Greg Dobbs

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #14 prospect in 2005
  Dobbs completed a successful comeback from a ruptured left Achilles tendon that ended his 2003 season after two games, becoming the first Mariner to homer in his initial big league at-bat. Seattle initially drafted him in the 53rd round out of high school in 1996 but didn't land him until he signed as a fifth-year senior before the 2001 draft. He has hit everywhere he has played. His mechanics, swing and plate coverage have made him a consistent .300 hitter, and he has enough power to hit 15-20 homers on an annual basis. He doesn't walk a lot, in part because he makes contact so easily. Dobbs looked better defensively in the majors than he had in the minors, but it's still unlikely that he can handle third base on an everyday basis. Though he has worked hard on playing the hot corner, his range is very fringy and his arm and hands are only adequate. He doesn't profile to have enough power to play first base, but his ability to play either infield corner is moot after Seattle signed free agents Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre in the offseason. Dobbs' best bet for regular playing time appears to be left field, though the Mariners also have a crowded outfield picture. Because he has spent just 21⁄2 months in Triple-A and has no opening in the majors, he's ticketed to return to Tacoma at the start of 2005.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #13 prospect in 2004
  The Mariners drafted Dobbs in the 53rd round out of high school in 1996 but didn't land him until signing him as a fifth-year senior just before the 2001 draft. In between, he went from Riverside (Calif.) Community College to Long Beach State to Oklahoma, earning all-league honors every season except for 2000, when he was academically ineligible. Dobbs has perhaps the prettiest swing in the system, a classic lefthanded stroke that has enabled him to hit everywhere he has played. The only thing that has slowed him as a pro has been a ruptured left Achilles tendon that ended his 2003 season after two games. The injury not only let Justin Leone move past him but it also left questions about whether Dobbs can handle third base unresolved. His hands, range and arm are adequate at the hot corner, but he needs to improve his footwork and throwing accuracy. The other options would be to move him to first base or left field, and Dobbs should have enough bat for those positions. He projects to hit .280-.300 with 20-25 homers while drawing a fair amount of walks. Expected to be 100 percent in spring training, Dobbs will again open as the Double-A third baseman.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #9 prospect in 2003
  Dobbs went from Riverside (Calif.) CC to Long Beach State to Oklahoma, earning all-conference honors four times. After sitting out 2000 when he was academically ineligible, he hit .428 to lead the Big 12 Conference and signed as a fifth-year senior before the 2001 draft. The Mariners drafted him in the 53rd round out of high school. Dobbs cemented his reputation for hitting everywhere he has gone with his Double-A performance; he hit .409 in the Texas League playoffs. He has power as well, and projects as a .280-.300 hitter with 20-25 homers. Seattle knew Dobbs' bat was ready for high Class A at the start of 2002, but sent him to the Midwest League so he could work on playing third base. He has adequate hands, range and arm strength, but his footwork and throwing angles are erratic and lead to wayward throws. He made 23 errors in 72 games at third last year. Dobbs has enough bat for first base or left field, but his value will be enhanced if he can stick at the hot corner. Considering Seattle's need there, he'll be given every opportunity to do so.