hitting .265 with 10 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases in 113 games.
He continued to show his value as a switch-hitter, recording a slash line of .301/.365/.460 against right-handed pitchers and a slash line of .209/.252/.326 against left-handed pitchers.
Waters has been recognized for his outstanding talent on the baseball field, earning honors such as the 2019 Southern League MVP and a spot on the All-Star Futures Game roster in 2019 and 2021.
He is considered one of the top prospects in the Braves organization and has the potential to become a valuable contributor to their major league roster in the near future.
Strengths and Weaknesses as a Switch Hitter
Drew Waters is a highly-touted prospect in the Atlanta Braves’ organization, and his switch-hitting ability is one of his most valuable assets. With above-average power and speed from both sides of the plate, he has the potential to become an impact player at the major league level.
In this section, we will analyze his strengths and weaknesses as a switch hitter, comparing his numbers from both sides of the plate and identifying potential areas of improvement.
Analysis of Drew Waters’ hitting from both sides of the plate
Waters has a smooth swing and quick hands from both sides of the plate, allowing him to generate consistent hard contact. He has shown an ability to hit for power and average from both sides, with most of his home runs coming as a left-handed hitter. He also has good plate discipline and can work deep counts, drawing walks at a solid rate.
Comparison of his numbers as a left-handed hitter versus a right-handed hitter
Waters has performed better as a left-handed hitter throughout his minor league career. In 2019, he hit .317/.365/.526 with 11 home runs in 228 plate appearances from the left side, compared to .264/.291/.415 with three home runs in 181 plate appearances as a right-handed hitter.
While his power and overall offensive production are still solid as a right-handed hitter, he has struggled with strikeouts and has a lower on-base percentage.
Potential areas of improvement
One area for improvement for Waters as a switch hitter is his consistency from the right side of the plate. While he has shown flashes of solid hitting as a right-handed batter, he needs to work on making more consistent contact and improving his plate discipline.
Additionally, he could benefit from developing a better approach against left-handed pitching, as he has struggled against them at times.
In conclusion, Drew Waters’ switch-hitting ability is one of his greatest strengths as a prospect. While he has performed better as a left-handed hitter so far, he has shown potential to be a threat from both sides of the plate. With continued development and improvement, he has the potential to become an impact player for the Braves.
Impact on the Royals’ Outfield
The Kansas City Royals have been searching for ways to stabilize their outfield for several seasons. They found a potential solution in the trade for Braves’ prospect Drew Waters, who was the main focus of the deal for the Royals.
Why the Royals were interested in Waters
The Royals were interested in Waters because he is a switch-hitting outfielder with some power and speed. He was a former top prospect in the Braves’ organization who had shown promise in the minor leagues. The Royals were looking for a young, talented outfielder that could provide some stability to their outfield for years to come.
Expected role in the outfield
Waters is expected to compete for the starting center field job in spring training. He has the ability to play all outfield positions, which gives the Royals some flexibility in their lineup. He could also be used as a pinch runner or defensive replacement late in games.
How Waters fits into the Royals’ long-term plans
The Royals see Waters as a cornerstone of their outfield for the long term. He is just 23 years old and still has a lot of potential to develop. The organization believes that he has all the tools necessary to be a successful major league player. The Royals hope that he can become a consistent, everyday player in their lineup and be a key part of their future success.
Overall, the trade for Drew Waters is a significant move for the Kansas City Royals as they continue to look to improve their outfield. Waters has the potential to be a key player for the Royals for years to come, and his acquisition is a sign of the organization’s commitment to building a competitive team for the future.
How Good is Drew Waters?
Drew Waters is an up-and-coming outfielder in the MLB. He has shown strong hitting ability and a solid walk rate. Waters’ aggressive style has translated well to the minors and majors. He has improved his walk rate over time, reaching as high as 14%.
Waters’ excellent plate discipline is a promising sign for his future. His power potential is also worth noting, with a high slugging percentage in the minors. Waters’ defensive skills are also solid, with good range and speed in the outfield.
He has drawn comparisons to MLB star Mookie Betts. Waters’ potential has led to him being ranked among the top prospects in the league. If he continues to progress, Waters could become a valuable asset for any team.
How Did the Royals Get Drew Waters?
Trade Deal with Atlanta Braves
The Royals obtained Drew Waters through a trade deal with the Atlanta Braves.
Three Minor League Prospects in Exchange
As part of the trade deal, the Royals acquired three minor league prospects: CJ Alexander, Andrew Hoffmann, and Drew Waters.
Great Addition to the Royals’ Roster
Drew Waters is a fantastic addition to the Royals’ roster, as he is considered one of the top prospects in baseball. He has strong defensive skills and great speed.
Impressive Career so Far
Waters is known for his impressive career in the minor leagues, where he has demonstrated excellent hitting ability. He has a career batting average of .290 with 26 home runs and 102 RBIs.
Future Potential
The Royals are excited about Drew Waters’ potential and believe that he can be a key player for them in the future. They hope that he will continue to develop and live up to his potential as he rises through the ranks in the minor leagues and beyond.
Is Drew Waters Married?
Drew Waters is a professional baseball player. He was born on December 30, 1998, in Woodstock, Georgia. Waters is a center fielder and left-handed batter. He has played for the Atlanta Braves organization since being drafted in 2017.
Waters currently plays for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. There is no information available indicating that Drew Waters is married. He has focused on his career and is highly regarded for his talent and work ethic.
Waters was named the Braves’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2019. He was also a member of the 2019 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. Waters is considered a top prospect in the Braves organization and a potential future star in the major leagues.
To Recap
Drew Waters is a talented switch-hitting outfielder who has already caught the eye of several major league teams. With his power and speed, he has the potential to become a true superstar in the game.
It will be exciting to see how he develops with the Royals and what he can bring to the team in the years to come.
