Ryan Theriot Stats & Scouting Report

AB	3246
AVG	.281
OBP	.341
SLG	.35
HR	17

Full name Ryan Stewart Theriot
Born 12/07/1979 in Baton Rouge, LA
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Louisiana State
Debut 09/13/2005
Drafted in the 3rd round (78th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2001 (signed for $480,000).

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Theriot teams with Fontenot to form college baseball's most talented double-play combination, and they were dazzling together on the Cape Cod League's Wareham Gatemen last summer. He's undersized at 5-foot-11 and 177 pounds, though he's answered questions about his bat by hitting .299 with wood on the Cape and a career-high .360 this spring. He's a catalyst from the leadoff spot, where his speed, ability to make contact and patience are assets. Theriot has a solid arm and hands at shortstop despite making careless errors this season. Tennessee's Chris Burke projects as a pro second baseman, so Theriot will be the first pure shortstop drafted out of college. A team looking for infield help could take him as early as the supplemental first round.

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A catalyst on Louisiana State's 2000 College World Series champions--Theriot led off the final game's bottom of the ninth with a single and came around to score the title-winning run--he was sent straight to high Class A after signing in 2001 because 2000 first-rounder Luis Montanez was in low Class A. Theriot batted just .204, prompting Chicago to ask him to switch-hit, an experiment that didn't help him over the next three seasons. He reverted to batting solely righthanded in 2005, had the best year of his career and made his big league debut in September after Cedeno broke his hand. Theriot never is going to be an offensive force, but he can handle the bat well. He can bunt, hit-and-run and use the entire field, and he rarely strikes out. He doesn't have much pop, so he needs to hit more balls on the ground to take advantage of his slightly above-average speed. He also can get pull-conscious at times, which doesn't play to his strengths. Though he played mostly second base in Double-A last year to accommodate Buck Coats, Theriot is a legitimate shortstop. His arm, range and instincts are all plus tools, and he impressed the big league staff with his glove and his intensity. He probably will open the year in Triple-A and doesn't project as a regular, but he could have a big league career as a utilityman.
Theriot was Ryan Jorgensen's teammate on Louisiana State's 2000 club, singling to lead off the bottom of the ninth and coming around with the title-winning run in the College World Series championship game. The Cubs had 2000 first-round pick Luis Montanez playing shortstop at Lansing and Theriot had played for college baseball's premier program, so the Cubs sent him to high Class A to make his pro debut after taking him in the third round last June. Theriot had been idle for two months and struggled offensively. There's still some hope for his offense, because he batted .299 with wood bats in the Cape Cod League in 2000 and he did walk more than he struck out in the Florida State League. But he'll have to get stronger if he's going to bat near the top of a batting order. He also may start switch-hitting in 2002. Regardless, defense will be Theriot's ticket to the majors. His instincts, arm and range all grade out as above average. Montanez is expected to move up to the FSL this year, so Theriot may go to Lansing to regroup.