Over the past few seasons, the Yankees have accumulated an entire starting outfield of future potential stars in their minor leagues. The first two I have already highlighted in previous profiles, and they were Austin Jackson and Jose Tabata. The last one of these outfielders is Brett Gardner, who is quite a different player then the other two. Tabata and Jackson both figure to hit for some decent power in the big leagues. Gardner, not so much. Gardner is a pure speedster, as he possesses by far the most blazing speed in the Yankees minor league system. Gardner, the 5’10, 180 pound lefty, was selected by the Yankees in the 3rd round of the 2005 amatuer draft. Gardner landed this draft spot after his junior year at the College of Charleston in which he hit .447 with a .506 on base percentage and 38 stolen bases. Throughout his professional career, Gardner has accumulated 114 stolen bases as opposed to being caught only 22 times. That is nearly an 84% success rate which is outstanding for a player in this stage of development. To help compliment his speed and baserunning ability, Gardner knows how to get on base, as he has accumulated a .288 batting average and .381 on base percentage throughout his minor league career. Gardner’s career .755 OPS is good but not great because of his severe lack of power. Gardner has hit only 14 career home runs between college and the minor leagues (6 in the minors, 5 of which coming in his first professional season at Staten Island), a few of which may have been of the inside the park variety. Gardner will likely never develop much power, probably not even of the 10 home run a year type, but that just is not his game.
As said, power is not Gardner’s game, since he is likely to be primarily a leadoff hitter when he reaches the major leagues. Gardner’s walks, above average on base percentage, and burning speed make him seem like a perfect leadoff hitter, but he will have to cut back on his strikeouts to truly become a premier table setter. Gardner has a 163 to 211 walk to strikeout ratio, which is not horrendous but leaves something to be desired. Gardner may also need to work on his bunting skills as a leadoff man, since he only has successfully done so 8 times in the minor leagues (but 47 in college). If Gardner can cut back on his strikeouts and perfect his bunting, there is no reason to believe that he can not become one of the top leadoff hitters in the league. Gardner’s speed also makes him an asset in the field, as it gives him fantastic range in center field. However, his route taking is said to still need some work, and he does not possess the strongest of arms. Still, unless he is continued to be blocked by Melky Cabrera then there is no reason to believe that he cannot remain in center field. Gardner is, perhaps, ready to become a fourth outfielder in the major leagues, but with the already crowded Yankees outfield it is unlikely to happen in the 2008 season, barring injury. Besides, Gardner has seemed to have trouble immediately adjusting to a higher level, but eventually adjusts. Gardner ended the 2007 season in AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and that’s where he’s likely to begin the 2008 season. A hot start and an injury or two could land the 23 year old Gardner in the majors, but 2009 seems more likely.
As said, power is not Gardner’s game, since he is likely to be primarily a leadoff hitter when he reaches the major leagues. Gardner’s walks, above average on base percentage, and burning speed make him seem like a perfect leadoff hitter, but he will have to cut back on his strikeouts to truly become a premier table setter. Gardner has a 163 to 211 walk to strikeout ratio, which is not horrendous but leaves something to be desired. Gardner may also need to work on his bunting skills as a leadoff man, since he only has successfully done so 8 times in the minor leagues (but 47 in college). If Gardner can cut back on his strikeouts and perfect his bunting, there is no reason to believe that he can not become one of the top leadoff hitters in the league. Gardner’s speed also makes him an asset in the field, as it gives him fantastic range in center field. However, his route taking is said to still need some work, and he does not possess the strongest of arms. Still, unless he is continued to be blocked by Melky Cabrera then there is no reason to believe that he cannot remain in center field. Gardner is, perhaps, ready to become a fourth outfielder in the major leagues, but with the already crowded Yankees outfield it is unlikely to happen in the 2008 season, barring injury. Besides, Gardner has seemed to have trouble immediately adjusting to a higher level, but eventually adjusts. Gardner ended the 2007 season in AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and that’s where he’s likely to begin the 2008 season. A hot start and an injury or two could land the 23 year old Gardner in the majors, but 2009 seems more likely.
2 comments:
Hello. And Bye.
good day everyone. I'm actually into shoes and I had been looking allowing for regarding that meticulous make. The prices due to the fact that the shoes are around 320 bucks on every site. But completely I bring about this locate selling them for the benefit of half price. I exceptionally love these [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]gucci sneakers[/url]. I will probably purchase these. what can you say about it?
Post a Comment