Aaron Bates Stats & Scouting Report

AB	11
AVG	.364
OBP	.417
SLG	.545
HR	0

Full name Aaron Bates
Born 03/10/1984 in New York, NY
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School North Carolina State
Debut 07/06/2009
Drafted in the 3rd round (83rd overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2006 (signed for $440,000).

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Bates is a mature, polished hitter who could move quickly through the minor leagues. He does an excellent job of handling pitches on the outside part of the plate and is capable of crushing the ball to the opposite field. Bates projects as a hitter who will use the entire field while showing the power, strength and quickness to pull the ball at the next level. A .425 hitter as a sophomore, Bates has a good eye and excellent plate discipline, leading to 38 walks in his first 51 games this season. Some observers are concerned that his high leg kick can make his swing a little long and vulnerable to fastballs up and in. Defensively, Bates is steady with the leather at first base. He provides a big target, moves well and handles all types of throws. Bates has a pro body along with a professional makeup, which should see him off the draft board no later than the fourth round.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

On May 19, Bates became the first player in the 64 seasons of the high Class A California League to hit four homers in a game. Teammate Brad Correll matched him five weeks later, another indication of how ridiculous Lancaster can get. For someone like Bates, who has legitimate hitting ability and power, it's an opportunity to put up crazy numbers and he did just that, leading the league with a .456 on-base percentage and posting a 1.048 OPS. Bates has a patient approach, waiting for a pitch he can pound and using the whole field. His biggest issue at the plate is that he takes an exceedingly long stride and doesn't always get his front foot down in time, messing up his stroke. It's a compact swing at times and long at others. He has good pitch recognition and hammers fastball and offspeed pitches alike. Bates' value rests totally with his bat. He's a below-average runner and athlete who's working hard to become an acceptable first baseman. He needs to adjust his stride after Double-A pitchers ate him up at the end of 2007, and he'll return to Portland to begin the season.
The Marlins couldn't sign Bates as an eighth-rounder in 2005, when he was a draft-eligible sophomore and won the home run derby at the Cape Cod League all-star game. One of several hitters targeted by the Red Sox as they looked to add power in the 2006 draft, he got a $440,000 bonus as a third-rounder. Bates is a polished hitter with an advanced approach, a quick bat and excellent plate coverage. He uses the entire field and has the raw power to hit the ball out of any part of the park. He has produced more for average because he has a level stroke, but the home runs should come if he can add loft. He used to have a high leg kick that lengthened his swing and worried some scouts, but he has modified it after approaching the Red Sox about it toward the end of his pro debut. Bates looked tired late in the summer, which affected his approach, so he'll need to work on his conditioning. He's a below-average runner. He has the work ethic and desire to be at least an average defender and presents a big target at first base. He spent most of his first pro summer in low Class A, so he'll probably go to Lancaster, where he could thrive at hitter-friendly Clear Channel Stadium.