House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves Scouting Report on Outfielder Ray-Patrick Didder

By Benjamin Chase

Jul 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; A baseball, baseball glove and baseballs are shown on the infield during batting practice before the game against the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; A baseball, baseball glove and baseballs are shown on the infield during batting practice before the game against the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Jul 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; A baseball, baseball glove and baseballs are shown on the infield during batting practice before the game against the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; A baseball, baseball glove and baseballs are shown on the infield during batting practice before the game against the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

The Atlanta Braves have often scouted underscouted areas of Latin America, and they may have found another gem in such a location in Aruban outfielder Ray-Patrick Didder

Who Is He?

Didder came to the Atlanta Braves system “late” as an 18 year-old partially due to coming from an under-scouted area. He was initially signed as a shortstop, and he was initially assigned to the Braves Dominican Summer League affiliate, where he hit .259/.420/.289, showing his excellent eye and speed, but also struggling some with his defense.

The Braves moved Didder to the GCL in 2014 and kept him at shortstop. His bat continued to show well, as he hit .274/.354/.376 with 4 steals and 5 triples in 45 games, but he continued to show that he wasn’t a future shortstop at the big league level in spite of his elite speed and excellent eye. Didder spent his winter making the transition to the outfield, where it was felt that his plus-plus arm would play well as well as his speed.

Needless to say his transition to the outfield was a smooth one. Reports I received after Didder’s 2015 claimed he was the best defensive outfielder in the entire minor league system, which does say something in a system with pretty good outfield defense. He showed again his high-end eye and speed as he went .247/.346/.332 at the plate with 10 steals and 7 triples in 259 plate appearances, with a 20/51 BB/K.

Didder took that next step defensively and offensively this season with Rome, as he moved into the leadoff spot throughout the season, being the most-consistent hitter for the Rome team throughout the season. Didder hit .274/.387/.381 with 9 triples, 6 home runs, and 37 stolen bases in the regular season. He added a line of .292/.452/.375, 6 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases in the playoffs. Overall, he had 101 runs scored and 40 stolen bases combined between the regular season and playoffs.

Next: Didder's scouting report

Home/Braves Minors