Rocco Baldelli

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #1 prospect in 2003
  Few players made more progress in 2002 than Baldelli, the sixth overall pick in the 2000 draft and the recipient of a $2.25 million bonus. A career .237 hitter in his first two pro seasons, he opened at high Class A Bakersfield and closed by helping Triple-A Durham win the International League championship. Baldelli was Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year and the top prospect in the California League. He was one of the youngest players in the Southern League during his three weeks at Double-A Orlando, where he batted .371 and hit safely in 14 of his 17 games. After jumping to Durham, Baldelli served as the Bulls' center fielder and leadoff hitter during their run to the title. Baldelli is the total package and getting better. Considered the top athlete in the 2000 draft, he was a standout volleyball and basketball player in high school in addition to starring in baseball. Baldelli has excellent bat speed and uses his hands well to produce line drives. He can hit and hit for power, and he wasn't overmatched against veteran pitchers. A natural center fielder, he has plus speed and is an effortless runner who glides to the ball with a long stride. Coaches and scouts rave about his makeup and desire to become the best player he can be. Despite his natural athleticism, Baldelli isn't just a pure tools guy. The biggest question about Baldelli's readiness for Tampa Bay is his plate discipline, shown by his dearth of walks last season. He didn't draw a single walk in Triple-A, though he made strides in the Arizona Fall League. Baldelli also needs to work on the art of stealing bases. Somewhat inexperienced because he hails from a cold-weather state, Baldelli should continue to improve with time. His arm is his weakest tool, though most scouts think it will be close to major league average because of the accuracy of his throws. After promoting a 20-year-old Carl Crawford last year, the Devil Rays will give Baldelli every opportunity in spring training to prove that he belongs in center field. Though he played well during the AFL, the consensus is that Baldelli needs a little more Triple-A seasoning.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #5 prospect in 2002
  Drafted sixth overall in 2000, Baldelli was recruited in three different sports before signing for $2.25 million. Despite battling minor back and hand injuries last year at low Class A Charleston, Baldelli ranked second on the team in triples, home runs and stolen bases. Baldelli impresses scouts with his instincts for the game. He has great quickness and runs the 60-yard dash in 6.38 seconds. His maturing body is starting to add strength, and he could develop above-average power. The Rays envision Baldelli as a pure center fielder capable of hitting in the middle of the lineup. The biggest hurdle Baldelli faces is making adjustments with his bat. He gets himself out more often than pitchers do, and he must tighten his strike zone. His arm is his lone tool that isn't considered above-average. Added strength will keep him from wearing down over the season, a problem in 2001 The Rays say Baldelli is making steady progress. Tampa Bay's center fielder of the future (he'll push Carl Crawford to left field), he'll open 2002 at Bakersfield.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #9 prospect in 2001
  A superb all-around athlete, Baldelli impressed the Devil Rays with four above-average tools, including his 6.5-second speed in the 60-yard dash. While his production wasn't exceptional in the Rookie-level Appalachian League, the sixth overall pick in the 2000 draft showed the ability to make adjustments. Baldelli possesses all of the natural instincts required to be a standout center fielder. Several members of the Tampa Bay front office say he's the best pure center fielder they have seen. An aggressive defender with plus speed, Baldelli takes the right routes to balls and is flawless in throwing the ball to the correct base. He showed a willingness to work hard as well as a strong desire to improve while at Princeton and during instructional league. Baldelli's lone tool that isn't above average is his arm. While he has a large frame, he needs to increase his overall strength. The Devil Rays think that as his body matures, he'll add considerable power. He also needs to make more consistent contact. Baldelli is scheduled to play his first full season in pro ball at Charleston.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #1 prospect in 2002
  Baldelli entered the season as the other outfield prospect on the Blaze. But as injuries continued to cloud Josh Hamilton's future, Baldelli flourished. "He pretty much does it all," Stockton manager Jayhawk Owens said. A potential five-tool star, Baldelli blitzed through the league before promotions to Double-A and Triple-A. About the only thing he didn't do was draw walks, but pitchers weren't able to exploit that weakness. "He was the second- or third-best prospect I saw all year, next to Brandon Phillips and Mike Restovich," a well-traveled American League scout said. "He's a center fielder who hit and hit with power. He can fly and appears to have good makeup. "He made adjustments for me. In one at-bat he'd wave at a breaking ball, but when they tried again he smoked it to right-center field."
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #20 prospect in 2001
  Baldelli has suffered from comparisons to Josh Hamilton, who preceded him in center field in Charleston. While Baldelli doesn't have Hamilton's bat speed, he's faster (6.38 seconds in the 60-yard dash) and a better athlete (he turned down a UCLA volleyball scholarship). The sixth pick in the 2000 draft, Baldelli is refining his raw tools en route to a future Tampa Bay outfield of himself, Hamilton and Carl Crawford. Few players are quicker or more exciting on their way around the bases. Minor back and hand injuries held Baldelli back, and he wore down in his first full season. But he just needs at-bats, as his arm is the only tool he has that isn't above average. "Rocco is capable of being a real fine major league player," Biancalana said. "But he has to decide that's what he wants to do. If he does and stays healthy, nothing will stop him."
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  Ranked American League #4 prospect in 2000
  Baldelli was ranked as the top high school athlete in this year's draft class, and showed that in Princeton. He played the same position and wore the same number (22) as Josh Hamilton, but any comparison of the two would be unfair at this point. "He can play," Alfonzo said. "He works hard. He was a little overmatched, but he has the tools. There's something about him I like." Baldelli runs well and plays solid defense in center, but is unpolished overall and has a lot of progress to make at the plate. When he develops he should be a four-tool player, lacking only arm strength.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #2 prospect in 2003

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Baldelli was ranked as the top high school athlete in this year's draft class, and showed that in Princeton. He played the same position and wore the same number (22) as Josh Hamilton, but any comparison of the two would be unfair at this point. "He can play," Alfonzo said. "He works hard. He was a little overmatched, but he has the tools. There's something about him I like." Baldelli runs well and plays solid defense in center, but is unpolished overall and has a lot of progress to make at the plate. When he develops he should be a four-tool player, lacking only arm strength.