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Young standout: Tapia brings flair to Rockies
- Updated: September 16, 2016
DENVER — Outfielder Raimel Tapia captured Rockies fans’ imaginations long before he arrived in the Majors on Sept. 2 and caught their eye.
It wasn’t just his .328 combined batting average at Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque this year, or his .317 batting average since signing with the organization just shy of his 17th birthday. The praise from club officials and eyewitness accounts along his Minor League journey previewed a treat.
Tapia, 22, has hit .276 with a .313 on-base percentage in 32 plate appearances over 12 games with the Rockies. In his six starts, mostly when center fielder Charlie Blackmon was nursing back soreness, he has hit .292 with a .333 OBP and flashed a signature look and style. He wears a baggy jersey, and at 6-foot-2 and 160 pounds, his No. 68 engulfs his back. Without a cap or helmet, he reveals plaited hair, dyed blond.
Loose, active hands produce a quick swing that comes from different stances — somewhat conventional until there are two strikes, when he crouches almost as low as the catcher. In Spring Training, before the rigors of the season, Tapia was lacing balls to the gaps for extra bases against Major League pitchers, the way he did throughout the Minor League year.
“He’s a bit unconventional, but he’s got great bat-to-ball skills, great hand-eye coordination,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “There is some power there that’s going to continue to improve. He’s a dynamic player, runs well. He’s made a good impression up here.”
Let’s get to know the Rockies’ No. 4 prospect — as ranked by MLBPipeline.com — who spoke in Spanish through an interpreter but is gaining confidence in English:
• Growing up in San Pedro de …
