Jason Heyward

by John Sickels on Jun 2, 2007 3:13 PM EDT in News

Thinking about Jason Heyward

Georgia high school outfielder Jason Heyward is, for me at least, one of the most intriguing players in the draft. A lefthanded hitter with plus power potential, he's got solid tools all around...his worst tools are speed and arm strength, where he ranks as average. He has tons of power, and he has unusually good strike zone judgment for a high school hitter. He looks great to me on video, and I haven't heard anything negative about his makeup or work ethic. And he's one of the younger players available, not turning 18 until early August.

He's definitely a top ten prospect, but here's the thing about Heyward that really intrigues me. When I look over his scouting reports, and watch the video, and talk with people, I like him better all the time. In fact, I like him better than I like Vitters or Moustakas at this point. I think he's the best high school position player in the draft.

That is a minority opinion; take it for what you will. But answer this question for me: what do Vitters and Moustakas have that Heyward does not have?

Tweet Comment 29 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I also think...

this is the best HS hitter in the draft.

He reminds me of a left handed Derrek Lee.

by SenorGato88 on Jun 2, 2007 3:31 PM EDT reply actions

Lee

I thought that too.

If Clemens and Smoltz face off in a deciding Game 7, we could witness the perfect storm of nonsensical comments from Bravesin07 and NYYLover1000 - gatling

by slurve on Jun 2, 2007 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I like him too

I agree with you John that it wouldn't surprise me that he's the best HS prospect in the draft. I like him better than Vitters and Moustakas and think that he's pretty under-rated going in the draft. He seems like a pretty good bet to be a good big leaguer.

by parrot11 on Jun 2, 2007 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

Other HSs to like

I haven't looked into the draft too too much, but I'm in love with Kevin Ahrens and Will Middlebrooks.

...NJASDJDH...

by Fabian on Jun 2, 2007 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

Vitters and Moustakas

have better overall hitting ability than Heyward. Dont get me wrong, I'm a fan of Heyward's. But right now, Vitters and Moustakas are better hitters.

by Thinkblue on Jun 2, 2007 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

Right Now

Those are the key words here. The important question is what kind of hitters they will be in 3-4 years. Heyward, to me, just looks like he has a ton of upside. Reminds me so much of a young Willie McCovey from his facial features to his build and swing. He may be a bit thicker in the thighs than Willie Mac, but isn't that a good thing? Other than that, he could be Stretch's son!

There seems to be a camp out there that keeps harping on Heyward's swing as if it's a complete mess and can't be fixed. I'd like to know what John makes of that. Is it a real concern or is somebody trying to manipulate the draft as some others have suggested?

by DrBGiantsfan on Jun 2, 2007 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Response

In 3-4 years, if they all progress at the same rate, Vitters and Moustakas will still be better. All 3 of them have a ton of upside, but I'd take Vitters and Moustakas right now based on their present hitting ability.

by Thinkblue on Jun 2, 2007 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions

If....

That's the key word here. If they progress at the same rate....Heyward, at least to me, looks like he has a higher ceiling than the other two. Since he is apparently starting at a lower level, Heyward may well progress faster.

by DrBGiantsfan on Jun 2, 2007 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

It would take Heyward longer

To get to the same level that Vitters and Moustakas would be. There's little reason to believe Heyward will progress faster. Being behind them doesnt give him an advantage.

by Thinkblue on Jun 2, 2007 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Advantage?

I never said that being behind them gave Heyward an advantage. Being bigger, stronger and more athletic might, though.

by DrBGiantsfan on Jun 2, 2007 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Those qualities

Dont make him a better hitter and dont mean he'll advance at a faster pace.

by Thinkblue on Jun 2, 2007 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

True.....

but it doesn't mean that he won't either. Based on my fan's view of the scouting videos, I believe Heyward has a higher ceiling than either Vitters or Moustakas. I would be happy if the Giants took any one of Wieters, Vitters, Moustakas, Mills or Heyward at #10. Given a choice between the HS kids and the college guys, I'd take Wieters or Mills just because the Giants so desperately need major league ready impact bats in their organization. Given a choice between Vitters, Moustakas and Heyward, I'd take Heyward based on upside. Don't forget he already is fairly far along on plate discipline which may be harder to master than swing mechanics.

by DrBGiantsfan on Jun 2, 2007 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

His swing

is what bothers me. Pretty level and a little stiff. Vitters has a beautiful stroke (IMO) and Moustakas has easy pop. But to be honest, as a Dodger fan, I wouldnt want to see the Giants get Heyward. So that should tell you how I feel about him.

by Thinkblue on Jun 2, 2007 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Swing/Comps

Swings can be fixed.

As far as comps go, Vitters reminds me a lot of Troy Glaus. That's not bad. I'm not in love with the way his weight is distributed on his frame and think he might have some issues with that down the road.

Harder to compare Moustakas. In build, he reminds me most of Pete Rose, thick legs, stocky body. A young Mike Ditka also comes to mind. Oh right, he's football player! I guess l like Moustakas build less than Vitters or Heyward.

As I've said many times before, Heyward reminds me most of Willie McCovey, especially in the arms and the way he positions them in his follow-through. I've always thought Ryan Howard looked like a heavier version of Willie Mac, so that would be the other comp. A slightly heavier version of a young Willie Mac and a lighter version of Ryan Howard. Other people may see it differently, but since that's the way I see it, I'm going to favor Heyward.

by DrBGiantsfan on Jun 2, 2007 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

No big surprise here...

