Adam LaRoche Stats & Scouting Report

AB	5593
AVG	.26
OBP	.336
SLG	.462
HR	255

Full name David Adam LaRoche
Born 11/06/1979 in Orange County, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Seminole State College (OK)
Debut 04/07/2004
Drafted in the 29th round (880th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2000.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

A two-way star in junior college, LaRoche signed with the Braves because they liked him better as a hitter. He returned to the Carolina League to open 2002, but he has terrorized pitchers ever since. He led the system with a .317 average in 2002 and in home runs and RBIs in 2003. His father Dave was a two-time all-star reliever, while his brother Andy signed with the Dodgers for $1 million last August. LaRoche has a funky, wide-open stance that produces results with his ability to use his hands and transfer his weight. He hits a lot of line drives into the gaps, yet he proved last summer he can hit for power. He's a smooth defender who could be a perennial Gold Glove candidate. His arm can deliver 90 mph fastballs. Though LaRoche answered questions about his power, he's not the slugger most teams look for at first base. He has below-average speed, which rules out playing the outfield. No Atlanta rookie enters spring training with a better shot of earning a starting job than LaRoche. Manager Bobby Cox loves his all-around game and gritty approach.
LaRoche made the greatest leap among any player in the Atlanta organization last year. Returning to high Class A after a mediocre showing there in 2001, he was the Carolina League's most productive all-around hitter outside of Rockies prospect Brad Hawpe. He earned a promotion to Double-A and led the Braves system with a .317 average. LaRoche has a solid baseball background. His father Dave earned two all-star berths during a 14-year major league career, and his brother Jeff used to pitch in the Rockies system. LaRoche took his turn on the mound as a two-way player at Seminole State JC, where he earned MVP honors at the 2000 Junior College World Series. While several teams were interested in LaRoche as a pitcher, the Braves are reaping the rewards for allowing him to hit. LaRoche attacks pitches with his aggressive approach. Beginning with a wide-open stance, his swing creates a natural lift thanks to his excellent weight transfer and his ability to use his hands well. He makes good contact, though he doesn't draw an abundance of walks and has yet to show true first-base power. His timing gets out of whack on occasion, which hurts his consistency. He has a laid-back personality that allows him to handle adversity well. CL managers rated him the league's best defensive first baseman, and the Braves believe he could become a Gold Glover. LaRoche isn't a good runner, which limits him to first base. LaRoche will get an extended look in spring training. While a trip to Triple-A appears likely, he could be a major league surprise as a potential backup to Robert Fick.

Minor League Top Prospects

The son of former all-star reliever Dave LaRoche, Adam LaRoche has the potential to be a big league lefthander like his father was. Snitker says LaRoche can throw in the low 90s with a plus breaking ball. If his development as a first baseman doesn't pan out, pitching would be an option. Most signs point to LaRoche working out just fine as a first baseman. He nearly matched his career high in home runs through just 219 at-bats with Greenville, adding power to his advanced plate approach. LaRoche isn't afraid to go the other way and is just learning which pitches he can pull. His soft hands and agility made him a unanimous choice as the SL's best defensive first baseman. "It's not out of the question that he could hit 30 homers in the big leagues with more experience," Snitker said. "He has good hands and stays inside the ball, and he centers it well."
Smooth" is the best word to describe LaRoche. He patrols first base effortlessly, and his arm strength--he was a two-way star in junior college--can be a weapon in turning double plays and converting relay throws. "He looks like a shortstop around the bag," Buffalo manager Marty Brown said of LaRoche, whose brother Andy signed with the Dodgers for $1 million this summer as a shortstop. Adam looks just as fluid at the plate, though he starts his sweet swing from an almost completely upright stance. His line-drive stroke drives balls into the gaps and has the potential to add power. It draws comparisons to Will Clark and Rafael Palmeiro. LaRoche has the ability to follow that duo as Gold Glove winners and batting-title contenders. "He's very relaxed as a hitter," Buffalo manager Marty Brown said. "He knows himself: He's a line-drive hitter who drives the ball. He's going to produce good on-base percentages."
The son of soft-tossing former major league reliever Dave LaRoche, Adam is all about power. A two-way star and MVP of the 2000 Junior College World Series at Seminole State (Okla.), LaRoche uses his 6-foot-3 frame to generate good lift and slugged .512 before being promoted to Double-A at midseason. "I like the way he attacks the ball," Mackanin said. "Too many hitters, in my opinion, sit back and wait on the ball and don't have the weight transfer that's important. He has a real nice walk into the ball and uses his hands to hit." Managers compared LaRoche to Hawpe, because both players hit lefthanded, are offensive players and use wide-open stances. Unlike Hawpe, LaRoche doesn't run well enough to consider a move to the outfield.