ESPN.com: MLB - Rookie profile: Rocco Baldelli

Year Team Level G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS BA OBP SLG

2001 Chston-SC A 113 406 58 101 23 6 8 55 23 89 25 9 .249 .303 .394

2002 Bakersfield A 77 312 63 104 19 1 14 51 18 63 21 6 .333 .382 .535

2002 Orlando AA 17 70 10 26 3 1 2 13 5 11 3 2 .371 .413 .529

2002 Durham AAA 23 96 13 28 6 1 3 7 0 23 2 5 .292 .292 .469

Background
Baldelli was drafted by the D-Rays in the first round in 2000. A legend in the Rhode Island high school athletic ranks, Baldelli was a star in basketball and volleyball as well as baseball. The Devil Rays are big advocates of the tools approach in drafting players, and Baldelli fits in well with that concept. Raw at first, with limited baseball experience, Baldelli's early pro performance was mediocre and rather disappointing. But all that changed in 2002, when Baldelli broke out with a tremendous season. He ripped the California League, was even better in Double-A, then held his own in August at Triple-A. Baseball America named him their Minor League Player of the Year, and the D-Rays are so impressed with him that he's been named their starting center fielder for '03.

The Rookies

Throughout spring training, John Sickels provides in-depth reports on 10 of the hottest rookies to watch. Here's the complete schedule of when each report will appear:
2/27: 1B, Travis Hafner, Cle.
3/5: 2B, Joe Thurston, L.A.
3/7: SS, Angel Berroa, K.C.
3/11: 3B, Brandon Larson, Cin.
3/13: C, Miguel Olivo, ChW
3/18: SP, John Patterson, Ari.
3/20: RP, Frankie Rodriguez, Ana.
3/25: OF, Hideki Matsui, NYY
3/27: OF, Rocco Baldelli, T.B.
4/1: OF, Marlon Byrd, Phi.

Scouting report
All scouting reports about Baldelli begin with his athleticism. He is fast and strong, with plus bat speed and quick hands. His power is increasing, and last year he learned how to both pull the ball for power and hit to the opposite field. He runs very well, can swipe bases, and is a fine defensive center fielder. His arm is average but accurate. Scouts praise his work ethic and intensity on the field. Baldelli's biggest weakness is his strike zone judgment. Inexperienced against polished pitching, he swings at pitches outside the strike zone far too often, and seldom draws walks. His natural talent and hand-eye coordination enabled him to overcome this flaw last year, but he'll have to prove he can handle major league pitchers once they start working him outside the zone.

Performance
Baldelli's minor league performance was very mediocre in '01. In '02 he dominated the California League in 77 games, earning a promotion to the higher levels. His 40 games in Double-A and Triple-A show him already capable of hitting .300 at the major league level. The trouble is, the sample size is small, and his strike zone judgment at those levels was dreadful. Still, his '02 numbers were a remarkable improvement over his previous performance. At age 21, he has a lot of development time ahead of him.

Health record
Baldelli has had a few pulled muscles, and had problems with physical endurance at Charleston in 2001. He is still growing, but has had no major health issues aside from getting tired in the South Carolina heat, nothing unusual for a Rhode Island kid.

What to expect
Predicting what Baldelli will do is tough. He could be one of the year's best stories. He could also be a major bust, if his problems with plate discipline prove insurmountable. His boosters compare him to a young Joe DiMaggio, while his detractors look at those low walk numbers and worry that he simply isn't ready yet. As a devotee of strike zone judgment, I personally believe that Baldelli is being rushed.

John Sickels is the author of the 2003 Baseball Prospect Book, which can be ordered through his website, Johnsickels.com. His biography of Bob Feller will be published this spring by Brassey's. He lives in Lawrence, Kan., with his wife, son and two cats. You can send John questions or comments at JASickels@aol.com.

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