Pirate 1996 Scouting Report - Third Base

Last Updated 8 January 1996

On Thursday Dec 21 1995, Mark Jareb (mij6t@avery.med.virginia.edu) posted the following to the Pirate e-mail list. I have edited it and included it here with his permission:

"Notes: when you see ###/###/###, that stands for BA/OBP/SLG (or just OBP/SLG sometimes). I'll probably harp a lot on OBP because I see that as the Pirates major offensive problem (compared to the league, their OBP is relatively worse than their SLG). I list players currently in the organization based on the highest level they played in '95. Whenever you see a player's age listed, that refers to what his age will be during the '96 baseball season."

Index: | Pirates | Calgary | Carolina | Lynchburg | Augusta | Erie | GCL | Projections |

Pirates

Jeff King:
He's 31 years old; he was drafted 1st overall by Bucs in '86. He signed a 2-year $5 million dollar contract this off season. He had his best offensive season ever in '95 hitting 265/342/456. All reports say that he's moving to 1B (all reports last year also said that Cummings would be a starting OF). However, I think King playing 1B will probably happen. I'd be surprised if he puts up the same numbers, let alone better numbers. Even if he duplicates his 1995 numbers, he'll still be below average offense-wise for a 1B. If I was running the team I'd keep him at 3B or move him to 2B. His DA's suggest that he's good defensively but slipped to average this past year.

Kevin Young:
He's 27 years old; he was drafted in the 7th round out of SMU in '90. He has hit extremely well at every level in the minors, but has never been able to put it together at the major league level. He's very good defensively. He will have first shot at the starting 3B job, unless the Bucs sign a free agent 3B. All rumors suggest that a free agent 3B is the most likely scenario. I still think Young deserves one last shot at an everyday job. I'd expect him to be in Pittsburgh as a backup to the free agent, but it isn't out of the question that he'll end up in AAA to start the year.

John Wehner:
He's 29 years old: he was drafted in the 7th round out of Indiana in '88. Essentially, he's a utility player now, who can play everywhere but SS and P (if he's on the roster, then he would be our #3 catcher). He hit 308/361/364 in a reserve role in '95. He will also have a shot at the 3B job, though he's definitely a dark horse. Wehner is one of the few guys who can put up a decent OBP. If a free agent is signed, I'd call it a tossup between him and Young as to who will be the backup. He might have the edge due to versatility.

Freddy Garcia:
He's 23 years old; he was picked up in the 1995 Rule V draft from the Blue Jays. He had never played above short season Class A ball before '95. He was obviously overmatched by Major League pitching, but he showed that he could at least take a walk. Also, he looked decent in the field (at 3B). He's slated to start '96 in Lynchburg, if he hits, he will likely be promoted quickly. He definitely has Home Run power, but he will be either a 3B or a 1B, by the time he reaches Pittsburgh again. Baseball America projects 1998 for that.

Potential free agents: Leo Gomez, Charlie Hayes, Tony Phillips, Todd Zeile, Dave Hollins, Craig Grebeck, etc.

Luckily Tim Wallach and Gary Gaetti have signed elsewhere. Charlie Hayes is my fear, while Leo Gomez, Tony Phillips, Dave Hollins or Craig Grebeck would all be fine with me.

*Gomez will be 29 and available for probably $1 million. In '92 and '94 when he played everyday (and without injuries) he hit 265/356/425 and 274/366/502.
*Tony Phillips will be 37 but in the last 3 season his lowest OBP was .394 and lowest SLG .388. Also still very good defensively at a number of positions.
*Hollins playing injured in '95 had an OBP 30 points higher than anyone for the Pirates. He also finally had the surgery that should take care of his wrist pain of the last two seasons. He's 30, should be cheap base salary (with playing time bonuses). Move him to 1B and keep King at 3B.
*Grebeck will be 31 and has never been given the opportunity to play everyday, though he would probably be 1st on the Bucs in OBP if signed. It'll never happen though.
*Hayes is 31 and hit 276/340/406 and appears to be declining. Glenn's note: the Bucs signed Charlie Hayes in late December to play third base.

