Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Wade had an up-and-down career at the University of Maryland, including a junior season that was interrupted by injuries. The Twins took a chance on his tools, particularly his feel to hit, in the ninth round of the 2015 Draft. He's been playing above his tools and exceeding expectations since and while he struggled in his first taste of Triple-A in 2018, he was added to the 40-man roster this past offseason.
Wade's best skill is his approach at the plate, with a very strong walk rate and plate discipline that he's carried with him all the way up the ladder. Even after the bump he hit in Rochester in 2018, he has walked more than he has struck out heading into the 2019 season. While he did hit a career high 11 home runs last year, Wade has not learned to leverage his left-handed swing to generate more power. An average runner, Wade plays solid defense in the corners, but while he can fill in as a center fielder, he's below average defensively there.
For Wade to profile as anything more than a backup outfielder at the big league level, he's going to have to find a way to tap into his power more. He'd never really struggled with the bat before his promotion last year, but there's hope that adversity will help him take a developmental step in terms of his offensive production. Statcast - Batting Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 257 47 3 6.4 88.7 11.6 .272 .442 .320 .373 .356 40.4 13.0 15.9 ALL 257 47 3 6.4 88.7 11.6 .272 .442 .320 .373 .356 40.4 13.0 15.9 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 10/08/2019 Minnesota Twins activated LF LaMonte Wade Jr. 10/04/2019 Minnesota Twins reassigned LF LaMonte Wade Jr to the minor leagues. 09/01/2019 Minnesota Twins activated LF LaMonte Wade Jr from the 10-day injured list. 08/17/2019 Minnesota Twins sent LF LaMonte Wade Jr on a rehab assignment to Cedar Rapids Kernels. 07/07/2019 Minnesota Twins placed LF LaMonte Wade Jr on the 10-day injured list. Right thumb dislocation. 07/06/2019 Minnesota Twins recalled LF LaMonte Wade Jr from Rochester Red Wings. 06/29/2019 Minnesota Twins optioned LF LaMonte Wade Jr to Rochester Red Wings. 06/27/2019 Minnesota Twins recalled LaMonte Wade Jr from Rochester Red Wings. 03/12/2019 Minnesota Twins optioned LF LaMonte Wade Jr to Rochester Red Wings. 11/19/2018 Minnesota Twins selected the contract of LaMonte Wade Jr from Rochester Red Wings. 08/10/2018 Rochester Red Wings activated LF LaMonte Wade from the 7-day disabled list. 08/04/2018 Rochester Red Wings placed LF LaMonte Wade on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to August 3, 2018. Right hamstring strain. 06/09/2018 LF LaMonte Wade assigned to Rochester Red Wings from Chattanooga Lookouts. 02/06/2018 Minnesota Twins invited non-roster CF LaMonte Wade to spring training. 08/11/2017 Chattanooga Lookouts activated LF LaMonte Wade from the 7-day disabled list. 08/06/2017 Chattanooga Lookouts placed CF LaMonte Wade on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to August 4, 2017. 04/06/2017 CF LaMonte Wade assigned to Chattanooga Lookouts. 03/12/2017 CF LaMonte Wade assigned to Minnesota Twins. 10/02/2016 Fort Myers Miracle activated CF LaMonte Wade from the 7-day disabled list. 08/09/2016 Fort Myers Miracle placed CF LaMonte Wade on the 7-day disabled list. 07/01/2016 Fort Myers Miracle activated OF LaMonte Wade from the 7-day disabled list. 06/26/2016 2B LaMonte Wade assigned to Fort Myers Miracle. 06/23/2016 Fort Myers Miracle placed OF LaMonte Wade on the 7-day disabled list. 06/22/2016 OF LaMonte Wade assigned to Fort Myers Miracle from Cedar Rapids Kernels. 09/02/2015 OF LaMonte Wade assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels from Elizabethton Twins. 06/23/2015 OF LaMonte Wade assigned to Elizabethton Twins. 06/18/2015 Minnesota Twins signed OF LaMonte Wade.
