Blake DeWitt Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1119
AVG	.257
OBP	.324
SLG	.381
HR	21

Full name Blake Robert DeWitt
Born 08/20/1985 in Sikeston, MO
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Sikeston
Debut 03/31/2008
Drafted in the 1st round (28th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004 (signed for $1,200,000).

View Draft Report

Though scouts say he has been a little anxious this spring, DeWitt still has batted .544 with 11 homers and is one of the safest bets to hit among the draft's high school prospects. He's a sound, strong lefthanded hitter whose power still shows when he uses wood in batting practice. DeWitt has arm strength and athleticism, but he's not a true shortstop. He'll move to second or third base once he turns pro or attends Georgia Tech, and he's intriguing as a possible catcher. He has been likened to Twins 2003 first-round pick Matt Moses, and Minnesota is believed to be following DeWitt closely.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

DeWitt followed Scott Elbert as the second of two first-rounders the Dodgers drafted out of Missouri high schools in 2004. After a season at second base, DeWitt moved back to third base in 2007 and got back on track offensively. He hit .281/.354/.404 in the Arizona Fall League following the season. DeWitt has a smooth, repeatable, lefthanded swing that creates consistent hard contact and enables him to keep his hands inside the ball. He can let balls travel deep and get enough extension to drive them out of the park. His pitch recognition and plate discipline also contribute to his above-average feel for hitting. He's an adequate defender with a solid-average arm. He has an even temperament and good makeup. Some scouts don't see DeWitt developing the power to play third base every day in the big leagues. He's streaky as a hitter and his approach vacillates. He can get himself out by expanding the strike zone, though it's usually by hitting pitcher's pitches as opposed to swinging and missing. He has 35 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale but runs better once underway. DeWitt's supporters cite the development of James Loney, who also didn't consistently hit for power in the minors. If he continues to improve, DeWitt could compete for a major league role in 2009 and develop into a .280-.290 hitter with 15-20 homers per year.
DeWitt's draft stock improved during his senior season and he was considered the best pure hitter in a lackluster 2004 high school draft class. He has been solid but not spectacular in three years in the minors. He moved from third base to second at high Class A Vero Beach last year, then back to the hot corner when promoted to Double-A. His tools aren't overwhelming, but DeWitt has good feel for the game. He has a knack for putting the barrel on the ball and he uses his hands well at the plate. His swing is short and fluid, and his bat stays in the hitting zone for a long time. He has a solid-average arm and quick release. DeWitt gets pull-happy and tends to drift during his swing, failing to keep his weight back. While he has enough bat speed to drive balls out of the park, he doesn't project to hit more than 12-18 homers annually in the big leagues. He's better suited for third base, so how much power he develops becomes vital to his value. He lacks the actions and range to stick in the middle infield and he's not a fluid fielder. He's a below-average runner. DeWitt's mature approach to hitting and excellent makeup should carry him to the majors. He should spend most of this year at Double-A.
The consensus best high school hitting prospect in the 2004 draft class, DeWitt has justified the hype since signing for $1.2 million. A career .289 hitter, he finished his first full season by hitting .419 in high Class A and adding a homer in the Florida State League playoffs. DeWitt's classic lefthanded swing is smooth and controlled, and he repeats it easily. He sets his hands with a good load and generates good bat speed and leverage, the main ingredients of his plus raw power. He shows a feel for the strike zone, though he can improve his pitch recognition and ability to use all fields. He has a slightly above-average arm. DeWitt's swing gets loopy when he doesn't trust his hands. He tends to drift on breaking balls from lefthanders. He's a below-average runner and an adequate defensive third baseman. With Andy LaRoche ahead of him, DeWitt got a look at second base during instructional league and fared well. His instincts and aptitude should allow him to handle the move if necessary. He'll continue his development at third base in high Class A in 2006.
Considered the best hitter in the 2004 high school draft class, DeWitt lived up to his reputation after signing for $1.2 million. He moved from shortstop to third base and strung together a 19-game hitting streak in his first month as a pro. He was rated the No. 2 prospect in the Rookie-level Pioneer League. DeWitt has a pretty lefthanded stroke. He generates good bat speed with a nice load that allows him to set his hands before unleashing. He has the potential to develop into a 30-35 home run threat. He made adjustments well and handled offspeed stuff better as the season went on. His arm is slightly above-average. DeWitt's speed and range are fringe-average, and his hands are just adequate. He led Pioneer League third basemen with 20 errors. The Dodgers say he can become at least an average third baseman because of his work ethic. He needs to stay back on breaking balls and use all fields, and he showed a feel for doing so last summer. DeWitt figures to begin his first full season at low Class A Columbus. As he gets acclimated to pro ball, he could move quickly.

Minor League Top Prospects

The Dodgers still aren't sure where they want to play DeWitt. With Andy LaRoche ahead of him in the system, DeWitt moved to second base in the FSL before returning him to third base after an August promotion to Double-A. At any position, he's notable for his potential at the plate. DeWitt's strengths are his athleticism and his sweet lefty stroke. He keeps the bat in the zone for a long time, scattering line drives to all fields and displaying plus power. He can get too aggressive at the plate, which makes his swing longer and loopier. DeWitt is understandably raw at second base, though his athleticism and baseball instincts helped him adjust quickly. He turns the double play pretty well and showed steady improvement as the season went along, but he must get better at charging ground balls. He has plenty of arm strength for second base and enough for the hot corner.
DeWitt didn't put up flashy numbers in his first full pro season. Instead, he earned the respect of SAL managers by grinding his way through the season, never letting the game get the better of his pretty lefthanded swing. DeWitt lets the ball get deep and trusts his hands, allowing him to sting line drives to all parts of the park, though he still needs to learn to pull the ball more. He showed the ability to make adjustments, such as better recognizing breaking balls, allowing him to bat .312 over his final 47 games before a late promotion to high Class A. His defense at third base, a new position for him as a pro, wasn't consistent, and one scout mentioned a move to second base could be in his future. "I liked his approach and I liked his swing," an AL scout said. "He has hands that work, but the power always will be a little suspect because of his size."
Rated the best pure hitter among high school players in the 2004 draft, DeWitt lived up to that billing in his pro debut. He put together a 19-game hitting streak in his first month in the minors, and scouts and managers considered him the league's most polished hitter. DeWitt showed exceptional bat speed and plus power. His swing allows the bat to stay in the strike zone for a long time. Once he learned to stay back on breaking balls, he began driving balls to all fields. He's a lefthanded hitter who can handle lefties with aplomb (.338 average), and he became more selective as the summer wore on. A shortstop in high school, DeWitt will play third base professionally. He's raw defensively but showed improvement with experience. His arm strength, athleticism and work ethic should allow him to make the switch.