#5 Tyler Colvin, OF
| Team | |||||||||||
| Clemson | |||||||||||
| Clemson | |||||||||||
| Clemson | |||||||||||
| Boise |
Coming out of high school in 2003, Tyler Colvin was a projectable prep outfielder who was a tough sign. Baseball America had him rated in the top twenty prospects from South Carolina, but signability led him to be undrafted. By other publications however, he was regarded as the best high school player in the state. Colvin wasn't a regular his first season for the Tigers, but did get about 150 plate appearances. Considering he was a young freshman (technically most kids his age graduated in 2004) and he played his entire freshman season at age 18 in the ACC it was a solid season. He showed gap power and a decent overall eye. Most of his playing time came late in the ACC season, so it was overall a good year. In the summer he played in the Coastal Plain League and hit under 200.
Colvin added some muscle to his frame his second year at Clemson. This led to quite a bit more doubles power, but his walks took a huge drop in the added playing time. It could have been a great season for Colvin, but he finished the season in a 4 for 39 slump. He was still relatively young age wise and had tools so there was some promise. Over the following summer and fall Colvin added even more strength to his frame, and had a breakthrough junior season at age 20.
Colvin got all sorts of post season awards as he hit for power, doubles, striples stole bases and did a lot of things scouts love to see. He didn't show great patience and struckout quite a bit though. Baseball America had him as the 170th best prospect in the draft going into the week before the draft, but he was rising up draft boards and the pre-draft chatter was that the White Sox were interested in Colvin as high as the final pick of the first round. However, everyone was shocked when the Cubs took him 13th overall. Initially I was puzzled and thought my trust in Tim Wilken might be misplaced, but the guy has had just about every first-rounder make it in the past.
The Cubs signed Colvin quick enough for him to play most of the season in Boise. He didn't have the gauty numbers he showed at Clemson with the batting average but he displayed solid 220+ isolated power, which leaves room for good thoughts. His discipline was a huge problem with the Hawks however. It'll be interesting to see how this resolves with Colvin. Between Clemson and Boise Colvin got into 133 games, hitting over 30 doubles, 20 homers, ten triples and thirty stolen bases. However, he did strike out 97 times and walked just 45 times, with both of those figures doing very bad in Boise. Still, BA loved the heck out of him naming him the best prospect in the Northwest League. It looks like Wilken's belief in him has already paid off.
It's pretty nice that Colvin was still just twenty all season long in Boise. Power is one of the last things that develops for a hitter, and it seems like it might be for Colvin. He has a large 6'3" frame so it may come. The Cubs think he can stick in centerfield, but he probably won't. He's got all five tools. He has above average skills across the board, with the best being plus power. It's not surprising that a scout guy like Wilken is all over him. He has the perfect lefty swing and good tools.
However, I see a guy that the Cubs seem to have no problem signing or developing. He hasn't shown a shred of the sixth tool. His strike out rate and lack of walk rate isn't as concerning as Corey Patterson's but it could easily become an issue. The Cubs have never shown a committment to fixing these problems at the major or minor league levels. I like Colvin's chances of being a very good player if he can stick in center, but I am not so sure he'll be a good enough overall offensive player to stick on the corners. I don't know where the Cubs have him slated for 2007, but I would guess on the Florida State League skipping the Midwest. The Cubs probably won't be doing that.
Colvin added some muscle to his frame his second year at Clemson. This led to quite a bit more doubles power, but his walks took a huge drop in the added playing time. It could have been a great season for Colvin, but he finished the season in a 4 for 39 slump. He was still relatively young age wise and had tools so there was some promise. Over the following summer and fall Colvin added even more strength to his frame, and had a breakthrough junior season at age 20.
Colvin got all sorts of post season awards as he hit for power, doubles, striples stole bases and did a lot of things scouts love to see. He didn't show great patience and struckout quite a bit though. Baseball America had him as the 170th best prospect in the draft going into the week before the draft, but he was rising up draft boards and the pre-draft chatter was that the White Sox were interested in Colvin as high as the final pick of the first round. However, everyone was shocked when the Cubs took him 13th overall. Initially I was puzzled and thought my trust in Tim Wilken might be misplaced, but the guy has had just about every first-rounder make it in the past.
The Cubs signed Colvin quick enough for him to play most of the season in Boise. He didn't have the gauty numbers he showed at Clemson with the batting average but he displayed solid 220+ isolated power, which leaves room for good thoughts. His discipline was a huge problem with the Hawks however. It'll be interesting to see how this resolves with Colvin. Between Clemson and Boise Colvin got into 133 games, hitting over 30 doubles, 20 homers, ten triples and thirty stolen bases. However, he did strike out 97 times and walked just 45 times, with both of those figures doing very bad in Boise. Still, BA loved the heck out of him naming him the best prospect in the Northwest League. It looks like Wilken's belief in him has already paid off.
It's pretty nice that Colvin was still just twenty all season long in Boise. Power is one of the last things that develops for a hitter, and it seems like it might be for Colvin. He has a large 6'3" frame so it may come. The Cubs think he can stick in centerfield, but he probably won't. He's got all five tools. He has above average skills across the board, with the best being plus power. It's not surprising that a scout guy like Wilken is all over him. He has the perfect lefty swing and good tools.
However, I see a guy that the Cubs seem to have no problem signing or developing. He hasn't shown a shred of the sixth tool. His strike out rate and lack of walk rate isn't as concerning as Corey Patterson's but it could easily become an issue. The Cubs have never shown a committment to fixing these problems at the major or minor league levels. I like Colvin's chances of being a very good player if he can stick in center, but I am not so sure he'll be a good enough overall offensive player to stick on the corners. I don't know where the Cubs have him slated for 2007, but I would guess on the Florida State League skipping the Midwest. The Cubs probably won't be doing that.
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