Marcus Giles

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #3 prospect in 2001
  The MVP in the Class A South Atlantic and Carolina leagues in 1998-99, Giles struggled early last season in Double-A before making adjustments to higher quality pitching. He found his groove in June and wound up with another productive season while playing in the Southern League all-star game, Double-A all-star game and the Futures Game. Giles is a pure offensive player. He has a short, compact stroke that packs a line-drive punch to all fields. While he continues to hear criticism about his defense, his glovework is consistent and better than advertised. Giles' range is only average, though he makes plays on every ball he reaches. His speed is also average, but his knowledge of the basepaths enabled him to steal a career-high 25 bases last season. Once he makes adjustments at the plate, Giles tends to get bored with a league, a trait that should end in the near future. Those who hit play in the major leagues. As long as Giles continues to produce and improve his defense, he'll join his brother Brian, an all-star outfielder with Pittsburgh, at the game's top level. Marcus' trek continues this spring in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #3 prospect in 2000
  Background: Giles earned his second league MVP award in as many seasons after leading the Carolina League in batting average, hits and doubles while placing second with a .513 slugging percentage and 60 extra-base hits at Class A Myrtle Beach. He is the younger brother of Pirates outfielder Brian Giles. Strengths: A line-drive hitter with a quick, compact stroke, Giles creates an explosion when the ball meets his bat. While he did not hit as many home runs as he had at Class A Macon in 1998 (37), he continued to drive the ball to the gaps and drive in runs. His defense also improved; he made just seven errors. Weaknesses: Giles is not blessed with tremendous quickness or soft hands but has the work ethic necessary to overcome such shortcomings. He has cut down on his strikeouts and must continue that trend. The Future: Giles has overcome long odds to make himself a prospect. He will climb one step closer to the majors in 2000 by starting at Greenville.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #10 prospect in 1999
  Background: The younger brother of Pirates outfielder Brian Giles, Marcus emerged from nowhere to lead the South Atlantic League in homers and place third in batting average. He was ranked the league's No. 10 prospect. Strengths: A hitting machine whose pumped-up physique draws comparisons to Tigers prospect Gabe Kapler, Giles has a quick, compact swing that allows him to turn on pitches and causes balls to jump off his bat. He's an overachiever whose determination will take him at least as far as his talent does. Weaknesses: Giles made solid progress defensively in 1998 while working with coach Glenn Hubbard at Macon. He still needs to improve his hands, footwork and ability to turn the double play. His bat will compensate for some shortcomings with the glove, but the Braves prefer a second baseman who can catch the ball. The Future: Spring training will determine whether Giles goes to Myrtle Beach or skips that level and reports to Greenville.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #15 prospect in 2001
  Like his brother Brian before him, Marcus has made more of an impression the farther up the ladder he's gone. When the Braves lost Rafael Furcal for the season, Giles stepped in to fill the leadoff role and acquitted himself well before slumping in September. "If he doesn't start in the long-term, he'd make a great utility guy," Kim said. "He even played shortstop against us and when I did see him, he did an adequate job. So he can play both positions, but he's mostly an offensive player." The Braves won't be asking him to play short in the big leagues. He doesn't have great speed or range, but he has the Giles family strength and work effort. "He's got that strong, stocky body," Evers said. "I think he's got to be an offensive guy if he plays second base. But he's a hard-nosed player."
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  Ranked Southern League #13 prospect in 2000
  Joe Crede wasn't the only two-time minor league MVP in the SL. Giles won the award in the Class A South Atlantic and Carolina leagues in the previous two years. Though his streak ended in 2000, the former 53rd-round draft pick got another step closer to joining his older brother Brian, a Pirates all-star, in the majors. Marcus has the same stocky build as his brother and owns a .320 career minor league average. He continued to show unusual pop for a middle infielder, and he stole 25 bases, one shy of his total in three previous seasons. "People still want to see how steady he can be at second base," Greenville manager Paul Runge said. "He's gotten stronger during the year, plus he's improved turning the pivot. It was a pretty productive year."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #54 prospect in 2001
• Ranked Baseball America's #74 prospect in 2000

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Joe Crede wasn't the only two-time minor league MVP in the SL. Giles won the award in the Class A South Atlantic and Carolina leagues in the previous two years. Though his streak ended in 2000, the former 53rd-round draft pick got another step closer to joining his older brother Brian, a Pirates all-star, in the majors. Marcus has the same stocky build as his brother and owns a .320 career minor league average. He continued to show unusual pop for a middle infielder, and he stole 25 bases, one shy of his total in three previous seasons. "People still want to see how steady he can be at second base," Greenville manager Paul Runge said. "He's gotten stronger during the year, plus he's improved turning the pivot. It was a pretty productive year."
• December, 1998 Scouting Report
  Background: The younger brother of Pirates outfielder Brian Giles, Marcus emerged from nowhere to lead the South Atlantic League in homers and place third in batting average. He was ranked the league's No. 10 prospect. Strengths: A hitting machine whose pumped-up physique draws comparisons to Tigers prospect Gabe Kapler, Giles has a quick, compact swing that allows him to turn on pitches and causes balls to jump off his bat. He's an overachiever whose determination will take him at least as far as his talent does. Weaknesses: Giles made solid progress defensively in 1998 while working with coach Glenn Hubbard at Macon. He still needs to improve his hands, footwork and ability to turn the double play. His bat will compensate for some shortcomings with the glove, but the Braves prefer a second baseman who can catch the ball. The Future: Spring training will determine whether Giles goes to Myrtle Beach or skips that level and reports to Greenville.