Pirate 1998 Scouting Report - First Basemen
Last Updated 10 January 1998
On August 19, 1997, Mark Jareb
(mij2@columbia.edu) posted the following to the Pirate e-mail list. I have edited
it and included it here with his permission. John Stuart
(jstu9@aol.com) also assisted with this portion of the Scouting Report;
I have updated it with the final stats for the '97 season:
Abbreviations are:
-CAL, Calgary, the Bucs AAA team in the
PCL, Pacific Coast League (Nashville replaces Calgary in '98)
-CAR, Carolina, the Bucs AA team in the
SOU, Southern League
-LYN, Lynchburg, the Bucs A+ team in the
CRL, Carolina League
-AUG, Augusta, the Bucs A team in the
SAL, South Atlantic League
-ERI, Erie, the Bucs A- team in the
NYP, New York-Penn League
-GCL refers to the Bucs rookie team in the Gulf Coast League
-DSL refers to the team the Bucs field in the Dominican Summer
League. This team is primarily composed of teenagers from
the Dominican signed as non-drafted free agents.
Index: | Pirates
| Calgary
| Carolina
| Lynchburg
| Augusta
| Erie
| GCL
| Projections |
Pirates
Kevin Young: 29-6/16/69; #7 '90, Southern Miss.
1B, R-R, 6-2 219
Young was a shooting star in the Pirates organization until
1993, when he had a poor rookie season. The Bucs gave him only
300+ AB the next two seasons. He was released after a great spring training
in 1996, and headed to Kansas City,
where he hit decently as a reserve, but was still non-tendered
in the offseason. Young was resigned by the Bucs, made the the team as
the backup corner IF, and excelled to win the starting 1B job after a couple
of months. Sidetracked in early August with torn thumb ligaments, he didn't
miss a beat when he returned in September. Young's '97 performance was his 1st major
league season in line with his previous minor league stats, so I'm much
less likely to think it's a fluke. Interestingly, his batting strategy
has changed over the time since he first hit the majors going from a patient
hitter with little power to an aggressive hitter with very good power.
It would be nice to see him return to being a little more patient (while
maintaining his power), but I think he's reached a comfort level with his
aggressive approach and I'd be satisfied to see him maintain his '97 production.
He's parlayed his '97 success by signing a 2-year $3.6 M contract on 12/1
this offseason. He'll be the starting 1B in '98, though there is a slight
chance that he'll move to 3B to allow Ron Wright to get promoted to 1B. This
scenario is dependent on the play of Freddy Garcia and Doug Strange at
3B as well as Wright's play at AAA.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
90 A- 238 58 16 2 5 31 36 244/331/391
91 A+ 201 63 12 4 6 20 34 313/376/502
AA 263 90 19 6 3 15 38 342/378/494
AAA 9 2 1 0 0 0 0 222/222/333
92 AAA 490 154 29 6 8 67 67 314/397/447
PIT 7 4 0 0 0 2 0 571/667/571
93 PIT 449 106 24 3 6 36 82 236/300/343
94 AAA 228 63 14 5 5 15 45 276/321/447
PIT 122 25 7 2 1 8 34 205/258/320
95 AAA 163 58 23 1 8 15 21 356/410/656
PIT 181 42 9 0 6 8 53 232/268/381
96 AAA 186 57 11 1 13 12 41 306/358/586
K.C 132 32 6 0 8 11 32 242/301/470
97 PIT 333 100 18 3 18 16 89 300/332/535
Mark Johnson started the '97 season as the Pirates' first sacker,
but after a dissappointing season and a couple trips to the minors, he
was released. Similarly, Eddie Williams was picked up in August to fill in
for the injured Kevin Young, but was released during the off season.
Outfielder Mark Smith also saw limited action at 1B this year, but did attend
the Instructional League this fall to learn the position better. Smith can
increase his utility as a man off the bench by learning to back-up 1B.
Smith's detailed report is included with the outfielders. Off season
free agent Doug Strange (see the 3B report) can also fill in at first
base for the Bucs in '98.
Calgary AAA
Jose Tolentino: 37-6/3/61; FA '83; Mexico
1B/OF, L-L, 6-1 195
Tolentino is a career minor leaguer who had been playing in Mexico the
past few years. He did have one trip to the majors with Houston in '91.
His teammates at various times have included Mike Easler, Steve Kemp, and
Bob Owchinko. He was signed in mid-May (after being released after a
slow start with Rochester); he is an extra body who could help win
some AAA games. He did put up good numbers in '97, but
being a minor league free agent, I doubt he'll be back with the Bucs in
'98, though it's possible he'll be playing for the Mexico City Reds.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
...
