Greg Miclat Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1808
AVG	.251
OBP	.334
SLG	.31
HR	5

Full name Gregory Brett Miclat
Born 07/23/1987 in Chesapeake, VA
Profile Ht.: 5'8" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Virginia
Drafted in the 5th round (146th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2008 (signed for $225,000).

View Draft Report

At 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, Greg Miclat is an undersized, switch-hitting middle infielder. Typically a plus defender at shortstop, he had arm surgery a year ago and battled a sore shoulder for most of the season. When healthy, Miclat has solid arm strength and plus range, playing with a fearless nature and good instincts. At the plate, he is a slap hitter who uses his speed to put pressure on the defense. He stole 30 bases this season for the Cavaliers.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Miclat signed for an over-slot bonus of $225,000 in 2008 even though he had battled shoulder and arm injuries in his last two seasons at Virginia. Overcoming a broken nose in April and a sprained foot in May, he ranked fourth in the high Class A Carolina League last season in on-base percentage (.403) when he earned a promotion to Bowie. He struggled against Double-A pitching, but finished the year on a high note with a .308/.390/.385 performance in the Arizona Fall League. Defense remains Miclat's calling card, as he makes all the routine plays even though he doesn't have pure shortstop actions. He's an above-average runner with good range, and he uses his speed well on the bases. His arm is average now and may be a bit short for plays deep in the hole, with most of his errors being a result of errant throws. Miclat is a slap hitter who uses the whole field, and his offensive success is predicated on plate discipline. In Double-A, he looked overmatched at times and piled up too many strikeouts. His power is well below-average. The Orioles have worked Miclat out at second base, and he profiles as a utilityman who can play both middle-infield positions. He'll go back to Double-A to open the season
In Miclat, the Orioles got an unheralded player who they believe is a legitimate shortstop--just what the organization sorely needs. He had a sore shoulder for most of last spring at Virginia after having surgery following the 2007 season, and his performance suffered on offense and defense. Baltimore still drafted him in the fifth round and signed him for an above-slot $225,000 bonus after he spent the summer in the Cape Cod League. He got his feet wet after signing and really made an impression during instructional league, where a small change in his approach at the plate made a big difference in his ability to drive the ball. He already shows good plate discipline, has quality at-bats and plays to his strengths by getting on base as a switch-hitter. Some already regard him as the best infield defender in the system, a legitimate shortstop with good range, hands and footwork. The big question is whether his arm will come all the way back after shoulder surgery, but the Orioles are encouraged by what they've seen so far. Miclat has a tremendous feel for the game with enough speed to steal bases, so if his shoulder recovers fully and he shows a little more pop in his bat, he could move in a hurry.