- Full name Granden Galen Goetzman
- Born 11/14/1992 in Philadelphia, PA
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Palmetto
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Drafted in the 2nd round (75th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011 (signed for $490,000).
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Three factors have helped Goetzman jump up draft boards this spring: the thin Florida high school class, a lack of high school power bats and his own sizable talent. Minor shoulder issues kept him off the main showcase circuit, though he was a known commodity among Florida area scouts, so he has really introduced himself to national-level scouts this spring. Primarily a shortstop and pitcher in high school, Goetzman will move to an outfield corner as a pro, and he's gotten comparisons to such players as Jayson Werth and Jay Buhner. Bat speed and leverage help him produce prodigious power, and like Werth, Goetzman is a tall, angular athlete who might even have a shot at playing some center field. He's far from a stiff righthanded hitter, with a loose swing and above-average speed, especially under way. His hit tool is also advanced, as he has good natural timing. Scouts laud his makeup, and if a team thinks he can stay in the infield or play center, he could push his way into the first round.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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The 75th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Goetzman had trouble staying healthy during his first three pro seasons while battling a groin injury and a stress fracture in his back. He led short-season Hudson Valley with six triples and 19 stolen bases in 2013 before putting together a full season at low Class A Bowling Green and high Class A Charlotte in 2014. Deemed one of the top corner-outfield prospects in the 2011 draft, Goetzman has an athletic frame and a handful of plus tools. He has good hands at the plate with excellent hand-eye coordination, and he generates plus bat speed. Most of his hard hits are low line drives with backspin that creates carry. He turns on fastballs consistently but is susceptible to breaking balls. He runs very well for a big man, both on the basepaths and in the outfield. Goetzman is an above-average defender but his below-average arm strength will keep him out of right field. Finally heading in the right direction, he could return to Charlotte to open 2015, with a mid-year promotion to Double-A Montgomery a possibility. -
The Rays love what they see from Goetzman when he's on the field, but he rarely has been healthy since signing for $490,000 as the 75th overall pick in 2011. A groin injury limited him to 25 games shortly after signing, and a stress fracture in his back allowed him to play only 12 games last summer. Doctors believe the back injury dates to his high school days. Goetzman has a loose, athletic frame that has the potential to generate above-average power as he continues to mature. He got off to a torrid start at Rookie-level Princeton last summer, demonstrating the ability to drive the ball and the above-average speed to steal bases. His hands work well at the plate and he has excellent hand-eye coordination. A shortstop in high school, Goetzman is one of the top defensive outfielders in the Tampa Bay system. He has enough speed and arm strength to man any of the three outfield positions. He remains a raw prospect but has five-tool ability provided he can stay on the field.
