Jamal Strong

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #12 prospect in 2005
  Strong is a better center fielder than Jeremy Reed or Randy Winn, but injuries have prevented him from showing what he can do the last two years. He tore his labrum and dislocated his left shoulder on a headfirst slide during spring training in 2003, then missed most of the final two months last season after sustaining a bone bruise on his right knee when he ran into an outfield wall. After minor surgery, he spent the winter at the Mariners' Arizona complex trying to strengthen the muscles around his knee. He should regain the speed that made him one of the fastest players in the minors. Strong understands his role is to get on base, and he plays it to the hilt, focusing on drawing walks and keeping the ball on the ground. Though he's never going to have much pop, he didn't get beat up by fastballs in on his hands as much in 2004 as he did in the past. Seattle considers him the best outfield defender in the system, but he still has room for improvement. While Strong's speed gives him tremendous range, he's much better going back on balls than making plays in front of him. His arm is below-average. The Mariners would prefer Strong to play regularly than sit on the big league bench, so he's probably headed back to Triple-A.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #10 prospect in 2004
  Strong won two stolen-base titles in his first three years as a pro, but his chances of adding a third last year ended when he tore his labrum and dislocated his left shoulder on a headfirst slide in spring training. The Mariners feared he would miss all of 2003, but he surprised them by returning in June. One of the fastest players in the minors, Strong has true 80 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale. He understands his role is to get on base and create havoc, so he draws walks and hits the ball on the ground. His speed gives him good range in center field. Strong's swing is a bit long and he can be pounded inside with fastballs. His approach isn't conducive to power. He doesn't always take the best routes on fly balls, though his speed covers up his mistakes. His arm is just playable. Ticketed for Triple-A, Strong is on the bubble between big league regular or fourth outfielder. His bat will determine his future, though he has little chance of cracking Seattle's starting lineup yet.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #10 prospect in 2003
  Strong has run wild since turning pro, stealing 188 bases (at an 82 percent success rate) and scoring 241 runs in 334 games. He has won two stolen-base crowns, including last year in the Texas League, where managers also rated him the circuit's best and fastest baserunner. Strong's speed grades out as an 8 on the 2-to-8 scouting scale. Just as important, he realizes it's his ticket to the big leagues. He does what he can to get on base, drawing walks and hitting the ball on the ground. He has improved his reads as a basestealer and center fielder. His arm never has been strong, though it has improved and is playable in center. He does get to balls and get rid of them quickly. While Strong doesn't try to hit for power, he'll have to produce a few more extra-base hits. He has some strength but is still learning to deal with pitchers who bust him inside. With Mike Cameron sliding in the second half and Kenny Kelly struggling in Triple-A during 2002, Strong's chances to one day start for Seattle have increased. He'll be one step away in Tacoma this year.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #9 prospect in 2002
  Named MVP of the short-season Northwest League in his pro debut, Strong proved he was no fluke last year. He was a postseason all-star and a Top 10 Prospect in both the Midwest and California Leagues. He also was host Seattle's representative in the Futures Game and was named the organization's minor league player of the year. Strong is the best leadoff prospect in the game. He ranked second in the minors in runs and steals and fourth in on-base percentage (.436) in 2001. He plays to his strengths, which start with top-of-the-line speed. He hits the ball on the ground, draws walks and is both a prolific and proficient basestealer. His center-field range is also impressive. Strong doesn't have much juice in his bat or in his arm. It's not a huge handicap for his style of offense, though it would be nice if he could sting the ball in the gaps more often. He hasn't thrown well since dislocating his shoulder in college, but compensates by getting to balls quickly and unloading in a hurry. He's ready for Double-A. Strong will have to break through Seattle's glut of outfield talent to earn big league playing time down the road.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #19 prospect in 2001
  Strong was drafted by the Pirates out of high school in 1996 and junior college in 1997, but chose instead to stay in school. As a senior he nearly led Nebraska to the College World Series last spring. After stealing 69 bases in two seasons for the Cornhuskers, Strong swiped 60 bags in his debut at Everett, immediately grabbing the title of fastest player in the organization. Strong has been clocked at 3.8 seconds to first base--outstanding for a righthanded hitter. He did more than steal bases, though. His .314 average was third in the Northwest League and he was co-MVP of the circuit. He recognizes that he's not a power hitter and keeps the ball on the ground, draws walks and makes contact. Defensively, he uses his speed well in center field, but his arm is below-average. It will be interesting to see how the Mariners move Strong and Fulse, both of whom could lay claim to the center-field job in San Bernardino in 2001.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Texas League #19 prospect in 2002
  After two months of the season, Strong was hitting .230 and while he had stolen 12 bases, he had also been caught nine times. Then he started to adjust to Double-A, raising him average nearly 50 points by season's end, stealing 34 more bases and getting caught just six times and igniting the San Antonio offense as the Missions won the TL. "He showed as much improvement as anyone in the league," Sisson said. "He really has an idea of who he is and looks to me like a kid who will continue to get better." Who Strong is (or can be) is a prototype leadoff hitter. He has a nice stroke and stays on breaking balls well, and he can run balls down in center field. He made great strides as a basestealer after learning that he couldn't run wild the way he did at lower levels and became adept at reading pitchers.
