Mark Sobolewski Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1907
AVG	.255
OBP	.303
SLG	.386
HR	46

Full name Robert Mark Sobolewski
Born 12/24/1986 in New Haven, CT
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Miami (FL)
Drafted in the 4th round (129th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008 (signed for $243,000).

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Sobolewski is a draft-eligible true sophomore, and playing for Miami has afforded him plenty of exposure this spring. He should be one of at least seven Hurricanes drafted this June. A Freshman All-American last season, Sobolewski had a 20-game hit streak last season and reached base safely in 31 of his team's last 32 games. He struggled last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .189 with no home runs in 39 games. Drafted in the 20th round out of high school by the Astros in 2006, Sobolewski is still raw at third base and at the plate. While he has an above-average arm, he has made too many errors this season, most of them throwing errors because he has a tendency to drop down and throw across the diamond from a lower arm slot. He does have the actions and hands to be an above-average fielder if he refines his technique. At the plate, Sobolewski is strong, as he often hits cleanup for the Hurricanes, but most of his power is pull-side. As a sophomore, Sobolewski may be a tough sign, and one more year of college may be enough to make him a top prospect for next year's draft.

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The fifth of five Miami players drafted in the first four rounds in June, Sobolewski signed a month after the draft for $243,000 as a draft-eligible sophomore. Previously drafted by the Astros in the 20th round of the 2006 draft as a high school shortstop, he might have commanded more had he returned to the Hurricanes for his junior year. The early returns on Sobolweski with wood bats haven't been stellar, as he batted .189 without a homer in 39 Cape Cod League games in 2007 and .256 with one homer in 35 games in his pro debut. He was slowed last summer by an injury to an ankle tendon that required surgery and caused him to miss instructional league. A physical hitter, Sobolewski bats from a wide stance and hammers fastballs--especially to his pull side--with above-average bat speed. But because his swing features minimal load, his power output remains inconsistent. His hands are fast and his swing plane is even, so he could develop into an average hitter. His most distinguished defensive tool is a strong throwing arm, and he's adept at charging slow rollers and going to his left. Sobolewski drew criticism as an amateur for dropping down on throws and slinging the ball across the infield, leading to a high error total--and he committed 11 miscues in his debut. He's a below-average runner. Sobolewski is rawer than the typical high pick from a major college program, so he may need additional time to refine his game. If he doesn't clean up his throwing at third, some observers think his arm strength would play well at catcher or right field.