Jeff Kobernus

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #19 prospect in 2014
  Nagging injuries hindered Kobernus' development over his first four seasons, and the Nats left him off the 40-man roster following the 2012 campaign. The Red Sox selected him in the Rule 5 draft and traded him to the Tigers for Justin Henry, but Kobernus returned to Washington in March and went on to put together his best pro season. He posted a career-high .754 OPS at Triple-A Syracuse and spent most of June and September in the big leagues as a reserve. Kobernus started his collegiate career at third base before moving to second, and he handled himself adequately at both positions plus left and center field in 2013, boosting his stock as potential utilityman. He's a fringy defender at all four spots, and his below-average arm is a liability. Kobernus' plus-plus speed gives him value as a pinch-runner and a chance to become an average defensive outfielder as he gets more comfortable tracking down fly balls. His premium speed really plays on the basepaths, where he is instinctive and aggressive, helping him swipe 140 bases in 170 tries (82 percent) over the last three years. Kobernus lacks the strength to be an impact hitter--his power is well-below-average--but his contact-oriented approach works for him. He does not draw enough walks to thrive as a table-setter. Kobernus is close to reaching his ceiling as a versatile speedster off the bench, and he will compete for a big league reserve spot in 2014.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #20 prospect in 2013
  The son of a former minor leaguer of the same name, Kobernus is a baseball rat who plays the game hard. His career has been marked by a succession of nagging injuries, and 2012 was more of the same. He came out of the chute healthy, but a thumb injury sidelined him for some of May and June, and when he returned to action his timing was off, causing him to press. Then he was hit by a pitch on July 26, resulting in a cracked rib that ended his season. The Nationals left him off their 40-man roster and saw him taken in the major league Rule 5 draft by the Red Sox, who immediately shipped him to the Tigers in a prearranged trade for infielder/outfielder Justin Henry. Kobernus' best tool is his speed, which easily rates as a 70 and sometimes flashes 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He's a smart, aggressive baserunner who puts pressure on defenses by stealing and taking extra bases. When he's in a groove at the plate, Kobernus swings at strikes and hits hard line drives all over the field. He got into hack mode during the second half of 2012, getting out in front on pitches and struggling to control the strike zone. He projects as an average hitter with well below-average power, though he should drive his share of extra-base hits into the gaps. Kobernus' hands are a bit stiff at second base, but he has an average arm and makes most of the routine plays. Detroit acquired him with the idea that he can help the major league club as a speed-oriented utilityman. He has to stick on the major league roster for the entire season, unless the Tigers are willing to place him on waivers and offer him back to Washington for half of his $50,000 draft price.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #20 prospect in 2012
  The son of a former minor leaguer of the same name, Kobernus has a hard-nosed style of play that may have led to the nagging injuries that limited him during his first two pro seasons. He stayed mostly healthy in 2011, putting together a solid season at high Class A Potomac. A plus-plus runner with excellent first-step quickness and advanced instincts on the basepaths, Kobernus tied for 11th in the minors with 53 stolen bases and succeeded on 87 percent of his attempts. He's still learning to refine his approach offensively, as he tends to try too hard to make something happen and chases pitches out of the zone. Washington wants him to do a better job staying under control and balanced, which also should help his pitch recognition. When he stays back, he shows a pretty line-drive swing and good bat speed. He can drive the ball from gap to gap and has occasional power to his pull side. He shows the ability to backspin balls out of the park with ease at times during batting practice, but he doesn't figure to have better than below-average power. Kobernus became a more fluid defender at second base in 2011, making progress with his pivots, actions and throws. He has a solid arm for the position and projects as at least an average defender. Kobernus has the tools to be an everyday big league second baseman, but he'll need to mature offensively and make continued progress defensively. He'll get a crack at Double-A this year.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #21 prospect in 2011
  Kobernus hasn't been able to stay healthy since signing for $705,500 as a second-round pick in 2009. His pro debut was cut short after 10 games by an old knee injury that required surgery. He was back on the field by last spring, but he missed a month early and a month late with more nagging injuries. The Nationals think his aggressive style of play has led to some of his physical setbacks. The son of a former Athletics minor leaguer of the same name, Kobernus is a baseball rat who plays the game hard. He has a nice line-drive stroke, but Washington wants him to do a better job controlling the strike zone. He's strong enough to drive balls to the gaps but his home run power is below average at best. Kobernus is an excellent athlete with above-average speed and good baserunning instincts. His solid range, hands and arm strength give him a chance to be a good defender at second base, but he's still learning the finer points of the position after playing mostly third base in college. Kobernus has the skill set to be an everyday big league second baseman, but he must prove he can stay on the field and he needs to refine his overall game. He should start 2011 in high Class A.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #7 prospect in 2010
  The son of a former Athletics minor leaguer of the same name, Kobernus was a three-year starter at California, playing mostly third base his first two seasons before moving to second as a junior. After signing for $705,500 as a second-round pick in June, he had his pro debut cut short after 10 games by an old knee injury that required minor surgery. The Nationals expected him to be fully healthy by the middle of the fall. Versatile and athletic, Kobernus has a well-rounded game. He makes consistent contact with a line-drive, gap-to- gap swing, and he has an advanced offensive approach. He has above-average speed and outstanding baserunning instincts, helping him rack up 44 steals in three years at Cal. His hands, feet and arm all work well at second base, and he has a chance to be a plus defender there, or at third base if Washington desired. He's a baseball rat with a good work ethic. Kobernus still is learning the subtleties of his relatively new position, refining his footwork, pivots and feeds. He has fringe-average power, though he can run into occasional homers and the Nationals believe he could hit as many as 15-20 per year. Kobernus could move quickly through the system, starting with a likely assignment to low Class A Hagerstown in 2010. He profiles as a solid big league regular, perhaps as soon as 2012.