Freddie Bynum

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #26 prospect in 2006
  The A's top pick (second round) in 2000, Bynum has taken a slow, steady path through the system. While his 2005 season was delayed by lingering problems from a blood clot near his ribcage that required offseason surgery, he made his big league debut in September. Though he may not have enough offensive firepower to be an everyday player, Bynum remains one of the top athletes in the system. He's a line-drive hitter with decent plate discipline and the speed to be a disruptive force on the basepaths. Oakland has been grooming him as a super-sub the last two years, giving him time at second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield. While he has the athleticism to play almost anywhere on the field, he's still erratic, even at his original position of shortstop. His winter season in the Dominican Republic was cut short by another blood clot, but assuming he can put that behind him, he'll get a shot at a bench job in spring training.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #25 prospect in 2005
  The A's surprising top pick (second round) in 2000, Bynum has become a bit of a test-tube player. Drafted as a shortstop, he played every position but catcher and first base in 2004 as Oakland attempts to groom him as a supersub in the mold of Anaheim's Chone Figgins. Bynum is one of the top athletes in the system, with his plus-plus speed giving him above-average range at any position. He lacks power but has a solid line-drive stroke and the ability to leg out infield hits. His instincts and routes in the outfield were pleasant surprises. While Bynum has held his own offensively, he has yet to take the step forward to prove he can be productive against major league pitching on an everyday basis. He needs to focus more on playing the little man's game, improving his bunting and on-base skills. He still can be sloppy in the infield, relying solely on his athleticism to make plays. Bynum will return to Triple-A in 2004, but his ability to eventually free up extra roster spots provides value to the budget-minded A's.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #16 prospect in 2004
  Oakland's surprise top pick (second round) in 2000, Bynum has made progress but at a slower pace than the A's would have hoped. After an encouraging performance at the plate in 2002, he regressed in Double-A last year. He still has the tools to develop into an exciting leadoff man and second baseman, but he still has a lot of work to do. Bynum has excellent speed and a line-drive approach. He won't ever hit for much power and has to tighten up his strike zone. Primarily a shortstop in his first two pro seasons, he has found a better fit at second base the last two years. He certainly has enough range and arm strength to play shortstop, but his hands and inconsistent throwing accuracy held him back there. Oakland is toying with moving him to center field, a weak spot in the system. He probably would benefit from repeating Double-A but may move to Triple-A in 2004.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #8 prospect in 2003
  Bynum made the transition from a hopeful with tools to a skilled prospect with a breakthrough season in 2002. He made major strides in developing into a leadoff hitter and competent second baseman, then handled shortstop effectively in the Arizona Fall League. It was a nice comeback from a 2001 season ruined by ankle injuries. Bynum has the tools necessary to bat at the top of a lineup. He has excellent speed, hits well to the opposite field and, most important, has improved at getting on base. He owns a fine throwing arm and has proven he can handle second base. His performance at shortstop enhances his versatility. Because he came from a small junior college program, Bynum is still raw. He needs more at-bats and experience at higher levels of the minors. If he learned to bunt for hits, he could take greater advantage of his speed. His hands aren't the softest, though that's less of a problem at second base than it was at shortstop. If everything continues to come together, Bynum can become a quality leadoff hitter and middle infielder in the big leagues. He'll continue his development in Double-A in 2003.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #8 prospect in 2002
  Bynum hit .521 and went 27-for-27 in steals at Pitt (N.C.) Community College in 2000, leading to his somewhat surprising selection as Oakland's top draft pick (second round). Managers rated him the No. 1 prospect in the short-season Northwest League during his pro debut, but continuing problems with his right ankle limited his progress in 2001. The A's moved him from shortstop to second base last year, and second may be a better fit because he has extra time to make plays. Bynum has the raw tools to make for an outstanding top-of-the-order hitter and middle infielder. He has a plus arm, plus speed, outstanding hand-eye coordination and remarkable range. He plays with an enthusiasm that becomes contagious to those around him. The recurring injuries robbed Bynum of needed experience against pro pitching to refine his stroke. He also needs to show more patience to bat early in a lineup. He struggled at shortstop, fumbling grounders, but at second base he was able to recover in time more often to get the out. Bynum will return to the California League in 2002 to make up for lost time. He needs to start converting his raw tools into skills.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #7 prospect in 2001
