Pirate 1999 Scouting Report - Third Basemen

Last Updated 6 February 1999

On January 7, 1999, Mark Jareb (lshark@akula.com) posted the following to the Pirate e-mail list. I have edited it and included it here with his permission.

Pirates
Ed Sprague: 31-7/25/67; #1 '88; Stanford
3B, R-R, 6-2 210

Sprague was signed to a 1-year deal for $1M this offseason as a stopgap for Aramis Ramirez as well as to provide a veteran presence in the clubhouse and power in the lineup. He turned down a deal involving a club option for '00. Sprague supporters have noted his shoulder injury in '97 and the 30+ HR season in '96 to suggest that he may provide an offensive boost in '99. On the other hand, he hasn't had a BA over .250 since '93, and other than '96, he's never had a SLG over .410. While his BB rate plus his HBP rate from '95-'97 were above average, that and his power have simply not been enough to compensate for his low BA. His defense is also thought of as below average, and there doesn't seem be a compelling reason to expect improvement there. In short, Sprague is a pretty well known commodity that while not horrible, simply isn't very good. GM Cam Bonifay thinks that Sprague was still hampered by his injury in '98, and still hit 20 HRs, so Bonifay is looking for ML experience (and power) from Sprague while hedging the 3B spot for one year while he sees what we really have with Freddy Garcia and Aramis Ramirez. Thankfully, Sprague's contract is for only 1 year. He'll be the starting 3B in Pittsburgh in '99.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
91 TOR  160  44   7  0  4  19  43   0  3  275/361/394
92 TOR   47  11   2  0  1   3   7   0  0  234/280/340
93 TOR  546 142  31  1 12  32  85   1  0  260/310/386
94 TOR  405  97  19  1 11  23  95   1  0  240/296/373
95 TOR  521 127  27  2 18  58  96   0  0  244/333/407
96 TOR  591 146  35  2 36  60 146   0  0  247/325/496
97 TOR  504 115  29  4 14  51 102   0  1  228/306/385
98 MLB  469 104  25  0 20  26  90   1  2  222/280/403

Aramis Ramirez: 21-6/25/78; NDFA '95, Dominican(HS)
3B, R-R, 6-1 176

Ramirez is the Bucs 3B of the future. Called up in '98 earlier than expected, he began the year hitless in 24 trips to the plate. Then he hit pretty well until an injury in late July. Following the injury and a brief rehab at Nashville, Ramirez split playing time with Freddy Garcia in September and hit pretty poorly. His lack of power at Nashville and his relatively poor plate discipline in Pittsburgh are mild cases for concern, but given his age, I doubt these setbacks will last. Probably the biggest concern that most people have is his attitude -- this doesn't concern me too much as his performance on the field will overshadow any attitude problems. I expect that he'll be a star in Pittsburgh within the next 5 years, though he won't be that well-liked by the fans. He's slated to start '99 in Nashville, and unless he hits like a monster or both Sprague and Garcia fall apart, he probably won't be in Pittsburgh until September. I'd expect that he'll be the starter on opening day '00.
Previous Ramirez Reports.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
95 DSL  214  63  13  0 11  42  26   -  -  294/410/509
96 A-   223  68  14  4  9  31  41   0  0  305/403/525
   A     20   4   1  0  1   1   7   0  2  200/304/400
   DOM   13   3   1  0  0   1   4   -  -  231/286/308
97 A+   482 134  24  2 29  80 103   5  3  278/390/517
   DOM   33   5   0  0  0  11  10   -  -  152/364/152
98 AAA  168  46  10  0  5  24  28   0  2  274/374/423
   PIT  251  59   9  1  6  18  72   0  1  235/296/351
   DOM

Freddy Garcia: 26-8/1/72; NDFA '91 (Blue Jays), Dominican
3B/1B, R-R, 6-2 186

Garcia began '98 as the Bucs starting 3Bman, but he didn't hit so well in the early part of the season and his fielding was a little erratic. After hitting for a lot of power at Nashville, he initially had a great 2 weeks in his callup to the Bucs (called up because Ramirez was injured) and then split time with Ramirez the rest of the way. He'll likely begin the year as the backup 3B/1B/corner OF for the Bucs. He essentially has no shot at the starting 3B job unless Sprague gets hurt, yet he projects to be a better hitter and fielder than Sprague in '99. He is currently leading the Dominican Winter League in HRs this offseason.
Previous Garcia Reports.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
93  R   264  63   8  2 11  31  71   4  5  239/319/409
94  A-  260  74  10  2 13  33  57   1  3  285/366/488
95  MLB  57   8   1  1  0   8  17   0  1  140/246/193
96  A+  474 145  39  3 21  44  86   4  2  306/358/534
    DOM  70  14   6  1  0  10  12   -  -  200/300/314
97  AAA 121  29   6  0  5   9  20   0  0  240/293/413
    AA  282  82  17  4 19  18  56   0  1  291/342/582
    PIT  40   6   1  0  3   2  17   0  0  150/190/400
    DOM  64  13   3  1  1   9  12   -  -  203/301/328
98  AAA 326  88  24  4 22  25  89   0  2  270/327/571
    PIT 172  44  11  1  9  18  45   0  2  256/332/488
    DOM

Doug Strange: 35-4/13/64; #7 '85 (DET); North Carolina State
3B/1B, B-R, 6-2 170

Given how much PT he had, Doug Strange could arguably be called the worst player in the majors in '98. Currently in the 2nd year of a $1.1M contract, the big question is whether the Bucs will eat his $550K or whether he'll make the club as backup 3B/2B. He's not as bad as his '98 numbers indicate, but he'll have to beat out some people in spring training to make the team. At this point, I think the Bucs are better off eating his salary, but my hunch is that he'll make the team initially and then get cut later in the year.
Previous Doug Strange Reports.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
89 Det  196  42   4  1  1  17  36   3  3  214/280/260
91 Cubs   9   4   1  0  0   0   1   1  0  444/500/556
92 Cubs  94  15   1  0  1  10  15   1  0  160/240/202
93 Tex  484 124  29  0  7  43  69   6  4  256/318/360
94 Tex  226  48  12  1  5  15  38   1  3  212/268/341
95 Sea  155  42   9  2  2  10  25   0  3  271/323/394
96 Sea  183  43   7  1  3  14  31   1  0  235/290/333
97 Mon  327  84  16  2 12  36  76   0  2  257/332/428
98 PIT  185  32   8  0  0  10  39   1  0  179/217/216

Nashville AAA
Chance Sanford: 27-6/2/72; #27 '92; San Jacinto JC (TX)
3B/2B, L-R, 5-10 165

Sanford got a quick cup of coffeee in the majors early in '98, but then hurt himself shortly after being sent back down to AAA. A good hitter with average defensive ability, I don't know if his career will be able to overcome this latest setback. He's not expected to be healthy until midseason at the earliest. Whether he see's any PT at upper levels in '99 is dependent on his rehab and how other players are faring at 3B.
Previous Sanford Reports.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
92 A-   214  61  10  3  5  35  41  13  4  285/381/435
   A     46   5   1  0  0   3  10   0  2  109/180/130
93 A+   428 109  21  5 10  33  80  11 10  255/308/397
94 A+   474 130  32  6 19  56  95  12  6  274/351/487
95 R     19   4   0  0  1   2   2   0  0  211/286/368
   AA    36  10   3  1  3   5   7   3  1  278/381/667
   A+    66  22   4  0  3   7  13   1  0  333/392/530
96 AA   470 115  16 13  4  72 108  11 11  245/341/360
97 AA   149  39  10  2  9  20  39   3  1  262/349/537
   AAA  325  95  27  9  6  39  82   9  7  296/368/486
98 PIT   28   4   1  1  0   1   6   0  0  143/172/250
   AAA   81  21   7  1  4  16  12   0  1  259/381/519