Calgary AAA

Dale Sveum:
He's 32 years old; he was drafted in the 1st round by Milwaukee in '82. He stayed on at Calgary after they switched to being the Pirates affiliate. Essentially, he's a utility IF at this point who's playing out his career at AAA. He might be back in Calgary as he seems to like playing there, but the Pirates only interest is insurance if several Bucs IF got injured.

Carolina AA

Jay Cranford:
He's 25 years old; he was drafted in the 29th round in '92. He started out as a SS, and then moved to 3B in '94. He hit 229/348/330 at Carolina this past season. He dramatically increased his BB rate, thereby giving himself the best OBP of his career, but he dropped about 30 points in BA and 75 points in SLG. He needs to breakout in '96 if he'll ever reach Pittsburgh (and that's a long shot). Either he or Krevokuch will be promoted to Calgary (or one will be released). I'd give Cranford the nod in starting at Calgary.

Jim Krevokuch:
He's 27 years old; he was drafted in '91 by the Bucs. 1995 was his 3rd year at Carolina, and he hit 282/342/374, but mainly as the backup 3B. He can play 2B as well. He's not really any kind of prospect. I imagine he'll either be back in Carolina or released.

Raul Rodarte:
He's 26 years old; he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in '91. He was a SS all the time with the Mariners and essentially was released after the '94 season. He played mostly in Lynchburg in '95, exclusively at 3B. He was a decent OBP guy before, but showed power for the first time. He hit 286/358/454 in Lynchburg and in 16 games in Carolina 370/469/500. He will be the starting 3B at Carolina. His '95 season moved him from a nobody to a dark horse prospect.

Lynchburg A (full season, high)

Eddie Brooks:
He's 23 years old; he was drafted in the 5th round in '94 out of Kentucky. He started out as a SS (a recurring theme) though a 2B at U of Ky, and now plays whatever position is left. He played most of season at Augusta - primarily at 3B. At Lynchburg, he played more at 2B. He hit 273/348/395 at Augusta, but in 27 games in Lynchburg he hit 118/218/132. He can walk decently, but really strikes out a lot -- not a good sign with his lack of power. He will probably be in Lynchburg, playing some at all 3 infield positions.

Augusta A (full season, low)

Mike Asche:
He's 24 years old; he was drafted in the 6th round in '94 out of Kearney State. He was a SS in college. He hit 266/334/391 last year. He seems to be just a step behind Brooks, but I'm guessing he'll be the better hitter of the two in the long run. He will probably be in Lynchburg next year.

Mark Farris: (also listed in the SS report)
He's 21 years old; he was drafted in the 1st round in '94. He did not play in '95 because he blew out his knee and had surgery. He's projected to have played SS at Augusta in '95. Most likely, he will be in Augusta in '96 but probably at 3B. In '94, he hit well in Welland (Erie replaced Welland) 287/371/360. It'll be interesting to see how he comes back from his injury. Since his main tool is that he can hit, I think he'll come back fine.

Erie A (short season)

Boomer Whipple:
He's 23 years old; he was undrafted out of Vanderbilt in '95. He hit 253/355/298. Essentially, he hasn't shown any power (not much in college either) but gets on base pretty well, while striking out at a very low rate. If he changes his batting style to try and hit a little more for power, it might be interesting. He will be in Augusta next year.

Gulf Coast (Rookie League)

Adelis Pena:
He's 19 years old; he was signed out of Venezuela in '95. He hit 282/301/337. He doesn't walk or hit for power but he's still young yet and developing. He will probably be in Erie.

Projections:

Bucs: Free Agent (Charlie Hayes acquired) and Kevin Young
Calgary: John Wehner, Dale Sveum, and Jay Cranford
Carolina: Raul Rodarte and Jim Krevokuch
Lynchburg: Freddy Garcia, Mike Asche, and Eddie Brooks
Augusta: Mark Farris and Boomer Whipple
Erie: Adelis Pena
Gulf Coast League: draftee
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