Bryan LaHair

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #19 prospect in 2008
  LaHair won Seattle minor league player of the year honors in 2006 and followed that up by hitting 46 doubles in 2007, a mark good enough to rank second in the Pacific Coast League and seventh in the minors. His resurgence began in 2005 when he started to drive the ball more regularly during games. LaHair uses the entire field and has good plate coverage, but his upside is probably closer to Sean Casey than a true impact bat. He could improve his home run output by learning to pull the inside pitch, which the Mariners believe he will do with more Triple-A experience. LaHair's work ethic is strong, but he tends to be too hard on himself. Drafted as a corner outfielder/third baseman, he isn't very athletic and is limited to first base, where he has below-average speed and defensive skills. Unless he improves dramatically against lefthanders--against whom he has hit .209 and slugged .316 in two Triple-A seasons--LaHair profiles more as a part-time player. Weakness against lefty pitching is preferable to the opposite, though, so LaHair could carve out a career as a platoon first baseman/DH, possibly as early as 2008 if Richie Sexson gets hurt or is traded.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #16 prospect in 2007
  LaHair followed up his breakout 2005 performance by proving it was no fluke, earning Seattle's minor league player of the year award. He has become a regular for Team USA, playing in its last three tournaments: the World Cup and Olympic regional qualifier in 2005, and the Olympic qualifier in 2006. LaHair's resurgence began when he started getting his front foot down quicker, improving his timing at the plate. LaHair offers Sean Casey-like production as a first baseman and may have even more power, as he as started to drive the ball more regularly during game action and not just in batting practice. He uses the entire field and has good plate coverage. Originally drafted as a corner outfielder/third baseman, LaHair isn't very athletic and is limited to first base. He has below-average speed and defensive skills. While he has become an organization favorite, his lack of versatility presents a problem. Richie Sexson has two years and $28 million remaining on his contract, closing off any opportunity at first base. LaHair has hit just .218 and .209 versus lefthanders over the last two seasons, so he may not be more than a platoon player. He'll probably open the season back in Triple-A but should get his first shot at the majors at some point in 2007.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #29 prospect in 2006
  LaHair had a classic breakout season in 2005. After batting .273 with eight homers over his first two pro seasons, he exploded to hit .310-22-113 and earn all-star honors in the California League. He also starred with Team USA, batting .361-3-8 in 10 games at the World Cup in September and .444-1-3 in three contests at an Olympic regional qualifying tournament in November. LaHair made a key adjustment to his swing mechanics, allowing him to get his front foot down quicker and improve his timing. Big and strong, he has legitimate lefthanded power. He doesn't lose any pop against southpaws, but his .218 average against them last year may mean his ceiling is as a platoon player. LaHair has played outfield in the past, but he has below-average speed and athleticism, prompting him to become a full-time first baseman. While he's not smooth around the bag, he did lead California League first basemen with a .996 fielding percentage. The Mariners aren't quite sure he's for real, and he'll have to prove himself again in Double-A after being left off the 40-man roster.