Nick Noonan Stats & Scouting Report

AB	145
AVG	.193
OBP	.239
SLG	.234
HR	1

Full name Nicholas Murphy Noonan
Born 05/04/1989 in Poway, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Francis Parker
Debut 04/03/2013
Drafted in the C-A round (32nd overall) by the San Francisco Giants in 2007 (signed for $915,750).

View Draft Report

If Noonan makes it across the country to play at Clemson, scouts will be surprised. He offers one of the most polished bats in the draft and had emerged as San Diego's top prep prospect, evoking comparisons to Phillies star Chase Utley. While he's not likely to hit for as much power as the former UCLA star, Noonan resembles Utley as an above-average lefthanded bat who profiles best at second base. Noonan has plenty of baseball savvy, first and foremost at the plate. He stays balanced, trusts his hands and makes consistent hard contact. Overmatched earlier in his career with wood, Noonan has made adjustments in his swing and shows excellent aptitude. While he's just an average runner, he's a good baserunner and basestealer, and he's a solid defender thanks to good hands and sound footwork. While he doesn't have flashy tools, he's one of the steadiest players in this draft class. A prep shortstop, his fringe-average arm and range profile better on the right side of the bag, and he has more than enough bat to make the move.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

A former top-10 prospect, Noonan dropped off the map for a couple years because of one simple reason: He stopped hitting the fastball. The 32nd overall selection in 2007 and recipient of a $915,750 bonus, he hit the a wall at Double-A in 2010 when he hit .237, then followed up by batting just .229 over three levels the following year. But something clicked in Triple-A and he hit .296 while getting back to the line-drive approach that once made him one of the system's most promising hitting prospects. Noonan might not profile as a future all-star, but he has a bit more than gap power and added to his value by playing adequately at three infield positions at Fresno while making a major improvement on backhand plays at shortstop. He marries a quick transfer with much-improved throwing accuracy, and his solid arm strength allows him to play on the left side of the infield. He's an average runner but smart on the bases. The Giants got several trade hits on Noonan around the July 31 deadline, so clearly they aren't the only ones who see him contributing as an extra infielder. He was added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
The Giants fast-tracked Noonan after he lit up the AZL in his pro debut three years ago, even though there were signs his offensive approach needed work and he wasn't ready to make the jump. Sure enough, Noonan came upon a speed bump in Double-A, struggling to hit anything but singles and missing more than 40 games with a recurring hamstring injury. Despite gifted hand-eye coordination and a knack for hitting with runners on base in the past, Noonan had trouble competing against Double-A pitching. He was off-balance and lunged at pitches, leading him to accept an overhauled approach in instructional league. Coaches had him put more weight on his back leg, firm up his front side and get his hands on a shorter path to the ball. According to Richmond manager Andy Skeels, Noonan started driving the ball, staying back against lefties and generating better bat speed--looking more like the lefthanded hitter who drew comparisons to Robin Ventura when San Francisco drafted him. Noonan hasn't added much strength to his rangy frame. He's an average defender and runner whose bat is his ticket to advancement, so he'll have to reestablish his value with a return trip to Double-A.
Noonan is the only promising prospect out of the Giants' three sandwich picks in 2007, as the others (catcher Jackson Williams, infielder Charlie Culberson) didn't even make their top 30. Signed for $915,750, Noonan has gained a reputation as a clutch hitter after providing big hits for league championship teams the last two years in Augusta and San Jose. Though he hasn't put up big numbers, he has been young for his leagues, and his lefthanded swing and ability to make contact have earned him comparisons to Robin Ventura. Noonan has terrific plate coverage that gets him into trouble at times, because he'll put a borderline pitch into play more often than he'll work a count. He hit .198 against lefties in 2009, and tended to let his lower half collapse while flipping at pitches. Coaches had to remind him to keep a solid front side and stay back on breaking balls. If he makes the necessary adjustments, he could become an above-average hitter for a second baseman, producing for average with gap power. He provided a thrill in spring training last year, filling out a major league roster for a road game and delivering a ninth-inning grand slam against the Cubs. With solid-average speed, Noonan is an asset on the bases and can steal an occasional bag. Considered a below-average defender in the past, Noonan has improved his angles to grounders and has become much more dependable around the bag. Though he has a fringy arm, he's good at turning double plays. His field awareness, poise and work ethic are all points in his favor. San Francisco almost jumped Noonan past high Class A last year before deciding not to rush their second baseman of the future any further. He'll make the move to Double-A in 2010.
After signing for $915,750 as a sandwich pick in 2007, Noonan became a Rookie-level Arizona League all-star and the talk of the Giants' instructional league camp. Last season, he was the most consistent offensive player on a championship Augusta club loaded with teenage talent. Noonan's swing is compact, balanced and direct to the ball, which should allow him to hit for average with gap power. He has outstanding situational hitting skills, bunts well and moves runners. He has above-average speed and an opportunistic nature on the bases, stealing 29 bags in 33 attempts. He made dramatic improvements at second base, especially going to his backhand and turning double plays, after playing shortstop in high school. His game awareness is off the charts. Coaches lauded Noonan's strike-zone awareness before the season began, but he drew just 23 walks and acknowledged that he needs to be more selective. He was so aggressive that he got himself out at times in 2008. He's still learning to play second base and doesn't always take proper angles on grounders. He might not flash enough power to make Chase Utley comparisons hold up, but Noonan is clearly San Francisco's second baseman of the future. While high Class A would be the next logical step, club officials were debating whether he might be ready for a jump to Double-A.
The 32nd overall pick in June, Noonan turned down a Clemson scholarship and signed quickly for $915,750. He earned Arizona League all-star honors and hit over .500 for most of instructional league. Noonan made a brilliant first impression with his sweet lefthanded swing and polished baseball acumen. He quickly earned a reputation for having the best pure hitting skills and soundest strike-zone judgment in the system. He makes steady, line-drive contact in the mold of Robin Ventura, and he's also an excellent bunter. Despite a loopy stride, Noonan has above-average speed, and his fine instincts helped him steal 18 bases in 21 pro attempts. There's a smooth quality to everything he does on the field. Though some scouts have compared him to Chase Utley, Noonan doesn't have the same power potential. He prefers to play shortstop but fellow supplemental first-rounder Charlie Culberson has a stronger arm, so Noonan will move up the ladder at second base. He's still working on his skills around the bag, especially turning the double play. Noonan could advance quickly thanks to his polished approach and instincts.