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  Ranked Midwest League #7 prospect in 2001
  Peoria's Chris Morris led the minors with 111 steals and was one of several MWL outfielders who could wreak havoc with their speed. Strong was the one member of the group, which also included South Bend's Victor Hall and West Michigan's Nook Logan, who had a well-rounded game. Named the league's most exciting player by the managers, Strong may have the best package of leadoff skills in the minors. He hits for average, bunts, makes contact, draws plenty of walks and is a high-percentage basestealer. A left fielder in college, he has dramatically improved his jumps in center. "He knows the type of game he has to play," said Wisconsin manager Gary Thurman, once a speedy outfield prospect himself. "He doesn't try to play the big man's game. His swing is suited for line drives and he knows the strike zone. And he's not just fast, but he also knows how to pick up the tendencies of pitchers."
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  Ranked California League #6 prospect in 2001
  Easily the fastest player in the league, Strong swiped 82 bases combined between low Class A Wisconsin and San Bernardino. He makes scouts gasp over his 3.88-second time from home plate to first base. Strong offers more than just pure speed. He has easily topped .300 in each of his first two professional seasons and he has more than enough on-base ability to bat leadoff. While he hasn't hit for power yet, he has the potential to do so. "He has good discipline at the plate and a nice, short swing," Sparks said. Strong covers a ridiculous amount of ground in the outfield, though his lack of arm strength may be his biggest weakness. He reminded Rancho Cucamonga manager Tim Wallach of a young Marquis Grissom.
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  Ranked Northwest League #5 prospect in 2000
  Two years ago, Rockies outfielder Juan Pierre blazed through the Northwest League, slapping singles and stealing bases in his first pro season. He finished this year in the big leagues while Strong, the league's co-player of the year, brought visions of a righthanded-hitting Pierre to mind for current managers. "They do a lot of the same things," White said. "Strong plays the short game, he plays it well and he plays hard." While most managers named Strong the player they feared most in the league this year, they acknowledged his limitations. His 3.9-second burst from home to first, plate discipline (.422 on-base percentage, 52 walks), franchise record for stolen bases and plus range in center field hint at his potential as a leadoff hitter. His lack of extra-base power (.368 slugging percentage), his age and his below-average throwing arm indicate his ceiling isn't as high as other position players. "He knows his strengths," Stanley said. "His speed causes all kinds of havoc when he hits, and you can't double him up."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Two years ago, Rockies outfielder Juan Pierre blazed through the Northwest League, slapping singles and stealing bases in his first pro season. He finished this year in the big leagues while Strong, the league's co-player of the year, brought visions of a righthanded-hitting Pierre to mind for current managers. "They do a lot of the same things," White said. "Strong plays the short game, he plays it well and he plays hard." While most managers named Strong the player they feared most in the league this year, they acknowledged his limitations. His 3.9-second burst from home to first, plate discipline (.422 on-base percentage, 52 walks), franchise record for stolen bases and plus range in center field hint at his potential as a leadoff hitter. His lack of extra-base power (.368 slugging percentage), his age and his below-average throwing arm indicate his ceiling isn't as high as other position players. "He knows his strengths," Stanley said. "His speed causes all kinds of havoc when he hits, and you can't double him up."