Jayson Werth Stats & Scouting Report

AB	5484
AVG	.267
OBP	.36
SLG	.455
HR	229

Full name Jayson Richard Werth
Born 05/20/1979 in Springfield, IL
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Glenwood
Debut 09/01/2002
Drafted in the 1st round (22nd overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 1997 (signed for $885,000).

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Werth has great baseball bloodlines. Grandfather Dick Schofield and uncle Dick Schofield Jr. both had long major league careers, and stepfather Dennis Werth is a former major league catcher. Werth reminds scouts of catcher-turned-outfielder Dale Murphy, from his squeaky-clean background and refreshing makeup to his size (6-foot-5, 195 pounds), athletic ability and wide range of tools. He's well-equipped to catch or play center field. He runs well and can swing the bat.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After ranking second on this list a year ago, Werth's worth has slipped as the likes of Reed Johnson, Gabe Gross and Alexis Rios have passed him. Injuries played a part, as Werth got a late start to the season after straining his wrist in spring training. It forced him to the disabled list and a rehab assignment in high Class A, and he was playing catch-up all year. He no longer plays catcher, which also diminished his value. He played solely in the outfield in 2003, and one Jays official termed him an emergency catcher only. Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi considers Werth too tall at 6-foot-6 to be a catcher. He has made a nice transition to full-time outfield, however. Werth runs well enough to play center field and has a plus arm in right. Offense is the bigger question. Werth swings and misses too much to be an everyday hitter at this point. His size has created a swing that's too long and has too many holes, sabotaging his plus power. If he makes adjustments, he could be an average corner outfielder, and his versatility makes him a valuable reserve. That's likely to be his role in 2004 in Toronto, and Werth could be trade bait for a National League team that covets his flexibility.
Werth started his career as a catcher but made the transition to the outfield in 2002, even playing a game in center field for Toronto at season's end. The Blue Jays got him from the Orioles for lefty John Bale (since traded away by Baltimore) and have seen Werth mature on and off the field into one of their top prospects. Werth has exceptional athletic ability and made the transition to the outfield look easy. He instantly took to reading fly balls and took excellent routes, and has the arm, speed and range for any outfield position. As he continues to fill out his long frame, he has developed above-average power. He has shown the ability to gear up for plus fastballs. Werth's swing path tends to get long, and he has some holes that he just can't close. He makes adjustments but always will strike out frequently. His ability to make adjustments will determine whether he's a 20-homer or a 30-homer guy. Werth could either be an above-average corner outfielder or the next Eli Marrero, a super-utility player who would be best served getting 400 at-bats a year. Werth figures to get more time to fine-tune his game at Triple-A Syracuse in 2003.
Werth's athletic bloodlines include a grandfather (Ducky Schofield), uncle (Dick Schofield) and stepfather (Dennis Werth) who played in the big leagues. His mother Kim competed in the U.S. Olympic trials in the long jump and 100 meters. The Blue Jays stole him from the Orioles in a winter 2000 trade for situational lefthander John Bale. Werth's athletic ability surpasses the average catcher. He's as close to a five-tool player as the position produces. He's a plus runner and has the bat speed and leverage to hit for power, which he finally provided in 2001. His soft hands, steady receiving and strong arm make him an above-average defender. Werth's work ethic slipped with the Orioles, and the Blue Jays credit Tennessee coach Hector Torres with whipping him into shape. His swing can get long, leading to strikeouts. Because he's more athletic than Josh Phelps, Werth is a more natural candidate to switch positions. But he's also a better defender. He could compete for a platoon spot this year, but likely will move to Triple-A for another time-sharing arrangement with Phelps.
In the span of three years, Werth went from the Orioles' 1997 first-round pick to commanding only a journeyman lefthander in a December trade with Baltimore. Because he's tall and rangy and has athletic tools, Werth has been compared to a young Dale Murphy, the patron saint of catching prospects. But at 21, Murphy was leading the Triple-A International League in RBIs and playing in the big leagues, while Werth was struggling mightily in Double-A. If he plays to his ceiling, Werth would be an athletic, offensive catcher. He runs well, is mobile behind the plate and has good discipline at the plate. The downside is that he's a career .266 hitter who has yet to develop power or make consistent contact. He is average defensively. His arm isn't particularly strong, and he threw out just 20 percent of basestealers last season. Werth has much improvement to make before becoming the fourth member of his family to reach the majors, joining grandfather Ducky Schofield, uncle Dick Schofield and stepfather Dennis Werth.
Background: Werth's uncle (Dick Schofield) and grandfather (Dick Schofield Sr.) were big league shortstops, his stepfather (Dennis Werth) a major league catcher and his mother a world class sprinter. He excelled defensively in his first full season, and was moved up to Double-A late in the year. Strengths: As a catcher with legitimate five-tool potential, Werth is a rare prospect. His baseball background and intelligence give him the perfect package to become a leader behind the plate. Another telling comment was that Werth "plays catcher like a shortstop." His power potential may be the last tool to develop but might have the highest ceiling. Weaknesses: Tall hitters often struggle to shorten their swings enough to be effective hitters at the major league level, but Werth's initial adjustments have been very positive. Defensively, Werth's arm strength is probably the weakest tool in his overall package. The Future: Although Werth finished the '98 season at Double-A, he will probably start at Class A Frederick in 1999. Baltimore's unsettled major league catching situation should guarantee Werth will move as quickly as his bat allows him.