Washington at the 2013 All-Star game, competing in the home run derby
Washington at the 2013 All-Star game, competing in the home run derby

Each year, many former Valley Leaguers move up a level or two and play in the Cape Cod League, which is considered the best summer league by a pretty wide margin. Not very many have been named a top prospect.

This year, however, Baseball America found room on their list for Kyri Washington, who was last seen in the Valley playing for Woodstock in 2013. The scouting report is a mixed bag, but this is what Aaron Fitt had to say about the former RiverBandit:

23. Kyri Washington, of, Wareham (Jr., Longwood)

Washington was the darling of the Cape League’s Fenway Park workout day, running a 6.51-second 60-yard dash and putting on an incredible power display during batting practice. But he hit just .204 with one homer and a 35-8 strikeout-walk mark in 93 at-bats for the Gatemen, raising serious questions about his feel for hitting.

“He’s got as good of tools as anybody, right up until the game starts,” an AL crosschecker said. “I want to like him; the BP was phenomenal. Unbelievable raw power, then the game starts, and it’s a couple (of) punchouts. At least he put himself on the map with the workout at Fenway. He definitely has some of the loudest raw tools in the Cape.”

Washington has quick hands, and the ball explodes off his bat when he makes contact. The righthanded hitter pulled everything when he arrived at the Cape, and the Wareham coaching staff worked with him on driving the ball to the opposite field more often. He also struggled mightily to recognize breaking balls early in the summer, often chasing balls that bounced in front of the plate, but his plate discipline improved somewhat over the course of the summer. At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Washington is still learning how to use his plus speed in the outfield, where he must improve his ability to read balls off the bat. His arm and defensive ability fit best in left field.

This kind of skill set, while obviously needing refinement, means that a major league club will surely take a shot at Kyri in next year’s draft.

Congrats on the recognition, Kyri!