Danny Worth Stats & Scouting Report

AB	300
AVG	.223
OBP	.281
SLG	.287
HR	2

Full name Daniel Weston Worth
Born 09/30/1985 in Northridge, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Pepperdine
Debut 05/16/2010
Drafted in the 2nd round (91st overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2007 (signed for $378,000).

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Worth's steady defense and improved bat has won over scouts this spring, as he worked his way into the discussion as one of the better middle infielders available out of college this spring in a down year for the position. A three-year starter for Pepperdine, Worth hit .344 with wood last summer in the Northwoods League and has continued to improve offensively this spring, posting career highs across the board and improving his plate discipline significantly. His swing's a bit stiff, but he has bat control and has shown the ability to drive the ball from gap to gap (he led the West Coast Conference in doubles last spring and ranked second this year), though his home run power is well-below-average. Defensively Worth shines with excellent footwork, natural instincts, sure hands and a strong arm. He makes all the routine plays and has the ability to make the big play from the hole. He's just an average runner, but his grit and reliability make him likely to be drafted in the first three rounds.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

After reaching Double-A within months of signing in 2007, Worth had a somewhat disappointing first full season of pro ball. He has been billed as a plus defender but committed 18 errors in 80 games. Bursitis behind his throwing shoulder limited him to just six games in the final two months. The bursitis, which affected his shoulder and back, likely explains why his offensive production dropped late in the season. It also raised concerns about Worth's overall durability. He's slightly built and wore down in the second half. He entered the offseason knowing that he must add more strength in order to make it as an everyday player. Worth has limited ceiling at the plate. He doesn't have great bat speed or much power, so while he may hit for a decent average with his share of walks and a few doubles, that's about it. He has below-average speed, though he does show good instincts on the bases. Defense is where Worth stands out. He has good range, reliable hands and a smooth transfer. Though his arm strength is just average, he enhances it with a quick release. With a solid spring, Worth could break camp as the Tigers' everyday shortstop at Triple-A. He needs to have a strong 2009 season in order to remain one level ahead of Cale Iorg.
Others may have received more acclaim, but no one in the Tigers' 2007 draft class made a greater immediate impact than Worth. He signed for $378,000 as a second-round pick, became the starting shortstop in high Class A and finished his pro debut with a late promotion to Double-A. He picked up even more professional experience in Hawaii Winter Baseball, where he hit .292. Worth is a consistent, confident defender with reliable hands. A natural shortstop, he has an average arm that plays up because of his quick release and above-average range. He's not flashy but makes all the routine plays. A gap hitter, he has a quick bat and a good sense of the strike zone. Worth has limited power, projecting to hit some doubles but not many homers. Like many young hitters, he's susceptible to good breaking balls. His speed is maybe a tick below average, though he looks faster on the bases because of good instincts. His ceiling is comparable to that of Jason Bartlett, as a smooth-fielding shortstop who bats in the bottom third of an American League lineup and hits around .270 without much power. Worth will return to Lakeland or Erie to begin 2008, and his polished skills could enable him to move quickly in a system that lacks depth at shortstop in the upper minors.