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Werner Blakely
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
The Angels have hit the Detroit area high school scene twice in the last few years to roll the dice on some high risk, high reward types. In 2018, it was two-way player William Holmes in the fifth round. In 2020, they took Blakely, an athletic, but raw infielder who got an over-slot bonus of $900,000 to walk away from his Auburn commitment. He didn’t play his senior year because of the pandemic and struggled for much of his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League, though the Angels saw steady improvement from start to finish last summer.
Blakely has some raw tools to work with, starting with his athletic 6-foot-3 frame. His hit tool is fringy -- he struck out in 37.1 percent of his plate appearances during his pro debut -- and he will have to refine his approach to make more consistent contact from the left side of the plate. There’s at least above-average raw power for him to tap into and there could be more if he can add strength.
The Angels moved Blakely around the infield during his debut, getting equal time at shortstop, third and second base, largely because of other personnel. He’ll keep getting reps at all three, though he might profile best at third when all is said and done. He let the game speed up on him defensively, but he has a strong arm and good footwork that should allow him to stay on the dirt. - mlb.com
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