After far too long of a lull, we continue to look ahead to the 2009 draft. The one player who has really played himself from first round to top 5 consideration is Southern Cal’s outstanding shortstop, Grant Green. Green shows projectable power, solid defense, contact to all fields and the tools to truly become an elite shortstop at the next level. He absolutely destroyed the Cape Cod League and put scouts on notice that he will be battling Dustin Ackley for top college hitter.
At the Plate:
Green shows absolutely tremendous power, especially for his position. However, his swing can get very long at times, giving any team who drafts him a scare about prolonged slumps. However, he has very quick hands and has shown a propensity for adjusting to wood very well. 30 home runs and 40 doubles isn’t out of the question.
On the Field:
Green is extremely big for his position, but fields it very well. He shows naturally good footwork and takes the correct routes to balls hit to both his left and right. His arm is a bona-fide plus tool, which will certainly help him if he has to move to third base, though that is unlikely provided he keeps his current body type.
On the basepaths: This is somewhere I strongly disagree with a lot of people about. I project Green as maybe a 10-12 steal person, at best. Many are pegging him as a 5 tool talent, but I just don’t see it. He has solid speed, but is not a world burner. His skills are getting on base and emptying the bases, not a running game.
The skinny:
Green really has quelled many concerns about his overall skill set. At college, he grew into a complete player, but it’s his bat that makes him truly special. To get outfield quality numbers at shortstop with above average defense is one of the many reasons Green will hear his name very early next year.
By the numbers:
.390/.438/.644
.43 SO/BB
10 SB
.956 Fielding %
MLB Comparison: Troy Tulowitzki
