Torsten Boss
| AB | 893 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .234 |
| OBP | .336 |
| SLG | .375 |
| HR | 21 |
- Full name Torsten Erik Boss
- Born 12/27/1990 in Riverside, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Michigan State
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Drafted in the 8th round (252nd overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012 (signed for $139,500).
View Draft Report
Scouts agree that Boss is one of the best college bats in the Midwest, but opinions diverge from there. Supporters see him as a guy with solid tools across the board who will be able to handle third base, while others believe he doesn't have a true defensive home. Boss has a pretty lefthanded swing and can catch up to quality fastballs. He's patient enough to take walks when pitchers try to work around him. Boss hit a soft .237 in the Cape Cod League last summer, but he helped his cause with a pair of homers in front of several scouting directors early this spring. He hit an opposite-field drive off a 95 mph fastball from St. John's Kyle Hansen at the Big East/Big Ten tournament, then pulled a ball out of the park against Texas A&M's Michael Wacha. At 6 feet and 200 pounds, Boss has the strength and bat speed to have average power, though his swing can get long. He has spent most of his Michigan State career at third base and has started games at second base, center field and right field. He has enough arm strength for third, but his hands are hard and his infield actions aren't the smoothest. While he's a plus runner in the 60-yard dash (6.65 seconds), his speed plays closer to average and he didn't take good routes while playing center field at the start of this season. A team that sees Boss as a third baseman could take him as early as the third round.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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When the Orioles took Boss in the eighth round in June, he became the highest-drafted player from Michigan State since 2002. Widely considered one of the best college hitters in the Midwest, he quickly signed for $139,500. Boss has a sweet lefthanded swing with solid bat speed, though it can get long on occasion. He has a good approach and works counts. He impressed scouts by homering off Texas A&M ace Michael Wacha (who would become a Cardinals first-round pick) early in the spring, but Boss may not have more than fringy to average power. He has solid speed and a strong arm, but scouts question whether he has a true defensive home. He spent most of his time at Michigan State and much of his pro debut at third base, though his pop doesn't profile well there. He also played second base as a collegian and pro and got some outfield time with the Spartans, but he doesn't have soft hands or smooth actions. Boss doesn't have any standout tools, but he also doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. Baltimore will continue to develop him as a third baseman, though he could wind up as a utilityman. He'll likely begin his first full pro season in low Class A.
Draft Prospects
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Scouts agree that Boss is one of the best college bats in the Midwest, but opinions diverge from there. Supporters see him as a guy with solid tools across the board who will be able to handle third base, while others believe he doesn't have a true defensive home. Boss has a pretty lefthanded swing and can catch up to quality fastballs. He's patient enough to take walks when pitchers try to work around him. Boss hit a soft .237 in the Cape Cod League last summer, but he helped his cause with a pair of homers in front of several scouting directors early this spring. He hit an opposite-field drive off a 95 mph fastball from St. John's Kyle Hansen at the Big East/Big Ten tournament, then pulled a ball out of the park against Texas A&M's Michael Wacha. At 6 feet and 200 pounds, Boss has the strength and bat speed to have average power, though his swing can get long. He has spent most of his Michigan State career at third base and has started games at second base, center field and right field. He has enough arm strength for third, but his hands are hard and his infield actions aren't the smoothest. While he's a plus runner in the 60-yard dash (6.65 seconds), his speed plays closer to average and he didn't take good routes while playing center field at the start of this season. A team that sees Boss as a third baseman could take him as early as the third round.
