Originally Posted by
auyushu
Gee I dunno, maybe because there have been many players over the years that have succeeded with low walk rates? I mean yeah, I'd much rather see a player with a high walk rate than not obviously, but low walk rates are in no way a definite sign of huge concern. As long as the player has good defense and speed (Waters is plus in both areas by all accounts) then the player can easily be extremely valuable even with a walk rate in the 4-5% range. Starling Marte, Javier Baez, Adalberto Mondesi, Eddie Rosario, and Jonathon Schoop are all current guys that fit that profile.
K rate on the other hand tends to have huge correlation to bust rate, having that K rate near 30% is a big worry. Low walk rate, eh, it's not ideal but given his other skills not a gigantic concern, and as he develops more power it will likely go up as a side effect a little bit.
And he is on pace to be ready/called up around the middle of next season, if that's "far off" I'm not sure what your definition of close is.