Stephen King

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #23 prospect in 2009
  King signed late for a $750,000 bonus in 2006, then split his 2007 pro debut between shortstop and second base while struggling offensively in the lower minors. He found a home at third base in 2008 and fared much better with the bat in his second go-round at low Class A, then was overmatched against older competition at high Class A in August. The Nationals say King made huge strides with his maturity and his all-around game. He has quick wrists and a swing that evokes Travis Fryman. With a strong, physical frame, King projects for average power, though he's more of a gap-to-gap hitter at this stage of his development. He's an average runner with good range, a strong arm and decent actions at third base, though he's still learning the position. Offensively, King must improve his pitch selection, as he has a tendency to chase breaking pitches down and out of the zone. He has a quality all-around package that gives him a chance to be a solid everyday big leaguer down the road, but he has plenty of work to do in all phases before he can be regarded as anything close to a safe bet. King will return to high Class A in 2009.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #16 prospect in 2008
  King signed for an above-slot $750,000 as a third-rounder in 2006, but the extended negotiations delayed his pro debut until last April. He surprised the Nationals by claiming their Opening Day shortstop job in low Class A, and he hit homered twice in his first week there. Washington believes that early success got into his head, causing him to try to match teammates Chris Marrero and Justin Maxwell homer for homer. As a result, his average plummeted and his strikeouts soared. The Nationals sent him down to the Gulf Coast League and moved him to second base alongside shortstop Esmailyn Gonzalez, and he showed off his solid-average raw power by hitting nine home runs. King hit well in six games after a promotion to Vermont before a pulled hamstring ended his season. King's lower half was too rigid for shortstop, but he has enough range and arm strength to play second base. He's still learning how to turn the double play from that side and correct his footwork. Some scouts project King as an offensive second baseman in the Jeff Kent mold, thanks to his promising line-drive swing and ability to drive the ball up the middle and to the opposite field, but he needs to become a more selective hitter and make more consistent contact. He'll likely get another shot at Hagerstown in 2008.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #9 prospect in 2007
  A preseason high school All-American, King had a mediocre senior season thanks in large part to nagging leg injuries. The Nationals saw enough physical ability to take him in the second round, and they bought him out of a commitment to Louisiana State with a $750,000 bonus. He signed too late to make his pro debut. King has a tantalizing five-tool package that earns comparisons to Bobby Crosby and J.J. Hardy, and he has a chance to be a similar offensive-minded shortstop. With a strong, wiry frame and good bat speed, he projects to have at least average power, and he has a good enough feel for the zone to become an above-average hitter. Defensively, he has good actions up the middle, sure hands and plus arm strength. He's a solid-average runner. King will have to make adjustments in his swing to improve his load and trigger. Good fastballs tend to tie him up. Some scouts are concerned he could outgrow shortstop, and he's not in the same defensive class as Esmailyn Gonzalez or Ian Desmond. King may compete with Gonzalez for the starting shortstop job in low Class A, but he's more likely to spend 2007 at short-season Vermont. If he eventually moves off shortstop, King has enough bat and arm to play third base or the outfield.