Aaron Bates is not a big name in the Sox minor league system, but this is a guy who we might be hearing a lot more from in coming years. He plays 1st and left field (much like Kotsay), and has really developed one of the better swings in the Sox farm system.
Last season Bates had a big leg kick. This led to pitchers to pitch to him on the inside part of the plate. With the leg kick Bates was having trouble catching up to fastballs over 91. This season the Sox encouraged him to drop the leg kick. At first it was awful as he went 5 for 25 with 14 strikeouts, but then every clicked. He now ranks 2nd in the Eastern League with a .345 batting average, and also leads the Sea Dogs in home runs (7) and RBIs (38). His .932 OPS ranks seventh in the league, for which Bates is the reigning player of the week, an award he won twice in May.
They moved him to the outfield since another top prospect (Lars Anderson) was playing 1st. The Sox wanted him to get regular at bats, so he took the move with open arms, while still taking ground balls at first. The Ortiz era coming to a close it is always good to see what is going down in the Sox farm system....keep an eye on this kid.
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