Chad Spann

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #28 prospect in 2007
  Spann became a forgotten man in the Red Sox system after a knee injury in 2004 and a lost year at the plate in 2005. He reclaimed his prospect status last year despite having his season come to an end Aug. 2 because of a high ankle sprain in his left leg. Spann used good pitch recognition and a line-drive approach to finish fifth in the Eastern League in hitting. He also showed more power than he ever had as a pro, but there still are questions as to whether he'll have even average pop as a big leaguer. His strike-zone discipline has slipped measurably the last two years as he has tried to drive the ball more. Spann's speed and defense are below-average, though he has worked hard to improve his arm strength and first-step quickness. If he can't cut it at the hot corner, the only other option would be first base, where his bat wouldn't profile. Ticketed for Triple-A, Spann doesn't profile as a regular on a contender like the Red Sox and he's more apt to help them as trade bait.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #16 prospect in 2005
  Georgia area scout Rob English signed four of the top 15 prospects on this list: Brandon Moss, Mike Rozier, Mickey Hall and Spann. Overmatched in his 2002 pro debut, Spann worked hard to improve his strength and discipline and took a huge step forward in 2003. An injury to his left knee wrecked his 2004 season, however, as he missed 2 1/2 months following surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Spann sustained the injury sometime in the past, but it remained undetected until he strained a ligament and had an MRI. Even after he returned in late July, the knee curtailed Spann's effectiveness because it hindered his mobility and balance. Spann focuses on making contact and using the center of the field, but he'll need to get stronger and pull more pitches to develop suitable power for third base. He didn't command the strike zone nearly as well in 2004 as he did the previous season. He has enough arm and range to play third base, but he'll need to continue to work hard to become a sound defender. His hands are his biggest weakness and contributed to his 15 errors in 54 games at the hot corner last year. As with David Murphy, the Red Sox will have Spann repeat high Class A to get him back on track.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #6 prospect in 2004
  Drafted from a private high school in rural Georgia, Spann faced a huge jump in competition when he turned pro. His work ethic and maturity convinced the Red Sox he could handle low Class A in 2003, and he became Augusta's player of the year and a South Atlantic League all-star. Spann has an advanced hitting gameplan, especially considering his age and background. For now he's content to make contact and use the middle of the field, but he should develop average to plus power once he gets stronger and more pull conscious. A football and basketball star in high school, he's more athletic than most third basemen. Though managers named Spann the SAL's best defender at third base, he's still a work in progress. His arm and range are fine but can improve, and his hands aren't especially soft. He doesn't draw as many walks as the Red Sox would like. The organization's most improved player in 2003, Spann will join a prospect-laden Sarasota club this year. Bill Mueller and Kevin Youkilis are formidable obstacles ahead of him at third base.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #19 prospect in 2003
  Drafted two rounds later than No. 13 prospect Scott White, Spann shares much in common with him. Both are Georgia products playing the hot corner after Spann moved from shortstop, and both have power potential and defensive upside. A high school quarterback, Spann is more athletic than White but isn't as advanced at the plate because he faced the lowest level of prep competition in Georgia. Spann will be one of the main projects for new minor league hitting coordinator Orv Franchuk. He has tremendous bat speed but needs better pitch recognition and patience. Defensively, he's more agile and has a slightly better arm than White does. Like White, he'll begin 2003 in extended spring training. Spann could return to the Gulf Coast League because White is a better candidate for the New York-Penn League if Boston decides to split them up.