Kolbrin Vitek
| AB | 1130 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .258 |
| OBP | .326 |
| SLG | .356 |
| HR | 8 |
- Full name Kolbrin Daniel Vitek
- Born 04/01/1989 in Bryan, OH
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Ball State
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Drafted in the 1st round (20th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2010 (signed for $1,359,000).
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Vitek has pitched in Ball State's weekend rotation since he was a freshman, and has been a regular in the Cardinals' lineup, first as a DH, then as a third baseman and now as second baseman. Yet his professional future is more likely as an outfielder. In a draft short on premium college hitters, Vitek is one of the best. He ranked as the top prospect in the Great Lakes League last summer, batting .400 and winning the league's first triple crown. A 6-foot-3, 195-pound righthanded hitter, he's a more physical version of former Notre Dame outfielder A.J. Pollock, the 17th overall pick a year ago of the Diamondbacks. Despite a late-season slump, Vitek could go in the same range, and the Padres, who own the No. 9 choice, have shown interest in him. With quick hands and a sound approach, he consistently barrels balls and projects as an above-average hitter with average to plus power. On the 20-80 scouting scale, his speed rates as a 55 out of the box and 60-65 under way, leading to hope that he can play center field. If not, he has enough bat to carry him as a right fielder. Vitek lacks the hands and actions to play the infield in pro ball. He's also a legitimate prospect as a pitcher, throwing 88-92 mph from a low three-quarters arm slot and locating multiple pitches for strikes. He led the Mid-American Conference with a 3.28 ERA this spring and was named conference player of the year.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Boston's top pick in 2010, Vitek went 20th overall and signed for $1.359 million. A two-way star at Ball State, he rated as one of the best bats in the draft, but he has yet to hit with much authority in two years as a pro. The Red Sox are still confident he'll be productive at the plate, which may happen once he gets comfortable at third base or moves to the outfield. Vitek has a simple, quick swing and consistently keeps his hands inside the ball. That's conducive to hitting line drives and using the opposite field, though he won't tap into his average power potential unless he starts turning on more pitches. After making some adjustments to handle breaking pitches, he made more consistent contact in his first full pro season than he did in his debut. Vitek is a good athlete with plus speed once he gets going and above-average arm strength. He showed an 88-92 mph fastball and threw three pitches for strikes at Ball State. Vitek played third base as a sophomore before moving to second base as a junior to conserve his arm, and he has struggled moving back to the hot corner. Inconsistent footwork has contributed to his .886 fielding percentage there, and some scouts wonder if his hands are good enough to stay in the infield. He'll probably wind up in the outfield, and his tools give him a chance to handle center field. Boston will keep him at third base when it sends him to Double-A to open the 2012 season. -
One of the best hitters available in the 2010 draft, Vitek went 20th overall and signed for $1.359 million. With his quick hands, sound approach and ability to recognize pitches, he should hit for a high average. He struck out more than expected in his pro debut, mainly because he needs to make some adjustments against breaking pitches, but he still showed a knack for barreling balls. He should have at least average power, if not more. Vitek is a slightly above-average runner out of the box and has plus speed once he gets going, making him a threat to take extra bases and swipe a few bags. The big question is where he'll play. Vitek played second base last spring at Ball State, in part to save his arm for pitching. With an 88-92 mph fastball and the ability to throw three pitches for strikes, he led the Missouri Valley Conference with a 3.28 ERA and was named MVC player of the year. He lacks soft hands and true middle-infield actions, so the Red Sox shifted him to third base, where he played as a sophomore. He has more than enough arm strength and athleticism for the hot corner, but he'll have to improve his hands and footwork after making 15 errors in 34 games. He had to share the position at both of his minor league stops, because both Lowell (David Renfroe) and Greenville (Michael Almanzar) had bonus babies at third base. Many clubs projected Vitek as an outfielder and he might have enough range to play in center field. If not, his bat and arm strength would allow him to profile well in right field. He'll stay at third base in 2011, when he has a chance to open the season in high Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
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A two-way star at Ball State, Vitek ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Great Lakes League in 2009 and followed that up by earning second-team All-America honors last spring. Boston's top pick in the 2010 draft, he had a lackluster pro debut but did earn a late-season promotion to low Class A Greenville. Vitek's bat is his ticket. He has a line-drive, gap-to-gap approach with plenty of bat speed, and he projects as an average or slightly better hitter with at least average power. He also has average-to-plus speed. "I see the ability to hit 20-25 home runs in the big leagues and hit for decent average," Lowell manager Bruce Crabbe said. "Once he learns what his capabilities are, I've seen him drive balls as good as anybody, but mainly it's just commanding the zone. It's not a tool that you can learn that easily, but he's got it. You just see it right away." After playing second base during the spring, Vitek moved to third base in pro ball and is still learning to get proper reads off the bat, taking correct angles to ball and throwing from the appropriate arm slot. He lacks true middle-infield actions, and his hands draw mixed reviews. He has arm strength but his release is rigid, and some scouts think he'll wind up in the outfield.
