Josh Kroeger Stats & Scouting Report

AB	54
AVG	.167
OBP	.182
SLG	.222
HR	0

Full name Joshua J. Kroeger
Born 08/31/1982 in Davenport, IA
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Scripps Ranch
Debut 09/02/2004
Drafted in the 4th round (129th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2000.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Kroeger hit .331 with 19 homers in the upper minors in 2004, but failed a trial with the Diamondbacks that year and dropped to .231 with nine homers at Triple-A in the Phillies system by 2006. Cubs scout Hector Ortega liked what he saw of him in the Venezuelan Winter League, so Chicago signed Kroeger as a six-year minor league free agent. He opened 2007 in Double-A because the Cubs didn't have an opening in Triple-A, then forced the issue by hitting .382 at Tennessee. He has a smooth swing, though just average bat speed and raw power. He got his bat going again last year by trying not to do too much at the plate, getting comfortable taking what pitchers gave him and exhibiting by far the best plate discipline of his career. A good athlete who turned down a football scholarship to play wide receiver at NCAA Division II Truman State (Mo.), Kroeger has average speed and can play all three outfield positions, though he's best suited for a corner. He has enough arm strength to play regularly in right field. His resurgence came despite a nagging bone spur in his left hand, which he had removed via surgery in September. He should be 100 percent for spring training. He re-signed with the Cubs as a minor league free agent, though their offseason signing of Kosuke Fukudome means its unlikely that Kroeger will get much of an opportunity with the big league club.
After Kroeger hit .331-19-87 in 2004 while splitting time between Double-A El Paso and Tucson, some scouts still questioned whether his big numbers were simply the result of playing in friendly-hitter environments. They also wondered if his overly aggressive approach would continue to serve him well. Those concerns were well-founded, as Kroeger struggled through a disappointing 2005. While Kroeger's skills are solid across the board, he lacks the plus tool needed to project as an everyday player. He's a good athlete who turned down a football scholarship from NCAA Division II Truman State (Mo.) as a wide receiver. He has a smooth swing, some power and average speed. His range and arm are solid on an outfield corner. Kroeger improved his conditioning in 2005, and responded with a career high in stolen bases while also proving he can hold his own in center field when needed. Kroeger's lack of plate discipline and slider-speed bat continue to hurt him, and good lefthanders can tie him up inside. He'll return to Triple-A in 2006, and is starting to get buried by the Diamondbacks' outfield depth.
Kroeger turned down a football scholarship from NCAA Division II Truman State (Mo.) as a wide receiver to sign with the Diamondbacks, and he was raw as a baseball player. He started to figure the game out in 2003 and took another step forward last year, when he tied for the minor league lead with 51 doubles. Kroeger is a natural hitter with a smooth, level swing and good power. He's adept at driving the ball in the gaps. He has the arm for right field and the slightly above-average speed to play center in a pinch. His overly aggressive approach was exploited in his big league debut, as he struck out 21 times and drew just one walk in 55 plate appearances. He already has lost a step from his high school days and may continue to slow down. His effort has come into question at times. Kroeger proved in September that he's not ready to hit big league pitching. Set to return to Triple-A, he could get buried by Arizona's outfield depth.
An athletic player with raw power, Kroeger turned down a football scholarship to Division II Truman State (Mo.) as a wide receiver. He advanced to high Class A as a teenager in 2002, and advanced pitchers picked him apart. He returned to Lancaster in 2003 and turned everything around. With a new sense of confidence and an extra year of developing his linebacker-like body, Kroeger started showing his above-average power. He tied for 11th in the minors with 39 doubles after hitting 44 combined in his first three seasons. His strong lefthanded swing reminds some of Dave Justice, and Diamondbacks officials believe he can produce similar numbers as a right fielder once he starts making in-game adjustments. Kroeger's above-average speed allows him to play center field if needed, and his strong arm makes him a standout in right. After leveling off after a midseason move to Double-A last year, Kroeger will head back to El Paso in 2004.
Kroeger has regressed offensively as he has moved through the minors, and his strike-zone judgment completely fell apart in 2002. However, the Diamondbacks still see plenty of potential. Kroeger was just 17 when he signed, turning down a football scholarship to play wide receiver at NCAA Division II Truman State (Mo.). He's athletic and has raw power, but he continues to struggle with pitch recognition and is overly aggressive. He gets himself out rather than making pitchers work to do so. Kroeger is a natural right fielder, with the arm strength and range to play there. He has acceptable speed but hasn't refined his basestealing instincts. He needs to repeat high Class A this year.
Drafted as a 17-year-old, Kroeger had 497 at-bats before he turned 19. Recruited as a wide receiver out of high school, he combines strength, size and athleticism with a smooth lefthanded stroke. He uses his upper-body strength to generate torque in his swing and the ball carries well upon impact, suggesting he'll develop power. Kroeger is a polished hitter for his age but still needs to learn which pitches he can and can't handle. He could also use some more patience at the plate. Kroeger will be limited to an outfield corner and may have just enough arm to play right field. His bat profiles well for that position. The Diamondbacks didn't operate an instructional league following the 2001 season and planned to send Kroeger to Australia so he could prepare for high Class A this year, but the league suspended operations this winter.
Kroeger made an impresssive debut coming out of high school. The Diamondbacks marveled over his maturity as a person and as a player, which was exceptional for a 17-year-old. Kroeger led his Rookie-level Arizona League squad in homers and RBIs. His mental approach as a hitter was impressive, as were his swing and bat speed. Kroeger will play in either right or left field, and he'll be at least an adequate defender. He could develop into a David Justice-type hitter with the ability to drive the ball to left field in the future. Kroeger probably will start 2001 at South Bend. Despite his early success, the Diamondbacks want him to move slowly to enhance his chances for success.

Minor League Top Prospects

What a difference a year makes. In 2002, Kroeger hit .235-7-58 as one of the Cal League's youngest everyday players. This season he took advantage of the favorable conditions at Lancaster Municipal Stadium, batting .390 at home and .341 overall before he was promoted. "He showed a lot of improvement from last year," Meacham said. "One of the best defensive right fielders I've ever seen. He has a solid, quiet approach at the plate and drove the ball all over. He's not a home run guy, more of a gap guy. He stayed in the middle of the field." Some scouts are concerned though, because Kroeger doesn't use much of a trigger to get his bat started. That limits his bat speed through the zone and his power potential.