Hitting
DeRue has plus bat speed thanks to strong arms and wrists. He shows pre-swing noise with hands but quiets quickly when he initiates slight leg kick. His hands will drop slightly to set path toward hitting zone. DeRue has the ability to alter his approach based on count and situation, can drive outside pitches the other way for extra base hits. DeRue power is to pull side with limited demonstration of ability to drive ball consistently to opposite field. His willing to work counts and take pitches will demonstrate strong pitch recognition during series; natural hitting ability could play up slightly because of approach and willingness to wait for pitches that can be driven. Overall, DeRue has an advanced hit-tool who takes aggressive swing and doesn’t get cheated, but still controls barrel well and shows ability to make contact on a variety of pitches.
Base-Running & Defense
Chris DeRue has plus bat speed thanks to strong arms and wrists. He shows pre-swing noise with hands but quiets quickly when he initiates slight leg kick. His hands will drop slightly to set path toward hitting zone. DeRue has the ability to alter his approach based on count and situation, can drive outside pitches the other way for extra base hits. DeRue power is to pull side with limited demonstration of ability to drive ball consistently to opposite field. His willing to work counts and take pitches will demonstrate strong pitch recognition during series; natural hitting ability could play up slightly because of approach and willingness to wait for pitches that can be driven. Overall, DeRue has an advanced hit-tool who takes aggressive swing and doesn’t get cheated, but still controls barrel well and shows ability to make contact on a variety of pitches. Chris DeRue has showed solid reactions to ball off the bat, above average first step, typically in proper direction. DeRue moves well to both sides and runs well enough underway to demonstrate above-average range to the gaps. His routes were typically straight line with only occasional deviations. His defensive profile makes his a corner outfielder.
