First round draft pick Logan Warmoth’s adaptability is the tool that has caught the eye of his coaches.
The Toronto Blue Jays prospect was drafted as an infielder from the University of North Carolina, but since then has spent time in multiple positions, including the outfield.
Defensive versatility is an asset to the young player’s game, but according to Hunter Mense, the Jays’ minor league hitting coordinator, Warmoth needs to take the next step offensively.
“The thing he’s been working on the most is just refining the swing,” said Mense, in a Zoom call. “I think for him he’s going to make it to the big leagues based off of his versatility, which when I say, ‘Your versatility,’ you’re going to have to be able to hit.”
Warmoth split his 2019 season between the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the High-A Dunedin Blue Jays, batting .200 and .292. respectively, before proving himself in the Arizona Fall League (.295).
The 22nd overall pick in 2017 has had four hits in seven at-bats at this year’s spring training, including a homer against the New York Yankees, on Feb. 28.
Mense believes it is Warmoth’s adaptability and perseverance that will help to build his confidence and give him his chance in the major leagues.
“He wants to be as good of a hitter as he can be and, because he wants to be so great, he’s always willing to try new things to be a little bit greater,” said Mense. “There’s a little bit more confidence that he has now when he walks around, and even last year’s spring training, when he was with the big league team, and spring training until now, he’s more sure of himself.”
As for his defensive versatility, there is no question, says the Florida native’s Lake Brantley High School coach, Eric Entrekin. He called the young player a coach’s dream because of his all-around athleticism.
“When he was here, he played infield and outfield,” said Entrekin, on a phone call this week. “His biggest asset was he was just an athlete. I could put him anywhere. I could play him at third, short, second, or any outfield position.”
The Blue Jays’ prospect has played in the team’s minor league system since being drafted and is currently appearing in his second big league spring training.