Minor League Top Prospects

With a sweet swing from the left side that produces line drives to all fields, Noonan had more offensive potential than any SAL middle infielder. He showed sound offensive mechanics and the ability to make adjustments despite being young for the league, though his plate discipline slipped from his pro debut. "He has a very sound approach at the plate," Hickory manager Gary Green said. "He drives the ball and he's going to hit for more power as he gets stronger and adds experience. He made all the routine plays at second and turns the double play. He's an ideal guy to have there at second base." A shortstop in high school, Noonan wanted to remain at the position but is a better fit at second base, particularly with teammate Charlie Culberson's defensive skills at short. The shift should become easier with time for Noonan, who isn't quite fluid yet at second. He has above-average athleticism and runs well, as evidenced by his 29 steals in 33 attempts.
Noonan will have to endure Chase Utley comparisons as his career progresses, because he's an offense-oriented second baseman who bats lefthanded. That parallel only works to a certain extent, as Noonan doesn't have Utley's power or long frame. Utley was a college product, while Noonan impressed in the AZL with his polish fresh out of a San Diego high school He should move faster than his AZL peers, and his instincts will help his cause. Noonan has an advanced, balanced approach that should help him hold his own against lefthanders as he moves up, because he trusts his hands and has good barrel awareness. At his best, he uses the whole field, showing solid power from gap to gap. He runs a tick above average and is an intelligent baserunner who should be good for 20 or more steals annually. He shared the middle infield with fellow Giants supplemental first-round pick Charlie Culberson, but Noonan is better suited for second base because he has average range and arm strength.