Mickey Hall

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #29 prospect in 2006
  In the 2003 draft, Theo Epstein's first as Red Sox general manager, the club took only one high schooler in the first 16 rounds: Hall. A second-rounder who signed for $800,000, he consistently has been one of the youngest players in his leagues. Being the youngest regular in the Carolina League and playing in Wilmington's pitcher-friendly Frawley Stadium caught up to him in 2005. He struggled with pitch recognition against more advanced competition, and his lone hot streak came to an abrupt end when he was hit by a pitch and broke his left index finger in May. He missed the next two months and finished the season in a 14-for-96 (.146) slump. Hall has a good swing and should grow into at least solid power, but he needs to alter his approach to make more contact. A good athlete, he has slightly above-average speed and arm strength, yet spent most of his time in left field last year. He'll probably shift to right field in 2006, when he repeats high Class A with Jacoby Ellsbury and Jeff Corsaletti also slated for Wilmington.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #14 prospect in 2005
  Brandon Moss made a huge breakthrough in 2004, and Hall, another Georgia high school product, may be on the verge of doing the same in 2005. Boston's only prep pick in the first 16 rounds in 2003, Hall went in the second round and signed for $800,000. His advanced approach at the plate appealed to the Red Sox, but it wasn't apparent when he hit .227 during his pro debut, then .190 in his first two months last year. The second-youngest everyday player in the South Atlantic League, Hall suddenly turned his game around and batted .274/.354/.489 for the remainder of the season. Boston loves his desire, as he worked hard to make it to low Class A out of spring training and then worked harder to make the adjustments he needed there. He has a sound, quick swing, and the ball should jump off his bat more frequently as he gets stronger. Hall has slightly above-average speed and arm strength, though he needs to settle down defensively after committing 14 outfield errors last year, worst in the Sally League. He played all three outfield positions in 2004 but should spend most of his time in right field this season while in high Class A.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #13 prospect in 2004
  Outfield was the weakest position in the Red Sox system entering 2003 and they addressed it in the draft, loading up with David Murphy (first round), Matt Murton (supplemental first), Hall (second), Chris Durbin (10th) and Chris Turner (15th). Had he not signed for $800,000, Hall would have replaced Murton in the lineup at Georgia Tech, where his brother Jake is an infielder. One of only two high school signees by Boston, Hall has good baseball skills but lacks the strength needed for pro ball, Hall is physically mature and was able to make the jump successfully. Boston looked past its college focus and took Hall in part because he has a mature approach for a teenaged hitter. He has a pretty lefthanded swing and plus-plus bat speed, and the Red Sox like his strike-zone knowledge. He will have to make adjustments, such as adding loft to his swing to hit for power and getting a little more aggressive so he won't fall behind in the count against better pitching. Hall is one of the better athletes in the system, running a 6.65-second 60-yard dash and throwing 88 mph off the mound in high school. Boston has entertained the possibility that he could play center field but he fits better in right, where he played in the Gulf Coast League. His arm is accurate as well as strong. Because Hall is advanced for his age and has a strong instructional league, he likely will open 2004 in low Class A at age 18.