91 HOU 54 14 4 0 1 4 9 259/310/389
92 AAA Buffalo, 93 Japan, 94-96 Mexico
97 AAA 362 106 26 0 17 45 60 293/369/506
MWL 215 52 9 0 6 25 36 242/328/367
Ron Wright: 22-1/21/76; #7 '94 (Atlanta), Kennewick,WA(HS)
1B, R-R, 6-0 215
One of the top power hitting prospects in the minors, '97 was an off
year for Wright. He broke his wrist in late July preventing him from
getting a September callup. Also, his HR and BB rate decreased, though on
the bright side, his K rate also decreased while his BA and his doubles
increased. The numbers suggest he shortened his swing and became a little
more "aggressive" at the plate. Hopefully, he'll go back to being a patient
hitter but I do think shortening his swing may pay dividends. Wright has
enough raw power that his 30+ doubles and ~15 HR at age 21 will turn into
30+ HR a few years later even keeping the shortened swing. This fall in the
AFL, he tied a league record with 11 HRs, which suggests that he's gone
back more to his power swing. However, his BA was again down while his BB
rate was not up to its former level. This all may be due to a bulging disc
that Wright was reportedly suffering from during the AFL season. In
addition, the Bucs would like for Wright to improve is his defense at 1B.
Wright almost definitely will start the year at AAA. If he's fully healthy,
I think it's also a definite that he'll see some time in Pittsburgh in
'98, at the least during September call-ups. This first year in Pittsburgh
I'd guess that his numbers will be pretty similar to his AA season in '96
with maybe a few less HR and BB i.e. 250/330/475. In '99 and
beyond I'd project much bigger and better things.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
94 R 169 29 9 0 1 10 21 172/218/243
95 A 527 143 23 1 32 62 118 271/348/501
96 A+ 240 66 15 2 20 37 71 275/363/604
AA 246 61 11 1 16 40 80 248/354/496
MEX 41 6 1 0 3 4 13 146/234/390
97 AAA 336 102 31 0 16 24 81 304/348/539
AFL 157 34 7 1 11 15 67 214/285/484
1997 Scouting Report
Carolina AA
Tracy Sanders: 28-7/26/69; 58th Rd '90 (Indians); Limestone College
1B/OF/DH, L-R, 6-0 205
Signed as a minor league free agent in the '96 offseason, Sanders is
someone I'd like to see given a chance as a MLB bench player. He
draws BB very well and can hit for power, but he
strikes out a lot and doesn't have that high of a BA.
He has a career minor league OBP/SLG of 389/478 with the
majority of his PAs (~2,000) coming at the AA-level. In '97, he put
up excellent numbers again at AA (this time with a better BA).
A minor league free agent, I'm hoping he resigns with the
Bucs and plays at AAA.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
90 R 178 50 12 1 10 33 36 281/397/528
A+ 32 14 3 3 0 7 6 438/538/719
91 A+ 421 112 20 8 18 83 95 266/393/480
92 AA 381 92 11 3 21 77 113 241/371/451
93 AA 402 115 19 6 18 65 97 286/388/498
94 AA 275 66 20 4 8 60 88 240/376/429
95 AA 32 9 3 0 2 5 11 281/378/563
AAA 110 25 6 0 4 34 34 227/426/391
96 AA 168 39 10 0 7 33 49 232/365/417
IND 123 30 6 0 9 29 38 244/396/512
97 AA 376 102 23 1 21 74 88 271/397/505
Kevin Grijak: 27-8/6/70; #29 '91(Atl); Eastern Michigan U.
