AskBA on Moustakas

by twill on Nov 27, 2007 4:11 PM EST Comment 13 comments

Jim Callis from Baseball America on Moustakas:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/askba/265239.html

What is your gut reaction as to who will be the best long-term hitter coming out of high school in the 2007 draft: Mike Moustakas, Josh Vitters or Jason Heyward?

Mike Russell
Ixonia, Wis.

Those are three very special bats, which is why Moustakas went second overall to the Royals, Vitters third overall to the Cubs and Heyward 14th overall to the Braves. Heyward would have gone higher had clubs gotten a better look at him this spring, but he was pitched around so much that evaluating him became difficult.

I think all three will become stars, but my gut feel is that Moustakas will have the most devastating bat. His agent, Scott Boras, called him the best high school hitter since Alex Rodriguez, and while I'm not ready to buy into that much hyperbole, it's impossible not to be excited about Moustakas' potential. He has so much bat speed and strength, not to mention a sweet lefthanded swing, that it's easy to project him winning batting titles and home run crowns in the major leagues once he hits his prime.

He set California state records for homers in a season (24) and a career (52) this spring, and the only real question about Moustakas is what position he'll eventually play. The Royals have agreed to let him try shortstop, but few scouts believe he'll stick there. Alex Gordon is already at third base in Kansas City, so Moustakas may end up in right field. Some clubs were intrigued by the possibility of making him a catcher, though the demands of working behind the plate would take a toll on his bat.

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Moustakas's position

Thanks for sharing this. It's nice to hear someone like Callis is so high on Moustakas.

If Moustakas doesn't end up having the range for SS, I hope the organization gives him a long look at second base. If he can hit well in the majors, he would be a doubly huge asset if he could provide that kind of production from second base.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Nov 27, 2007 4:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Moose looks like a bad signing if he's just a RF

bottom line

Hillman, you're on notice.

by FireBell on Nov 27, 2007 6:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

So he becomes a .300/.375/.550 with 30 homers per year - and a rocket arm in the outfield, it's a bad pick?

LOL.

A bad pick doesn't make it to the bigs. Bryan Bullington is a bad pick. If you don't know who he is, look him up on google. He was bad.

by doublestix on Nov 27, 2007 6:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Where do you get that from?

We have no idea how good of a hitter he can become, and many are saying that he looks like he may/will become a special hitter (like Goldstein at BP and Callis at BA among others). That works at any position.

Moustakas wasn't drafted because he's a SS. Whenever you draft a HS player, you never know if they are going to keep their position. They drafted him because of his hitting, period. If he becomes a great hitter, he's a big asset. If he does it at a more defensive position, it is an even bigger asset.

Fire Bell, Fire Hillman, Fire Moore, Fire Ladnier, everything the Royals do is wrong!!!!!

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Nov 27, 2007 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A tad over the top on that one, aren't we?

by grudz69 on Nov 28, 2007 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps

But there is a sentiment around sometimes with some people that every move the Royals make is wrong and the current leadership (whoever they are at the moment) should be fired. And this sentiment seems to float around regardless of what's going on in the organization or who is running things.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Nov 28, 2007 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just A RF?

Let me see, Al Kaline, Roberto Clemente, Dwight Evans, Dave Winfield, Tony Gwynn, Hank Aaron and, until this year, Ichiro Suzuki were all wastes because they played RF? I love a great arm in RF, not just for the assists but also for the bases runners don't try to take because of it. This reportedly is one of Moustakas' best assets in the field. Hell, if he could play LF well I'd be happy with that if he hits as projected. I do agree, 2B would be ideal if he doesn't hurt the defense too much there, but it does waste the arm.

Being a fan is irrational, but what is the alternative?

by philofthenorth on Nov 27, 2007 8:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not that I agree with the idea that if

Moustakas becomes an outfielder the pick will have been mistake, but ...

the Royals need NEED NEED! middle infielders in their system. If I were Dayton Moore I would let Moustakas develop into a below average SS with a good bat before I would shift him to the OF. A crappy feilding Moustakas at SS is probably a better all around player than Tony Pena Jr. is ever likely to be.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Nov 28, 2007 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Moore/Hillman want good D. up the middle.

So, I think they would value Pena over Moussss. at SS. If he has the bat that everyone says he has then I don't care where he plays just so he brings his bat.

by grudz69 on Nov 28, 2007 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just a RF?

Wow.

I know we need middle infielders, but come on - if this guy hits as Callis predicts, that is a GREAT draft pick! Hell, if he hits like that, it would be great if all he ever did was DH for 20 years!

Keep in mind that many high school stars play shortstop, not because they project as major league shortstops, but because they are the best athlete on their high school team...

by loyal2s dad on Nov 28, 2007 6:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

By all accounts, Moustakas has a plus bat with

plus power. That kind of potential will play anywhere but has more value in middle infielder. Think about a Chase Utley type of 2B in the Royals lineup. He has a great arm that might keep him from 2B but talent will play anywhere. KC's OF depth in minors is really low. With a bat like Moustakas, he could play any spot and be a top prospect.

by daveyork on Nov 28, 2007 7:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs