Narciso Crook

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #28 prospect in 2016
  The Reds knew that Crook was a candidate to struggle in a jump from the Rookie-level Arizona League to low Class A Dayton in 2015, but they also believed he wouldn't be challenged enough by extended spring training and an assignment to Rookie-level Billings. As expected, more advanced pitchers toyed with Crook initially, and he recorded a brutal 56-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio and .199 average in the first half. But in the second half Crook's impressive tools started to catch up to the league. He hit .274/.313/.474 as his tick above-average power started to play. Crook's swing isn't fluid or handsy, but he's strong enough to muscle the bat through the zone. He's an excellent athlete who posts above-average run times. He played center field in Dayton, but long-term he will slide over to right field, where his above-average arm plays. His hit tool is less advanced than his power and projects as fringe-average at best. He'll head back to Dayton, but if he can build on a strong second half, he won't stay there for a full season again.

• December, 2015 Scouting Report
  The Reds knew that Crook was a candidate to struggle in a jump from the Rookie-level Arizona League to low Class A Dayton in 2015, but they also believed he wouldn't be challenged enough by extended spring training and an assignment to Rookie-level Billings. As expected, more advanced pitchers toyed with Crook initially, and he recorded a brutal 56-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio and .199 average in the first half. But in the second half Crook's impressive tools started to catch up to the league. He hit .274/.313/.474 as his tick above-average power started to play. Crook's swing isn't fluid or handsy, but he's strong enough to muscle the bat through the zone. He's an excellent athlete who posts above-average run times. He played center field in Dayton, but long-term he will slide over to right field, where his above-average arm plays. His hit tool is less advanced than his power and projects as fringe-average at best. He'll head back to Dayton, but if he can build on a strong second half, he won't stay there for a full season again.