1B, L-R, 6-2 195
Grijak was signed this offseason by the Bucs as a minor
league free agent. He has spent his entire career
in the Braves organization. He had a great '95, but his
career apparently derailed because he volunteered to be
a replacement player during the major league strike. Reportedly due
to conflicts with teammates over "crossing" the picket
line, he was assigned to the Mexico City Tigers in '96
and lost what little prospect status he had. He's a
very good fit for the Bucs currently as they lacked a
LH hitting 1B in the upper minors. At times, he has
shown good power, though his batting eye is a little
below average. He's good insurance to have, plus he's
worth taking the chance on that he'll have a breakout
year and possibly be productive as a MLB backup. I'm
guessing he'll split the 1B/DH duties at AAA with Ron
Wright.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
91 R+ 202 68 9 1 10 16 15 337/381/540
92 R+ 31 11 3 0 0 6 0 355/459/452
A 157 41 13 0 5 15 16 261/333/439
93 A 389 115 26 5 7 37 37 296/356/442
94 A+ 68 25 3 0 11 12 6 368/476/897
AA 348 94 19 1 11 20 40 270/315/425
95 AA 74 32 5 0 2 7 9 432/482/581
AAA 309 92 16 5 12 25 47 298/354/498
96 AAA 30 11 3 0 1 5 7 367/472/567
MEX 323 93 13 0 11 ? ? 288/ /430
97 AA 240 60 12 1 13 18 35 250/312/471
Dave Kennedy: 27-9/3/70; #5 '91(Ana); Montclair State (NJ)
1B, R-R, 6-4 215
Kennedy's contract was purchased from the St. Paul Saints
of the independent Northern League this offseason. Initially drafted
in '91, he didn't see minor league action until '93, so I
assume he was injured early on. Released from the Angels after the '93 season,
he played a year in the Northern League. In '95, his contract was
bought by the Rockies, whereupon he had a great year at AA
(New Haven is a pitcher's park that's particularly tough on HR
hitters). I recall wanting the Bucs to sign him as a minor
league FA in the '95-'96 offseason. He resigned with Rockies,
had a poor '96 and was released. His main asset is his
power, and he draws BB's at an average rate. Another guy
who's good insurance as his '95 suggests that he may have a
breakout season in the next year or two. I'm guessing he'll
split the 1B/DH at AA with Mark Farris and Shon Walker.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
93 A- 248 59 14 2 10 65 63 238/394/431
94 IND 72 21 6 1 4 8 17 292/370/569
95 AA 484 148 22 2 22 48 131 306/372/496
96 AAA 333 85 27 0 11 36 82 255/332/435
97 IND 328 96 24 0 19 ? ? 293/ /540
Lynchburg A (full season, high)
Mark Farris: 23-2/9/75; #1 '94; Angleton HS (TX)
1B/3B, L-R, 6-3 190
Mark Farris was drafted in the 1st round back in '94, and
had a solid first summer. He missed the entire '95 season
because of a knee injury, and came back and just did not hit,
which had been his best strength. He was drafted as a
shortstop, moved to third in '96, and now is primarily playing 1B. '97
was an improvement over '96, but he needs to take a much, much bigger step
forward this coming year if he's ever to make it to the majors. He really
needs to regain his first round batting stroke to remain in the Pirates'
plans. Although I didn't see him prior to his injury, in '97, it is obvious
that his foot speed is below average. Farris does hustle though, exhibits
maturity, and plays steady defense.
He's likely to be the starting 1B at Carolina in '98.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
94 A- 164 47 7 1 1 20 35 287/364/360
A 49 6 0 0 1 1 15 122/140/184
95 INJURED
96 A 299 65 10 0 2 31 66 217/293/271
97 A+ 367 85 17 3 4 26 71 232/286/327
Morgan Walker: 23-8/7/74; #23 '96; Lamar U. (TX)
1B, R-L, 6-3 215
Walker had a nice season after being drafted, hitting well immediately
at full season A. He has shown very good power, but his batting eye leaves
something to be desired. He did see Lynchburg for a short while in '97 and
hit OK, but then was shipped back to Augusta. This was likely the result
of the Bucs wanting Farris to play somewhere and (I'm guessing) poor
defense. In Augusta, Walker actually DH'd 3/4 of the time. Likely to be
in Lynchburg as the primary DH in '98.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
96 A 253 76 15 1 8 18 57 300/349/462
97 A 295 81 17 2 14 17 70 275/314/488
A+ 89 24 6 0 3 6 19 270/316/438
Garrett Long: 21-10/5/76; #2 '95, Houston,TX(HS)
1B, R-R, 6-3 195
I very much considered placing him in the OF section as I think that's
where he'll primarily be playing in '98, but for now, I've kept him in the
1B section. Of all the OF'ers we have in the organization, IMO he has the
highest upside. He hits for a high BA, has a great batting eye, and he's
beginning to show the power which he projected when drafted. Typically, I'd
prefer to see a greater % of Hits going for XBH for a burgeoning power
hitter, but Augusta is a pitcher's park, particularly deflating HR, so I'm
not as concerned with Long's numbers. In addition, in his limited stint at
Lynchburg, Garrett was really spanking the ball when he made contact.
