Todd Self Stats & Scouting Report

AB	45
AVG	.2
OBP	.25
SLG	.311
HR	1

Full name Todd Douglas Self
Born 11/09/1978 in Shreveport, LA
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Louisiana - Monroe
Debut 05/12/2005
Drafted in the 15th round (457th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2000.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Astros have come to accept that Self is what he is. He has a talent for getting on base, but has so little home run power that he's not going to make a case for playing every day in the majors. Managers rated his strike-zone discipline the best in the Texas League in 2004, no surprise considering he led the TL in on-base percentage and earned the same recognition in the high Class A Carolina League the year before. Using an extremely level swing, Self topped .300 for the fourth consecutive season. He has hit just 33 homers in five years as a pro, however, because he doesn't lift pitches and is usually content to line soft singles to the opposite field. Self broke into pro ball as an outfielder and has the arm strength to play right field. But his speed, range and routes are all below-average, limiting him to first base. Though Houston has declined to protect Self on its 40-man roster the last two seasons, he could carve out a big league role as a lefty bat off the bench. He'll move up to Triple-A in 2005.
Self made news last August when he got trapped in a dugout bathroom during a game at Kinston. He slammed the door in anger after a bad at-bat in the top of the ninth, then missed the bottom of the inning and was stuck for 20 minutes after the game ended. Now if he can just unlock his power. Self was a defensive hitter when he entered pro ball, letting himself fall into bad counts. Now he works pitchers masterfully, and managers rated his strike-zone judgment the best in the Carolina League last year. Self is getting stronger and makes consistent, solid contact, but at 25 he has just 22 homers in 387 pro games. He's still learning to recognize which pitches he can drive, and he must start punishing fastballs rather than serving them to the opposite field for singles. He made great strides against lefthanders in 2003. While Self's strong arm is suitable for right field, his below-average speed and poor routes make him better suited for first base. If he doesn't start producing more homers, his ceiling will be as a bench player in the majors. Self will move to Double-A this year.