Will Toffey

Position: 3B
Level: High A
Affiliate: Stockton Ports
League: California League
Born: 12/31/1994 (Age: 29)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 205
B/T: Left / Right
Acquired: 4th Rd., 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft (OAK); Traded to NYM 7/21/2018

Prospect Spotlight

Toffey comes with a long track record of hitting after a successful career at Vanderbilt. Oakland stocked up on college performers in the 2017 Draft, with Greg Deichmann (RF, Athletics) and Kevin Merrell (SS, Athletics) taken alongside Toffey. They’re all teammates this year at High A Stockton, and while Toffey doesn’t have a carrying tool (like Diechman’s power or Merrell’s speed), he’s a well-rounded player who projects safely to reach the big leagues, albeit in a low ceiling/high floor capacity.

He’s selective at the plate and has a feel for the strike zone, showing the polish acquired facing such advanced competition in the SEC for three years. I saw a lot of good takes, even on tough secondary pitches breaking late out of the strike zone. Toffey has a plan at the plate, looking to drive the ball early in the count with the ability to shorten up and use all fields when he’s down two strikes. His hands drift, and Toffey has some vulnerability on the outer third, projecting to an average hit tool. There’s a tick less game power, as he takes a level path to the ball that drives the gaps more than it generates loft.

Toffey is a fine defender at third with an above-average arm, projecting to remain at the position as he climbs the ladder. He doesn’t run well and is a fringy athlete, likely limiting him to the infield corners, and potentially left field. Because he can’t fill in at center-diamond positions, there will be more pressure on his offense in a reserve capacity. Even so, I like the approach and blend of hit and occasional power, and the ingredients are here for a Role 40 bench bat with corner versatility.