2024 Breakout candidate: TJ Rumfield
by Greg Corcoran
6-foot-4
225-pounds
First baseman
Throws: Right
Bats: Left
23-years-old
NYY Underground ranking: #33
Drafted in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Phillies out of Virginia Tech, TJ Rumfield had always excelled with a contact-first approach. He hit .315/.402/.478/.880 with seven homeruns and 12 doubles in 52 games that year in college. He struck out just 23 times.
That approach continued when he reached the minor leagues, hitting .250/.426/.263/.689 with just one extra base hit in his first taste of action. Following the 2021 season, Rumfield was traded to the Yankees for Nick Nelson. After a crash course in the Yankees hitting philosophy, Rumfield hit .273/.366/.392/.759 in 57 games, mostly in High-A. He had four homeruns and 13 doubles but increased his OPS and slugging percentage significantly.
TJ massively increased his power output between 2022 and 2023. He hit 17 homeruns and 16 doubles and increased his slugging percentage to .437 over 86 games. In just one season, he had nearly quadrupled his homerun output. Unfortunately, selling out a bit more for power did take its toll on his average and OBP, which finished at .222 and .320 on the year.
Rumfield has always been a good contact hitter, but he learned a new skill in 2023 which will give him a much better chance to make a push for the major leagues. Power. He figured out how to put the ball in the seats more frequently. Already a solid defensive first baseman, he now just needs to put it all together to truly break out. He has the bat speed and approach to make that happen.
Moreover, Rumfield has the size to get even stronger. In 2024, I am expecting him to improve all facets of his game. He should hit more homeruns, but a few adjustments to his launch angle and he could quickly get back to getting more hits and getting on base with increased frequency.
Rumfield has the ceiling of a solid major league lefty first baseman with power, something that has value as we’ve seen with Anthony Rizzo. The offseason, as always, will be the key to his success next season. The Scranton RailRiders are in a hitter friendly league, so don’t be surprised to see his numbers tick up in 2024. He’ll start there and could play his way into a promotion if Rizzo has to go on the DL during the season.
The Yankees have become adept at identifying players for minor league trades who have big potential. TJ Rumfield is another example of that, and his continued improvement would be an exciting development on the farm.
he looks really good as a player. i feel as if the Yankees are going to miss on his talent. Thet just called up ben rice who i love, but i think this is the first baseman of the future.