Ranking The Rockies: 35 Rafael Ynoa

We at BSN Denver are running a series where we rank how valuable each of the Colorado Rockies’ 51 players was to the team in 2015. Value was calculated by statistics, viewing, and how memorable each player’s contributions were. The rankings will be from last to first, you may view the full rankings (here).

Player: Rafael Ynoa

Stats: 72 G, 131 PA, .260 AVG, .277 OBP, .339 SLG, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 49 wRC+, -2.6 (OF), -1.1 (3B), 0.2 (2B), 1.6 (SS) UZR, -0.6  WAR

Big Moment: Oct. 1, Ynoa drives in Kyle Parker on two occasions, once in the 4th and once in the 6th, on RBI doubles. The Rockies lost 8-6 in Arizona, but this late season game proved to be the only time this season Ynoa picked up more than one extra base hit. His two RBI also happened to be his season high.

Season Recap: The right-handed 28-year old utility man started the season on the roster and it took a lot of convincing to take him off of it. Ynoa was misused as both a pinch-hitter and a corner outfielder most of the season. He was equally as bad against right-handed and left-handed pitchers. Yet he was used more than anyone sans Daniel Descalso as a bench bat. However, as a pinch-hitter Ynoa was a not so bad 13-40. Really where he struggled most was when he was placed in the outfield. According to Inside Edge, there were 14 balls hit to him in the outfield that were non-routine, or that he had a 90% chance or less of fielding, of those 14 balls Ynoa fielded zero. He was a perfect 22-22 on balls that were “routine,” but those balls should be fielded by any replacement level player. Ynoa isn’t that bad of an option as a utility man, but, the Rockies already have a better one in the switch-hitting Cristhian Adames. For a replacement level player on a bad team, Ynoa was not the worst. He seems to be liked in the clubhouse, and he also has a leadership role when he plays in the minors, which is where he played 56 games this year.

What’s Ahead: He’s made it past the first round of roster cuts, now he’ll most likely fight for his spot on the 40-man roster with Descalso. Ynoa is a cheaper option, but Descalso has a guaranteed deal. Whether or not Ynoa is back, his presence will be inconsequential towards the Rockies future.