James Darnell (Credit: Tony Farlow/MLB.com)
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Biographical Data | |
Player Name: | James Darnell |
Position: | Third Base |
School: | University of South Carolina |
School Type: | College |
Academic Class: | Junior |
Birthdate: | 01/19/87 |
Height: | 6'2" |
Weight: | 210 lbs. |
Bats: | Right |
Throws: | Right |
Report Date(s): | 03/14 - 03/16/08 |
Game(s): | Vanderbilt University |
Focus Area |
Comments |
Hitting Ability: | Using a swing that's flat through the zone, Darnell can really drive the ball. |
Power: | He's got more power to the pull side, with line-drive pop on balls on the inner half of the plate. |
Running Speed: | He's a below-average runner. |
Base running: | It's not a strength. |
Arm Strength: | He has a solid-average arm, mabye a tick above. |
Fielding: | His hands are OK in the infield. |
Range: | He doesn't have much and may not have the ability to stay at third. |
Physical Description: | Darnell has gotten more physical, with strength in his shoulders and legs. |
Medical Update: | Healthy. |
Strengths: | The ability to make consistently solid contact at the plate. |
Weaknesses: | A lack of agility may force him from third to the outfield. |
Summary: | Not as much a pure hitter as his South Carolina teammates Justin Smoak and Reese Havens, Darnell still makes solid contact and has some line-drive power, particularly to the pull side. The Cape League All-Star is strong, but not very agile defensively. That could force a move to a corner-outfield position in the future. How much people think he can develop his raw power may determine how quickly he gets drafted. |