State of the Farm: “Out of college, money spent. See no future, pay no rent. All the money's gone, nowhere to go.”
Prospect rankings primer
The Top Ten
- OF Courtney Hawkins
- OF Trayce Thompson
- IF Carlos Sanchez
- RHP Erik Johnson
- LHP Scott Snodgress
- RHP Andre Rienzo
- CF Keenyn Walker
- RHP Christopher Beck
- RHP Myles Jaye
- 1B Keon Barnum
1. Courtney Hawkins
Position: OF
DOB: 11/12/1993
Height/Weight: 6’3’’ 220 lbs.
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: 1st round, 2012 draft, Mary Carroll High School (Corpus Christi, TX)
2012 Stats: .284/.324/.480 at rookie level Bristol (38 games), Low-A Kannapolis
(16 games), High-A Winston-Salem (5 games)
The Tools: 7+ raw; 5+ hit; 6 arm
What Happened in 2012: Impressive professional debut for the back-flipping Texan, as Hawkins looked good early and finished the season at the High-A level.
Strengths: Massive raw strength/power; well above-average athlete for his size; shows very good hand-eye skills; produces bat speed; power is carrying tool; easy 7+ raw that could play at 6 or higher at developmental maturity; arm is plus; glove could be above-average.
Weaknesses: High maintenance body; potential to add bad weight and lose athleticism; aggressive approach; will chase out of the zone; swing has miss; doesn’t project up the middle.
Overall Future Potential: 6; first division player
Explanation of Risk: High risk; moved quickly in first season, but bat will need to get very close to ceiling to play in a corner.
Fantasy Future: Prototypical right field profile, with big power potential and good contact ability. Approach could limit utility, but has 25-plus home run potential.
The Year Ahead: Hawkins stormed through the lower minors in 2012, but the big Texan could use a full-season of A-ball before making the big professional jump to the Double-A level. Because of his impressive strength and excellent hand-eye coordination, Hawkins should be able to hit low-level pitching, but the real test will come when he face arms that can hit spots and spin quality off-speed pitches. It remains to be seen if Hawkins has the type of bat that will play with his approach, or if the raw power is merely a product of mature strength against inferior stuff. Sources appear mixed on his future, so a full season of professional at-bats should help clarify the developmental path Hawkins is on.
Major league ETA: 2015
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