Steve Thobe: 27-5/26/72; #18 '94; Sacramento U.
3B/1B(C), R-R, 6-7 230

After a relatively OK '97 season, Thobe had a horrible '98 campaign at the plate. He needs to right himself during this year's spring training, or he'll be out of the organization before the season even starts. If he makes any team, it's likely that it'll be Altoona or Nashville as the backup 3B/1B/C.
Previous Thobe Reports.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
94 A-   151  29  11  0  1  12  33   1  0  192/252/285
95 A    291  87  12  2  6  29  71   1  3  299/363/416
96 A+   359  82  15  0 11  29  93   4  4  228/286/362
97 AAA  102  26   8  0  5  15  25   2  1  255/361/480
   A+    27   4   1  0  0   1  10   1  0  148/200/185
   AA   181  53  10  0  7  13  52   4  1  293/352/464
98 AA   154  24   7  0  2  20  45   2  1  156/257/240
   AAA   11   0   0  0  0   0   2   0  0  000/000/000

Altoona AA
Kevin Haverbusch: 22-6/16/76; #20 '97; U. of Maryland
3B/SS, R-R, 6-3 185

Haverbusch has shown he can hit at every level thrown at him including the Maryland Fall League this offseason. The only thing that slowed him down in '98 was an abdominal muscle strain and the question of where he'd play. His range is limited, so he's been moved to 3B where he's looked adequate. Still, it'll be hard to keep him down with his bat. He'll be the main 3B/DH for Altoona in '99 and expect him to be their hitting star.
Previous Haverbusch Reports.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
97 NCAA 207  84  15  0 16  19  20   8  -  406/464/710
   A-   237  74  15  2 10  13  37   4  4  312/353/519
98 A+   181  60  12  1  8   9  33   4  2  331/379/541
   AA   168  63  10  0  3  13  20   1  3  375/429/488
   MFL   42  13   5  0  1   5   8   1  0  310/420/500

Mark Farris: 24-2/9/75; #1 '94; Angleton HS (TX)
3B/1B, L-R, 6-3 190

Farris looks to finally be over his '95 knee injury, but he still needs to develop more power to get himself back on any kind of prospect map. He began the year at Carolina with a very high BA and just tailed off as the season progressed. He'll likely start '99 back in AA Altoona, this time playing more 1B as Haverbusch will be the primary 3Bman. 2/4/99: Farris left the Bucs system to try his hand at Texas A&M football.
Previous Farris Reports.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
94 A-   164  47   7  1  1  20  35   2  2  287/364/360
   A     49   6   0  0  1   1  15   0  0  122/140/184
95   INJURED
96 A    299  65  10  0  2  31  66   6  5  217/293/271
97 A+   367  85  17  3  4  26  71   4  1  232/286/327
98 AA   373 102  18  1  6  38  74   3  3  273/344/375

Lynchburg A+ (full season, high)
Robert Mackowiak: 23-6/20/76; #53 '96; South Suburban JC(IL)
3B/OF, L-R, 5-10 165

Mackowiak surprisingly moved all the way up to Lynchburg in '98 and ended the year as the starting 3Bman for the Hillcats. He hit pretty well given the jump in level, but his BB rate went down considerably while his K rate was fairly high. I'm guessing he'll be back in Lynchburg in '99 (partly due to too many bodies already in Altoona) though he'll probably be in the OF this time.
Previous Mackowiak Reports.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
96 R     86  23   6  1  0  13  11   3  1  267/366/360
97 A-   203  58  14  2  1  21  47   1  7  286/371/389
98 A     70  17   4  0  1  13  19   4  2  243/369/343
   A+   292  80  24  6  3  17  65   6  3  274/321/428

Tim Jorgensen: 26-11/30/72;
3B/1B, L-R, 6-3 200

Selected from the Indians system in the minor league portion of the Rule V draft, Jorgensen missed the entire 1998 season. Due to his age, he's probably headed to AA to start the '99 campaign as a back-up corner IFer. He's a good pickup IMO, but on the old side of course. Power is his main calling card having led Div. III in HR as a Senior in '95.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
95 A-   295  96  19  9  8  32  63   4  1  325/
96 A+   412  89  24  0 17  41 103   1  2  216/
97 A+   334  95  19  2 18  28  47   0  1  284/
98 	Injured - did not play

Hickory A (full season, low)
Bo Hundt: 24-4/21/75; #30(D&F) '95; Logan JC (IL)
3B, B-R, 6-0 202

