Shawn Riggans

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #16 prospect in 2007
  Injuries plagued Riggans early in his career, beginning with Tommy John surgery in 2001, further elbow problems in 2004 and a sprained ankle early in 2005. He has stayed healthy since. He has solid power and would be a good run producer in the lower half of a major league lineup. He showed more consistency with the bat in 2006 by lessening his tendency to pull most pitches. He still gets too aggressive at times, however. Like most catchers, he doesn't run well, but he does show excellent bounce behind the plate. Managers rated him the International League's best defensive catcher. Though he threw out just 25 percent of basestealers last year, Riggans' arm strength is a tick above average, and he possesses a quick release with solid accuracy on his throws. His game-calling continues to improve, and scouts and managers love his hard-nosed approach. His window of opportunity closed somewhat when the Devil Rays traded for Dioner Navarro in mid-2006. But Riggans can be at least a solid backup, and given the chance he could be an effective regular.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #11 prospect in 2006
  Injuries bit Riggans again in 2005, as he missed three weeks after suffering a high left ankle sprain in mid-May, but he was healthy otherwise and collected a career-high 313 at bats. He had Tommy John surgery shortly after signing in 2001, and elbow problems bothered him again in 2004. A solid defensive catcher, Riggans has good bounce behind the plate. His catch-and-throw skills and arm strength are above average. He has a quick release and good awareness, and he threw out 32 percent of basestealers last year. He receives high marks for his ability to work with pitchers and call a game. Riggans' hitting steadily has improved, and the Rays believe he'll provide some pop in the lower half of the lineup. He remains too pull-conscious at the plate, however, and falls into the habit of uppercutting too many pitches. He also tends to surrender the outside part of the plate. A more disciplined approach could mean the difference between being a platoon player and a starter in the major leagues. Riggans is expected to be the starting catcher in Triple-A in 2006, with a likely promotion to Tampa in September.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #25 prospect in 2005
  Riggans' development has been delayed by a string of injuries. He needed Tommy John surgery shortly after signing as a draft-and-follow in 2001, and got only a half-season as a DH in 2002. He was off to a great start with the bat last year before elbow problems cropped up again in mid-May, sidelining him for two months. When healthy, Riggans is the best defensive catcher in the organization. His arm strength and accuracy are solid, though his elbow woes enabled him to throw out just 24 percent of basestealers last year. He calls a good game and works well with pitchers, though he needs to upgrade his footwork and agility. Riggans has gotten barely more than a full season's worth of at-bats as a pro, but he has shown the promise to hit for average and gap power. He has strong wrists and a quick swing. The Rays envision him driving in runs from the lower half of the lineup, and hope he can stay healthy this year in Double-A.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #19 prospect in 2004
  After an elbow injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery prevented Riggans from catching much in his first two pro seasons, he returned to earn best-defensive-catcher honors in the South Atlantic League in 2003. One of the best receivers in the organization, Riggans has greatly improved his gamecalling ability. Charleston pitchers loved working with him, benefiting from his knowledge of hitters and feel for the game. His arm strength and accuracy are good but not great, with his surgery showing some residual effects. He threw out 26 percent of basestealers last year. His greatest needs from a defensive standpoint are improving his agility and his ability to block balls in the dirt. Offensively, he generates power with his quick bat. The Rays believe he can be a run producer while hitting in the bottom half of the lineup, and he didn't look overmatched following a late-season promotion to Double-A. With Pete LaForest likely ticketed for Triple-A, Riggans probably will start this season back in the Southern League.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #19 prospect in 2003
  Riggans' time behind the plate has been limited to a handful of games since he signed in 2001 as a draft-and-follow. He got off to a great start in his pro debut, with eight homers and 17 RBIs in 15 games in Rookie ball before needing Tommy John surgery to repair his throwing elbow. He recovered in time to report to short-season Hudson Valley last June and started at catcher twice during the first four games. The lingering effects from his elbow surgery limited him to DH over the next two months before he caught five times during the last two weeks of the season. Riggans has solid defensive skills, moves well behind the plate and does a good job of blocking pitches in the dirt. His weakness comes in working with pitchers and refining his overall approach, which are parts of his game he has been unable to develop because of his arm problems. Offensively, Riggans is a good contact hitter with excellent bat speed and a compact swing that generates plus power. He has the makings of a run-producing receiver, provided his arm continues to recover during the 2003 season in low Class A.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #15 prospect in 2002
  A draft-and-follow pick from the 2000 draft, Riggans showed tremendous thunder in his bat in his pro debut last summer before elbow problems sidelined him. He required Tommy John surgery, and the Devil Rays hope he'll be ready to report to short-season Hudson Valley in June. Riggans generates outstanding bat speed with his compact swing. He drilled a 440-foot homer to center field off a 94-mph fastball at Rookie-level Princeton. In addition to his stick, Riggans also has impressive defensive skills. He had a plus arm prior to surgery, and he also earned high marks for his ability to block balls and his overall movement behind the plate. He has impressive natural strength and mental toughness. Riggans' ability to call a game isn't refined, and he's just beginning to learn how to work with pitchers. But the tools are definitely there for him to be an all-around catcher if he returns to health.