  With no first-round pick in 2000, Oakland came up with a shocker when it selected Bynum. Despite batting .521 and succeeding on all 27 of his steal attempts in junior college, he received little predraft hype. But he showed great tools and was the top prospect in the short-season Northwest League. Bynum's speed and arm are plus tools, and he has excellent hand-eye coordination. He also exhibits a great joy for the game. At instructional league, he played second, short and third, but the A's expect him to emerge as a middle infielder and will keep him at shortstop for now. If he can make consistent contact, he has the on-base and stolen-base ability to bat at the top of a lineup. Bynum has little experience against pro-caliber pitching. He probably won't ever hit for much power, but he can do better than the .256 average he put up in his debut. He is learning how to approach different types of grounders and become consistent in catching the ball cleanly and making the quick transfer to his throwing hand. Bynum will go to one of the A's California League affiliates. As with Angel Berroa, Oakland has no need to rush him.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Texas League #12 prospect in 2003
  Bynum continues a steady progression through an Athletics organization where he sticks out like a sore thumb because he's a junior college draft pick who's raw but has a high ceiling. He also sticks out because he struck out more than twice as much as he walked in 2003. Still, he does offer an intriguing package of tools. He has a line-drive swing and could add power as he matures. He's an outstanding athlete with tremendous range and a strong arm. "He may end up being one of the best players to come out of this league," Ireland said. The question is consistency, particularly on defense. "Hitting isn't the problem," one manager said. "It's whether he can play second base. On the right day, he's exciting. On the wrong day, he's unbearable."
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  Ranked California League #14 prospect in 2001
  A surprise choice as Oakland's top pick (second round) in 2000, Bynum is still putting everything together. He didn't hit for much average and has no power, and he led the league with 41 errors. What he does have is speed, though he needs to develop his on-base ability to use it more often, and the raw tools to play either second baseman or shortstop. He got going offensively in the middle of the season, hitting a combined .318 with 15 steals. "There's a lot there," Colbert said. "He's still trying to figure it all out."
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  Ranked Northwest League #1 prospect in 2000
  Five years ago, another Athletics shortstop topped the league's Top 10 list. While Bynum may not have Miguel Tejada's power and offensive potential, managers said Bynum has a higher upside defensively. And though he won't hit like Tejada, that doesn't mean he won't hit. "He has a high ceiling, because he's good now and he's just learning the position at the pro level," said Salem-Keizer manager Fred Stanley, a former big league shortstop. "He's got the actions and tools for the position. He runs well, and if the average arm for a shortstop is 50, then he's a 55 or 60. They did a nice job finding him." Vancouver manager Dave Joppie said Bynum has great enthusiasm for the game, which is helpful because he’s raw and has plenty to work on. He relies on his arm too much and needs better technique with his hands and footwork on groundballs. The scout who recommended Bynum, Billy Owens, was Vancouver's hitting coach, and Joppie said Bynum had benefited from having a familiar face around, especially considering Bynum's trip to the West Coast was his first ever on a plane. "The speed of the game was too much for him at first, but he has caught up quickly," Joppie said. "They have a special relationship that is helping Freddie develop as a person and as a professional."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Five years ago, another Athletics shortstop topped the league's Top 10 list. While Bynum may not have Miguel Tejada's power and offensive potential, managers said Bynum has a higher upside defensively. And though he won't hit like Tejada, that doesn't mean he won't hit. "He has a high ceiling, because he's good now and he's just learning the position at the pro level," said Salem-Keizer manager Fred Stanley, a former big league shortstop. "He's got the actions and tools for the position. He runs well, and if the average arm for a shortstop is 50, then he's a 55 or 60. They did a nice job finding him." Vancouver manager Dave Joppie said Bynum has great enthusiasm for the game, which is helpful because he’s raw and has plenty to work on. He relies on his arm too much and needs better technique with his hands and footwork on groundballs. The scout who recommended Bynum, Billy Owens, was Vancouver's hitting coach, and Joppie said Bynum had benefited from having a familiar face around, especially considering Bynum's trip to the West Coast was his first ever on a plane. "The speed of the game was too much for him at first, but he has caught up quickly," Joppie said. "They have a special relationship that is helping Freddie develop as a person and as a professional."