Corey Ragsdale Stats & Scouting Report

IP	47
ERA	2.872
WHIP	1.319
BB/9	5.362
SO/9	7.851

Full name William Corey Ragsdale
Born 11/10/1982 in Jonesboro, AR
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Nettleton
Drafted in the 2nd round (76th overall) by the New York Mets in 2001 (signed for $550,000).

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SS Corey Ragsdale has yet to prove he can hit as a pro. His arm and speed are plus tools, which is why he'll be the state's first draft pick . . . If he ever puts it all together, OF J.J. Mattox could be a devastating player. He's 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, has strength and can run a 6.4-second 60 yard dash. He's more raw offensively than Ragsdale, especially against offspeed pitches.

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A career .193 hitter prior to last season, Ragsdale was known more for his impressive athleticism than his performance on the field. The Mets had tried making him a switch-hitter in 2003 in hopes of invigorating his career, but that failed. Ragsdale hit a career-high 19 homers in 2005, inspiring some hope, and he batted .279 with seven homers in August after struggling mightily in his first month in Double-A. But he also struck out a career-high 169 times, and it's unlikely he'll ever make consistent contact. One of the best athletes in the system, Ragsdale has above-average speed and range and plus-plus arm strength. Some scouts have suggested that his best chance of reaching the majors would be as a pitcher. New York will keep him at shortstop for now and probably send him back to Double-A to start this year.
Ragsdale has hit .174 since turning pro, but the Mets remain hopeful that his bat will come around enough so they eventually can use him as an above-average defender at shortstop. His lack of production led the Mets to try him as a switch-hitter during the offseason. A natural righthanded hitter, Ragsdale got some hits from the left side in game action during the final week of instructional league. That left several Mets coaches re-energized about his long-term potential. Ragsdale easily is one of the best pure defensive players and top athletes in the system. While he can be inconsistent at times with the leather, he has easy, fluid actions and a powerful arm. Some scouts even think New York should try him on the mound. He'll head back to low Class A this year and try to figure out how to hit. Getting stronger would help, as would tightening his strike zone.