Marc Krauss

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #16 prospect in 2012
  Krauss hit .302/.372/.504 in his first two pro seasons, propelling him to a No. 5 ranking on this list a year ago. But a subpar year in Double-A, along with concerns about his bat speed and athleticism, have dropped his stock. He hit just .242 at Mobile and looked stiff in the batter's box. He has above-average on-base skills and raw power, but scouts worry that he won't hit consistently enough or catch up to good fastballs. After handling lefthanders well in the past, he hit just .219/.308/.344 against them in 2011. Krauss has gone from looking like a potential No. 5 hitter a year earlier to perhaps no more than a platoon player now. That's a worry for a thick-bodied guy with below-average speed who has to rely on his bat to carry him. Though he's a little better with the glove than he usually gets credit for, he's limited to left field. He also has seen time in right, where he's passable despite a fringy arm. Krauss will get a chance to get back on track in 2012 when he moves to the more hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #5 prospect in 2011
  Krauss was advanced enough offensively that the Diamondbacks sent him straight to low Class A after signing him as a second-rounder in 2009. His pro debut was cut short by an ankle injury, yet Arizona was aggressive again and assigned him to high Class A last year. He hit at both stops, as well as in the Arizona Fall League after the 2010 season. Krauss can rake and he'll have to, because that's his only route to the big leagues. He's a patient hitter with a clean swing, though he doesn't have blazing bat speed and his stroke can get long at times. He uses the whole field and developed more pull-side power last season, continuing that trend in the AFL. He hits southpaws as well as he hits righthand-ers, so he won't get pigeonholed as a platoon player. With below-average speed and athleticism to go with a fringy arm, Krauss is limited to left field. He does take good routes to the ball. Scouts question whether he could handle a move to first base. Krauss will open 2011 in Double-A and could see Triple-A Reno before season's end. The Diamondbacks need outfielders and power bats, so he'll move quickly if he continues to hit. He's a good bet to be the first member of Arizona's 2009 draft class to reach the majors.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #7 prospect in 2010
  Krauss exploded onto the prospect scene by leading the Cape Cod League in RBIs (34) and on-base percentage (.473) in the summer of 2008, and he nearly hit his way into the first round by batting .402 and setting Ohio school records for homers (27), RBIs (70) and slugging (.852) last spring. After signing for $550,000, he continued to hit in low Class A until he hurt his right ankle running into a wall in July, requiring surgery to remove bone chips. Krauss is a hitter first and a power threat second. His gap-to-gap approach yields consistent results, and he likes to hit the ball to the opposite field. He repeats his swing better than anyone in the system and consistently squares up pitches. Krauss also manages atbats and identifies offspeed pitches well. Krauss isn't an instinctive defender, and a trial at third base in college didn't go well. His below-average speed and range limit him to left field or first base. He has some arm strength but needs to improve his throwing mechanics. Most of Krauss' value lies in his bat, but it should play at any level. He may return to South Bend to start 2010, but he won't remain there long. He could be the first player from Arizona's 2009 draft class to reach the majors.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked California League #14 prospect in 2010
  Only a late-season slump spoiled an impressive first full pro season for Krauss. He teamed with fellow 2009 draftees Paul Goldschmidt and Ryan Wheeler in the heart of Visalia's lineup and emerged as one the best overall hitters in the league. A line-drive hitter, Krauss handles breaking pitches well and drives the ball to all fields. He's a rare lefthanded hitter who has no trouble with southpaw pitchers, hitting .329/.365/.563 against them in 2010. He started showing pull power this season, though Cal League observers were interested to see how he'll handle better pitching at higher levels. Krauss lacks speed and athleticism, and his arm is average at best. His shortcomings limit him to left field an ultimately may push him to first base.

• December, 2010 Scouting Report
  Background: Krauss was advanced enough offensively that the Diamondbacks sent him straight to low Class A after signing him as a second-rounder in 2009. His pro debut was cut short by an ankle injury, yet Arizona was aggressive again and assigned him to high Class A last year. He hit at both stops, as well as in the Arizona Fall League after the 2010 season. Scouting Report: Krauss can rake and he'll have to, because that's his only route to the big leagues. He's a patient hitter with a clean swing, though he doesn't have blazing bat speed and his stroke can get long at times. He uses the whole field and developed more pull-side power last season, continuing that trend in the AFL. He hits southpaws as well as he hits righthander, so he won't get pigeonholed as a platoon player. With below-average speed and athleticism to go with a fringy arm, Krauss is limited to left field. He does take good routes to the ball. Scouts question whether he could handle a move to first base. The Future: Krauss will open 2011 in Double-A and could see Triple-A Reno before season's end. The Diamondbacks need outfielders and power bats, so he'll move quickly if he continues to hit. He's a good bet to be the first member of Arizona's draft class to reach the majors.