Austin McClune Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Austin Blair McClune
Born 11/15/1987 in North Little Rock, AR
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Edmond Santa Fe
Drafted in the 7th round (200th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006 (signed for $140,000).

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McClune is a center-field version of Tyler Henson. He's a 6-foot-2, 175-pound athlete with speed, raw power and arm strength. As with Henson, McClune is still raw and not a sure thing at the plate. He starred at defensive back for a Santa Fe High football team (quarterbacked by Ty Weeden) that went 11-0 before losing in the state 6-A quarterfinals. McClune has the option of attending either Oklahoma State or Seminole State if he doesn't turn pro.

Top Rankings

McClune was the MVP of the Oklahoma state American Legion tournament in 2005 and also starred as a cornerback in football. Yet he was overshadowed in both sports by Santa Fe High (Edmond, Okla.) teammate Ty Weeden, now a catching prospect in the Red Sox system. McClune has plenty of raw tools, chief among them plus speed and an outstanding arm that already make him an above-average outfielder who has a chance to be a top-of-the-order hitter. Like many young hitters, McClune struggles to stay back on offspeed and breaking pitches, so he has yet to hit the ball with much authority. He needs to tighten his strike zone as well as his routes on fly balls. Though he has the range and offensive profile to play center field, the Pirates used him primarily in right field last season to take advantage of his strong arm. McClune has plenty of upside and Pittsburgh will decide in spring training whether he's ready for his first exposure to a full-season league.