Bobby Crosby
| AB | 2559 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .236 |
| OBP | .304 |
| SLG | .372 |
| HR | 62 |
- Full name Robert Edward Crosby
- Born 01/12/1980 in Lakewood, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Long Beach State
- Debut 09/02/2003
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Drafted in the 1st round (25th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2001 (signed for $1,350,000).
View Draft Report
Crosby didn't have a breakthrough season with the bat but still ranks as one of the best shortstops in the draft. He's projected to go in the first round, though 10-12 spots lower than originally thought. The son of former big league infielder and Diamondbacks scout Ed Crosby, he put a lot of pressure on himself early and struggled offensively. He picked up his pace in the second half and entered regional play batting .343 with eight homers, second on the club. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, he's long and loose like a young Cal Ripken, and most scouts believe he has the tools to remain at shortstop. He can pick it and throw it with the best.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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With some pride, Crosby says, "I've never been the best player on any team I've played for." Crosby has the attitude that he always has to improve, and he has done just that at Long Beach State and in pro ball. He's the son of former big leaguer Ed Crosby, who signed Jason Giambi as an Athletics scout and now works for the Diamondbacks. The Big West Conference player of the year in 2001, he went 25th overall in that June's draft and earned then-scouting director Grady Fuson's highest compliment: "This guy's a baseball player." Crosby made an immediate impression by hitting .395 in 11 games at high Class A Modesto, then followed up with a solid first full season in 2002. He stunned the A's by being a much better player in 2003, a tribute to his aptitude and work ethic. He was the Triple-A Pacific Coast League's rookie of the year and will be a prime contender for the same award in the American League this year. If he hadn't been promoted in late August, he would have started at shortstop for Team USA in the Olympic qualifying tournament. Crosby won't be the run producer that Miguel Tejada was for Oakland, but he'll be better than most shortstops. He has a solid approach, using the entire field and drawing walks, and should hit for average with 20-homer power. Though he's not a spectacular defender, he's a consistent, dependable shortstop who gets the job done. Crosby reads the ball well off the bat, which gives him satisfactory range, and he rarely makes mistakes. His hands are outstanding and his arm is strong. He made significant improvement last year by learning to cut off balls on his side, quickening his ability to make play. From the day Crosby signed, the A's have talked about his instincts for the game, and they seem to keep improving. His desire to keep getting better allows him to do so. The A's are more conscious of plate discipline than any organization, and they'd like Crosby to chase fewer pitches out of the strike zone and to improve his two-strike approach. Those adjustments should come with experience. His speed is below-average for a shortstop and he doesn't have classic range for the position. He has battled nagging injuries during his tenure as a pro and must prove his durability. Having Crosby waiting in the wings eased Tejada's departure as a free agent. He won't quite fill his predecessor's shoes, but Oakland still will have a shortstop who's above-average offensive and defensively. "He's ready for the big leagues," Triple-A Sacramento manager Tony DeFrancesco says. "I think he will be in the class with the other great shortstops." That may be setting a high standard, but Crosby has lived up to every challenge he has faced. -
Crosby is the son of former A's scout and big leaguer Ed Crosby, who signed Jason Giambi and is now with the Diamondbacks. Bobby was the Big West Conference player of the year in 2001 and made an immediate impression by hitting .395 in his 11-game pro debut. He followed with a hot start at high Class A Modesto before moving on to Double-A to complete a solid first full season. Thanks to his background, Crosby has exceptional baseball instincts. He's consistent on defense, has a strong arm, reads balls well and makes all the plays. He should become a solid offensive performer, hitting for average with decent power. Crosby missed most of instructional league in 2001 with a hip flexor, and badly sprained his ankle at the start of the Arizona Fall League season in 2002. At 6-foot-3, he raises questions about whether he'll have the range to remain at shortstop. Crosby is Oakland's fallback if it loses Miguel Tejada, a free agent after the 2003 season. Crosby's spring-training performance will decide whether he returns to Double-A or heads to Triple-A. -
As the son of Ed Crosby, the former A's scout who signed Jason Giambi and is now with the Diamondbacks, Bobby has a baseball pedigree. The 2001 Big West Conference player of the year, he played only briefly after signing because of a hip flexor injury. He reported to instructional league, but the organization decided he would be best off going home to recover. Crosby has the potential to become a big-time hitter for a middle infielder. He was arguably the top defensive player in the 2001 draft. The A's rave about his baseball instincts. He's a field general whose head is always in the game. Despite his reputation, Crosby will need more flexibility to become a fluid big league shortstop. At 6-foot-3, he's tall for the position and doesn't bend well to snare grounders. Nevertheless, he seemed to make all the plays during his brief stop in the California League. Crosby will return to high Class A to hone his skills during his first full year as a pro. The A's want to see him as a shortstop for a full season before deciding if he might be better suited for third base.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Even if the Athletics lose Miguel Tejada as a free agent, they won't be hurting at shortstop. They can replace him with Crosby, who would have been Team USA's shortstop for the Olympic qualifying tournament had he not been promoted in late August. Though Crosby won't match Tejada's annual 30 homers and 100 RBIs, he should be good for 20 longballs and 80 RBIs once he adjusts to the majors. He has a solid approach at the plate, as he draws walks and hits to all fields. He's not spectacular at shortstop but makes all the routine plays. "There are no hickeys on his game," the NL scout said. "I think there was concern about his speed out of the draft, but he gets started on balls and gets his feet going, which negates the speed factor. He's the best shortstop I saw all year, but not the flashiest."
