There R Giants #14: Diego Rincones
Photo Credit: Kirk Nawrotzky | Richmond Flying Squirrels
We’re into the There R Giants Top 50. Over the winter months, I’ll write a post on each of the fifty players in my rankings, leading us back to the much-needed spring. Our list of previously covered players is getting a little long, so from here on out I’m moving the links for the full list down the bottom of the post.
There’s an old baseball saying that applies to Diego Rincones like nobody else in the Giants’ farm system — perhaps like few others in minor league baseball:
“if the bat will play, they’ll find a way.”
It’s all about the bat with Rincones. There aren’t a lot of other tools that recommend him to the average eye. His slightly roly poly, beer league softball physique wouldn’t inspire former GM John Hart’s famous phrase: “that’s what they look like.” He doesn’t run with grace, he doesn’t send cascades of high arching moonshots in batting practice. Though he has a strong, accurate arm and decent route running instincts, his ultimate defensive profile is something akin to: “Darin Ruf: LF.” If you never watched him play in a game, it would be easy — too easy — to write Rincones off as just another minor leaguer with decent minor league numbers.
But if you only do one thing exceptionally well in this game, “hitting” is a pretty good skill to make your stand with. Rincones has tackled every challenge the Giants — or others — have ever thrown at him because, simply put, He! Can! Hit!
He’s not the kind of prospect who will get the first opportunity, nor even the second, maybe. But at some point, opportunity will come Rincones’ way, and when it does, …. well, the man has a history of rising to the occasion.
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