Brian Bogusevic

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #27 prospect in 2011
  Bogusevic completed the journey from first-round pitcher to big league hitter in 2010, reaching Houston in a September callup. He'll never have a conventional first-round pick's ceiling, but he has a chance to become a useful big league reserve along the lines of John Mabry. A star for Tulane's top-ranked 2005 team as a two-way player, Bogusevic returned to first base in 2010 and should be an average defender there. His average speed and plus arm, a natural carryover from his pitching days, leave him capable in all three outfield spots, ideal for a fourth outfielder. Now he just has to hit his way there. Bogusevic has a quick bat but doesn't have enough strength or loft in his swing to hit for more than below-average power. He has a contact approach yet still strikes out too much, in part because he's willing to work deep counts. His instincts are good for a conversion project, and he's an efficient basestealer and handles lefthanders well (.851 OPS, vs. .752 against righthanders). The total package should allow Bogusevic to carve out a career as a useful reserve in Houston, starting in 2011.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #21 prospect in 2010
  Drafted 24th overall and paid a $1.375 million bonus in 2005 as a lefthander, Bogusevic never could overcome command issues and posted a 5.05 ERA in four seasons. A two-way star at Tulane, he made a full-time switch to the outfield in July 2008 at the Astros' behest. He has responded with solid results, showing a quick stroke and solid knowledge of the strike zone. He has good size and is adept at driving the ball to the opposite field. He'll need to learn how to pull the ball for power with more regularity. Bogusevic's transition to the outfield was relatively easy. He opened 2009 in center field, though he spent most of his time in left field as the season progressed. His solid speed and plus arm could make him an above-average defender on an outfield corner, but he'll have to hit more to have value there. He shows sharp instincts on the basepaths, both for stealing bases and going first to third. Bogusevic should return to Triple-A in 2010, when he'll try to show he has enough power to warrant a big league promotion.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #4 prospect in 2009
  Bogusevic rated No. 19 on this list a year ago, but that was when he was a lefthander trying to solve command issues that had plagued him ever since he signed for a $1.375 million as a first-rounder in 2005. But in July he and the Astros agreed it was time to ditch pitching. Bogusevic, a two-way star at Tulane, got a quick refresher course at Salem and then returned to the Texas League. He was great in Corpus Christi, then fared well in the Arizona Fall League, landing a spot on the Astros' 40-man roster. Bogusevic quickly made the conversion as a hitter and played center field well. He has a good approach at the plate and lets the ball get deep in the zone, allowing him to stay inside the ball well. It's a controlled approach, and his hits typically travel up the middle and to the opposite field. He covers a lot of ground in center and naturally has an above-average arm. Unlike Rick Ankiel, the last lefty to make a similar conversion, Bogusevic has trouble pulling inside pitches. His wrists aren't as quick as Ankiel's, who in the year he made the switch hit 21 home runs largely because he could turn around hard fastballs. Pitchers can get aggressive with Bogusevic and run it inside on him as a result. After a half-season of bashing in the Texas League and a good performance in the Arizona Fall League, Bogusevic will get pushed to Round Rock. His athleticism will get him to the majors, and his bat could leapfrog him over Michael Bourn.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #19 prospect in 2008
  The Astros hoped to draft Jacoby Ellsbury with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 draft, but the Red Sox grabbed him right ahead of them. Houston's consolation prize was Bogusevic, who figured to improve as a full-time pitcher after starring as a two-way player at Tulane. But he only has flashed the ability that earned him a $1.375 million bonus. He battled some elbow tendinitis in 2006 and has been inconsistent with his stuff, command and ability to repeat his delivery. Bogusevic has solid velocity for a lefthander, but his 88-91 mph fastball lacks life and hitters pick it up easily. He's still working to find a reliable breaking ball, and his slider is currently ahead of his curveball. He did make some progress with his changeup last season. There's some thought within the organization that Bogusevic would have more success as a reliever, but he'll remain a starter in Double-A this year. There's no talk yet of trying him as an outfielder--his bat, power, raw speed and right-field arm were all plus tools at Tulane--though that idea has occurred to some club officials.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #14 prospect in 2007
  A two-way star at Tulane, Bogusevic led the Green Wave to the 2005 College World Series by going 13-3, 3.25 and batting .328 as a right fielder. Though he offered plus hitting ability, raw power and speed, the Astros went with the conventional wisdom and took Bogusevic as a pitcher, sgining him for $1.375 million. They're still waiting to see the pitcher they thought they were drafting. Bogusevic was worn out in his pro debut after a long college season, but he didn't look any better for most of 2006. After he hit rock bottom by allowing eight runs (including three homers) without recording an out on May 4, doctors diagnosed elbow tendinitis and Houston shut him down for seven weeks. Upon his return, he seemed to get back on track. His fastball was back at 88-92 mph and his slider regained its sharpness. He also flashed a solid changeup. Bogusevic posted a 3.43 ERA over his final 11 starts and finally earned his first pro victories. When things weren't going well for him, he let the pressure of being a first-round pick get to him. He rushed his delivery and battled his mechanics, leaving his pitches up in the zone. Including a 2004 stint in the Cape Cod League, he has tired in each of the last three summers and must get stronger to handle the grind of pro ball. He also has to do a better job of holding runners after surrendering 13 steals in 14 attempts in 2006. The Astros also have worked with him to lower his arm angle to a true three-quarters slot. There's some thought that he'd hold up better as a reliever, but he'll stay in the rotation this year in high Class A.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #9 prospect in 2006
  Bogusevic led Tulane to the 2005 College World Series by going 13-3, 3.25 on the mound and batting .328 as a right fielder. Most teams preferred him on the mound, and the Astros concurred after taking him 24th overall and signing him for $1.375 million. Worn out by his two-way efforts and a hamstring injury in college, he was kept on a 45-pitch limit in his pro debut. Even while tired, Bogusevic still hit 95 mph out of the bullpen at short-season Tri-City and generally works at 89-93 mph with his fastball. His slider can be nasty, his changeup is average and he throws strikes with all three of his pitches. His days as an outfielder are over, but he has plus hitting ability, raw power and speed. Bogusevic needs to get stronger after fading in 2005 as well as 2004, when he hit .183 in the Cape Cod League. He needs to turn his slider into a more consistently plus pitch to work in the middle of a big league rotation. The Astros have few quality lefties in their system, so Bogusevic will get the opportunity to move quickly. He should be able to handle a jump to high Class A.