Willie Bloomquist
| AB | 2891 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .269 |
| OBP | .316 |
| SLG | .342 |
| HR | 18 |
- Full name William Paul Bloomquist
- Born 11/27/1977 in Bremerton, WA
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Arizona State
- Debut 09/01/2002
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Drafted in the 3rd round (95th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 1999 (signed for $425,000).
View Draft Report
SS Willie Bloomquist may lack the tools to be a first-round pick, but he gets awfully close because of his approach to the game. He is a baseball player in every sense of the word. He plays hard, he plays smart, he plays anywhere on the field and he makes things happen in his role as an igniter at the top of a batting order. In his new position as a shortstop this season for Arizona State, he was the Pacific-10 Conference player of the year. He hit .394, led the nation with 95 runs and stole 32 bases. He doesn't have the skills to play shortstop in pro ball and projects more as a second baseman or outfielder. He might be a jack-of-all-trades if he lacks the strength to handle the everyday grind. He'll hit no matter where he plays, though he doesn't have much power.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Bloomquist is a product of nearby Port Orchard, Wash. He has been an organization favorite from the day he signed because of his makeup, but his bat leveled off after he left high Class A in 2000. He bounced back last year, overcoming a bulging disc in his back and a case of vertigo to be named Tacoma's player of the year. After Bloomquist hit .455 during his September callup, the Mariners now envision him as another Mark McLemore. He's a David Eckstein overachiever with better tools than Eckstein, though none of Bloomquist's grade out above-average. He's a steady defender at second base, third base and shortstop, and he did a good job of learning the outfield in 2002. His instincts serve him well in all facets of the game and make him a threat on the basepaths. Bloomquist doesn't have much power, so he needs to get on base. He's good at making contact, which also hurts him somewhat because that cuts down on his walks. He's expected to make the big league club as a utilityman this year. -
The Mariners couldn't sign Bloomquist as an eighth-round pick out of a Washington high school in 1996, but they got him as a third-rounder three years later after he capped his Arizona State career by being named Pacific-10 Conference player of the year. He was leading the California League with a .379 average in his first full pro season when the Mariners had a hole at Triple-A and promoted him to fill it. His bat tailed off and hasn't recovered, though injuries to both hands over the last two years have been a contributing factor. The best thing about Bloomquist is his makeup, and there isn't a Seattle official who doesn't appreciate him. He's a contact hitter with very little power, and he's not quite as fast as his steals totals would indicate. He doesn't walk very much, so his batting average makes up most of his offensive contribution. He's a steady defender who really belongs at second base, though he played shortstop in Double-A last year because Antonio Perez was hurt. He also played the outfield for the Sun Devils and projects as a utilityman. Slated for Triple-A this year, Bloomquist could have a Rex Hudler-type career. -
Bloomquist spent nearly all of spring training in big league camp though he had never played above short-season ball. He led the Cal League with a .379 average when he was called to help out at Tacoma because the Mariners didn't want to disrupt Jermaine Clark in Double-A. If makeup were a tool, Bloomquist would grade out with a top-of-the-line 8 on the 2-to-8 scouting scale. He's a gamer who helps his club win by doing all the little things that don't show up in a box score. He puts the ball in play consistently and should hit for a solid average, though he'll never hit for power. He played several positions in college and could handle any assignment in a pinch, but has settled nicely at second. Bloomquist is the type of player who won't bowl you over the first time you see him, but he compensates for any shortcomings in tools with hustle and smart play. The Tigers took Clark in the major league Rule 5 draft in December, but even if he returns to the organization Bloomquist has passed him in the Mariners' long-term plans. He'll likely be in Seattle by the end of the 2001 season.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Bloomquist started 2000, his first full season, in high Class A and finished it in Triple-A. In the Cal League, he showed off every skill required from a middle infielder charged with batting in the No. 2 slot. His work ethic also drew praise. "He does what's fundamentally correct," LeVasseur said "He hits ahead in the count, puts the ball in play, stays inside good breaking pitches, bunts well, runs with his head up and fields and throws as well as you'd expect. He's proven it. He's advanced from here." Injuries in the Mariners system forced Bloomquist’s promotion. He batted .225 and was overmatched in the Pacific Coast League, though Parent noted that the majority of Bloomquist’s 0-fors included the notation, "with two liners." Bloomquist can punish mistakes but needs to improve against breaking pitches. -
Bloomquist played all over the field, including shortstop this spring, during three years at Arizona State, but settled in quickly at his expected pro position, second base. One manager said, "He's just an outstanding defensive second baseman. His range is well-above-average and he can make all the plays around the bag." Bloomquist's season was cut short by a broken hamate bone in his left wrist that required surgery. Before the injury, he showed strong leadoff skills and above-average speed and baserunning instincts. Although Bloomquist hit the ball mostly up the middle and to right field at Everett, most scouts feel that he will develop good power for a middle infielder when he learns to turn on the ball.
Scouting Reports
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Bloomquist spent nearly all of spring training in big league camp though he had never played above short-season ball. He led the Cal League with a .379 average when he was called to help out at Tacoma because the Mariners didn't want to disrupt Jermaine Clark in Double-A. If makeup were a tool, Bloomquist would grade out with a top-of-the-line 8 on the 2-to-8 scouting scale. He's a gamer who helps his club win by doing all the little things that don't show up in a box score. He puts the ball in play consistently and should hit for a solid average, though he'll never hit for power. He played several positions in college and could handle any assignment in a pinch, but has settled nicely at second. Bloomquist is the type of player who won't bowl you over the first time you see him, but he compensates for any shortcomings in tools with hustle and smart play. The Tigers took Clark in the major league Rule 5 draft in December, but even if he returns to the organization Bloomquist has passed him in the Mariners' long-term plans. He'll likely be in Seattle by the end of the 2001 season. -
Bloomquist started 2000, his first full season, in high Class A and finished it in Triple-A. In the Cal League, he showed off every skill required from a middle infielder charged with batting in the No. 2 slot. His work ethic also drew praise. "He does what's fundamentally correct," LeVasseur said "He hits ahead in the count, puts the ball in play, stays inside good breaking pitches, bunts well, runs with his head up and fields and throws as well as you'd expect. He's proven it. He's advanced from here." Injuries in the Mariners system forced Bloomquist’s promotion. He batted .225 and was overmatched in the Pacific Coast League, though Parent noted that the majority of Bloomquist’s 0-fors included the notation, "with two liners." Bloomquist can punish mistakes but needs to improve against breaking pitches.
