Thoughts on College Outfielders
by John Sickels on Jun 2, 2010 5:51 PM EDT
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PrintIt seems increasingly likely that Brett Eibner of the University of Arkansas will be drafted as an outfielder. Most scouts prefer him on the mound, but he's no slouch with the bat, hitting .332 with 18 homers, 35 walks, and 47 strikeouts in 193 at-bats. The strikeout rate is rather high, but he's made legitimate improvements with his plate discipline and has substantial power. He has a strong arm (obviously) and good running speed, and would fit well in right field. He wants to hit, with pitching as the backup plan.
So, if Eibner is an outfielder for now, how do we rank the potential first round college outfielders? The other top guys are Michael Choice of UT-Arlington, Bryce Brentz of Middle Tennessee, and Gary Brown of Cal State Fullerton. Brown is the odd-man-out in this group; he's a speed demon with minimal plate discipline who fits in center, while Choice, Brentz, and Eibner are all power bats who will end up in corners. I'm not a big Brown fan personally and still wonder about his bat.
How would you rank them? Most boards and ratings have Choice ahead of the others, but personally I think Eibner may be the best of the group.
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I'd probably go
Brentz
Choice
Eibner
Brown
With the first 3 fairly interchangeable
Proud father of Mike Krukow (who is more than 3 times my age)
Grab Some Pine, Meat
Still cheering for Kevin Frandsen
John Bowker: One of the 3 best OF's on the Giants roster
Yeah
Liking him as a pitcher. He’s promising in either capacity, though. Great-looking athlete.
by blackoutyears on Jun 2, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't like any of them really
But, I’d go:
Choice
Eibner
Brown
Brentz
I could see myself taking someone like Austin Wates, Jarrett Parker, or Kyle Parker over the last two.
Me too
I don’t see the big deal with Jarrett Parker to be quite honest
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
He's a toolsy CFer with power potential
The plate discipline needs work, but I like him quite a bit.
Ugh
I just don’t like this group. I’d probably rank the potential first round college OFs like this…
Choice
Brentz
Eibner
LaMarre
Brown
The second and third round have more intriguing names, in my opinion.
surprised everybody is so down on Brown
I know he has his flaws, but he clearly has the most defensive potential of the guys mentioned here; he’s a center fielder and perhaps a very good one, while all of the other guys are corner outfielders. That is a huge difference-maker.
That's why he's ahead of Brentz for me
I like his defense, but I don’t like the rest of his game very much.
Defense only gets you so far
I have sincere doubts about Brown’s ability to hit at the major league level. Considering the questions about his patience and power, I have legitimate concerns about how well he’ll do at the plate once he faces more advanced pitchers with good command and advanced breaking pitches.
His defense and speed will get him to the majors, but my gut feeling is that he’ll be a pinch runner/backup CF for a substantial portion of his career.
by Outshined_One on Jun 2, 2010 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I Like Gary Brown
CSF moved Brown permanently to CF this season and it has paid huge dividends. Plus-plus D, speed and makeup. Doubles and triples power galore. When you are hitting .450 you then can continue to hack at the ball all nite all day.
Since he will be a table setter it definitely would behoove his career to get on base. He is continually improving and could be a very pleasant surprise.
Brown sounds like a Twins type of guy.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
can't say i follow amateur baseball all that much
but i really like brentz’s bat.
I don't like this class either.
I don’t know if there are any I’d be excited to get in the first round.
It really is a down year.
But if they need to be ranked, I’ll rank them thusly:
Choice
Brentz
Eibner
K.Parker
Wates
Brown
LaMarre
Like Rick Bosetti my goal in life is not to do well but to piss on things.
same draft position as John
Good upside, but still feels risky to me. I’d move him to LF for the time being and start him in Low A next year.
i'd let him play out of CF
but i agree he’s risky. not sure the power is there. would have to be elite defender in LF (and he may be) to justify the bat there.
baseball rules.
landry
Better chance of him being a plus defensive LF than a plus defensive CF. I’d move him to LF and have him focus on improving his hitting. You can move him back later if he’s clearly not going to hit enough to be a full-time LF even with a good glove.
Don't forget
The Gauntlett… tools aplenty. He needs a bit of work on his swing, though.
You guys win. You can keep your little marked-out piece of internet territory. Spend your days communicating via keyboard with people too ugly for the real world and too nerdy for anyone to care, anyway. Your piece of land is here. Do the rest of civilization a favor and stay within its limits. You bore me. Have fun with your nightly sobs and screams into your pillow over your inability to attract a good mate, Radiohead. ~The Hooligan
corey vaughn
Also watch Corey Vaughn at San Diego State. Similar to Gauntlett….big tools, power/speed, but somewhat raw.
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