Tyler Colvin Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1215
AVG	.239
OBP	.287
SLG	.446
HR	49

Full name Tyler Eugene Colvin
Born 09/05/1985 in Augusta, GA
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Clemson
Debut 09/21/2009
Drafted in the 1st round (13th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2006 (signed for $1,475,000).

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Colvin was the hottest hitter coming down the stretch for one of college baseball's hottest teams. It's redemption for a player who finished 2005 in a 4-for-39 slump. Colvin took a 15-game hitting streak into the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, as his tools start turning into production. Colvin's timing couldn't be better, as scouts are looking for any college hitters who have tools and are performing. Colvin doesn't have a tool that stands out, but as he has gained strength he has been able to repeat his smooth lefthanded swing more readily, and he's added power to be average in that department. He's an above-average runner and an efficient basestealer who plays a solid left field. Colvin's arm is average. While he doesn't stand out, he has shown fewer and fewer weaknesses this spring, and some scouts estimated he would go in the first three rounds.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Now that Colvin has put elbow problems behind him, the Cubs believe they're seeing the player they expected when they drafted him 13th overall and signed him for $1.475 million in 2006. He first injured his left elbow in instructional league after his pro debut, and it repeatedly bothered him until he had Tommy John surgery following the 2008 season. Fully recovered by the time he joined Tennessee at the end of May, he put up the best offensive numbers of his career and tied a Southern League record with 11 consecutive hits in August. Colvin got the bat head through the zone quicker and did a better job of covering the plate, as it no longer hurt when he torqued his elbow extending his arms to hit pitches on the outer half. With his size, bat speed and the loft in his swing, he could develop 20-homer power. To deliver on his power potential, Colvin will need to show more discipline against more advanced pitchers. Some evaluators outside the organization aren't as high on him, criticizing his swing, lack of patience and tendency to roll over on pitches and hit soft grounders. He has lost a half-step since signing and has below-average speed out of the box, though he's a solid runner under way. He has good range and enough arm to play right field. When the Cubs suspended Milton Bradley at the end of the season, they promoted Colvin and gave him five starts in the final two weeks. He'll open 2010 by getting his first taste of Triple-A.
The first draft pick of scouting director Tim Wilken's tenure with the Cubs, Colvin signed for $1.475 million as the 13th overall choice in 2006. Chicago saw him as a budding Steve Finley or Shawn Green in his first two pro seasons, but Colvin hit the wall hard in Double-A last season. A bum elbow may have been partially to blame, as he played in pain but without complaint before having Tommy John surgery in the offseason. Scouts with others clubs think his problems go beyond his elbow, as he cuts himself off in his swing and employs a dead-pull approach that results in too many rolled-over grounders. Colvin does have the bat speed, loft and strength to hit 20 or more homers on an annual basis. He boosted his walk total from 15 in 2007 to 44 last year, though more discipline is needed. He showed average or better tools across the board in previous seasons, but they were more fringy in 2008. His speed was down a bit, and that can't be attributed to his elbow. The Cubs now concede that he'll play on an outfield corner rather than in center, and if his arm bounces back he should be able to handle right field. Colvin was bothered by shoulder problems at the end of 2007, and he'll probably miss the first month of the 2009 season before returning to Double-A. Chicago would love for him to stay healthy and start making more progress, because it's looking for a lefty-hitting right fielder.
Colvin was the surprise of the first round in the 2006 draft, going 13th overall and signing for $1.475 million. He has made the Cubs look good by drawing comparisons to Steve Finley and Shawn Green while shooting to Double-A in his first full season. Colvin missed time in August with a minor shoulder injury that also limited him with Team USA at the World Cup. The best athlete in the system, he has average or better tools across the board. With his smooth swing and bat speed, he projects to hit for average and power. He's a slightly above-average runner whose speed plays up on the basepaths and in center field. He has average arm strength and good accuracy on his throws. Colvin drew just 15 walks in 125 games, and more advanced pitchers will exploit his anxiousness. He has trouble with offspeed stuff, and he must learn to trust his hands. He's content to serve balls to the opposite field, though he'll have more power once he gets stronger. If Felix Pie doesn't take over center field in 2008, Colvin could get a crack at it after a year at Triple-A Iowa. At-bats to hone his approach and pitch recognition are all he needs.
Colvin was the biggest surprise of the first round of the 2006 draft, going 13th overall after not receiving a lot of hype at Clemson. He led the Tigers to the College World Series, then signed for $1.475 million. He ranked as the short-season Northwest League's No. 1 prospect in his pro debut. There's more projection remaining for Colvin than with most college draftees because of his gangly frame and age; he didn't turn 21 until the end of the season. He's the best pure hitter in the system and should develop plus power as he gets stronger, as he has quick hands and drives the ball to all fields. The Cubs believe his solid-average speed could improve as he matures physically. He also plays fine defense, with the range for center field and the arm for right. Colvin tried to do too much at the start of his pro career, leading to an immediate 8-for-46 slump. He learned to just let the game come to him, and made a similar adjustment at the plate. Rather than trying to muscle up for power against righthanders, he has started to let the ball travel deeper and trust his hands. He'll need to tighten his strike zone and lay off high fastballs. While Colvin's upside, which draws comparisons to Steve Finley and Shawn Green, excites Chicago, he'll need time to develop. He could open his first full pro season at low Class A Peoria, though he should be able to handle high Class A Daytona.

Minor League Top Prospects

Colvin showed his ability to make adjustments as the season went along. Though the statistics don't really reflect it, several managers felt that he chased too many pitches early in the year before settling down. He has a nice natural stroke with the ability to drive the ball to the opposite field. He stays inside the ball well, though Colvin has yet to pull inside pitches on a consistent basis. For now he's more content to line doubles the other way. He has slightly above-average speed, and he shows solid instincts on the bases to go with good jumps and routes in center field. While he made it to Double-A in his first full pro year, the athletic Colvin is still very much a work in progress. He needs to learn the strike zone better and show more patience.
The top prospect in the short-season Northwest League last year, Colvin split his first full minor league season between high Class A and Double-A. His game is comparable to Steve Finley's with less speed, though scouts believe Colvin can handle center field. He has a smooth swing with loose hands and wrists, and he squares balls on the barrel of his bat. He projects to hit as many as 25 home runs and 35 doubles a year. He walked just 15 times in 492 at-bats between the two levels, and he could improve his patience, two-strike approach and pitch recognition. Colvin is an instinctive player whose speed and defense play up because he gets good jumps on the bases and in the outfield. He has an average, accurate arm.
A surprise first-round pick in June, Colvin already is making the Cubs' scouting look good. He showed power (13 home runs) and speed (23 stolen bases in 27 attempts) while leading Clemson to the College World Series, and he had enough left in the tank to reach double digits in both categories again in the NWL. Colvin is a loose, rangy athlete who earns physical comparisons to Shawn Green, another lefthanded-hitting outfielder drafted by Chicago scouting director Tim Wilken. He owns a tantalizing package of five average or better tools, and he should develop plus power as he fills out his wiry frame. As he learns to lay off high fastballs and refine his free-swinging approach, Colvin figures to hit for average as well, because he has quick hands and the ability to drive the ball with authority to all fields. He's a plus runner once he gets under way, and he should have enough instincts and arm strength to play any outfield position.