Kevin Ahrens Stats & Scouting Report

AB	3416
AVG	.242
OBP	.319
SLG	.362
HR	63

Full name Kevin Ahrens
Born 04/26/1989 in Houston, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Memorial
Drafted in the 1st round (16th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2007 (signed for $1,440,000).

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The best high school hitter in another strong year in Texas, Ahrens repeatedly draws comparisons to Chipper Jones. That holds up on several levels, as Ahrens is a switch-hitter with power and a high school shortstop who will have to move to third base at the next level, whether that's at Texas A&M or in pro ball. More of a gap-to-gap hitter in the past, Ahrens has gotten stronger and started to turn on his power at the World Wood Bat Championship last fall, hitting a game-winning triple in the quarterfinals and a game-winning homer in the semis before his Houston Heat lost in the championship game. He's proficient from both sides of the plate, with a sound approach and little effort in his swing. The only thing lacking in Ahrens' game is speed, as he's a below-average runner. Though he still sees himself as a shortstop, he'll definitely have to shift to the hot corner, where his plus arm and soft hands will be assets. In a tremendous year for high school third basemen, Ahrens could be a bit of a steal in the late first round or early supplemental first round.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Blue Jays spent the 16th overall pick in the 2007 draft and a $1.44 million bonus on Ahrens, banking on his ability to hit for power from both sides of the plate. But like several other of Toronto's premium picks from that draft, he struggled in last season. His minor league career has been unimpressive as well, producing a .238/.313/.335 line in 275 games. Ahrens shows good swing mechanics in batting practice and has a mature, all-fields approach, and he has the raw strength to hit 15-20 homers annually in the big leagues. But his bat speed is just ordinary and while he did a better job of making contact in 2009, he didn't do much damage. A shortstop in high school, Ahrens has the athleticism, range and strong, accurate arm to play third base. He's still working on improving his reactions at the hot corner. He'll repeat high Class A in 2010 in an attempt to jump-start his bat. For all his struggles, he still has a lot of upside and is easily the best third-base prospect in the system.
Ahrens began switch-hitting and hitting for power during his junior year in high school, putting him on the path to go 16th overall in the 2007 draft and receive a $1.44 million bonus. He batted just .230/.339/.321 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in his debut and struggled in the tough Midwest League in 2008. Though the results have been underwhelming thus far, Ahrens has an easy swing from both sides of the plate and the patience to wait for his pitch. His all-fields approach is advanced for a young hitter and he figures to hit for a decent average with 20-homer power down the line. His lefty swing has improved to the point where he did more damage from that side in 2008 than from his natural right side. A converted shortstop, he has soft hands, good range to both sides and a plus-plus arm. Some MWL observers regarded Ahrens' bat speed as no more than average, though no obvious mechanical flaw handicaps his upside. While he showed the ability to work counts, he also took a lot of first-pitch fastballs for strikes. Like Justin Jackson, Ahrens tailed off in the second half while adjusting to the physical and mental grind of playing every day for five months. He's a below-average runner but not bad underway. It may take him time to develop, but Ahrens' potential as a hitter and defender place him squarely at the top of the organization's third-base depth chart. He'll move up to high Class A and play alongside Jackson again in 2009.
The best position player in Texas in another strong draft year in the Lone Star State, Ahrens added power and the ability to bat lefthanded after his junior season, and the returns were immediate. He kept hitting from both sides of the plate as a senior, prompting the Blue Jays to select him with the 16th overall pick. They signed him for $1.44 million. With hand speed, a feel for his swing from both sides of the plate and a firm grasp of the strike zone, Ahrens projects to hit for average and power. A natural righthander, he has more power and better pitch recognition from that side. Drafted as a shortstop, he moved to third base in mid-July, as scouts had predicted. He showed solid hands, good lateral movement and a plus arm. Charging in on balls and making throws on the run posed little challenge. Ahrens may have put too much pressure on himself while debuting in a lineup full of fellow high draft picks. His bat isn't as quick from the left side as it is from the right, but he'll have plenty of time to hone that and adjust to hitting with wood as he moves up the ladder. He's a below-average runner, but not a baseclogger. The selection of Ahrens marked the second straight year Toronto opted for a high school talent with its first pick. He may not make the same splash at low Class A Lansing that Travis Snider did, because Ahrens has to adjust to a new position and refine his lefthanded swing. Regardless, he continues to draw Chipper Jones comparisons and has huge upside at the hot corner.

Minor League Top Prospects

Scouts generally liked Ahrens' easy, fluid swing and his patient, all-fields approach from both sides of the plate, but at the same time they wondered why the 2007 first-rounder hit just .259 with 135 strikeouts in 122 games. One scout said it bothered him that there was no obvious flaw to fix, another thought he took too many first-pitch strikes and a third thought his bat speed was a tick too slow. He projects as a possible 20-homer threat, though he went deep just five times this year. A shortstop in high school, Ahrens played some third base in his pro debut last summer and moved full-time to the hot corner in 2008. He showcased the MWL's best infield arm, soft hands and good range to both sides. He's a below-average runner but not a bad athlete.
Drafted two picks after Mesoraco, Ahrens played shortstop throughout his high school career, but the Blue Jays moved him to third base in mid-July. Often compared to Chipper Jones, he's a switch-hitter with power and little effort in his swing from both sides of the plate. He was better as a righthanded hitter this summer, as his swing was more fluid and he made hard contact and recognized pitches much more consistently. Though he didn't have much success at the plate in his first taste of pro ball, the Jays are content to bring Ahrens along slowly and believe his power will come as he gets more experience with wood bats. Defensively, Ahrens was at least an average defender at his new position. His plus arm profiles well at third base, and he showed good lateral movement with the ability to charge in on balls and make throws on the run. His hands and footwork are both adequate.