Kellen Sweeney Stats & Scouting Report

AB	818
AVG	.203
OBP	.304
SLG	.307
HR	11

Full name Kellen Michael Sweeney
Born 09/14/1991 in Cedar Rapids, IA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Jefferson
Drafted in the 2nd round (69th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010 (signed for $600,000).

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Sweeney's older brother Ryan was a White Sox second-round pick in 2003 and now starts in right field for the Athletics. Ryan was the better athlete--he could have been drafted just as high as a pitcher--but Kellen is a better hitter at the same stage of their careers. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has a quick lefthanded bat, a fluid stroke and good pull power. He struggled on the showcase circuit last summer, but scouts don't hold that against him because he hurt his elbow pitching in the final game of his junior season and required Tommy John surgery in August. Though he's a slightly above-average runner, Sweeney doesn't cover enough ground to stick at shortstop in pro ball. Assuming he regains his previous arm strength, he could make a good third baseman, and it's possible he could handle second base. Sweeney will go a few rounds later than his brother did, but that should be high enough to divert him from attending San Diego.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After his brief 2010 pro debut, Sweeney looked like a potential breakout candidate because of his advanced high school bat and smooth transition from prep shortstop to pro third baseman. Instead, he played just nine games in 2011 before breaking a bone at the base of his left thumb when he got caught in a rundown and fell, ending his season. Like his older brother Ryan, an outfielder with the Athletics, Kellen attracted scouting interest as a two-way player in high school. His pitching career ended when he had Tommy John surgery in August 2009, but his pedigree and smooth stroke got him drafted in the second round and earned him an above-slot $600,000 bonus. Sweeney has polish and hitting ability, with quick bat speed and an idea of the strike zone. He's a patient hitter and will draw plenty of walks, though the Blue Jays want him to be more aggressive. He's strong and should develop at least average power. At third base, Sweeney has soft hands, quick feet and average arm strength. He's an average runner. Sweeney's lost 2011 has put him a little behind and may lead him to start this year in extended spring training, but his bat should be able to handle a jump to a full-season league at some point in 2012.
The Blue Jays are extremely excited about Sweeney's polish and maturity, which should come as no surprise considering he already had some experience with pro ball before they signed him for $600,000 as a second-round pick in 2010. He's the younger brother of Athletics outfielder Ryan Sweeney, and scouts consider Kellen a better hitter at the same stage of their careers. He has a smooth, quick lefthanded stroke and a good idea of the strike zone. While he's patient and should draw plenty of walks, Toronto would like him to be more aggressive when he gets ahead in the count. He's strong and should develop at least average power. He has slightly above-average speed. A shortstop in high school, Sweeney moved to third base after signing. He has regained average arm strength since having Tommy John surgery in August 2009, and has soft hands and good footwork at the hot corner. He probably could handle second base as well. Sweeney signed early enough to spend a month in the Gulf Coast League last summer, laying the groundwork to begin 2011 in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

The younger brother of Athletics outfielder Ryan Sweeney, Kellen isn't quite as athletic but has better offensive potential. He has a quick bat that generates good pull power from the left side of the plate, and he also has a good idea of the strike zone. He walked 15 times in 16 GCL games. A high school shortstop, Sweeney moved to third base after signing. He made routine plays at the hot corner and should stick there if his arm strength comes all the way back following from Tommy John surgery in 2009. He's a slightly above-average runner.