Per Steve Melewski:
The Orioles have promoted Frederick outfielder Xavier Avery to Double-A Bowie. Avery, a second round pick in 2008, is just 20 years old.
Avery was batting .280 in 109 games for Frederick with 25 doubles, four home runs, 37 RBIs and seven stolen bases in eight attempts.
I’m having internet issues, which is why this is a little late. While some may think the O’s are rushing Avery, if there is any player who can handle a jump like this, it’s him. He’s determined, smart, loves being on the field, and wants to get better and better.
Baltimore Sports Report has an excellent interview with Avery where you’ll be able to see what I’m talking about.
We’ll resume with the normal scores posts tonight and a feature on the 2011 will be posted tomorrow morning.
Real happy about his progress. Would like to see him run more. 8 steal attempts seems low for a speedy outfielder
Melewski made a mistake. He was 28/42 in SB attempts with Frederick.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=542897
The kid can flat out run and one of the giant flags to his speed is a mere 7 ground out into a double play over his three year career in minor league baseball. Some guys will make 7 in one month.
In reality, he should have more attempts over his minor league numbers. He simply has a learning curve picking up pitchers. This season he attempts a steal at 31%, while at first base. I would tend to want to see at least 40-45% with his speed.
I still think he will have a bit more power in his bat. He shoud compare to Carl Crawford with less stealing ability and more pop in the bat. I think Avery has the chance to be a .290 35 15 type of player that could score well over 100 runs a season in the top of an order. He is a number 2 type hitter and would be a leadoff guy if he can curb the stikeouts a take a few more walks.
Not only is he learning how to pick up pitchers but he’s still learning how to use his speed in game action. Have you seen him live this year? He needs to take better routes in the outfield but even when he doesn’t, his speed allows him to make the play.
I watched him and I cannot make it out clearly. I wonder how quickly he hits his “topped out” speed and showing quick accleration. He was a blue chip running back prospect, so I tend to think the problem is the game itself. He was a product of being better than every other player in his high school league, and maybe area of Georgia. He could live off raw ability and still be the best player.
Multi-sport athletes typically do not play in the area code games and other showcase events in the late summer and early fall. They are not exposed against better competition and lack basic understandings of the game.
He will grow into a better hitter and fielder as he progresses. He is the type that might not fully reach his potential until 28-29 years of age with a solid 10 years of focus on one sport. Most of your high level players were geared light years ahead of him, it will take a bit more time until he is truly a “baseball player”.