Kevin solidified his starting role on the Bucs by playing every day and
displaying the main power bat on the 1998 team. Offensively though, he was below average,
relative to other 1Bmen in the league. Compared to '97, he hit very similarly
vs. RHP while cooling off considerably vs. LHP. If '98 constituted a slump
against lefties he may put up slightly better numbers in '99. He can play 3B and
the corner OF slots more than adequately (which raises his value as a future utility man),
but has remained at 1B thus far becuase of his
stellar defense there. The consensus of observers is that while he's good at
fielding grounders, he's particularly excelled at making plays on errant throws.
Still, if the Bucs were to find a very good hitting LH 1B, Young would probably be
moved to another position. He's signed only through '99 (at $2M), so his future with
the Bucs in the next millennium is uncertain. It appears that he'll be the
starting 1B once again in '99.
Previous Young reports
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP vs RHP
90 A- 238 58 16 2 5 31 36 10 244/331/391
91 A+ 201 63 12 4 6 20 34 3 - 313/376/502
AA 263 90 19 6 3 15 38 9 - 342/378/494
AAA 9 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 - 222/222/333
92 AAA 490 154 29 6 8 67 67 18 12 314/397/447
PIT 7 4 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 571/667/571
93 PIT 449 106 24 3 6 36 82 2 2 236/300/343
94 AAA 228 63 14 5 5 15 45 6 2 276/321/447 275/ 277/
PIT 122 25 7 2 1 8 34 0 2 205/258/320
95 AAA 163 58 23 1 8 15 21 6 3 356/410/656
PIT 181 42 9 0 6 8 53 1 3 232/268/381 156/191/313 274/310/419
96 AAA 186 57 11 1 13 12 41 3 0 306/358/586
K.C 132 32 6 0 8 11 32 3 3 242/301/470 322/392/632 089/109/156
97 PIT 333 100 18 3 18 16 89 11 2 300/332/535 360/376/605 279/317/510
98 PIT 592 160 40 2 27 44 127 15 7 270/328/481 248/302/467 277/335/486
There are several options for a MLB back-up at first base for the Bucs:
Brant Brown, Ed Sprague, Doug Strange, Freddy Garcia are all 1B-backup possibilities
that are listed in other areas of the scouting report.
Nashville AAA
Ron Wright: 23-1/21/76; #7 '94 (Atlanta), Kennewick,WA(HS)
1B, R-R, 6-0 215
Back injury problems derailed Wright's '98 season and will likely play a big role
in '99 as well. After trying to rest and rehabilitate his back, Wright had a brief
stint in Bradenton, but finally decided to undergo surgery on September 1.
He's expected to be ready for spring training in '99, though I'm
surmising it'll be a while longer before he's 100% at the plate. His biggest
asset is his power and recovery from his back injury may temporarily rob him
of that to some extent. Hopefully, he'll regain the patience at the plate he
demonstrated prior to '97. His limited '98 numbers suggest he may have been
going back to that strategy of hitting. I expect he'll be in AAA once again
in '99, splitting the 1B/DH duties with some veteran LH minor leaguer.
Previous Wright reports
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP vs RHP
94 R 169 29 9 0 1 10 21 1 0 172/218/243
95 A 527 143 23 1 32 62 118 2 0 271/348/501
96 A+ 240 66 15 2 20 37 71 1 0 275/363/604
AA 246 61 11 1 16 40 80 1 1 248/354/496
MEX 41 6 1 0 3 4 13 0 0 146/234/390
97 AAA 336 102 31 0 16 24 81 0 2 304/348/539 316/ 299/
AFL 157 34 7 1 11 15 67 0 0 214/285/484
98 AAA 56 12 3 0 0 9 18 0 0 214/328/268 333/412/333 171/292/244
R 10 6 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 600/615/1.200
Domingo Martinez: 31-8/4/67; NDFA '84(TOR); Santo Domingo, DR
1B/DH, R-R, 6-2 215
Martinez made his
professional debut in the Toronto organization in 1985 and made his big-league
debut with the Blue Jays in 1992. In 15 major league games in 1992-93, he hit
.409 (9-for-22) with two homers and six RBI.
The last two seasons, Martinez has played for the Seibu Lions of the Japanese
Pacific League and hit 30 HRs or more each year. Seibu won its league title both years.
In 133 games last year, he hit .283 with 30 home runs
and 95 RBI. In 1997, Martinez ranked third in the league with 31 homers and
second with 108 RBI while hitting .305. Defensively he was considered poor in Japan,
such that he primarily was a DH. He's a dark horse with a slim shot at making the Pirates
club as one of the primary pinch-hitters/backup 1Bman.
