Scott Van Slyke

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #16 prospect in 2013
  Van Slyke's father Andy played 13 seasons in the majors, and Scott made his big league debut when the Dodgers called him up in early May. He made a splash initially, slugging a game-winning pinch-hit homer against the Cardinals on May 20, but he struggled thereafter and returned to Triple-A in early July. He went back to mashing against Triple-A pitching, finishing fourth in the Pacific Coast League in slugging (.578). Van Slyke has a nice, wristy swing, with the strength to generate above-average raw power. He has a big leg kick, though, and his timing suffered last season when he wasn't getting consistent at-bats in the majors, so he may be ill suited for a bench role. His swing is long as well, given that he's a big guy with long arms. He saw action at both corner outfield spots and first base last season. He shows soft hands at first base and has a capable arm in the outfield. He runs well for his size, though just fringy overall. Van Slyke is blocked at all of his potential positions in Los Angeles, so he'll likely be back in Albuquerque to open 2013 to keep getting regular playing time.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #21 prospect in 2012
  Van Slyke has an outstanding pedigree. His father Andy played 13 seasons in the majors, making the All-Star Game three times and winning five straight Gold Gloves as an outfielder. Older brother A.J. played four seasons in the Cardinals system. Scott struggled with a long swing and poor plate discipline in his first look at Double-A in 2010, ending in a demotion that June, but he came back with a vengeance in 2011. He led the Southern League in hitting (.348) and doubles (45) while finishing second in on-base percentage (.427) and slugging (.595). Van Slyke has a nice swing with good wrist action. Once he stopped being as pull-conscious as he'd been in the past, he started showing solid power to all fields. Some scouts still have concerns about his ability to handle inside pitches and quality breaking stuff. A full-time outfielder until 2011, Van Slyke saw time at first base early in the season before moving back to the outfield in June, mostly playing in left field. He showed soft hands at first base and was adequate at both positions, though he didn't stand out at either. He's a fringy runner with a solid arm. The Dodgers added Van Slyke to their 40-man roster after the season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He could put up more gaudy numbers at Albuquerque in 2012, with the opportunity for a big league promotion later in the year.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #19 prospect in 2010
  Van Slyke has outstanding baseball bloodlines as his father Andy played in the majors for 13 seasons, winning five Gold Gloves as a center fielder and being selected to three All-Star Games. Scott's older brother A.J. played in the Cardinals system, and his younger brother Jared is a safety on the University of Michigan football team. Like his dad, Scott didn't get his bat going until his third year in full-season ball. Van Slyke set career highs in virtually every category last season. Playing in the hitter-friendly California League helped, but he also learned how to work the count and hit the ball where it's pitched. Van Slyke also got comfortable with the idea of turning the bat loose instead of concentrating on just making contact. He doesn't possess the speed and range that his father did but has become a solid right fielder thanks to his instincts and strong, accurate arm. He'll steal an occasional base, more on smarts than speed. Five years after being drafted, Van Slyke finally reached Double-A, and his performance there should be a good barometer of what his future holds.