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August 10, 2006

Future Shock

Position Breakdown: Center Fielders

by Kevin Goldstein

The 2005 draft is looking like it could go down in history as the year of the centerfielder. Half of the 12 players listed here were selected in the first round of last year's pickfest, and two of the five honorable mentions were selected later on.

1. Cameron Maybin, Tigers

Age: 19.4 Hitting: .320/.401/.477 in 79 G (A-)

Drafting sixth overall this year and tenth overall in 2005, the Tigers have been able to add lefthander Andrew Miller and Maybin to the system because where other teams see signability problems, Detroit's front office sees an opportunity to move up. While Detroit knew they were getting a top-of-the-line athlete in Maybin, they've been pleasantly suprised by the maturity in his game. Maybin is a natural hitter who draws walks and knows how to utilize his plus speed on the basepaths, as he's successful in 25 of 28 stolen base attempts and has been clocked at 4.1 seconds to first base despite a sizeable 6-foot-3, 200 pound frame. Maybin's still learning how to hit breaking balls and his swing can get long, as evidenced by 94 strikeouts in 300 at-bats. While he hasn't shown much power yet, he's capable of mammoth shots in batting practice and scouts are nearly universal in believing that the power will begin to show up in game situations once he learns how drive pitches. The definition of a five-tool talent, Maybin is already very good and only going to get better. Detroit makes it hard to get excited on a statistical level about prospects as they are nearly always in pitcher's leagues and pitcher's parks, but don't be fooled. This is an elite talent by any measurement.

2. Chris Young, Diamondbacks