This winter, he was signed as a minor league free agent by the Bucs and invited to spring training.
Most likely he starts the year at Nashville splitting time Ivan Cruz at 1B/DH until Ron
Wright is healthy. Then, either he or Ivan Cruz will be loaned to the Mexico City Red
Devils as their 1Bman.
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP vs RHP
85-90 AA and lower
91 AAA
92 AAA
MLB
93 AAA
MLB
94 AAA
95 AAA
96 AAA 116 42 7 0 7 362/
MEX 413 132 22 4 18 320/
97 JPN 488 149 24 1 31 61 103 3 - 305/384/549
98 JPN 491 139 16 0 30 59 101 4 - 283/361/503
Ivan Cruz was signed as a minor league free agent and invited to spring training.
Kevin Grijak played for the Bucs AAA/AA in '98, but was a minor league free agent and
signed with the Dodgers in January.
Altoona AA
Tracy Sanders: 28-7/26/69; 58th Rd '90 (Indians); Limestone College
1B/DH/OF, L-R, 6-0 205
Tracy played a 2nd consecutive season at Carolina, again putting up an
excellent OBP with good power. However, he did this again with a below
average BA, so it's unlikely he'll be considered for a promotion to AAA.
He's a minor league free agent and I doubt he'll be back with the Bucs.
At this point he's likely to be a career minor leaguer, and my guess is
that he'll likely sign with a team close to his residence. I hope some
team is willing to give him a shot at even AAA, as I'd like to see what he'd
do for a full season there.
Previous Sanders reports
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP vs RHP
90 R 178 50 12 1 10 33 36 10 3 281/397/528
A+ 32 14 3 3 0 7 6 1 1 438/538/719
91 A+ 421 112 20 8 18 83 95 8 5 266/393/480
92 AA 381 92 11 3 21 77 113 3 6 241/371/451
93 AA 402 115 19 6 18 65 97 10 6 286/388/498
94 AA 275 66 20 4 8 60 88 8 6 240/376/429
95 AA 32 9 3 0 2 5 11 1 0 281/378/563
AAA 110 25 6 0 4 34 34 3 1 227/426/391
96 AA 168 39 10 0 7 33 49 2 1 232/365/417
IND 123 30 6 0 9 29 38 5 3 244/396/512
97 AA 376 102 23 1 21 74 88 7 6 271/397/505
98 AA 342 80 18 2 22 97 86 3 4 234/404/491 167/317/303 250/425/529
Eddy Furniss: 23-9/18/75; #4 '98; LSU
1B, L-L, 6-4 220
Eddy began his professional career in an amazing fashion, utterly destroying
the pitching in the SAL. However, he seemed to hit a slump or was overmatched
as soon as he was promoted to AA. Though he was still unable to find his
stroke when sent back to Lynchburg, he still showed a good BB rate and some
power. It's very early in his pro career but I really like the indications of
his ability to get on base and hit for power. He could begin '99 in
Lynchburg though a strong spring training could put him at AA Altoona.
Previous Furniss reports
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP vs RHP
95NCAA 215 70 14 1 9 15 44 2 - 326/370*/526
96NCAA 238 89 21 1 26 46 43 1 - 374/567*/798
97NCAA 259 98 25 0 17 58 56 0 3 378/491/672
98NCAA 236 95 27 3 28 72 40 0 3 403/545/898
98 A 86 40 7 0 9 24 20 1 1 465/571/860
AA 44 6 1 0 0 4 13 0 0 136/200/159 167/167/167 125/211/156
A+ 109 21 7 0 2 17 38 1 0 193/305/312
Mark Farris played some 1B at Carolina last year, but you'll find his complete
report with the 3Bmen. I expect he'll play mainly 1B at Altoona in '99.
Lynchburg A+ (full season, high)
Morgan Walker: 24-8/7/74; #23 '96; Lamar U. (TX)
1B/OF/DH, R-L, 6-3 215
Morgan has hit well with pretty good power every year as a pro so far. His
poor BB rate, though, hinders his ability to become an above average offensive
player (considering he's a 1Bman). He did play some Outfield this past season at
Lynchburg, but defense is not his strong suit. His play at AA Altoona in '99 should be very
telling as to whether he has a future in the majors.
