Noticed a video of Zac Veen, after he added 20 kilos of muscle in 2020, and I’ve to say he had a greater quarantine than me. He should’ve been maintaining in such fine condition in 2020 as a result of individuals had been chasing him after by chance spoonering his identify. Seems like I’ve been trying ahead to scripting this publish on Zac Veen because the pandemic. I keep in mind clearly the 2020 MLB draft as a result of it felt like that was the one factor taking place with MLB at the moment. Or perhaps ever once more. Bizarre instances! As a result of the 2020 MLB draft had my consideration and I went again to take a look at it. Spencer Torkelson was 1st general — um, okay. Since All-Stars had been highlighted, the most recent All-Star from that draft? 5 earlier than the tip of the draft within the fifth spherical, choose 156th general was Bryce Elder. He wore the Shroud of Touki for the Braves in 2023. The 126th choose and spherical earlier than that for the Braves? Spencer Strider, their 2022 Touki. Some groups are drafting outfielders and center relievers you’ll by no means hear of, and the Braves are drafting Cy Younger candidates. There’s solely two different All-Stars from that draft they usually had been drafted 100 picks beforehand with Westburg and Crochet. Braves are really an unbelievable franchise. One franchise that’s barely much less profitable at, effectively, baseball’ing, is the Rockies. Might Zac Veen spooner his identify and immunize himself from the Rockies? Is that doable? No? Sigh. So, what can we anticipate from Zac Veen for 2025 fantasy baseball?
Zac Veen will play residence video games in Coors, so the increase is gonna be there. Does he want it? Appears unlikely:
Zac Veen (@Rockies‘ No. 6 prospect) prospect goes deep in his second straight sport for @GoYardGoats. pic.twitter.com/98eB3o6Axb
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) Might 9, 2024
And yet another:
“It’s gone … and I imply, REALLY GONE!”@Rockies sixth-ranked prospect Zac Veen unloads on a solo shot, upping his Double-A @GoYardGoats slash line to .345/.449/.638. pic.twitter.com/G3Xb0X1Fvk
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) Might 2, 2024
Minor league camerawork leaves loads to be desired, particularly when looking for a man working. Right here’s an instance extra in regards to the poor camerawork than Zac Veen’s velocity:
ZAC VEEN!!!
He pulls off a STRAIGHT STEAL OF HOME ??? pic.twitter.com/hL6otbRbz3
— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) September 8, 2024
So, energy and velocity, which makes the Fantasy Grasp Lothario (don’t abbreviate it) go vroom vroom. Talking of vroom vroom, could as effectively name him Zac Vroom his velocity is so loopy. A Corbin Carroll velocity comp isn’t too far off. Final 12 months, Zac Veen went 11/21 throughout 4 ranges, ending at Triple-A for 21 video games with a 6/6/.220 season in 82 ABs. Issues are a bit troubling below the hood. He had a .231 BABIP in Triple-A with a 26.1% Ok%. That screams to me that he makes some extremely weak contact. It’s at 22 years of age and fewer than a month of video games, so received’t put an excessive amount of into it, however I’d really feel loads higher a couple of man simply mashing all over the place. He has not.
In Double-A in 2023, Zac Veen hit .209 with a .260 BABIP. See the sample? The Ok% was solely 21.4% there too, so, once more, that alerts weak contact. A man shouldn’t have 50-steal velocity and simply randomly put up rubbish BABIPs 12 months after 12 months with out a problem. Between 2023 and 204, this was solely in 67 video games, and he was barely sufficiently old to drink. So, once more once more once more, not yelling fireplace within the theater of Razzball, however you need me to provide you my ideas, and I can’t cease considering those self same ideas. To take a random man with insane velocity, have a look at Elly De La Cruz’s BABIPs. They’re not even under .330, neglect .230! There’s two parks that may really assist BABIP, and Coors is one, so it’s not all dangerous. I’d be mendacity if I stated I wasn’t involved.
What’s his ETA within the majors? Properly, he ended the 12 months at Triple-A, so must be in camp within the Spring with an opportunity to interrupt with the workforce, however I can’t assist hear Bud Black’s whispering in my ear, “I’m going to coax Charlie Blackmon out of retirement,” and Zac Veen has me extra fearful than really excited. Then throw-in he’s a lefty and, even when there’s no splits, managers deal with rookies like they’ve them. For 2025 fantasy baseball, I’ll give Zac Veen projections 32/5/30/.231/22 in 302 ABs with an opportunity for extra.
