Michael Woods

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #30 prospect in 2004
  The Tigers were thrilled when Woods was available to them with the 32nd overall pick in 2001, when he beat out Southern teammate Rickie Weeks (who would become the No. 2 overall pick in 2003 for the Brewers) for the Southwestern Athletic Conference batting title. After a solid pro debut, Woods injured his knee in his first game in 2002 and required arthroscopic surgery. He came back later that season, only to hurt his other knee, and his career has been a struggle ever since. Woods still has the quick hands that attracted scouts to him in the first place, but he hits the ball with a lot of topspin and his drives tend to die in the gaps. If he's going to be a big league hitter, he'll have to get more lift on the ball. While he draws a lot of walks, he'll also have to make more consistent contact. Woods has average speed and the hands and arm to play second base, though he's not always fluid defensively. Converted third baseman Ryan Raburn has moved past Woods, who'll head back to high Class A.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #20 prospect in 2003
  The Tigers were surprised Woods was available with the 32nd overall pick in 2001 because he had been projected to go in the middle of the first round. After a respectable debut, he began 2002 in high Class A. In his first plate appearance of the season, Woods walked and then stole second base--injuring his knee in the process. After returning from arthroscopic surgery, he struggled to find consistency before hurting his other knee and needing another operation. Neither injury is expected to hinder Woods in the long term, but the missed playing time set him back. He's a strong athlete with average speed. His quick hands generate a lot of bat speed, and he has exceptional power potential for a middle infielder. He also has drawn a high number of walks in his brief time as a pro. Woods has soft hands and a solid arm for second base, though he's not especially fluid and needs to smooth out his rough edges defensively. Because 2002 was a lost season, Woods will return to Lakeland in 2003.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #14 prospect in 2002
  As with Preston Larrison, the Tigers were pleased to land Woods on draft day 2001, when he slid from a projected mid-first-round pick to 32nd overall. He finished third in NCAA Division I with a .453 average last spring and stole 32 bases in 35 attempts despite hamstring problems. While he held his own in full-season ball, he's still a raw talent in need of refinement in most areas of his game. Woods hit the ball hard in his pro debut, but not with much consistency. He struck out too often, though he showed good ability to draw walks and get on base. The Tigers expected Woods would have hit with more power, but he doesn't lift the ball much at this point and went homerless in 200 pro atbats. His speed is average for a middle infielder and his arm strength is adequate for second base. His movements in the field aren't fluid and he needs work on the double-play pivot, but he doesn't make many errors. Woods will begin 2002 at one of Detroit's Class A affiliates.