| | REPORT FILED: OCTOBER 7
In an article I wrote last week about the Baltimore Orioles, I pointed out that being a good athlete doesn't necessarily make one a good baseball player. This is undeniably true. On the other hand, when a team does find an athlete who can also play the game correctly on the field, the result is something special.
Here are two players who entered professional baseball with excellent athletic credentials: Jayson Werth of the Orioles and Travis Dawkins of the Reds. Both of them took big steps forward in 1999. If they maintain their progress, they could both be outstanding players in the majors.
Jayson Werth
Baltimore Orioles
Position: C Height: 6-6 Weight: 190 Born: 5/20/79 Bats: Right Throws: Right
| Year |
Team |
Level |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
K |
SB |
CS |
BA |
OBP |
SLG |
| 1998 |
Delmarva |
A |
120 |
408 |
71 |
108 |
20 |
3 |
8 |
53 |
50 |
92 |
21 |
6 |
.265 |
.364 |
.387 |
| 1999 |
Frederick |
A |
60 |
236 |
41 |
72 |
10 |
1 |
3 |
30 |
37 |
37 |
16 |
6 |
.305 |
.399 |
.394 |
| 1999 |
Bowie |
AA |
35 |
121 |
18 |
33 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
17 |
26 |
7 |
1 |
.273 |
.364 |
.355 |
In recent years, the Orioles have shown little faith in young players on the major league level. This masks the real progress made by the farm system. Five years ago, Baltimore had one of the weakest farm systems in the major leagues. Whatever his other faults, Peter Angelos has been willing to write the checks necessary to improve the talent base in the minors.
The Orioles have done a better job of drafting talent, focusing a great deal on strong athletes. This can be a risky approach as high-ceiling players also tend to be high risk. One of the players who looks like a good bet to succeed is Jayson Werth.
Werth was drafted in 1997 as a first-rounder from an Illinois high school. He is an excellent athlete with a baseball pedigree, stepson of Dennis Werth, and a close relative of both Dick Schofields.
When he was in high school, scouts compared Werth to Dale Murphy: a tall, lanky, strong, and fast right-handed hitter. Werth's adjustment to pro ball has gone reasonably well. He has improved his ability to make contact at the plate, increasing his walk rate substantially in 1999, while also cutting his strikeouts. His swing is more of a line-drive type right now; his power is still undeveloped, but considering his size and strength, more power production should follow shortly. He already hits for average, and should continue to do so as he moves up.
Werth is exceptionally fast for a big guy, and has good technique on the bases. If his power develops as expected, he would be a 20/20 threat, similar to Jason Kendall. His work ethic and attention to detail are outstanding.
His defense draws mixed reviews. His arm strength is rated as only average for a catcher, but his release is reasonably quick, he moves well behind the plate, and has the intelligence and baseball savvy desired in a catcher. His athleticism is such that he could play the outfield without any trouble if catching doesn't work out, but it would be best for all concerned if he is able to stay behind the plate. The Orioles will give him every opportunity to remain there.
Werth is one of my favorite tools players. I expect to see greater power from him over the next two years, and to take his place among the elite of the prospect world.
Travis Dawkins
Cincinnati Reds
Position: SS Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 Born: 5/12/79 Bats: Right Throws: Right
| Year |
Team |
Level |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
K |
SB |
CS |
BA |
OBP |
SLG |
| 1998 |
Burlington |
A |
102 |
367 |
52 |
97 |
7 |
6 |
1 |
30 |
37 |
60 |
37 |
10 |
.264 |
.332 |
.324 |
| 1999 |
Rockford |
A |
76 |
305 |
56 |
83 |
10 |
6 |
8 |
32 |
35 |
38 |
38 |
15 |
.272 |
.346 |
.423 |
| 1999 |
Chatt. |
AA |
32 |
129 |
24 |
47 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
13 |
14 |
17 |
15 |
5 |
.364 |
.427 |
.465 |
Like the Orioles, the Reds have been cursed with a weak farm system for a long time, but have made progress in recent years. Cincinnati has made an effort to sign more athletes, and while many of them haven't developed, one who has is Travis Dawkins.
Drafted in the second round in 1997 from high school in South Carolina, Dawkins has superb athletic ability. He didn't do much with it in 1998, holding his own in the Midwest League, showing speed and defensive ability, but not hitting much. He returned to the Midwest League in 1999, due to the fact that the Reds lack a high-level Class A ballclub.
As one would expect, he did better in his second shot at the level, enough that the Reds felt comfortable promoting him to Double-A Chattanooga. Dawkins was brilliant in the Southern League, albeit in limited playing time. He also played for Team USA in the Pan Am games, and impressed observers with his glove work.
Dawkins made a great deal of progress with the bat this season, maintaining an adequate walk rate, while cutting his strikeouts. The result was a higher batting average and more power production. He won't develop super power or anything, but if he builds on what he did this year, he will be an adequate major league hitter at the least, and possibly a very good one. He is learning how to use his speed on the basepaths as well, and will likely be good for 30 or more steals in the majors.
Scouts have nothing but praise for his glove. His range, hands, and arm are all above-average. He turns the double play well, and is increasingly reliable on the routine play. Further experience will make him more than capable of holding down a job with his glove.
What shape Dawkins' career takes depends on how much offensive development he shows. If he grows a bit more with the bat, he will do about what Pokey Reese did this year. It isn't out of the question that Dawkins' bat will get much, much better than that, making him a complete player in the Barry Larkin mode. That isn't likely, of course, but it isn't impossible. Dawkins' ceiling is very high, and he's only 20. Keep an eye on him.
John Sickels is the author of the STATS 1999 Minor League Scouting Notebook. You can email your questions to him at JASickels@AOL.com.
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