Andrew Vaughn is beginning to show why he was the #3 pick in the 2019 draft. Vaughn's hit tool was never in doubt (Fangraphs 70) but his ability to hit for power and hit right handed pitching was called into question last year when he hit .235/.309/.396.
It's well-documented that Vaughn had only 245 plate appearances in the minor leagues before debuting in 2021, including the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season due to Covid. Additionally, Vaughn was thrust into playing LF, RF, and even 2B and 3B once each, learning new positions on the fly. He was drafted as a 1B. Given the lack of minor league experience and playing positions where he had little to no experience, its no wonder he didn't hit up to his potential.
Vaughn has always been a dead-read fastball hitter. This year is no different. So far in 2022, his xBA on the fastball is .413 and xSLG .876. He hit .283 and slugged .465 on the fastball in 2021. Vaughn's launch angle remains sub-optimal at 9.7° but he is hitting the ball hard. He's also elevating and pulling the ball much more often than last year. Finally, Vaughn is still a much better hitter versus left-handed pitching but his OPS versus RHP so far this season is .853.
In short, Andrew Vaughn is starting to live up to the 70 hit/60 power billing. My ranking for dynasty first baseman:
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Andrew Vaughn
Spencer Torkelson
Matt Olson
Pete Alonso
Vaughn has made a huge leap and could easily be a perennial .290/.370/.500 hitter with 30 HRs in a great White Sox offense. If you can acquire Vaughn now, do it, before he becomes a household name and an All-Star.
Comments