Lance Niekro

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #21 prospect in 2005
  The son of Joe and nephew of Hall of Famer Phil, Niekro once seemed destined for a long major league career of his own. Like Todd Linden, he starred in the Cape Cod League prior to signing and has been on the verge of earning a job in San Francisco for a couple of years. But Niekro has been waylaid by injuries, including right shoulder surgery (2001), a broken left hand (2002) and hamstring woes (2003) that pushed him to first base after he played third as an amateur. He has seen time at the hot corner the last two seasons, and he was consistent enough making routine plays that the Giants consider him capable of backing up at third in the majors. Niekro's bat was supposed to carry him to San Francisco by now, but he showed an alarming lack of power before 2004. He added a high right ankle sprain to his medical chart in spring training, but he got hot once he returned to the field, slugging a career-high .554. He has bat speed and leverage in his swing, and he unlocked his power once he became more selective. If Pedro Feliz falters, Niekro could enter the picture in a similar role as a reserve at first, third and left field. He'll return to Triple-A to start the season.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #14 prospect in 2004
  Niekro carries a .313 career average as a minor leaguer, and his swing, offensive potential and big league bloodlines (his father Joe and uncle Phil won 539 big league games between them as knuckleballers) have the Giants encouraged that he'll help in the majors soon. The evidence, however, points toward him doing so as a role player rather than as a middle-of-the-lineup regular. Once touted as a power prospect, Niekro has just a .431 slugging percentage in the minors. He has gap power in his swing but isn't selective enough to hit home runs. While San Francisco lauds his aggressiveness, he doesn't do enough else of value beyond hitting for average. His speed and defense are below average, and a constant stream of injuries have pushed him from third base to first. Niekro has yet to play a full season, thanks to right shoulder surgery in 2001, a broken left hand in 2002 and a strained right hamstring in 2003. Added to the 40-man roster this offseason, Niekro could use more minor league time. The resigning of J.T. Snow probably means Niekro will return to Fresno in 2004.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #9 prospect in 2003
  Yes, Niekro can throw a knuckleball just like his father Joe and uncle Phil, who won 539 games between them in the majors. Unlike them, his ticket to the majors is as a position player who first made his mark by nearly winning the 1999 Cape Cod League triple crown. He has risen quickly, though injuries have interrupted both his full seasons (shoulder in 2001, wrist in 2002). Niekro is a disciplined hitter who uses the whole field. He has good size and he knows how to use it to generate leverage. He has good range at third base and made a smooth adjustment to first base when the Giants wanted to give his shoulder a break following his 2001 surgery. Niekro should develop power, but so far he hasn't shown it. He makes good contact but has to draw more walks after totaling just 22 in 170 pro games. He's not much of a runner. Most of all, he has to stay healthy to get more experience. Niekro will start 2003 in Triple-A. The Giants still haven't decided if his future is at first or third base, though he'd prefer to go back to the hot corner.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #7 prospect in 2002
  Niekro's father Joe and his uncle Phil, a Hall of Famer, were accomplished knuckleball pitchers in the majors, and Lance can throw the floater as well. He nearly won the Cape Cod League's triple crown in 1999, but a shoulder injury and diminished power caused him to fall to the second round of the draft a year later. Niekro plays with passion and grit like a big leaguer. He reminds the Giants of Jeff Kent offensively: a good fastball hitter who crushes mistake breaking balls and has power to all fields. He has soft, sure hands and an accurate if not overwhelming arm at third base. He's athletic enough for the position as well. Niekro has had health problems since his Cape coming-out party. He went to spring training last year with a tender right shoulder and injured the same shoulder May 15 when he landed wrong after catching a popup. He must show he can remain healthy to be considered an elite prospect. He also can improve his plate discipline. Niekro allayed fears about his recurring shoulder problems by hitting .306-2-13 in 62 instructional league at-bats. He'll move up to Double-A in 2002 and get back on the express route to the majors.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #4 prospect in 2001
  The son of former big leaguer Joe and nephew of Hall of Famer Phil projected as a first-round pick after nearly winning the Cape Cod League triple crown in the summer of 1999. He even showed off the family knuckleball in an emergency relief appearance. Persistent shoulder problems, though, and a longer swing with an aluminum bat short-circuited Niekro's power last spring, so he slipped through to the second round. But his short, compact swing makes him the rare hitter who hits better with wood than with aluminum. Despite a groin injury that slowed him for the first half of the season, he won the short-season Northwest League batting title in his pro debut. He showed the arm, hands and power to be a big league third baseman. The Giants want Niekro to get stronger and in better shape to help him avoid injuries. They're confident that with his makeup and intelligence, that won't be a problem. The Giants are flush with third-base prospects, and team officials are confident Niekro could make the jump to Double-A if needed and if Tony Torcato has the kind of spring that would put him in Fresno.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Northwest League #2 prospect in 2000
  Niekro, the son of former big leaguer Joe Niekro and nephew of Hall of Famer Phil, brought a big league approach to the league that instantly ingratiated him to all the managers. He also brought sufficient tools and ability to be a big league third baseman. "He's fine at third base," Eugene manager Danny Shaffer said. "He's got good hands and enough arm, and the power is definitely there. He has good size and should fill out some more, too." Niekro was the MVP of the Cape Cod League last summer, but struggled to hit for power during the spring at Florida Southern, batting .357-7-63. He impressed Stanley with his bat speed and ability to hit for power to all fields in the summer. He also won over his manager by fighting through a groin injury to lead the league in batting. "He can really swing the bat," Stanley said. "It was a matter of getting into shape here after a month off. Once he did, he made the rest of the league pitch around him."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #85 prospect in 2001

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Niekro, the son of former big leaguer Joe Niekro and nephew of Hall of Famer Phil, brought a big league approach to the league that instantly ingratiated him to all the managers. He also brought sufficient tools and ability to be a big league third baseman. "He's fine at third base," Eugene manager Danny Shaffer said. "He's got good hands and enough arm, and the power is definitely there. He has good size and should fill out some more, too." Niekro was the MVP of the Cape Cod League last summer, but struggled to hit for power during the spring at Florida Southern, batting .357-7-63. He impressed Stanley with his bat speed and ability to hit for power to all fields in the summer. He also won over his manager by fighting through a groin injury to lead the league in batting. "He can really swing the bat," Stanley said. "It was a matter of getting into shape here after a month off. Once he did, he made the rest of the league pitch around him."