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Physical Description: Sturdy,
strong build. Looks all of his listed height and weight and
still might have a little more projection, especially in his
lower half. Transformed his body during the 2015-2016 offseason,
adding significant muscle, particularly in his upper body. No
longer has the soft body that led to projection concerns.
Hit: Starts with a slightly open, more
vertical stance than the one he employed when drafted. Utilizes
a toe tap with a short stride and his hands high, with short
movement back and up to end in a good hitting zone. Will
sometimes use a small leg lift early in the count rather than
the toe tap. Swing does have a little bit of hook in it, as he
likes to get his hands out and looks primarily to pull the ball.
Opposing teams started shifting him to pull in his first full
season. Could do a better job utilizing his lower half in his
swing. Has quick hands and above-average bat speed. Hands work
well at the plate and has lift in his swing path. Likes to get
his hands extended, causing him some trouble with balls on the
inner half. Approach improved in first full season, coinciding
with reports that new contact lenses greatly improved his
vision. More confident with his takes and is recognizing spin
earlier. Some reports worry that he is actually too passive;
takes a lot of walks, but could perhaps be better off attacking
his pitch earlier in the count. Will always have swing-and-miss
in game. Struggles mightily against left-handed pitchers.
Doesn’t see the ball well against them and swing and miss issues
are exasperated even further. Potential below-average hit tool,
but will likely play below that especially if he is exposed to
any left-handed pitching. Extreme splits, showing much better
success against righties.
Power:
Plus-to-better raw power. Shows easy pull-side power, depositing
the ball well over the fence. Will flash some power the other
way as well during batting practice, but that hasn't
translated in-game. Plus power potential; capable of hitting
20-25 home runs a year and could approach 30 a year in his peak.
Reportedly hit several monstrous opposite-field home runs at
Fenway Park during a pre-draft workout as a high schooler.
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Run: Well below-average speed. Not a part of
his game.
Field: First base-only
defensive profile. Is a work in progress. Lacks natural
instincts. Hands are not the softest, but will make the routine
plays and has improved at picking balls in the dirt. Projects as
a fringe-average defender at best, and likely will be
below-average and fit best at DH.
Arm:
Fringe-average arm.
Career Notes:
Was committed to Indiana. Got off to hot start in 2015, but
cooled off in the second half, in part due to South Atlantic
League teams employing shifts against him. Was not protected
from, then not selected in, 2018 Rule 5 Draft. Participated in
2014, 2015, and 2016 Fall Instructional League. Played at the
Alternate Training Site in 2020. Re-signed with the organization
prior to becoming a minor league free agent in 2020. Opened 2021
at the Alternate Training Site. Tremendous off-field makeup; did
charity work with the Worcester Red Sox during 2021-22 offseason
despite being a free agent.
Summation: Ceiling of a platoon player, but value is
almost all tied up in his bat. Power potential is impressive,
but how much that plays in-game will depend on how his hit tool
develops. Minimizing exposure to left-handed pitching is key to
extracting value at the big league level. First-base only
profile limits options in a bench role given platoon
limitations. Excellent makeup and work ethic; is always out
early before games getting extra work with the coaches, and has
shown willingness to put in the time to transform his body
physically.
Links
Ockimey, Fisher adjust to life in first spring training (4.6.15)
Josh Ockimey Video (4.7.20015)
Scouting Scratch (10.21.15)
Scouting Scratch (7.14.16)
Ockimey making adjustments after second-half.. (3.23.17)
State of the System: Corner Infielders (4.22.20) |
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