Bobby Crocker
| AB | 1544 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .274 |
| OBP | .342 |
| SLG | .413 |
| HR | 31 |
- Full name Robert T. Crocker
- Born 05/01/1990 in Aromas, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
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Drafted in the 4th round (136th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2011 (signed for $198,000).
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Crocker is much more physical than the other top outfielder from Northern California, Fresno State's Dusty Robinson, and they're very different players. Scouts can project more with Crocker more than they can with Robinson, who is what he is. Crocker is an above-average runner with some juice in his bat, though he doesn't turn on balls as well as he should. He has an inside-out approach right now, but could definitely start showing his power more as he gets into pro ball and loosens up his swing. Crocker is an impressive athlete with a chiseled, 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame. He's a hard worker with an unusual amount of upside remaining for a college junior.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Athletics couldn't sign Crocker on their first pass, when they took him in the 38th round out of high school in 2008, but they landed him for $198,000 as a fourth-rounder three years later. He's one of the system's better athletes and has a physical build, but his power production never has lived up to its solid potential. He hit just 13 homers in three years at Cal Poly and six in his first full pro season. That led the A's to retool his swing, which lacked fluidity and was too geared for the opposite field. During instructional league, he made adjustments to develop a looser stroke that should free up his wrists and his hands. He also started turning on more pitches. He needs to refine his approach, as he'll chase pitches out of the strike zone and not offer at ones he should mash. Crocker has the potential for solid tools across the board, outside of his below-average arm, so his upside is intriguing if the swing adjustments have the desired results. He's an energetic player who runs well enough to perhaps stay in center field. His arm would dictate a move to left field if he can't remain in center. He'll go to high Class A in 2013, hoping to turn a corner in the California League. -
Crocker showed potential as a pitcher in high school, though his tools as an everyday player stood out more and prompted the A's to take him as an outfielder in the 38th round of the 2008 draft. He turned them down and spent three seasons at Cal Poly before Oakland redrafted him in the fourth round last June. He signed for $198,000. Crocker has a physical frame and intriguing raw power, but his approach doesn't tap into it. He has a flat swing plane and hits line drives with authority to all fields. The A's would like to see him add some loft to his stroke and start pulling more balls. Staying inside the ball exceptionally well, he has good feel for going the other way. He's a disciplined hitter and isn't afraid to hit with two strikes. Though Crocker saw most of his time in right field in his pro debut, his above-average speed may play in center. He has fringy arm strength. Oakland loves his work ethic and energy. If Crocker doesn't stick in center, he'll have to produce more power to fit on a corner. He'll open his first full pro season in Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Crocker had a solid but unspectacular three-year career at Cal Poly. Despite his chiseled physique, he never really tapped into his raw power potential, employing more of an inside-out approach. He continued to hit everything to center and right in his pro debut, and he'll need to learn to pull the ball in order to unlock his intriguing raw power. Crocker has an upright approach and needs to do a better job getting his lower half engaged earlier in his swing. He has good hand-eye coordination and feel for the barrel, and he has a chance to continue hitting for average as he moves through pro ball. While Crocker has plus speed, he lacks the first-step quickness for center field. He played right field for Vermont but his fringe-average arm is better suited for left field, so he needs to hit. He's a hard worker who plays the game with energy.