Defensively, he's still learning the OF but I think he'll be at least an
adequate corner OF. As well, even if he remains at 1B, (where defensively
he's already adequate) his future is still very bright. He obviously
appears entirely healed from his shoulder injury in '96, though he still
had a few nagging injuries in '97 (like strained hamstrings). He
will start '98 in Lynchburg though a promotion to Carolina wouldn't
surprise me in the least.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
95 R 63 22 2 1 1 17 10 349/488/460
A- 108 30 4 0 2 15 25 278/365/370
96 A- 70 20 2 1 0 9 17 286/370/343
97 A 280 84 10 2 7 61 78 300/425/425
A+ 29 6 3 0 1 3 10 207/281/414
1997 Scouting Report
Augusta A (full season, low)
Carlos Rivera: 20-6/10/78; #10 '96; Academia Adventista (PR)
1B, L-L, 6-1 220
Carlos made the jump to full season from rookie ball nicely, but he
really needs to get a better batting eye in order to become a valuable
hitter. Considering his age, he looks like he'll develop into a decent
power hitter. He likely will be the starting 1B in Lynchburg in '98.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
96 R 183 52 8 3 3 15 22 284/338/410
97 A 415 113 16 5 9 19 82 272/304/400
Erie A (short season)
Derrick Lankford: 23-9/21/74; #42 '97; Carson-Newman College
1B, L-R, 6-4 220
Listed as a 3B in college, Lankford exclusively played
1B in Erie. Drafted as a senior, I guess that he was recommended
by catcher Scott May who came out of the same college in '96.
Lankford has shown good plate judgment and good power while
playing at Erie. He was among the NYP League Leaders in Home Runs,
Slugging Percentage, and RBIs (along with team mate SS Kevin Haverbusch).
An extremely good gamble to take for a 42nd round pick.
He'll likely start '98 in Augusta, but could move up quickly as his upside is
higher than the other first basemen (counting Garrett Long as an OF) the
Bucs have in the low minors.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
97 A- 195 60 11 3 10 33 57 308/407/549
Keith Maxwell: 23-4/18/75; #21 '97; Florida A&M
1B, R-R, 6-1 205
Played OF and catcher in college, he exclusively played 1B/DH
in Erie. He has little plate discipline, but has good
power and brings up his OBP by getting HBP relatively often. However, he
tailed off badly toward the end of '97, thereby putting up relatively poor
numbers for the season. He may find himself in Augusta in '98 or he may
be out of the Bucs' system.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
97 A- 134 28 3 1 6 10 38 209/292/381
Gulf Coast (Rookie League)
Alex (William) Tolbert: 23-1/20/75; #22 '97; Western Carolina U.
1B, L-R, 6-3 245
As a senior in '97, he was the Southern Conference Player of the
Year. As a Junior, he was in the top 10 in the country in BA but
went undrafted. Appeared to have only one skill -- hitting (apparently
with power and a good eye) -- in other words he
seemed to have the one skill needed in baseball, though he didn't really
show it at Bradenton. Regardless, I'd be tempted to
keep him around for another year (perhaps make him the 1B/DH at Augusta
instead of Maxwell) just to see what happens.
If he's still in the minors 3 years from now, I bet he'll have a monster
season, though he'll likely be old for whichever level he's at.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
96 NCAA 217 92 25 1 11 35 35 424/504/700
97 NCAA 220 76 15 1 19 59 51 345/479/682
97 R 94 23 3 0 0 12 23 245/330/277
Bret Kaplan: 23-6/8/75; #43 '97; U. of North Carolina
1B, R-R, 6-4 220
Drafted probably because of his sophomore year at UNC.
Looks like a power hitter with (I'm guessing here) injuries
that robbed him of his skill. He had arguably the worst performance of
anyone in the minors in '97. It's likely he won't be in pro ball in '98.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA/OBP/SLG
94 NCAA 37 11 1 0 1 5 14 297/381/405
95 NCAA 93 29 7 0 8 8 31 312/366/645
96 NCAA 17 0 0 0 0 0 8 000/000/000
97 NCAA 25 7 2 0 0 7 11 280/471/360
R 57 3 1 0 0 3 20 053/100/070
Projections:
| Bucs: | Young
|
| Nashville: | Wright | Sanders | Grijak
|
| Carolina: | Farris | S. Walker | Kennedy
|
| Lynchburg: | Rivera | M. Walker
|
| Augusta: | Lankford | Tolbert
|
| Erie: | draft pick |
|
| Gulf Coast League: | draft pick |
|
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1996 Scouting Reports
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