B.A. Vollmuth Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1408
AVG	.232
OBP	.312
SLG	.392
HR	45

Full name Bryan Anthony Vollmuth
Born 12/23/1989 in Biloxi, MS
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Southern Mississippi
Drafted in the 3rd round (105th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2011 (signed for $304,200).

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Vollmuth hit all of three home runs as a high school senior, so Southern Mississippi coaches were surprised when he stepped in as a freshman for injured team leader Brian Dozier and hit eight home runs in just 97 at-bats. He helped lead the Golden Eagles to their first College World Series bid, then bashed 20 homers as a sophomore. Vollmuth has battled the new bats and a hip injury in 2011, and moved off shortstop to the less-demanding third base. At 6-foot-4 and a listed 200 pounds, he may wind up outgrowing third and moving to a corner outfield spot--or first base if his below-average speed further deteriorates. With an accurate, above-average arm, that would waste of one of his better tools. Vollmuth still has looseness in his swing, and he has tremendous leverage. He's always going to swing and miss, but instincts and savvy have helped him improve his hitting ability over his college career. He has toned down an exaggerated leg kick, and while he remains streaky, he has gained consistency.

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As a freshman in 2009, Vollmuth homered six times in NCAA tournament play to lead Southern Mississippi to its first College World Series appearance. He went on to lead the Golden Eagles in homers in each of the next two seasons before landing $304,200 as a 2011 third-round pick. He hit .261/.336/.405 while reaching high Class A in his first full pro season, though his performance was a bit underwhelming. Vollmuth has always had issues with streakiness and handling breaking pitches. When he's in rhythm, he has a short bat path that can produce above-average power to all fields. He has a willingness to use the middle of the field and patience as well. A shortstop in college, Vollmuth has a strong arm and good hands at third base, but he tends to lose focus and make careless errors. He's still learning the position in terms of reading balls and playing the proper angles. Vollmuth can profile as a corner player, but he'll have to prove he can produce against quality pitching. The A's would like to get him to Double-A in 2013, though a return to Stockton is a possibility.
As a freshman, Vollmuth helped Southern Mississippi make its first College World Series appearance in 2009. He went on to hit 32 homers over the next two seasons and became a third-round pick last June, signing for $304,200 shortly before the deadline. Above-average power is easily Vollmuth's biggest selling point. He has a smooth swing, is direct to the ball and generates loft to all fields. Though he's already 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, the A's believe he still has room to add more strength. He's a streaky hitter prone to strikeouts, so he may not hit for a high average. A shortstop in his first two college seasons, Vollmuth moved to third base last spring and will continue there in pro ball. He shows nice hands and an arm strong enough for the left side of the infield. He needs to learn proper positioning, which should come with more experience. He's a below-average runner. Vollmuth fits the mold of a power-hitting third baseman. He's a candidate to skip a level and go straight to high Class A Stockton for his first full pro season.