Padres Minor League Spotlight: Michael Gettys
We here at East Village Times appreciate the minor league system. Today, the San Diego Padres minor league spotlight falls on Michael Gettys. The speedy, center fielder from Gainesville Georgia is very raw but possesses the tools to be successful in the major leagues. The Padres drafted Gettys with their second pick in the June amateur draft. As a High School senior he batted .372 with nine homers, seven doubles and 14 stolen bases in 28 games. He was committed to The University of Georgia, but signed with the Padres instead.
The right handed hitting Gettys has tremendous bat speed, but can struggle making contact from time to time. He hit .310 last season in the rookie league, in 213 at bats. Gettys hit three home runs and drove in 38 runs in his professional debut. He mainly played center field for the Arizona League Padres. In the 213 at bats Gettys struck out 65 times and only walked 15 times. He needs to exercise more plate discipline in order to even consider being promoted to the next level. 65 times is just horrible for the bat speed that he generates, his approach needs to be altered. He has no excuse for not making more contact.
On the field, Gettys has a rocket arm and terrific foot speed. He has even been clocked on the mound at 94 mph and over 100 mph from center field to the infield. Gettys has very nice tools for a 19-year old. At 6 foot 1 inch and 203 lbs, Gettys has good size to him and that should translate into a powerful swing once he figures out how to make more contact. It’s all there, he just needs to put it all together.
Contact will probably be his only limitation. Micael Gettys has been compared to toolsy outfielder Drew Stubbs. Like Gettys, Stubbs has great athleticism and natural ability but struggles to make consistent contact. Stubbs is currently a backup outfielder for the Colorado Rockies. To compare Gettys to Stubbs is probably unfair, but the game of baseball is always full of comparisons. Stubbs inability to make consistent contact deems him move of a spot starter or defensive replacement. Gettys could very well be in that same boat one day, unless he adjusts.
Michael Gettys doesn’t figure to reach the Padres major league squad until 2018 at the earliest. He is still young and the strike out to walk ratio needs to improve drastically. Gettys has a huge amount of upside, if he can figure it out and make the adjustments then the sky is really the limit. The natural speed that he brings to the ballpark will make him valuable to any major league team. He has that kind of speed.
Gettys projects as a legit major league talent. With a couple of productive minor league seasons, he could be knocking on the door very soon. Plus bat speed is the key to his scouting report. If he listens to advice and makes adjustments then he could be a perennial All-Star. He has that kind of ability. Gettys projects as a major league center fielder due to his great jumps on the ball and accurate above average throwing arm.
The Padres minor league system still has some very talented players in the lower levels. Gettys should be making noise this season, and is already off to a decent start. Hitting .412 in 17 at bats with two doubles and two stolen bases for Low A Ball in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Gettys looks to have a great season in the MidWest League and many Ft. Wayne Tin Cap fans will see a preview of the Padres future outfielder. The future is bright Padres fans, and we here at East Village Times will keep you aware of these young talented players.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.