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Top 10 third base prospects
Posted: Sunday January 19, 2003 9:18 PM
BOSTON (Ticker) -- Managers and general managers claim it's a pleasant problem when you have two talented players competing for one position.
That's what Texas GM John Hart must be saying about his third base position. With Herbert Perry coming off a career year and Mark Teixeira and Hank Blalock knocking on the door, Hart has a pleasant problem to deal with in the near future.
Teixeira was the fifth overall pick in the 2001 draft and was regarded as the top hitting talent in that year's draft crop. In three years at Georgia Tech, the 6-3, 225-pounder hit .409 with 36 homers and 165 RBIs in 140 games. He was the national player of the year in 2000 and only the second player in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference to hit over .400 in his career.
The switch-hitter did not play professionally that first summer due to contract negotiations, but he hit .318 with 19 homers in only 321 at-bats this year split between Class A and Double-A -- outstanding for his first year of professional baseball.
The 21-year-old Blalock earned the starting nod at third base in Texas this season after an outstanding 2001 season in which he led the minors in batting (.352) and hit for the cycle twice before setting an Arizona Fall League record with a .715 slugging percentage and tying the league record for homers with 11.
Blalock was pushed too quickly and Teixeira has only one year of experience, but the organization has to feel great about the future of these two players and the options these two will present the club down the road.
Top 10 third basemen
(Note: Players with less than 200 major league at-bats were considered)
1. Mark Teixeira, Rangers
Teixeira seems a lock to hit .300 with 35 homers annually in the
major leagues. In addition to his awesome numbers, he walked 46
times and fanned 60 -- an excellent ratio for a slugger. Equally
productive from both sides of the plate, the switch-hitter
continued his hitting in the Arizona Fall League, batting .333
with seven homers and 23 RBI in 27 games. Though the Rangers
feel Teixeira can play the hot corner, he made 21 errors in 85
games. Expect him to move over to first base in near future as
Rafael Palmeiro spends more time at DH.
2. Hank Blalock, Rangers
A more accomplished defender than Teixeira but not as powerful a
hitter, Blalock projects as a .320 hitter with 20-25 homer
power. After being sent down, Blalock struggled with elbow
problems, which resulted in minor off-season surgery, but still
hit .307 before a September return to Texas. The 6-1,
200-pounder is a plus defender, thus making a shift for Teixeira
more of a possibility.
3. Sean Burroughs, Padres
The Padres must think a lot of the 22-year-old since they're
moving accomplished stars like Ryan Klesko and Phil Nevin to
accommodate him. The left-handed swinger is one of the best "pure
hitters" in the game and is expected to develop power as he
matures because of his outstanding plate discipline. Burroughs
has hit .324 with more walks than strikeouts in his first four
years in the minors but has hit just 19 home runs. He hit .271,
including .400 in 55 September at-bats, with one homer in 192
at-bats with San Diego last season.
4. Andy Marte, Braves
After a mediocre debut in the states in 2001, the 18-year-old
hit .281 with 32 doubles, 21 homers and 105 RBI as the Class A
South Atlantic League's fourth youngest player last summer. The
numbers at his age combined with a firm grasp of the strike zone
puts Marte in elite prospect company, but he still has three
levels to master before hitting the major leagues. The native
of the Dominican Republic is a 4-tool talent, lacking only above
average speed.
5. Miguel Cabrera, Marlins
Originally a shortstop when drafted, Cabrera outgrew third base
but has continued to excel at the hot corner. The 19-year-old
hit 43 doubles and nine homers while batting .274 in the Class A
Florida State League. He also fanned just 85 times in 489
at-bats. Those doubles will turn to homers as he matures and
he'll hit for a good average and more than hold his own at the
hot corner on an everyday basis.
6. Chase Utley, Phillies
A first-round pick in 2000, Utley skipped over Double-A this
season, moved from second base to third base and still managed
to hit 39 doubles and 17 homers while batting .263. The
23-year-old left-handed hitter definitely has a future in the big
leagues because of his bat and the departure of Scott Rolen, but
the jury is out whether he'll be able to handle either third
base or second base. Utley finished seventh in the Arizona Fall
League with a .308 average.
7. Edwin Encarnacion, Reds
The Reds got Encarnacion from the Rangers in the Rob Bell deal
in 2001 and the athletic 19-year-old showed five tools in the
Class A Midwest League. He hit .282, belted 32 doubles and 17
homers and stole 25 bases. His range and rocket arm impressed
enough that he was tried at shortstop at the end of the season.
This Dominican Republic native has a chance, especially if he
can handle shortstop, but he's more projection than a finished
product right now. Next season will provide a true indication.
8. Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks
Tracy led the minor leagues in batting (.344) and was flirting
with the .400 mark the first half of the season. He's added some
bulk to his 6-2 frame over the past year and has used his
outstanding work ethic to make himself into one of the best
"pure" hitters in the game. Common sense would seem to indicate
that the 22-year-old is in line to replace Matt Williams in the
near future. However, Tracy played in the best hitters' park in
the minors and the Double-A El Paso club has produced many a
minor league batting champion who could not play in the majors.
He will hit for a decent average, but his lack of power and
versatility will make him a role player.
9. Corey Hart, Brewers
Hart, a wiry 6-6 player in the mold of Richie Sexson, hit 29
doubles and 24 homers and stole 27 bases at the age of 20
between Class A and Double-A. He tore up the California League but
did most of his damage in the very hitter-friendly High Desert
park before being promoted to the Southern League. Hart is a
player to watch because of his bat and age, but he struggled
terribly after being switched to third base mid-season and may
be a man without a position. Hart hit .275 in the Arizona Fall
League but struggled again in the field.
10. Corey Smith, Indians
The Indians' 2000 first-rounder has some pop in his bat and
maturity beyond his 20 years. Smith followed a .260-18 homer
season in the Class A South Atlantic League with 29 doubles and
13 homers at the advanced Class A Carolina League against much older
pitchers. However, Smith fanned 141 times after whiffing 149
times a year ago, indications that he'll have a hard time
hitting for average at higher levels. Also, despite solid
defensive tools, Smith has committed 111 errors in 296 games --
a very poor .874 fielding percentage. He's just a baby, but will
he hit enough and defend well enough?
Others worth watching: Brandon Larson (Reds), Scott Hodges (Expos),
Travis Chapman (Phillies), Enrique Cruz (Mets), Dallas McPherson
(Angels), Jose Bautista (Pirates), Drew Henson (Yankees), Garrett
Atkins (Padres), Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox).
© 2003 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP
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