Van Pope Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2183
AVG	.242
OBP	.32
SLG	.365
HR	40

Full name Peter Alan Pope
Born 02/26/1984 in Jackson, MS
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Meridian CC
Drafted in the 5th round (161st overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2004 (signed for $200,000).

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Mississippi has three premium junior college prospects, and all have committed to Ole Miss. Ranked the top prospect in the Central Illinois Collegiate League last summer, 3B/RHP Van Pope has played like the state's best junior-college player all spring, leading Meridian CC into postseason play with his bat and a power arm. While Pope throws a 90-92 mph fastball and had five saves this spring, his tools as an infielder make him a better draft as a position player. He takes a big hack and can be too aggressive at the plate, but he hit 15 homers despite a steady diet of breaking balls and saved his best play for the postseason. His pitch recognition and strike-zone judgment have improved. Defensively, his feet, hands and range might be good enough for second, and he has plenty of arm for third.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

After a solid season in high Class A in 2006, Pope received a promotion to Mississippi, where Trustmark Park in Pearl is located in a suburb of his hometown of Jackson. Playing at home didn't work well for Pope, as he pressed too much. He batted just .150 in the first two months and didn't climb above .200 for good until June 1. In the past, he had shown some raw power as well as the ability to hit for average, yet did neither with consistency in 2007. His pitch recognition leaves something to be desired, and scouts have wondered if he'll produce enough power at higher levels to profile as a starter at the hot corner. Pope is a premier defender with soft hands and a plus arm. His footwork is flawless and he moves well in all directions. That ability also translates into good baserunning skills, though his speed is only slightly above-average. The Braves hope that Pope will adjust and bounce back in 2008, when he'll return to Double-A.
Before the 2006 season the Braves thought Pope was on the verge of blossoming. They were right, as he more than doubled his previous career high in homers (seven) and earned Carolina League all-star recognition. He was a two-way star who threw in the low 90s in junior college, but Atlanta hasn't regretted making him a full-time third baseman. An aggressive hitter, Pope possesses above-average raw power. He worked deeper counts in 2006, waiting for a pitch to attack rather than swinging at what pitchers wanted him to chase. He has slightly above-average speed and runs the bases very well. Managers rated him as the best defensive infielder and strongest infield arm in the CL. He has soft hands, plays balls to both sides with ease and is adept at making plays on slow rollers. Pope has the athleticism and skill to be a Gold Glove third baseman, but some scouts question whether he'll refine his raw power enough to provide the pop wanted at the position. He must continue to do a better job at recognizing pitches he can drive. The Braves believe Pope will continue to make adjustments and accelerate his development at Double-A in 2007. He's the heir apparent to Chipper Jones at third base.
Selected in the 28th round by the White Sox as a potential draft-and-follow in 2003, Pope was named the top prospect in the Central Illinois Collegiate League that summer. He returned to Meridian (Miss.) JC and starred as a two-way player before turning down Chicago. Though he had a 90-92 mph fastball, it was his power potential and athleticism that led the Braves to take him in 2004's fifth round. Pope has the look of a classic third baseman. He possesses impressive physical skills with above-average strength and power and line-drive carry to all fields. He has an aggressive approach at the plate and has shown a penchant for jumping on fastballs early in the count. Conversely, Pope can be fooled by offspeed pitches and breaking balls, though he has developed a more consistent eye and improved his pitch recognition during his short time in pro ball. He has the potential to hit 20 or more homers per year once he learns which pitches to lift and drive. Pope runs well and is an above-average defender with the agility, range and arm strength to handle third base. With his impressive body control, he's equally adept at making backhand plays deep behind the bag as he is charging slow rollers. Yet another prospect at one of the deepest positions in the system, Pope is on the verge of a breakout in high Class A this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

Trying to hone down his aggressive approach at the plate, Pope took more pitches and worked deeper counts than he'd ever done before in his pro career. Refining his ability to recognize pitches, he drew a career-high 58 walks and made considerable advances in picking out pitches he could drive. He has above-average strength, though there's still some question whether he'll hit for enough power to profile at third base. Rated the CL's best defensive third baseman by the managers, he possesses exceptional body control, solid range and a plus arm. He shows good reactions and footwork, and he led CL third basemen with a .962 fielding percentage. "He's got soft hands, really can pick it," an AL scout said. "It's just a matter of if the power's going to come. This is his second full season, so it's a little too early to tell. But when he centers the ball, it goes. If the power comes, then you got somebody."
Like Parraz, Pope displayed impressive physical skills but needs to smooth out his raw talents. He's a first-ball fastball hitter with tremendous strength and power to all fields. Overaggression can be a problem, especially with breaking balls, though he can put a charge into an offspeed pitch when he gets hold of it. Pope possesses the agility, range and arm strength for third base, along with the body type. "He's built like a brick wall," Smith said. Pope plays an adequate third base and should become more fluid with his hands and feet as he gains experience.