Prospect Retro: Nick Punto

Several people have asked me for a Prospect Retro for Nick Punto, Minnesota Twins infielder. I think this may be some sort of conspiratorial joke, but I figured, what the heck...maybe we can learn something. So here goes.

Nick Punto was drafted in the 21^st round in 1998, by the Philadelphia Phillies out of Saddleback Junior College in California. An undersized switch-hitter, he was rated as a possible future utility infielder due to good speed, good plate discipline, and a solid glove, but lack of size and power prevented higher projection. He was sent to the New York-Penn League after signing, hitting .247/.347/.319 in 72 games for Batavia. As expected, he showed no power, but he did draw 42 walks and steal 19 bases. I didn't put him in the '99 book but would have rated him a Grade C type, having a shot as a utilityman if he hit some at higher levels.

The Phillies liked him and jumped him up to the Florida State League for 1999. He responded with a solid season, hitting .305/.404/.388 with 67 walks and just 53 strikeouts in 400 at-bats. He stole 16 bases, but (as expected) showed little power. He did get on base, though, and his glove got good reviews. I put him in my 2000 book as a Grade C, writing that Punto could "be a viable backup if he shows any oomph with the bat in Triple-A."

Promoted to Double-A Reading in 2000, Punto hit .254/.351/.338. He stole 33 bases and drew 69 walks, and also showed some small-ball ability with 14 sacrifice bunts. He even hit a career-best five homers. Once again I rated him as a Grade C, with a two-sentence summary in the book: "Runs well, will take a walk, but can't hit otherwise. Possible utility type down the road."

Up another level to Triple-A in 2001, Punto had problems adjusting and hit just .229/.327/.298. He still drew walks with 68 and swiped 33 bases, but his strikeout rate shot way up, with 114 whiffs in 463 at-bats. He also grounded into 15 double plays despite his speed. He made his major league debut with four games for the Phillies, but overall the season was a disappointment.

He was more effective in Triple-A in '02 (.271/.378/.327) with 42 steals and 76 walks, cutting his strikeout rate back to a more reasonable level. He spent most of 2003 manning a spot on the Phillies bench, playing in 64 games but getting just 92 at-bats, hitting .217/.273/.272. He ended up with the Twins in 2004 and saw limited action, but then saw substantial playing time with 112 games in 2005.

Punto has been a near-regular for the Twins ever since, shifting between second base, third base, and shortstop as needed. His best seasons were '06 (.290/.352/.373, 17 steals) and '08 (.284/.344/.382 with 15 steals). Overall he is a career .248/.322/.324 hitter.

Punto is a good utility guy due to his versatility, defensive acumen, speed, willingness to take a walk, and little ball ability. All of these talents showed up in the minors and he has carried them forward. On the negative side, his lack of power is a serious weakness, and he's had a hard time hitting .250 in most seasons. I'd love to have him on my team as a utility guy who gets 150-200 at-bats a year, but as a Twins fan I think he plays too much, and I still wish we had a regular third baseman who could actually hit. Punto is the latest in a long line of Minnesota utilitymen with similar skills, dating back to the days of Al Newman and Jeff Reboulet.