COMMENT: Andy Van Slyke-type body. Strong, athletic with solid baseball tools. Can spank left field gap. Like to extend, but can bring hands in, turn on ball and smoke it. Ball really jumps off bat. Makes plays defensively.
COMMENT: Great, live, athletic body with bounce and glide to actions. Built similar to Reggie Sanders. Chokes up. Great acceleration. Compact stroke. Drives ball into gaps. Quick first step in outfield. Can go gap to gap. Also plays football. Potential leadoff hitter. Exciting player.
COMMENT: Same type body as young Dale Murphy. Quiet hitting mechanics, often lacks trigger but takes a rip. Better than average athlete with above-average baseball tools. Attacks at plate. Serious bat speed. Covers plate, like to turn and can pull outer half, but can also drive opposite way. Exciting, plays wide open. All-American in football.
COMMENT: Good body, slender athletic frame. Wiry, muscular build. Aggressive level plane. Bat speed, extension through pitch. Doubles to gaps, occasional pull power. Good runner, quick advancing strides. Average, on-line arm strength across diamond. Fair glove actions, average range to glove side. High profile player. Makes things happen.
COMMENT: Medium-large frame. Good body. Quiet, balanced hitting approach with high hands. Strength and quickness in stroke to drive ball out of park. Hits ball with authority. Ball jumps off bat. Average arm with carry and playable outfield skills. Average runner. Also pitches.
COMMENT: Lean, muscular, athletic body. Well defined arms and legs. Good bat speed. Line-drive hitter with occasional power, hits to all fields. Solid defensively. Base-stealing threat. Type of player you want on your team.
COMMENT: Extra-small, wiry strong frame. Well toned. Sound mechanics. Solid contact, good hit and run. Excellent bunter. Definite base stealer and can create havoc on the bases. Good range, instincts, field skills for center fielder. Plays hard, confident. Quality make-up.
COMMENT: Physical specimen. Conditioned athletic frame, similar to J.D. Drew. Plus wheels, accelerating speed. Short, compact stroke. Level swing with good bat extension. Fair bat speed through zone. Outfield instincts. Competitive. Also pitches.
COMMENT: Physical horse. Muscular, well-conditioned, athletic build, similar to former Major League Albert Belle. Powerful stroke, tremendous raw power. Ball jumps off bat. Solid runner, even better under way. Reacts well to ball off bat, but struggles with routes and angles. Raw athletic ability. Also plays football.
COMMENT: Lean, long-limbed, tapered, athletic body. Taller Mike Lieberthal-look. Quick, short stroke drives ball to all fields. Extra-base power. Live, free arm with acceleration. Adequate outfield instincts, runs better underway. Tremendous work ethic and makeup to match.
80
CURTIS GRANDERSON
U ILLINOIS
OF
L/R
6'1"
185
03/16/1981
4YR
COMMENT: Good athletic frame. Well-toned and strong. Fair bat speed, occasional power. Long, strong stride; average speed to 1B. Adequate under way. Solid, average, playable arm. Adequate range. Skills for corner outfielder. Plays hard.
COMMENT: Broad shoulders, large chest. Strong arms and legs, similar to Anaheim's Darin Erstad. Slight uppercut stroke with good carry. Average home run and pull power. Good hitting approach.
COMMENT: Medium, well-proportioned, wiry frame. Plus runner to 1B with first-step quickness and range. Makes contact, sprays ball to opposite field. Disciplined, knows strike zone. Confident, gives great effort. Loves to play. Solid makeup a plus.
97
DANIEL ORTMEIER
U TEXAS
OF
S/L
6'4"
220
05/11/1981
4YR
COMMENT: Tall, well-proportioned, athletic frame. Body similar to former Major Leaguer Gorman Thomas. Nice, full-arcing swing from both sides of plate. Better contact from right side. Alert reaction in outfield. Loose actions. Playable left field arm. Strong, athletic runner, runs better under way. Big, strong, good-looking kid.
COMMENT: Large, strong frame, like Tim Salmon. Solid, aggressive hitter who makes adjustments. Big league swing with power to all fields. Solid glove, makes plays. Average arm. Runs well for size. Hustler who plays hard and leaves everything on field.
COMMENT: Tall, strong, well-proportioned athletic body, similar to Darin Erstad. Strength in arcing home-run swing. Alert reactions in field. Makes strong, accurate throws. Good athlete with tough makeup.
COMMENT: Same body type as Larry Walker. Good athlete with baseball tools. Generates bat speed, natural strength. Line drive, gaps-type hitter. Good first step in center field, comes in extremely well. Loaded with athletic ability. Track standout in 100 and 200 meters.
114
JORDAN RENZ
UNION HS
OF
S/R
6'3"
210
07/21/1983
HS
COMMENT:
117
ROBERT MALEK
MICHIGAN ST U
CF
L/R
6'1"
200
07/06/1981
4YR
COMMENT: Sturdy, well-proportioned, conditioned, athletic body, like St. Louis' J.D. Drew. Good hitting mechanics. Quiet bat, short stroke. Straightaway, gap hitter but will occasionally turn on ball and show pull power. Good instincts on bases. Average arm with carry, life. Heads-up player, coachable.
COMMENT: Medium, athletic frame. Strength in hands for bat speed and power. Playable, close to average arm. Adequate instincts, range, skills to play corner outfield. Runs hard, average to 1B, adequate under way. Solid makeup. Nicknamed "Bo."
147
JONATHAN SLACK
TEXAS TECH U
CF
L/L
5'11"
180
12/04/1981
4YR
COMMENT: Medium height, lean body. Plays like Jason Tyner. Line-drive stroke. Quickness in swing. Bunts well. Disciplined hitter. Alert reactions in field. Makes accurate throws. Very quick out of box, runs better 1B-3B. Very good on-base percentage. Good leadoff hitter. Takes his walks, bunts, sprays ball around. Good work ethic.
152
MICHAEL THOMAS
A CRAWFORD MOSLEY HS
CF
L/R
6'0"
185
11/14/1983
HS
COMMENT: Medium, solid, well-proportioned build with some upper body strength. Similar to Mark Kotsay. Close to average arm strength. Straightaway, line-drive, contact hitter. Uses all fields hitting. Plus runner. Good all-round athlete with tools, enjoys playing game.
COMMENT: Good body, large, slender frame. Toned, strong build. Bat speed through level plane. Fair strength, can hit fastball hard with occasional lift. Plus arm strength with on-line acceleration. Solid rotation and good carry through bags. Good jumps, proper angles and routes.
168
BRANDON JONES
WEWAHITCHKA HS
SS/LF
L/R
6'1"
180
12/10/1983
HS
COMMENT: Medium, lean, wiry build, similar to Delino DeShields. Level stroke, makes contact. Alley-type power. Utilizes all fields. Better runner underway. Three-sport athlete.