CrespoBlows
09-18-2004, 12:32 AM
Here it is:
Adam M. from Sarasota, Fla., asks:
Red Sox prospect Dustin Pedroia is ripping apart Single A pitching, continuing his success from Augusta, now to High A Sarasota. Is he the real deal? And if so when do you expect him to be in Boston? Also, where does that leave Hanley Ramirez? I know they both are shortstops.
Sickels Answer
He looks like the real deal to me. Pedroia was the first player the Sox picked in the draft this year, a second-rounder out of Arizona State. He is not considered blessed with tools being a short guy without tremendous physical attributes. But his baseball skills are very refined, and he made short work of professional pitching in his pro debut. He started in the Sally League, and went 20-for-50 in his first 12 games for Augusta, earning a promotion to Sarasota. There, in 30 games in the Florida State League, Pedroia hit .336 with a .417 OBP and a .523 SLG, drawing 13 walks with only four strikeouts in 107 at-bats. These numbers are very similar to what he did for the Sun Devils: high batting average, lots of walks, excellent OBP, and more power than you expect from a short guy. He has a quick swing, superb plate discipline, and plays the game with energy and enthusiasm. We'll do a full profile on him later this winter.
Pedrioa is very reliable at shortstop, and has yet to make an error in pro ball. Some scouts don't think he has the arm strength to play shortstop in the majors, projecting him to move over to second base eventually. Personally, I think he would be just fine at short, although the presence of Ramirez (who played much better this year than in 2003) could very well shift Pedroia to second in the long run. Either way, I think Dustin is going to be a very effective Major League hitter. We could see him in the Show as early as this time next year.
Adam M. from Sarasota, Fla., asks:
Red Sox prospect Dustin Pedroia is ripping apart Single A pitching, continuing his success from Augusta, now to High A Sarasota. Is he the real deal? And if so when do you expect him to be in Boston? Also, where does that leave Hanley Ramirez? I know they both are shortstops.
Sickels Answer
He looks like the real deal to me. Pedroia was the first player the Sox picked in the draft this year, a second-rounder out of Arizona State. He is not considered blessed with tools being a short guy without tremendous physical attributes. But his baseball skills are very refined, and he made short work of professional pitching in his pro debut. He started in the Sally League, and went 20-for-50 in his first 12 games for Augusta, earning a promotion to Sarasota. There, in 30 games in the Florida State League, Pedroia hit .336 with a .417 OBP and a .523 SLG, drawing 13 walks with only four strikeouts in 107 at-bats. These numbers are very similar to what he did for the Sun Devils: high batting average, lots of walks, excellent OBP, and more power than you expect from a short guy. He has a quick swing, superb plate discipline, and plays the game with energy and enthusiasm. We'll do a full profile on him later this winter.
Pedrioa is very reliable at shortstop, and has yet to make an error in pro ball. Some scouts don't think he has the arm strength to play shortstop in the majors, projecting him to move over to second base eventually. Personally, I think he would be just fine at short, although the presence of Ramirez (who played much better this year than in 2003) could very well shift Pedroia to second in the long run. Either way, I think Dustin is going to be a very effective Major League hitter. We could see him in the Show as early as this time next year.