REPORT FILED: APRIL 7
Many observers are ready to hand the AL Rookie of the Year Award to Ruben Mateo of the Rangers. Mateo will develop into an excellent player, but the AL Central alone has three prospects that could provide stiff challenges: Matt LeCroy of Minnesota, Kip Wells of Chicago, and Chad Durbin of Kansas City.
Wells was expected to make the White Sox rotation and did so, but the presence of LeCroy and Durbin on Opening Day was a little surprising. We'll look at Wells in a couple of weeks, but today I want to focus on the two guys who opened a lot of eyes this spring.
Matt LeCroy
Minnesota Twins
Position: C Height: 6-2 Weight: 225 Born: 12/13/75 Bats: Right Throws: Right
| Year |
Team |
Level |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
K |
SB |
CS |
BA |
OBP |
SLG |
| 1998 |
Ft. Wayne |
A |
64 |
225 |
33 |
62 |
17 |
1 |
9 |
40 |
34 |
45 |
0 |
0 |
.276 |
.387 |
.480 |
| 1998 |
Ft. Myers |
A |
51 |
200 |
32 |
61 |
9 |
1 |
12 |
51 |
21 |
35 |
2 |
1 |
.305 |
.372 |
.540 |
| 1999 |
Ft. Myers |
A |
89 |
333 |
54 |
93 |
20 |
1 |
20 |
69 |
42 |
51 |
0 |
1 |
.279 |
.364 |
.526 |
| 1999 |
Salt Lake |
AAA |
29 |
119 |
23 |
36 |
4 |
1 |
10 |
30 |
5 |
22 |
0 |
1 |
.303 |
.331 |
.605 |
LeCroy was an excellent power hitter at Clemson University. Drafted as a supplemental first-round pick in 1997, LeCroy was projected as a first baseman by many scouts, since he didn't show tremendous defensive skills in college. The Twins kept him behind the plate, and are happy they did so.
No one doubts his bat. LeCroy has excellent bat speed, and decent command of the strike zone for a young power hitter. His walk rates in Class A were fine and he didn't strike out much. His K/BB numbers did deteriorate during his brief Triple-A exposure late last summer, but given the fact that he was skipping A-ball, and continued to mash the ball for power, I don't think it is anything to worry about. He does have a history of starting a bit slow, so tremendous numbers should not be expected right away. Most scouts feel he is ready to hit in the majors, and unless he starts off 1-for-30 or something, expect him to stay with the Twins all year.
The question going into spring training was LeCroy's glove. Twins manager Tom Kelly is a stickler for defense (just ask David Ortiz and Todd Walker), and there was concern he wouldn't approve of LeCroy's skills behind the plate. The rookie proved surprisingly mobile for a big guy, and while he will never win a Gold Glove or throw out 50 percent of runners, he has a pretty strong arm, sets a good target behind the plate, and works well with pitchers. He still has a few rough edges, but is working hard at correcting them, and should be adequate defensively.
Kelly was willing to live with Brian Harper's mediocre glove for several years, so if LeCroy can prove his worth offensively and work hard, he will earn considerable playing time, alternating with Marcus Jensen, who has a superior glove. Don't expect 600 at-bats from LeCroy in 2000, but he will do well once he gets comfortable, and should have a long and productive career. If he smacks the ball as well as he is capable, he will make a run for Rookie of the Year.
Chad Durbin
Kansas City Royals
Position: RHP Height: 6-1 Weight: 175 Born: 12/3/77
| Year |
Team |
Level |
G |
GS |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
K |
W-L |
ERA |
SV |
| 1998 |
Wilmington |
A |
26 |
26 |
147.2 |
126 |
57 |
48 |
59 |
162 |
10-7 |
2.93 |
0 |
| 1999 |
Wichita |
AA |
28 |
27 |
157.0 |
154 |
88 |
81 |
49 |
122 |
8-10 |
4.64 |
0 |
| 1999 |
Kansas City |
AL |
1 |
0 |
2.1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0-0 |
0.00 |
0 |
Durbin was ticketed for Triple-A when spring training opened, but he pitched so well and his competition pitched so poorly, that he earned his way onto the staff and into the rotation. He did well in his inaugural start against Toronto, and has the skills to be a fine pitcher.
Kansas City drafted Durbin in the third round back in 1996, from high school in Baton Rouge. He came into his own in 1998, pitching very well (albeit in a good pitching environment) for Wilmington in the Carolina League.
His 1999 season at Wichita doesn't look as hot on paper, but in reality it was quite impressive. The Texas League is great for hitters, and the Wichita park in particular is a bandbox, being excellent for left-handed hitters. Durbin proved he could survive in that environment, and his K/BB ratios have always been solid.
He doesn't have ace-type velocity, relying on a moving fastball clocked between 88 and 91 mph most days. He isn't afraid to throw strikes with it, and his breaking stuff is very effective. Durbin excels at changing speeds and hitting spots, and doesn't wilt in pressure scenarios. At least he didn't last year in Wichita. I, in fact, saw him several times, and was always impressed with his composure in difficult situations.
Since Durbin doesn't have an overpowering fastball, he isn't likely to develop into a staff ace. While I like Durbin's long-term chances to be a solid starter, his lack of Triple-A experience could hurt him this year. We can expect his composure to be sorely tested at times. If he stays healthy and doesn't get down on himself during the inevitable rough spots, he will have a fine career.
John Sickels is the author of the STATS 2000 Minor League Scouting Notebook. You can email your questions to him at JASickels@AOL.com.
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