Tyler Colvin-- One year Later

by cubsfan2883 on Jun 11, 2007 10:59 PM EDT

Back after the draft, John had this to say about the Cubs drafting Tyler Colvin...

Comment: Rowell and Degerman weren't available in real life when the Cubs picked. We've discussed Colvin already; most people think that was a major overdraft. He's a solid player but there were more impact guys available, and his choice seems likely to have been influenced by the desire to save money to make available to the football-bound Samardzija.

Now what do you say a year into his young career.

He's hitting .301/.348/.500 for an .848 OPS.. which is a pretty decent OPS in the A+ (FSL) league. His name is being thrown around by Baseball America with the likes of Jay Bruce...

. Tyler Colvin, of, high Class A Daytona (Cubs)

A 2006 first-rounder, Colvin is holding his own among the top outfield prospects in the FSL--including Jay Bruce and Cameron Maybin, hitting .311/.342/.500 in 228 at-bats. Last week, he overshadowed both, hitting .441 with a pair of bombs.

How do you grade out a Colvin now?

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Response

B if you're not a big believer in him, B+ if you're a fan. I'd lean towards B+ . . .he's a good athlete who has shown consistent development of baseball skills every year dating back to his early college days.

I think if the Cubs give him time to develop, he could be a rather valuable player. I didn't think he was an over-draft at 13, and the Cubs couldn't have gotten him with their 5th round pick, so I applaud them for the choice.

by mrkupe on Jun 11, 2007 11:57 PM EDT reply actions

Colvin

I was okay with the pick then ... and am still okay with it now. His plate discipline is of some concern, and will need to be watched as he moves up, but he's done fine in High A. How "real" is that? Not certain ... but the performance has been fine so far.

If Colvin's stick can somehow overcome the lack of discipline as he moves up, Josh Vitters, IMO, might get shifted to 1st base.

by toonsterwu on Jun 12, 2007 12:01 AM EDT reply actions

huh?

Why would Colvin's development cause Vitters to move to first?

by JFP on Jun 12, 2007 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

maybe

Maybe he's thinking Colvin will have to move to a corner outfield spot. If Vitters can't handle third base, then Colvin would be the better right fielder and therefore Vitters would be stuck moving to first base?

Way too far away to think about that stuff in my opinion, though.

by FI @ Minor League Ball on Jun 12, 2007 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Colvin

Colvin is already a corner outfielder.

by JFP on Jun 12, 2007 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

CF/LF?

OK, but he's been playing centerfield lately.

by FI @ Minor League Ball on Jun 12, 2007 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Long run

many anticipate he'll be a corner OF. That being said, he's held his own in CF in Daytona so far.

by toonsterwu on Jun 13, 2007 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes

That was what I was thinking. It is a bit early, but I don't think it's too early by that much to ruminate on what could happen. Barring a surprise, Tyler will get a look at Tennessee later this year. If his bat still plays well, then at that point, I think you have to contemplate how his value is best served for the organization. And if that means moving him to RF (assuming Pie sticks in CF), I'd rather get Vitters situated away at a position earlier than later. But that's me.

by toonsterwu on Jun 13, 2007 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Huge Fan of Colvin

I plug him constantly in the community diaries. I'd say a strong B+. He is a total package player; speed, defense, average, and power. I hope he is moved up to AA soon. Big time College guy in A+ ball has shown some goods, but to be mentioned with the top OFers I'd like a sample of what he can do at the next level.

He is veryyyy skinny and I think he can fill out a lot more and be an impact bat. HOWEVER, I'm going to play devils advocate here. His 4.7 K/BB ratio is horrible IMO and his BABIP is .375, which should drop to around .320 with his speed. His GB% is over 53% of the balls he puts in play which is also very Maybinish (First, I needed my dig, Second I just invented a new adjective deal with it because its amazing). But like his Maybinish counterpart he has great tools and could be a star.

by JD Sussman on Jun 12, 2007 12:51 AM EDT reply actions

I like Colvin, but

B+ seems a tiny high for me. As noted, I was fine with the pick then, and am still fine with it now. Tyler definitely has potential. But how his bat plays at a higher level is a big question mark as of now.

That being said, I guess I'm nitpicking, as I think he's a solid B as of now, and perhaps a high B (but not to the B+ level for me).

by toonsterwu on Jun 13, 2007 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions

No B+ from me

I think you all are giving him a little too much credit. I don't like his approach at the plate, and would like to see more than a 336 OBP and 827 OPS as a 21.75 year old in A+ before I move him anywhere near Jay Bruce or Cameron Maybin.

Mike Zagurski Fan Club

by Grrranderson on Jun 12, 2007 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

+1

As a relatively polished college hitter from a major conference, he should be able to dominate A ball in his first year. Once he moves up will be the test. I'll say he doesn't look like as big of an overdraft as he did initially, however.

Vice-Chairman of the Sonnanstine Underground Railroad

by Brickhaus on Jun 12, 2007 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions