Jason Repko Stats & Scouting Report

AB	700
AVG	.224
OBP	.294
SLG	.346
HR	16

Full name Jason Edward Repko
Born 12/27/1980 in East Chicago, IN
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Hanford
Debut 04/06/2005
Drafted in the C round (37th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1999 (signed for $660,000).

View Draft Report

SS/OF Jason Repko's speed should take him places. He is one of the fastest players in the draft and demonstrated much more than just speed this spring. He was clocked at 88-89 mph off the mound and put on an unexpected display of power by hitting .581 with 18 homers. He reminds scouts of former Washington high school shortstop Ryne Sandberg, right down to the short, compact swing.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Following five frustrating seasons marked by nagging back and hamstring injuries, a position change and inconsistent performance, Repko may have turned a corner in 2004. He posted career highs in homers, RBIs, doubles, average and at-bats between two advanced levels and was protected on the 40-man roster. Repko's hard work has helped him become the organization's best defensive outfielder. He moved to center field from shortstop in 2002 and now makes good reads on line drives, gets good jumps on balls, has above-average speed and plus arm strength. He probably profiles as an extra outfielder on a contending team, but still has a chance to play every day in the big leagues. In order to do that, he'll have to improve his on-base skills. He has an unorthodox, open stance at the plate and he carries his hands low. His swing can get long, though he has good hand-eye coordination and shows enough bat speed to drill the ball to all parts of the park. Repko is slated to start 2005 back in Triple-A but is an injury away from earning his first big league callup.
Repko showed the capability for all-around stardom as a first-team high school All-American in 1999, when he batted .581 with 18 home runs and 14 steals. A pulled hamstring and recurring back problems hampered his progress throughout the 2000-01 seasons, but he was healthy enough last year to play in a career-high 120 games. Instead of the five-tool projections and Paul Molitor comparisons from early in his career, Repko now projects as more of a versatile, reserve player in the Jason Romano mold. Repko moved to center field last year after committing 67 errors in 134 games at shortstop. He's one of the fastest players in the system--a 70 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale--with plus arm strength and solid baseball instincts, so the transition went smoothly. His power doesn't project as a plus tool anymore, though he can drive the ball into the alleys with some authority. He has a quick bat that should produce a good average if he can develop more selectivity at the plate. He chases too many pitches out of the zone. Repko could get a shot at Double-A this year.
Repko was inconsistent with the bat last year in low Class A and missed three weeks with lingering back problems. But when he's at full strength, he rates no worse than average with all five tools. He has above-average speed and the overall talent to be a sparkplug at the top of the lineup. The Dodgers compare him to Paul Molitor, though he won't ever approach that type of production until he gets stronger and learns the strike zone. There also are concerns about Repko's defense and health. Some scouts wonder if his future will be in the infield--he made 26 errors in 77 games at shortstop in 2001--with many believing he'd be better served to concentrate on his hitting while manning left field or possibly center. Repko has played the outfield before and doesn't have the arm strength for right field. His back limited him to 17 at-bats in 2000 before flaring up again last year, but numerous tests haven't revealed anything physically that doctors are able to correct. Repko sorely needs to remain on the field in order to improve all phases of his game. Spring training will determine whether he returns to Wilmington or receives a promotion to high Class A to get a full year's worth of at-bats.
The 2000 season was a wasted one for Repko, who battled a hamstring problem followed by a strained back. Though he got just 17 at-bats at short-season Yakima, the Dodgers aren't worried about his progress based on his showings in spring training and instructional league. Repko is a top-of-the-lineup hitter who has attracted comparisons to Paul Molitor. His offensive potential is as good as anyone in the organization. He brings considerable energy and athleticism to the lineup with his outstanding speed. He also continues to display more power than most scouts expected when he signed out of high school. His arm strength is also above-average. He needs experience more than anything else. A natural athlete with five tools, Repko tries to do too much at times, especially on defense. The Dodgers believe his errors will decrease as he learns the nuances of pro ball. Last year's injuries should have no effect on him in 2001. He'll experience his first taste of a full-season league by opening the year at Wilmington.

Minor League Top Prospects

The league was split on whether Repko, who made 38 errors in 49 games at shortstop, would remain at the position. Those who didn't feel he could learn the position believe he could be a solid second baseman or outstanding center fielder. There was no disagreement about Repko's offensive potential or hustling attitude. He is a well-above-average runner with surprising pop in his bat, and he has the potential to be an offensive disrupter at the top of the batting order. One manager compared him to a young Davey Lopes.