Through September 27, 1998
YR
1998 |
G
126
|
AB
502
|
R
75
|
H
141
|
2B
29
|
3B
5
|
HR
4
|
RBI
69
|
BB
45
|
SO
41
|
SB
9
|
CS
2
|
OBP
.335
|
SLG
.382
|
AVG
.281
|
Profile
& Scouting Report
Height:
6-0
Weight:
195 lbs.
Throws:
Right
Bats:
Right
Positions:
Designated Hitter, First Base
Born:
August 22, 1956, St. Paul, MN
Drafted:
Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 28th round of the 1974 free-agent draft; did not sign ... Selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round (third pick overall) of the 1977 free-agent draft.
Pre-Majors Highlights:
Named to the All-Big-10 team in each of his last two seasons.
Scouting Report
1997 Season
It's hard to believe Paul Molitor is 41. While he wasn't as consistently effective in 1997 as he was in 1996, Molitor still had a solid campaign, especially considering his age and the fact that he was bothered by nagging injuries, including an abdominal strain that landed him on the disabled list in April. The injury, seemed to affect his hitting, but he finished on an up note, hitting .337 in September.
Hitting
Molitor is the prototype line-drive hitter. He will whack hard shots to all fields with his level swing, will nail breaking stuff and mediocre fastballs, and remains an exceptional contact hitter. His bat speed looked down at times in 1997, principally when he wasn't healthy, but he remains a threat whom few pitchers relish facing with men on base. He's especially effective in the Metrodome and against lefthanded pitchers.
Baserunning & Defense
Molitor still runs well, swiping 11 bases in 15 attempts in 1997, though he did look a bit slower than he did in 1996. He remains a shrewd baserunner who pressures the defense and can steal a critical base; he seldom blunders into an out. The Twins keep him at designated hitter most of the time to spare his body, though he did get some time at first base during interleague play and didn't embarrass himself.
1998 Outlook
It isn't clear where Molitor will be in 1998. He can still hit and the Twins would love to have him back, but the stadium issue in Minnesota is critical to his return. If the Twins stay in Minneapolis, Molitor will likely return. If they intend to move, he may retire. He already has expressed interest in becoming a field manager or front-office operative. Either way, he'll continue to grace baseball with his class for years to come.
Scouting Report Source: STATS, Inc. Copyright 1998 STATS, Inc.
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