Thoughts on Alex Liddi

.308/.351/.498. 6 road homers, 17 at home. 16 BBs on the road, 37 at home.

He was actually only 20 until August. Not bad. But a little High Desert goes a long way.

and since the walks aren’t there, his OBP is a bit of an illusion.

Liddi looks a bit to me like the kind of guy who isn’t going to go anywhere in the upper levels, not unless he makes some changes to his approach.

Which would be amazing.

But certainly Bert Blyleven was a star in his day. I know he grew up in the US but Blyleven was the Netherlands pitching coach in the WBC.

I’ve heard that he was heinous defensively at the 3B level…

His strikeouts, rawness, High Desert influence and the like don’t make me think he’s a very safe bet, but it’s not impossible that that there is something there..

He’s solid prospect with an uppercut swing…and a LONG way to go. The Cal league did a good job hiding his flaws, and I expect him to have a hard time making adjustments at Double-A next year. That said, he’s not without upside. His raw power is just a tick or two below felow uber-flawed European M’s prospect Greg Halman, and his swing, plate coverage, and approach are light years ahead (damning with faint praise, I know). I’ve seen Liddi and spoken with a few scouts about him, and I really disagree with the assessment that he’s a 1B long-term. I don’t think he’s a 3B because he doesn’t have very quick reflexes, but I see no reason whatsoever why he couldn’t be a solid but unspectacular corner outfielder. He’s far more mobile than many prospects who make that move. I don’t know if he has any personal aversion to playing in the outfield, but OF was discussed as the Ms’ initial plan for him when he was signed, and that’s where I’d put him as soon as next year.

Quite frankly, Liddi is the kind of guy I expect everyone to completely forget about for the next two years. I’ll be happy if I’m wrong, but I think he’s a really good candidate to get off to an absolutely brutal start in Double-A. I just don’t think he’s polished enough to play well at that level yet. However, I can see him repeating the league and sneaking up on people towards the end of 2011 and establishing himself as a future regular before the prospecting world has a chance to catch up and give him a serious look again (not unlike what Matt Tuiasosopo has done the past 2 seasons).

Not the sexiest prospect profile I know, but I try to check my homerism at the door when it comes to Ms prospects.