Scott Thorman Stats & Scouting Report

AB	415
AVG	.222
OBP	.26
SLG	.407
HR	16

Full name Scott Robert Thorman
Born 01/06/1982 in Cambridge, ON, Canada
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Preston
Debut 06/18/2006
Drafted in the 1st round (30th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2000 (signed for $1,225,000).

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Thorman has generated strong two-way interest, but the only way he'll continue in a dual role is by fulfilling a scholarship to South Carolina. Scouts have more interest in him as a hitter because the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is strong and projects above-average power. His arm (91-92 mph off the mound) plays anywhere. Below-average speed and range may result in a move from third base to first.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After developing slowly but steadily since being drafted out of Canada in 2000, Thorman finally became the hitter the Braves have long expected. Managers rated him the top power prospect in the Triple-A International League, and he was leading the circuit in RBIs before he was promoted to Atlanta in mid-June. Thorman has had tremendous raw power since he signed, but didn't show it consistently in games until 2006. He can produce tape-measure shots to all fields. He has shortened his swing in recent years and consequently has hit for a higher average. Clocked as high as 95 mph off the mound in high school, Thorman has a strong and accurate arm. He runs and moves well for his size. Thorman needs to refine his knowledge of the strike zone to maximize his production. He becomes too pull-conscious on occasion. Though he has worked hard on his defense, he'll never be a Gold Glove candidate. Hard on himself in the past, Thorman has learned to keep his temper in check but needs to maintain a more even keel at the major league level. Adam LaRoche is blocking Thorman at his natural position, but the Braves have an unsettled situation in left field. Thorman could win a regular job or platoon role if he performs well in spring training.
Already six years into his pro career, Thorman returned to Double-A to begin 2005. He earned a midseason promotion to Triple-A and finished the year leading the system in homers and RBIs. He has impressive raw power and a knack for driving in runs. He has improved his ability to make consistent contact by shortening his swing. He has made significant strides with his glove and footwork, so much so that managers rated him the best defensive first baseman in the Double-A Southern League. He moves well and has a strong throwing arm, having signed as a third baseman and switching positions following shoulder surgery in 2001. Thorman still becomes pull-happy at times and was overanxious at the plate following his promotion. He tends to beat himself up when he fails, though he has improved his mental approach. The Braves see similarities between Ryan Klesko and Thorman, who got some outfield time in Triple-A. He's likely headed back there this year, though his power could carry him to the big leagues soon.
A surprise first-round pick in 2000, when most teams rated him as a third-rounder, Thorman has been slow to develop. He missed all of 2001 after shoulder surgery, and after coming back with a promising season in low Class A, he has been inconsistent at the plate the last two years. But he gave the Braves hope late last season in Double-A, when he made some adjustments and batted .282 with seven homers in the final month. A 2003 Futures Game participant, Thorman is a hard-working student of the game with awesome natural strength that translates into big-time power potential. He makes consistent contact for a power hitter but tends to get pull-happy on occasion. The former third baseman/pitcher has made impressive strides with the leather at first base. Thorman has good hands and unlike a lot of first basemen, doesn't hesitate to take chances with his arm, which is strong for his position. He still has to improve his footwork around the bag. The Braves believe Thorman's greatest need centers on slowing down and not being so anxious at the plate. Those traits should come with additional experience, beginning with a possible return to Double-A to open 2005.
Like Andy Marte, Thorman was another Myrtle Beach Pelican trying to keep his head above water early last year. He didn't climb over the Mendoza Line until mid-May before heating up and earning a trip to the Futures Game, where the native Canadian played for the international team. He became a better hitter and made steady strides in his overall development. No one in the system has more pure power than Thorman, who was hampered by Myrtle Beach's spacious Coastal Federal Field. He batted just .219-8-27 at home and became more conscious of hitting line drives. He still needs to improve his understanding of what pitchers are trying to do, and to stop trying to pull pitches too often. He started going with pitches and hitting to the opposite field at the end of the season. A former third baseman, Thorman has worked hard at becoming a better first baseman and has made major strides with his footwork. He also has a cannon for an arm, which allows him to gun down runners at the plate on relay throws. Thorman is scheduled to move up to Double-A this year, with the hope he'll continue to make the adjustments he showed at the end of 2003.
Drafted with the 30th overall pick in 2000, Thorman missed all of 2001 after shoulder surgery. He made up for lost time last year, putting together a 21-game hitting streak while leading the South Atlantic League in doubles and tying for second in extra-base hits. No one in the organization has more raw power than Thorman. He struggled early last season while trying to crush every pitch before realizing the ball naturally jumps off his bat. He has a smooth, easy swing with a slight uppercut. A pitcher in high school with a mid-90s fastball, Thorman maintains a strong arm. After moving from third base to first in 2002, he showed quick feet and good hands. He also runs out every ball. Despite making a successful shift to first base, Thorman still is learning the position. While his passion for the game is obvious, channeling his emotions will enable him to get the most out of his abilities on a consistent basis. Thorman's offensive potential, not to mention his hustle and determination, could make him Atlanta's long-term answer at first base. He'll climb a step to high Class A this season.
The 30th overall pick in the 2000 draft, Thorman possessed as much strength and power potential as any available high school player. The Canadian hit just one home run in the Gulf Coast League after visa problems delayed his professional debut by a month, but he put on a power display during instructional league. The articulate Thorman impressed the Braves with his outstanding makeup, impeccable character and strong desire to play the game. That should enable him to emerge as a leader in the clubhouse. He comes to the ballpark ready to play and never gets cheated at the plate. A pitcher in high school who has been clocked as high as 95 mph off the mound, Thorman has a plus arm for third base. His defense needs considerable work, and his range must be increased. Improvements also are needed with his pitch recognition and overall patience. The Braves realize that his two-way efforts in high school prevented his glove from receiving as much attention as needed. If third base doesn't work out, Thorman has the arm to move to right field. He'll remain at the hot corner in 2001, with Macon his most likely destination.

Minor League Top Prospects

It has been a long road for Thorman, a 2000 first-round pick. This season, he started to better apply his plus raw power in games. He was on pace to best his career mark for home runs before he was called up in late June. "I've said for two years that this kid hits the ball as far as anybody," Shines said. "He hit the longest ball I've ever seen last year when I managed against him in Double-A. When he learns the strike zone better, he's going to be a top power hitter." Thorman plays hard and tends to treat himself harder, sometimes letting his emotions get the better of him. He sometimes lapses into a dead-pull approach at the plate, and his swing might not translate into high batting averages in the majors. Thorman is a below-average defender at first base and began playing left field to help get his bat in the Atlanta lineup. Drafted as a third baseman, he has a solid-average arm and moves well for his size.
Thorman missed all of last season after shoulder surgery and battled an ailing hand at times in 2002, yet looked like an advanced all-around hitter for a player in his first full year as a pro. Several managers said he reminded them of Ryan Klesko with his potent lefthanded swing. A Canadian, he's just beginning to realize his potential. Thorman overcame a sluggish start during which he tried to hit every pitch 500 feet. "When I saw him early in the year, I thought he was trying to do too much at the plate," Mikulik said. "But he really settled down and proved he can hit to all fields with authority. He's an intense young man, a real competitor." Thorman made considerable strides with his glove at first base after previously toiling at third base. He threw 95 mph as a high school pitcher, and has quick feet and good hands to go with his arm strength.