After starting '98 in Lynchburg, Hundt found himself back in Augusta for a second year. Though his BA was similar, he showed improvement both in power and plate discipline. I expect he'll again start in Lynchburg in '99, this time as the backup 3B, an some occasional games in the OF.
Previous Hundt Reports.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
96 A-    55   9   0  1  1   4  11   1  0  164/233/255
   R     69  17   2  0  1   5   9   0  0  246/325/319
97 A    407 100  21  2  6  24 109  18  7  246/301/351
98 A+    39   7   0  0  0   2   9   2  2  179/233/179
   A    174  42  10  1  5  24  41   4  3  241/332/397

Xavier Burns: 24-5/8/75; #13 '96; Central State (OH)
3B, R-R, 5-11 190
(taken by Giants in minor league Rule V draft)

Rico Washington: 21-5/30/78; #10 '97; Gray, GA (HS)
3B/C, L-R, 5-10 170

After a relatively unimpressive stint in the rookie leagues in '97, Washington put himself on the prospect map by spanking the ball at both Erie and Augusta in '98. A shortstop in high school, he's pretty solid defensively with a very strong arm. Interestingly, they even tried him out at catcher a few times last year. He's a first cousin of Willie Greene. I expect they'll promote him aggressively and that he'll start '99 in Lynchburg.
Previous Washington Reports.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
97 R     98  24   6  0  1   4  13   1  0  245/299/337
98 A-   197  65  14  2  6  17  33   1  2  330/403/513
   A     50  15   2  1  2   7   9   2  0  300/400/500

Williamsport A- (short season)
Jeremy Cotten: 18-9/24/80; #2 '98; Fuquay-Varina, NC (HS)
3B, R-R, 6-2 225

Cotten was the Bucs 2nd round pick in '98 and acquitted himself very well in Bradenton. In short, he has a lot of power potential with an average BB rate and a pretty high K rate. He was ranked the 6th top prospect in the GCL by Baseball America (as voted on by the league's managers). Obviously, he wasn't quite ready for the better pitching in NY-P League when he was called up there. Though, he only recently turned 18, I'm guessing that he'll see some PT in Hickory to start '99, and then he'll likely play in Williamsport for the second half of the year.
Previous Cotten Reports.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
98 R     86  27   4  0  7   9  29   1  0  314/384/605
   A-    72  11   3  0  2   8  30   0  0  153/238/278

Gulf Coast (Rookie League)
Antonio Alvarez: 20-5/10/79; NDFA '96; Los Teques, VEN
3B/IF, R-R 6-1 165

Alvarez, in addition to playing 3B, saw playing time at every position in the IF. He didn't hit very well, though he shows hints of developing power in the future. Also, though his BB rate is below average, his K rate was relatively low as well. In addition, his SB rate was quite phenomenal. Because of his age I'm guessing he'll be in Hickory to start '99 though that's somewhat dependent on where they place Cotten. If not, he'll be in Williamsport.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
98 R    190  47  13  1  4  13  24  19  1  247/289/389

Rolando Segura: 20-12/21/78; NDFA '97; San Pedro de Macoris, DR
3B, R-R, 6-2 180

Segura hit pretty well in his time at Bradenton, though his plate discipline was a little weak. Like Alvarez, he could find himself at Hickory or Williamsport in '99 or even out of the organization.

         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
98 R     95  26   6  0  3   7  23   2  0  274/337/432

Projections:

Bucs: Sprague Garcia Strange
Nashville: Ramirez Thobe
Altoona: Haverbusch Farris (1B) Jorgensen
Lynchburg: Washington Hundt
Hickory: Cotten Alvarez Segura
Williamsport: reassignment
Gulf Coast League: draft pick

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Pirate 1999 Scouting Report - Third Basemen

Last Updated 6 February 1999

Take a look back at the 1998, the 1997, and 1996 Scouting Reports

Go back to Mark's 1999 Scouting Report front page

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Bucs:	Sprague	Garcia	Strange
Nashville:	Ramirez	Thobe
Altoona:	Haverbusch	Farris (1B)	Jorgensen
Lynchburg:	Washington	Hundt
Hickory:	Cotten	Alvarez	Segura
Williamsport:	reassignment
Gulf Coast League:	draft pick