Nick Decker: Prospect Showcase
Welcome to the first of my series of articles discussing the top 30 prospects for the Boston Red Sox ranked by MLB.com Starting off this series we have #30th ranked prospect Nick Decker. Drafted in the 2nd round 64th overall in 2018 signing over-slot value for $1,250,000. Decker Has often been a victim of circumstances early into his Red Sox career. Breaking his wrist 2 games into his pro career in 2018 and losing the 2020 season due to the Covid pandemic he has stuck the course and carved himself a path in the newly crowded Red Sox prospect system after the arrival of new Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom.
Decker now 22 had a very productive second full season in 2021 slashing .276/.377/.452 with a 126 WRC+ for the Salem Red Sox. a 12.7% walk rate paired alongside his 28.4% K rate in 2021 helped him post a career high in walks in 2021 (37) showing his improving plate discipline as he matures as a hitter. at only 22, Decker now playing for the Greenville Drive has struggled a bit out the gate in Greenville posting a slash line of .154/.328/.317 in his first experience in High A but the underlying numbers show he may be ripe for a breakout sooner rather than later.
Sporting a career high walk rate of 18.3% thus far in High shows his approach continues to improve as he moves up the levels of minor league baseball alongside this his GB% has dropped 5.6% from his 2021 campaign and his fly ball percentage has increased a massive 19.3% !!!from last years season alongside a career high Pull% in 58.6% coupled with his career low in BABIP leads me to believe that as the weather gets warmer and these balls start to fly more that Nick Decker may be primed for a breakout summer season.