Chip Ambres
| AB | 189 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .233 |
| OBP | .321 |
| SLG | .344 |
| HR | 4 |
- Full name Raymond Payne Ambres
- Born 12/19/1979 in Beaumont, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School West Brook
- Debut 07/20/2005
- Drafted in the 30th round (896th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2000.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Ambres hasn't really been around since the Marlins' inaugural season in 1993. It only seems that way. Slowed by leg injuries, including hamstring problems and a broken right fibula in 2001 that required surgery, the 1998 first-rounder continues to tantalize. He plays an acceptable center field but projects as a left fielder down the road. No longer more than an average runner, thanks in part to a metal plate in his right leg, Ambres had his worst year as a basestealer in 2003. He has struggled at times to keep his weight down. His best attributes at this point are strong plate discipline and solid gap power. Extra work with roving hitting coordinator John Mallee seemingly had returned Ambres to the fast track in the fall of 2002, but he followed up with a so-so Double-A debut. Ambres has a solid makeup and work ethic and could wind up a late bloomer who reaches the majors as an extra outfielder. A Texas A&M football signee out of high school, the former quarterback has resisted annual overtures to give the gridiron another try. -
Coming off surgery to repair a broken right fibula, Ambres had a frustrating debut in high Class A. Playing with a metal plate in his leg, Ambres' batting average and confidence suffered as he struggled to hit in the Florida State League's heavy air and sprawling ballparks. Sensing an opportunity, several college football programs swooped into re-recruit the former prep quarterback. Ambres, who received a $1.5 million bonus to turn down a football scholarship from Texas A&M, opted to stick it out. A five-day session at instructional league with roving hitting coordinator John Mallee got Ambres back on the right track as he headed to the Arizona Fall League, where he quickly earned the nickname "Baby Hunter," as in Torii. At Mallee's urging, Ambres toned down his pronounced leg kick and spread out his stance, which helped him keep his bat in the zone longer. Ambres remains one of the best athletes in the system and is more selective than most, but he's no longer viewed as a future leadoff hitter. Nor is he likely to be a big-time basestealer, despite above-average speed. His arm is good enough to play center field. His work ethic and makeup are beyond question as he prepares for his first taste of Double-A. -
Bad luck has shadowed Ambres since the Marlins signed him for $1.5 million, wooing him away from a scholarship to play quarterback for Texas A&M. Concerns over prior knee and hamstring injuries caused him to slip from a projected top 10 pick to No. 27 overall in the 1998 draft. A nagging injury to his right hamstring hindered his 2000 season. Just before the end of his second season at Kane County in 2001, Ambres broke his right fibula when his cleat caught as he slid into second base. He had surgery to install a metal plate and several screws to set the bone. Until the injury, Ambres was supposed to play in the new Panamanian winter league, where it was hoped he could continue to build on adjustments he had made in his stance, swing and plate approach. When healthy he has outstanding speed, but he has yet to apply it fully on the basepaths. No one questions his makeup, intelligence and leadership. He rarely gets overpowered but still struggles with good breaking balls. He has gap power and could lead off or bat third. His arm is accurate but just average. -
The Marlins thought Ambres had put his right hamstring problems behind him with a strong 1999 season, but those woes returned in 2000 along with doubts about his ability to stay healthy. It was lingering concerns over knee and hamstring injuries, as well as a football scholarship to play quarterback for Texas A&M, that caused Ambres to slip to No. 27 in the 1998 draft. Given a $1.5 million bonus, he climbed quickly in his first full pro season but flattened out a bit last year. When healthy he has outstanding speed and has worked hard to improve his basestealing instincts. He draws high marks for his makeup, intelligence and leadership skills. He has shown he can handle the best of fastballs, but regressed at Kane County in his approach against good breaking balls. He has gap power but projects as more of a .300 hitter with 15-18 homers. He could lead off or bat third, depending on his progress with strike-zone judgment. His arm is accurate but just average, relegating him to left field. -
Background: Lingering concerns over knee and hamstring injuries, as well as a football scholarship to play quarterback for Texas A&M, caused Ambres to slip out of the top 10 picks in the 1998 draft. He went 27th and took a $1.5 million bonus to play baseball exclusively. It took him until the winter to get fully healed. Strengths: Ambres has outstanding speed and has worked hard to improve his basestealing skills. Intelligent and a natural leader, he rarely chases bad pitches. He projects as either a leadoff or No. 3 hitter in the big leagues. He has gap power and the willingness to hit balls the opposite way. Weaknesses: His arm is accurate but just average, which will probably force him to left field. He still needs to improve his defensive routes and get stronger physically. The Future: Having torn up the lower levels in his debut season, Ambres will start 2000 at Kane County. His tools, attitude and aptitude augur a rapid rise through the system. -
Background: One of the top prep quarterbacks in Texas, Ambres signed with Texas A&M out of high school. The Aggies had talked about changing their offense to suit his talents. Signability concerns and a lingering hamstring injury caused him to slip in the draft last June. The Marlins eventually signed Ambres to a $1.5 million deal. Strengths: Ambres has above-average speed when healthy and is extremely polished for a high school hitter. Some Marlins officials compare him with a young Mark Kotsay in terms of his astute hitting approach. He is strong defensively and has excellent plate judgment. Ambres has great makeup and is eager to learn. Weaknesses: Ambres must be considered injury prone, with the hamstring and a strained left knee (from football) in his past. His arm is considered only average. His power could come as he fills out more, but for now he's purely a gap hitter. The Future: Ambres still has not seen live professional pitching, though he did stand out during instructional league drills. He will open 1999 in the extended spring program and likely spend some time in the Gulf Coast League.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Ambres joined Utica more than halfway through the season from the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he was named that league's best prospect, but quickly adapted to the older competition. The Marlins' first-round pick in 1998, Ambres combines speed, power and patience in his offensive package. In 65 games between the two leagues, Ambres had 33 stolen bases, 31 extra-base hits and 46 walks. Defensively, Ambres has the speed to play center field and solid average arm strength. He has overcome the hamstring and knee problems that were left over from his high school football days. An excellent athlete, he was recruited to play quarterback at Texas A&M. -
Ambres, the lone American to crack the top eight, was the Marlins' first-round pick in 1998 but signed late and didn't debut until this year. He spent the first half of the season in the GCL before his talent merited a promotion to the New York-Penn League. Managers saw no weaknesses in his game. They liked his short, quick swing that produces line drives now but should result in power down the road. Speed is his best tool at present. "He just needs more experience," Marlins manager Jon Deeble said. "I was impressed with the way he recognized breaking balls."
