Prospect Watch: Roemon Fields

Every year there are minor league players which turn the league on its ear. These ‘prospects’ emerge from relative obscurity and are transformed into legitimate major league prospects. Dunedin Blue Jays outfielder Roemon Fields did this very thing last year as a member of the Vancouver Canadians.

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As the C’s primary leadoff hitter Roemon Fields would break the franchise’s stolen base record by swiping 48 bases in 72 games. Fields is a speed demon and will run every chance he gets; however, he isn’t a one trick pony, oh no, he can hit, field, and knows what he is doing at the plate.

I must admit. I took a ‘wait and see approach’ with Fields and it took until the end of this month for me to truly become a believer. As an over-aged 23-year-old, playing in a league with an average age 1.8 yrs younger than he, it was my opinion that he should not only do well but he should excel. So now as a 24-year-old and in High-A and still older than his competition by 1.4 yrs, he should continue to do well…if he is expected to be consider anything but a place holder. After two months, he hasn’t experienced any drop-off in his game.

Roemon is the perpetual underdog, going from an undrafted outfielder, to working at the post office and LIDS in the mall, and now transforming himself one of the Toronto Blue Jays more promising outfield prospects. This is quite the accomplishment.

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That’s right, I said it, I called Fields a prospect and so should you. He should be considered one of the Blue Jays Top 20 prospects. Where should he land on that list is up for debate, but there is no doubt in my mind that the 5’11” native of Seattle, Washington should have his name included on all upcoming lists. His name should be included with Dalton Pompey, Dwight Smith Jr, Anthony Alford, and D.J. Davis as up-and-coming outfield prospects.

He can run the 60-meter dash in 7.02 seconds, he’s a left-handed batter that doesn’t present any noticeable splits, LHP .245 and RHP .257, and he plays a premium position in CF.

Not sold yet?

So far in 2015, Fields in hitting  .254/.305/.324 with a .629 OPS through the first 48 games. He trails the league leader in stolen bases by 2 with 17. He has a solid BABIP (.313) and wOBA (.300) and he pounds the ball on the ground (1.90 GO/AO), using his legs to get on base.

After hitting .228 in April, Fields become more comfortable with the advanced pitchers and raised his batting average to .274 in May. He improved his base running as well, stealing 11 of 14 after only 6 of 10 in April.

At the plate he is like many other Blue Jay prospects that swing at anything remotely close to the strike zone. Fields shows discipline that is indicative of his advanced age by walking 6.4% of his at-bats and striking out 17.6%, which is in line with last year’s number 8.2/18.6. These numbers don’t scream leadoff hitter, but they are good enough for a bottom of the order speedster.

With numbers like these it is only a matter of time before Fields receives a promotion to New Hampshire and that is where the fun will truly begin.

updates: Fields had 3 hits in Dunedins 9-0 win on Sunday. He collected his 10th double, scored 3 times, and drove in one. He is now hitting .263.

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