Byron Gettis Stats & Scouting Report

AB	39
AVG	.179
OBP	.327
SLG	.256
HR	0

Full name Byron Earl Gettis
Born 03/13/1980 in Centreville, IL
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 240 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Cahokia
Debut 05/27/2004

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Royals named Gettis their minor league player of the year in 2003, then removed him from their 40-man roster after he disappointed in Triple-A and the majors last year. He made his big league debut and had his first multihit game against the Tigers, who claimed him off waivers to fortify their Triple-A roster. They may have gotten more than they bargained for, as he went on to become one of the top hitters in the Puerto Rican League. A former University of Minnesota quarterback recruit and the cousin of former NFL linebacker Dana Howard, Gettis is more athletic than his 6-foot, 240-pound frame might indicate. He can punish fastballs and his arm, speed and right-field range are all solid. He struggles with offspeed pitches, and there are concerns that he carries too much weight. If his winter was for real, Gettis could find himself breaking through a la Craig Monroe later in the year.
Gettis had a scholarship to play quarterback at Minnesota, then signed with the Royals after finalizing negotiations in a bowling alley. He's the cousin of former NFL linebacker Dana Howard. Gettis and didn't play a lot of baseball as a youth, so it took a while for his athleticism to translate into baseball success. He needed two years at each level before exploding at Double-A, winning the organization's minor league player of the year award in 2003. Most of Gettis' success can be attributed to a better grasp of the strike zone. He had always been a dead-red fastball hitter, but learned to lay off breaking balls and got himself in more hitter's counts by focusing on driving the ball up the middle. He's one of the stronger hitters in the system. His arm and athleticism make him an average right fielder. Gettis carries a lot of weight on his 6-foot frame, leading to concerns his body could get soft. He still has holes in his swing, but his newfound plate discipline makes them harder to exploit. Gettis could become a regular with 30-homer power, or he could wind up as a fourth outfielder. The Royals will have a better idea after he spends 2004 in Triple-A.
Gettis continued his slow but steady progression with a strong season as he repeated high Class A. It fell in line with the rest of his career: He generally struggles in his first crack at a level and then shows significant improvement the next year. A former University of Minnesota quarterback recruit, Gettis is the cousin of former NFL linebacker Dana Howard. He's a strong athlete whose baseball skills were raw when the Royals signed him. Managers rated him the Carolina League's best defensive outfielder in 2002, and noted his strong right-field arm. Gettis tweaked his approach at the plate in 2002, taking more pitches and using the opposite field. While his weight can be a concern, he runs well for his size but doesn't show the power one might expect. The Royals say if Gettis continues to improve as a hitter, the homers will come down the line. Gettis will move to Double-A in 2003, and he'll need to pick up the pace if he's to reach the majors before he turns 25.
Among their outfielders, the Royals have a starter kit of football skill-position players. Big leaguer Dee Brown was a prized tailback recruit by Maryland, and 2001 second-rounder Roscoe Crosby spent last fall as a Clemson wide receiver. The quarterback would be Gettis, who was set to throw passes for Minnesota before changing his mind and signing with the Royals in a bowling alley as a nondrafted free agent. He's the cousin of former NFL linebacker Dana Howard. Gettis has the power and arm scouts like to see in a right fielder, but he has yet to get the most out of his tools. It's not for want of trying--Kansas City loves his makeup--but rather it's because he's so raw. His ability to make contact, instincts and weight all have been negatives thus far. Gettis has yet to rise higher than Class A after four years as a pro and might return to Wilmington after struggling there in 2000 and 2001.
The cousin of former NFL linebacker Dana Howard, Gettis planned on pursuing football himself. He was a quarterback who signed with the University of Minnesota, then changed his mind and joined the Royals as a nondrafted free agent. His power potential and arm strength are intriguing, though he has yet to prove he can hit advanced pitching. He got blown away in the Carolina League last year, and wasn't much better after getting demoted to the South Atlantic League. Gettis needs to find a batting stance and stick to it, and he has to do a much better job of making contact. His raw strength has translated into just 12 career homers. While Gettis can throw, he has played almost solely in left field because he's been too heavy (up to 245 pounds) and still is learning the nuances of outfield play. He's a classic boom-or-bust player who can become special or struggle to make it out of Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

After taking a slow path through the Royals system since he was signed as a nondrafted free agent in 1998--teams thought he was going to the University of Minnesota to play football--Gettis rewarded the organization's patience with a breakthrough in his first Double-A season. He hit 44 points better than his previous career average and showed he could be a run producer as well. Gettis presents a well-rounded package of tools, showing the ability to hit for power and average, with average speed and enough arm to play in right field. He also brings energy and a good attitude to the ballpark. He still needs to refine his approach at the plate as he faces better pitching.
Gettis is an intriguing athlete, albeit one who has spent five years in pro ball without reaching Double-A. A former quarterback recruit of the University of Minnesota, he's loaded with raw talent. Managers rated him the CL's best defensive outfielder, as he covers plenty of ground in right field and has a strong arm. He's just starting to reach his potential at the plate. Previously known as a pull hitter, he has developed a keener eye and has learned to wait on outside pitches long enough to drive them to the opposite field. "He showed a great arm against us," Cole said. "He's one of those guys who plays hard and shows you something every day that you like to see. He has good power and can run for a big guy."