Rick Hague
| AB | 1709 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .252 |
| OBP | .307 |
| SLG | .366 |
| HR | 23 |
- Full name Richard Hague
- Born 09/18/1988 in Spring, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Rice
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Drafted in the 3rd round (83rd overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2010 (signed for $430,200).
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Teams targeted Hague as a likely first-round pick after his summer with Team USA, when he shifted from shortstop to third base in deference to Cal State Fullerton's Christian Colon, tied for the team lead in batting (.371) and was named the top hitter at the World Baseball Challenge. But he started the spring in an extended funk, hitting just .290 and committing 22 errors in his first 38 games, bottoming out with a four-error game against Texas A&M. Hague has been on fire since, going on a 41-for-89 (.461) tear with just one error in his next 20 contests. Hague has strong hands, an easy righthanded stroke and a good ability to use the opposite field at times. He swings and misses badly at others and falls into ruts when he tries to pull every pitch he sees. His power and speed are fringe-average, though he has good instincts on the bases and is a better runner under way. He has the arm strength to play shortstop or third base, but he lacks the range for short and doesn't have the true power for third. Scouts acknowledge that Hague has decent tools and love his makeup, but he doesn't profile well at any position because he doesn't have the quickness for second base or the offensive production for an outfield corner. Though his resurgence still could land him in the third round, his future position remains in doubt.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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A three-year standout at Rice, Hague showed plenty of offensive potential in his 2010 pro debut, but he dislocated his throwing shoulder after just four games in 2011, halting his progress. The Nationals eased him back into action last year, holding him back in extended spring training until assigning him to high Class A on April 30. Washington's primary goal for Hague in 2012 was for him to stay healthy for a full season, and he accomplished that, though his numbers were modest. He figures to grow into some power as he matures. He started to hit balls with authority in the second half last year as he learned to make better use of his lower half. He has a chance to be a line-drive, gap-to-gap hitter with average pop, in the mold of Michael Young. A shortstop in college, Hague split time between short and second base last season. His range fits better at second, where his shoulder isn't taxed as heavily. He gradually regained arm strength over the course of the season, and the Nationals expect it to be at least fringy in 2013. He had a slightly above-average arm before his injury. He's a below-average runner but can steal an occasional base. Hague should get a crack at Double-A this year. -
Hague hit a combined .335 with 32 homers during three standout years as Rice's starting shortstop, and he hit .371 with wood bats for Team USA's college squad in 2009. After signing for $430,200 as a 2010 third-round pick, Hague continued to rake in his pro debut, though he carried over his erratic defensive play from the spring to the summer. The Nationals sent him to their accelerated program prior to the start of spring training, and he made great progress using his lower half better, unlocking his power potential. Club officials say he had the best spring of any hitter in the system, and he got off to a 5-for-14 in high Class A before dislocating his throwing shoulder. He had surgery in June, ending his season. Hague has advanced bat-to-ball instincts, quick hands and a compact swing. By learning to slow down in the box and stay back, his pitch recognition has improved and he's able to handle offspeed pitches better. He has a chance to be a plus hitter with average power. Hague's defense at shortstop remains a work in progress. He tends to wait back for balls that he should charge, causing the game to speed up on him and his throws to get rushed. No better than a fringy runner, he lacks the range for shortstop, though his arm is strong enough for the position. He fits better as a second or third baseman, and his total package reminds one Nats official of Michael Young, though that's an ambitious comparison. Hague likely will continue his rehabilitation in extended spring training before returning to Potomac. -
Hague stepped right into Rice's starting shortstop job as a freshman in 2008, and he established himself as a first-round candidate after tying for the Team USA lead with a .371 batting average the summer after his sophomore year. But he got off to a brutal start in 2010, hitting .290 with metal bats and committing 22 errors in his first 38 games. Hague did finish strong, batting .413 and committing just one error in his final 24 contests. The Nationals were pleased to land him in the third round and sign him for $430,200. Hague batted .317 in his pro debut, but he also committed 20 errors in 38 games. He's a line-drive, gap-to-gap hitter who projects as an average or slightly better hitter with fringy power. He's streaky at the plate and can fall into ruts when he tries to pull everything. His fringy speed plays up because of his good instincts on the basepaths, and he's a better runner under way. Hague's defensive issues in 2010 largely stemmed from a loss of confidence and poor technique. He had trouble throwing accurately, but he does flash an above-average arm when he plays through the ball, rather than stopping when he fields it. He lacks the range to play shortstop in the major leagues and fits best defensively at third base, where he shined for Team USA in 2009. But scouts wonder if he'll hit for enough power for the hot corner. Hague is a grinder who gets the most out of his tools, and the Nationals will leave him at shortstop until he plays his way off the position. He could advance to high Class A to start his first full pro season.