Previous Walker reports
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP vs RHP
96 A 253 76 15 1 8 18 57 5 1 300/349/462
97 A+ 89 24 6 0 3 6 19 0 0 270/316/438
A 295 81 17 2 14 17 70 3 2 275/318/488
98 A+ 373 111 24 0 14 22 92 1 0 298/334/475
Hickory A (full season, low)
Carlos Rivera: 21-6/10/78; #10 '96; Academia Adventista (PR)
1B, L-L, 6-1 220
Rivera did see a little time in Lynchburg, but again played most of the year
in Augusta putting up similar numbers to '97. He's a very aggressive hitter
which I think hurts him in the long run. If he went deeper into the count,
I think his power as well as his OBP would increase. Plus, given his
relatively low K rate, I think he'd still get the bat on the ball often enough to
maintain a good BA. He's still relatively young, so he might find himself back in
the SAL at Hickory. I think it's more likely he starts '99 in Lynchburg somehow
splitting time with Furniss and/or Lankford.
Previous Rivera reports
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP vs RHP
96 R 183 52 8 3 3 15 22 1 1 284/338/410
97 A 415 113 16 5 9 19 82 4 1 272/316/400
98 A+ 113 26 4 0 4 0 19 0 1 230/235/372
A 316 90 17 1 5 11 46 3 5 285/318/392
Derrick Lankford: 24-9/21/74; #42 '97; Carson-Newman College
1B/OF, L-R, 6-4 220
Lankford now has put up 2 very good seasons, though again, he's old for
the level at which he's played. His overall '98 numbers, which were good, even include
a rather horrendous midseason slump. Clearly, he's a good power hitter with a good batting eye;
hopefully, he'll be aggressively promoted to see what he can do at higher levels.
There's a definite 1B logjam at Lynchburg with Rivera and Furniss. The most reasonable
solution would be for Lankford to go to Altoona in '99, but I could easily see
the Bucs signing a more experienced minor league Free Agent to fill the 1B/DH role there.
He did play some OF in Augusta when Furniss was there, so Lankford might roam the outfield
if he begins the year at Lynchburg.
Previous Lankford reports
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP vs RHP
97 A- 195 60 11 3 10 33 57 2 0 308/407/549
98 A 457 127 25 4 22 59 119 8 5 278/362/495
Williamsport A- (short season)
Keith Maxwell: 24-4/18/75; #21 '97; Florida A&M
1B/OF, R-R, 6-1 205
Maxwell played his 2nd season at Erie, and showed a much better stick. He's
old for the level though. Nevertheless, the improved plate discipline and power
increase are definitely positive steps. I expect he'll be the primary 1Bman at
Hickory in '99.
Previous Maxwell reports
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP vs RHP
97 A- 134 28 3 1 6 10 38 1 1 209/292/381
98 A- 240 64 15 2 8 29 54 0 1 267/363/446
Gulf Coast (Rookie League)
Brian Cronk: ; #45 '98; Eastern New Mexico University
1B, B-R, 6-2 220
Cronk was drafted out of ENMU after his junior season. He had played Junior College
ball at Glendale CC in Arizona. He showed a decent BB rate and power in rookie
ball. He has a shot at making Hickory starting in '99, but Williamsport is not of the
question either.
Previous Cronk reports
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP vs RHP
98 R 90 21 4 1 3 12 26 1 0 233/336/400
Eric Stanton: 21-8/30/77; #43 '98; U. of South Carolina
1B, R-R, 6-4 218
Stanton was drafted in the 15th round by the ChiSox in '95 out of high school,
but opted to go to school at South Carolina. After an excellent sophomore year, he had
a big slump (maybe due to a position switch from 1B to 3B) and seemed to carry
that over to the minors. He doesn't have much plate discipline, but showed
a little power. He probably will be in Williamsport in '99, though depending
on his performance in instructional league and spring training, he could be in
Hickory.
Previous Stanton reports
AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP vs RHP
96NCAA 190 52 - - 8 - - - - 274/
97NCAA 226 78 18 0 14 - - 3 - 345/---/611
98NCAA 240 59 11 1 16 20 73 2 7 246/315/500
98 R 89 17 7 0 1 7 19 0 0 191/250/303
Projections:
| Bucs: | Young | |
|
| Nashville: | Wright | Martinez/Cruz
|
| Altoona: | Furniss/Lankford | M Walker
|
| Lynchburg: | Rivera | Lankford/Furniss |
|
| Hickory: | Maxwell | Cronk |
|
| Williamsport: | Stanton | |
|
| Gulf Coast League: | draft pick |
|
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Take a look back at the 1998, the 1997,
and 1996 Scouting Reports