Prospect of the Day: Alex Presley, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

by John Sickels on Jun 29, 2011 8:00 AM EDT

Outfielder Alex Presley of the Pittsburgh Pirates (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Pirates have promoted outfielder Alex Presley from Triple-A Indianapolis to replace the injured Jose Tabata. Can Presley seize this opportunity and earn a larger role in Pittsburgh?

Presley was drafted by the Pirates in the eighth round in 2006, from the University of Mississippi. He was a three-year starter for the Rebels, hitting .336/.416/.534 with 20 stolen bases his junior season, but his draft stock was limited to some extent by his small 5-10, 185 size, and he profiled best as a reserve outfielder. He had a solid season in the Sally League in 2007 (.293/.348/.436, 11 homers, 18 steals), but two mediocre campaigns in the Carolina League in '08 and '09 knocked him out of prospect consideration.

He turned that around in 2010, hitting .350/.399/.533 in 67 games for Double-A Altoona, then .294/.349/.460 in 69 games for Triple-A Indianapolis, combining for 12 homers, 13 triples, and 13 stolen bases. He received a brief trial in Pittsburgh last year, hitting .261/.292/.304 in 19 games, then returned to Indianapolis this spring. He's been outstanding there, with a .338/.389/.507 mark with 18 steals before his promotion.

After punchless '08 and '09 seasons, Presley has shown more power over the last year and a half. Ironically, scouts attribute his improvement to the fact that he stopped trying so hard to hit for power. He shortening his swing, focusing on simple contact, and the results have been impressive. His best organic tool is above-average speed, which he's learned to use more efficiently on the bases. His strike zone judgment isn't terrific and his walk rate is below what you ideally want from a leadoff man, but he makes contact and his speed helps his BABIP. His arm is mediocre and he doesn't take the best routes, though he can outrun mistakes.

Presley still profiles best as a fourth outfielder, a left-handed hitter with good speed, enough pop to keep the pitchers honest, and enough range to handle center. He is 25 now and while he doesn't have the upside of a star, he has an opportunity to make a good impression right now and tighten his grip on a roster spot.

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Comments

Presley might surprise everyone

He has a short, quick stroke. I can see him hitting .300/.350/.400.

s.zielinski

by steve_z on Jun 29, 2011 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

Dear

God I hope so, although I’d actually project a bit less average and a bit more power as a best case scenario.

Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 29, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Is This SO Different

from the scouting reports that used to come out on Nate McClouth?

by BNBurger on Jun 29, 2011 10:21 AM EDT reply actions

I never

thought it was any different, but alot of people over at bucsdugout.com think McLouth was always the better prospect. I wasn’t around for when McLouth came up so I can’t be sure.

Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 29, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

It's funny...

because McLouth was more highly regarded when he came up, but I like Presley’s overall skill set better than I did McLouth’s. I hope Presley can be the better player.

ETHAN MARTIN!!!!

by joegonzo on Jun 29, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Could Matt Hague be far behind?

Whom mans first base for Pittsburgh, anyway?

by royshowell on Jun 29, 2011 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

Lyle Overbay

aka Underpaid, Overdrive, Oversuck, Overpaid

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Jun 29, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

And his first replacement would be Garrett Jones, and possibly a Jones/Pearce platoon when Pearce is healthy.

by Schide on Jun 29, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

From what I recall I don't think

McLouth was never going to hit for average. Me thinks Presley profiles better than McLouth not by a bunch, but enough that I’d give him the nod.

In McLouth’s defense, it didn’t help that DL and company dicked him around as a bench player.

Hopefully NH and company won’t do that with Presley. That 300/350/400 is a bit off for Presley. I wouldn’t be surprized if it was better in both the OBP and SLG. The AVG is probably about right.

I say this because he had a wOBA of .404 in AAA. Which is damn good. To put that in perspective. Pedro Alvarez had .403 wOBA in roughly the same amount of AB’s at AAA as well in 2010.

Now granted there is not much in common in the types of players these guys are. The wOBA number when used points to Presley being a very solid if not a pretty damn good hitter. I would venture to guess that his wOBA over a full year in a full time position could be between .370 to .380 in the ML.

Slash line of .300/.370/.440 OPS 810. Also take into account, his BB/K splits are not extreme basically slightly better than 1 BB to 2 K and he hits enough that it will offset.

Now this is all based on the assumption that he can continue to make adjustments.

by BSpar on Jul 6, 2011 12:00 PM EDT reply actions