Vinnie Pasquantino had an under the radar rookie season, the 2019 11th round pick posted a 135 OPS+ with 10 homers and 26 RBI’s in 72 games. Pasquantino nicknamed the Pasquatch, sits at 6′ 4″ 245 lbs, he obviously has great power in his bat as seen by his 56 homers throughout his time in the minor leagues. But he also showed his fantastic on-base skills in his rookie year, posting a .383 OBP while walking more (35) than striking out (34).
Among all first basemen with at least 250 PA in 2022, Pasquantino ranked in the top 10 in BB%, Hard Contact%, EV, Hard Hit%, and Z-Contact%. He also ranked in the top 5 in wOBA, wRC+, Contact%, and OBP, as well as ranking second in K% and xwOBA. Pasquantino reminds me of two first basemen in the game today, Freddie Freeman and Jose Abreu. Pasquantino’s plate discipline last year was very similar to Freeman’s, which is represented in their O-Swing%, Z-Contact%, Contact%, as well as their strikeout and walk rates all being extremely similar. Jose Abreu’s production in 2022 was almost identical to Pasquantino’s, where Vinnie actually had a higher wOBA, xwOBA, and the same wRC+.
There is no doubt that Vinnie Pasquantino is going to have a great career, as he has already shown that he can hit for power while being one of the most disciplined hitters in the league. Pasquantino will be an offensive force at first base for years to come on the young Royals squad.