Can't Miss — Baseball Bench Coach

I love listening to baseball games on the radio. One of my fondest memories growing up is sitting with my Dad on our front porch and tuning in “Marty and Joe”, WLW 700 Cincinnati, for Reds games. Rain delays were particularly delightful as radio analyst and former Reds pitcher, the late Joe Nuxhall, shared stories of his career, current players, and baseball’s past.

My new favorite radio analyst is Ron Coomer on 670 The Score in Chicago. Coomer is a former Cub, played nine MLB seasons, and has been on the Cubs broadcasts for the last ten years. Coomer told the story recently of his first year in minor league baseball’s Rookie League. Also in that league was Ken Griffey, Jr. Coomer said that everyone who saw Junior take batting practice, run the bases, and play the outfield, agreed. He was “Can’t Miss”. Griffey proved everyone correct with a 22-year Hall of Fame career. Let’s take a look at some current players who I believe are Can’t Miss:

Paul Skenes. The Pirates rookie flame thrower has been absolutely terrific in his first 11 MLB starts. Skenes was drafted first overall by the Pirates in the 2023 MLB Draft. Last July he signed a $9.2 million rookie signing bonus, the largest in history. Paul spent the first month of 2024 in AAA Indianapolis, where he compiled a 0.99 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 27 innings. His promotion to the Bucs gives Pittsburgh a #1 ace for the next decade. His big league numbers so far include an ERA of 1.90 and a 6-0 record. Just last Thursday he was pulled from the game for the second time with a no-hitter through seven innings. Skenes will be the starting pitcher for the National League in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.

Bobby Witt, Jr. The Royals selected Witt second overall in the 2019 MLB Draft and are elated they did so. He starred in his first two minor league assignments, being named the Minor League Player of the Year in 2021. Last season, his second one with the Royals, he hit 30 home runs, recorded 96 RBIs, and stole a league-leading 49 bases, becoming the first player in MLB history to record 30 HRs, 10 triples, and 45 stolen bases in one season. KC awarded him with an 11-year, $288 million contract at season’s end. He hasn’t disappointed in 2024, batting .325, second in the AL, and slugging 62 RBIs. He is widely regarded as one of the fastest players in baseball. You will also see his star shine brightly on Tuesday evening.

Elly De La Cruz. Every game I see Elly play I just can’t stop smiling; he does it all with a huge smile of his own. Statcast tracked Witt and Elly as the fastest players in the game. Elly signed with Cincinnati as an international free agent and skyrocketed through the Reds system, making his MLB debut in June last season. Reds great Joey Votto describes him best: “He’s the best runner I’ve seen, and he has the most power I’ve ever seen. And he has the strongest arm I’ve ever seen.” In his second MLB game, Elly hit a 458 foot HR. A month later, he became the first Red in over 100 years to steal second, third, and home in the same inning. Statcast timed one of his infield assists at 97.9 mph, the fastest recorded infield throw ever. He joins the NL All-Stars Tuesday with 16 HRs and 46 stolen bases this season.

Gunnar Henderson. Of the many young Orioles who will take the field in the All-Star Game, the Baltimore shortstop stands out. Gunnar made his MLB debut in 2022 and won the AL Rookie of the Year last season. Among his 2023 highlights was a 462 foot home run against the Royals last June. His 2023 stats were indeed impressive – 28 HRs, 82 RBIs, and a league leader in fielding percentage. He continued to shine in the first month of this season (.291 average, 10 HRs, 24 RBIs, and 6 stolen bases) and was named the AL player of the month. He brings his 27 HRs (second in the league) and 61 RBIs to his starting role in the AL lineup Tuesday. He’s another shortstop who can do it all.

Ben Rice. This new Yankees’ slugger may be a surprise to you on my short list. I believe from the look of his sweet swing in the last month that he is also Can’t Miss. Rice played college ball at Dartmouth College, and then sped through New York’s minor league affiliates in 2022 and 2023. Less than a month ago, on June 18, he made it to the Bigs and recorded his first hit against the Orioles. A few weeks later, on July 6, he became the first rookie in Yankees’ history to hit 3 HRs in the same game. He tied Lou Gehrig’s rookie single game RBI record with seven in the same game. It was quite a way to introduce himself to the Yanks vs. Red Sox rivalry. Last week the Yankees, looking for a bat to protect Juan Soto and Aaron Judge in the lineup, inserted Rice as the new cleanup hitter. This 2-3-4 crew may redefine the Yankees’ Murderers Row.

Enjoy the All-Star Game tomorrow night, and pay extra attention to Skenes, Witt, De La Cruz, and Henderson. My strong hunch is that Rice will be joining them for next year’s game.

Until next Monday,

your Baseball Bench Coach