Jeremy Cleveland
| AB | 1767 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .277 |
| OBP | .359 |
| SLG | .393 |
| HR | 24 |
- Full name Jeremy Vincent Cleveland
- Born 09/10/1981 in Fairfax, VA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School North Carolina
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Drafted in the 8th round (226th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2003 (signed for $85,000).
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OF/1B Jeremy Cleveland had the Atlantic Coast Conference batting title well in hand with a .431 average at the end of the regular season, and his 18 homers put him just three behind D'Antona for the league lead. Opinion is very divided on him. Some teams think he's a legit hitter with great plate discipline who can play left field as a pro. Others think he's just a good college player destined for first base.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Cleveland had a huge 2003, winning the Atlantic Coast Conference batting title (.410) and finishing second in the Northwest League race (.322). He lost momentum last year, struggling after an aggressive jump to high Class A. Cleveland has what it takes to be a major league hitter: good pitch recognition, average raw power, confidence in his ability and the work ethic to get better. Cleveland needs that work ethic to adjust his stance, which leaves him drifting into the ball and doesn't allow his hands to generate a load, short-circuiting his power. He wore down as the season progressed, hitting .194 with no homers in the final month as he lost control of the strike zone and couldn't catch up to good fastballs. Though he's just a left fielder, Cleveland has improved defensively, particularly in lengthening out his now-average arm. He now throws well enough for right field, though he's still better suited for left. The Rangers have a crowded outfield picture but believe Cleveland will hit enough to remain in it. He'll have to have a strong spring, however, to earn a promotion to Double-A. -
Cleveland wasn't a classic premium prospect, but with the greater emphasis on performance and on-base ability these days, it's surprising he lasted until the eighth round of the 2003 draft. Cleveland led the Atlantic Coast Conference with a .410 average and 103 hits while posting a .512 OBP and 37-34 walk-strikeout ratio. He continued to rake after signing for $85,000, finishing second in the short-season Northwest League batting race to Spokane teammate Dane Bubela. While Cleveland hit 19 home runs last spring for North Carolina, most scouts write that off as aluminum-bat pop and don't project him to have better than average power. He does everything else right at the plate, though. Cleveland has a level swing with solid bat speed, similar to 2002 ACC batting champ Khalil Greene. Cleveland keeps his hands back and demonstrates advanced pitch recognition. Primarily a first baseman for the Tar Heels, Cleveland has below-average speed and arm strength. There are questions about where he can play defensively, but the Rangers are hoping he'll take to left field and continue to produce. He's advanced enough at the plate to skip a level and handle a jump to high Class A in 2004.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Cleveland led the Atlantic Coast Conference with a .431 average during the spring yet lasted until the eighth round of the draft. Then he came within one point of winning the NWL batting crown. A polished hitter who uses the whole field, he handles offspeed pitches just as well as fastballs. He doesn't project to have a ton of power and might top out at 20 home runs, but should be able to sustain his average and run production by pounding balls into the gaps. "He plays with tremendous confidence," Vancouver manager Dennis Rogers said. "The ball sounds different coming off his bat. He might be the sleeper of the league, drafted where he was." Defensively, Cleveland doesn't have a home. He shuttled between the outfield, first base and DH at North Carolina, and between the outfield corners in his pro debut. His arm is average for right field, but he must take better angles to balls and track them better.
