The Colorado Rockies have lacked multi-dimensional players in recent years. Terrin Vavra could be the solution as he fights his way towards the major leagues. The Wisconsin native is one of the few middle infield prospects in the system but he has an interesting skillset to make him a top prospect.
Terrin Vavra Prospect Report
Crushing the College Competition
Vavra is a 6’1, 185-pound left-handed hitter originally from Menomonie, Wisconsin. He is the son of major league hitting coach Joe Vavra currently with the Detroit Tigers. Terrin played his college ball at the University of Minnesota where he excelled at the plate. Vavra’s three-year slash line was .349/410/507 with 10 home runs. Much of that came against respectable Big Ten competition. He was not a top prospect in his class but Colorado still felt he deserved a shot when they made him their third-round pick in the 2018 Draft.
Minor League Progression
Vavra has maintained his contact ability through parts of two minor league seasons. He has not moved past Single-A but still has a batting average over .300 and an on-base percentage over .400. That is a very good place to start as a hitter. Vavra spent 2019 with the Asheville Tourists where he slashed .318/409/489 with 10 home runs, 62 walks, and 62 strikeouts.
Vavra has looked good overall in the minors with a .313/405/483 hitting line between Asheville and Boise in the Northwest League. Fans might want to see a little more power from someone who slugged over .500 in college but Vavra compensates well with plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills. Anyone who can walk as often as strikeout will interest front offices if they do it often enough.
Vavra’s Bat Makes Him a Top Prospect
Contact will be Vavra’s ticket to the majors. Middle infielders have a lower threshold for offense but Vavra’s bat gives him a strong foundation as a major leaguer. Having someone capable of hitting over .300 with an on-base over .400 is what many teams would love to see as a future lead-off option. Vavra can also run well with 18 stolen bases in 2019 but he will need to clean things up a touch as he was caught nine times as well.
The Rockies’ developmental system will also move Vavra around to see if his range and arm are good enough for a shortstop or if he needs to move to second base. However, that would be perfect for a utility man potentially backing up star shortstop Trevor Story and top prospect Brendan Rodgers. The Rockies are a little light for middle infield. Vavra has a strong opportunity in front of him after another couple of seasons in the minors.
What to Expect from Vavra in 2020
Minor league baseball is increasingly unlikely in 2020. That is a huge blow to players like Vavra who could use a season in High Single-A or Double-A to really prove themselves. His hitting stats are great in the low minors but he hasn’t faced the best minor league pitching yet. Vavra’s lack of exposure to better arms also makes it unlikely he would be part of an expanded roster as teams would rely on players from Double-A or Triple-A over ones who haven’t made it past Advanced-A ball yet. He could be a top utility player in two or three seasons but everything is a mystery for 2020.
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