I've been pushing Heyward for the Pirates' mock at #4 overall for a couple weeks now. I think this kid's going to be HUGE.

by Vlad on Jun 2, 2007 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

Heyward to Pitt

makes a ton of sense if Vitters goes #3 to the Cubs.

by Thinkblue on Jun 2, 2007 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I think so.

The org will never do it for real, though. They'll either reach for Mills because he's more advanced or go with a friggin' college lefty like Moskos.

by Vlad on Jun 2, 2007 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I pray he drops to 14

So the Bravos can take him.

by Bravesin07 on Jun 2, 2007 7:40 PM EDT reply actions

Im sure he's not falling out of the top 10

...out of everyone in this draft, I think Price and Heyward are the most special...I get that 'special' gut feeling on them all the time...where is this video of Heyward everyone is talking about?

by daveh33 on Jun 2, 2007 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

MiLB.com

It's probably in the draft preview section of MLB.com. P.S. The Warhawks are a way cool nickname. Guess they're not too PC down in Georgia.

by igreen01 on Jun 2, 2007 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

PC?

How is Warhawks not PC? The logo on Heyward's jersey is clearly a bird. Since when are birds not PC?

by knightgalt on Jun 2, 2007 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

interesting tidbit

one of my ymca youth hoops teams was called the warhawks...and i lived in ga....wonder if Heyward's hs was my coach's alma

by daveh33 on Jun 2, 2007 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

any links anyone?

i found this page, but only Price, Vitters, and Aumont are on it.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2007/archive_media.jsp

by daveh33 on Jun 3, 2007 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Videos

Go up to John's column about Aumont vs Griffith. Click on one of those links. That will get you where you need to go. When you get to the link, click on "other players." You will find Vitters, Heyward, Dominguez, pretty much all the top prospects in this draft.

by DrBGiantsfan on Jun 3, 2007 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I must be off today

Because there is no way I see this kid's swing as better than Vitters. Heyward looks like a right handed kid trying to hit lefty to me.

The biggest thing I look for in hitters is extension through the ball. I don't see that big league extension through the ball like I do with Vitters.

At times Heyward looks like he's on skates at the plate, falling off in different directions after contact. At this point I believe I understand how John evaluates prospects, very high on projectable tools, not quite as high on refined baseball skills with maybe a tick less athleticism.

Honestly though, I sound pretty stupid bagging on kids that are clearly top talents. No doubt he's talented.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by HuskerBob on Jun 3, 2007 6:02 AM EDT reply actions

Swing

I don't think anyone here is saying that Heyward has a better swing than Vitters. I just went back and watched the videos again. Vitters has a smoother swing, no question. It also has more uppercut to it.

Heyward, to me, looks like he's consciously working on some things. His swing is much more level than Vitters', almost downward. I think he's concentrating on making contact. I actually think that's good. The power will come and he can start elevating his swing as he becomes more comfortable at the plate.

I've also read complaints about Heyward's head movement. To me, it doesn't look like he's moving his head much. It looks like he is consciously keeping his chin tucked to his right shoulder. I remember when Bobby Bonds was he hitting coach for the Giants. Every time Matt Williams came up, Bobby would demand his attention from the first base coaching box and make a motion of tucking his chin against his left shoulder. It looks to me like that is what Heyward is doing in the batters box.

As for falling off in different directions, not sure what you are looking at there.

Heyward is a much rawer talent than Vitters, no question. The size and athleticism jump out at you though and he appears to have a good idea of what he needs to do to make himself better.

by DrBGiantsfan on Jun 3, 2007 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions

re:

When I read your posts about Heyward it really seems like you've already decided to like Heyward. Now after that decision you're pushing things that don't matter as relevant (i.e. facial features), rationalizing things that may be flaws as positives (i.e. Heyward's lack of extension through the ball) or just dismissing other things (i.e. head movement).

sig: Karim Garcia posted dominant AAA stats at 19. So can we stop acting like ARL trumps all in every discussion...

by natsfan2005 @ Minor League Ball on Jun 3, 2007 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Not Really

I wasn't a big Heyward fan until I saw his scouting video. As for the facial feature thing, do you think I'm stupid or something? Come on! I was just making a comment about how much he reminds me of Willie Mac, but no, I don't think his facial features make him a better player. I've also commented several times that just because he looks like Willie Mac doesn't necessarily mean he's going to end up playing like Wilie Mac. I didn't just dismiss what he's doing with his head. I gave you my take on what I see. I honestly don't see a lot of head movement. He does tuck his chin. I'm just remembering Matt Williams as an example of someone who used that to make himself a better hitter urged on by no less than Bobby Bonds.

As for his swing, he has a level swing, even slightly downward. I don't see a lack of extension.

It seems like Heyward is the player that opinions are most divided about this year. You may disagree with my assessment, but I'm not alone as John's post and BA moving him up their tracker attest.

by DrBGiantsfan on Jun 3, 2007 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Defense. Defense. Defense.

The difference between the three named players is that Vitters may well be a third baseman, and Moustakas is a third baseman. Heyward is going to be limited to left field or first base. And that means he's really going to have to hit. I'd also say Vitters swing is a lot better than Heyward's in the MILB.com videos at least. Vitters is fast and smooth in the batting cages, where Heyward's is fast and herky in the cage and slows down noticably in game play. It's better than Moustakas' swing, though.

by jewscott on Jun 5, 2007 11:23 AM EDT reply actions