Todd Donovan Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Todd William Donovan
Born 08/12/1978 in New London, CT
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Siena
Drafted in the 8th round (262nd overall) by the San Diego Padres in 1999.

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OF Todd Donovan is New York's best everyday player. He got good exposure last summer in the Cape Cod League all-star game and continued his strong play this spring. He has one outstanding tool: speed. He's been clocked at 6.38 seconds over 60 yards, and his speed plays well as both a leadoff hitter and center fielder.

Top Rankings

Added to the 40-man roster in November, Donovan has been an organization favorite since stealing 40 bases in 45 attempts in his pro debut in 1999. The Padres would like him even more if he could stay healthy. He has played in just 94 games over the last two seasons. In 2000, he tore a ligament in his right elbow and required arthroscopic surgery. Last year he missed a month after tearing a ligament in his left thumb in mid-April, then hurt the thumb again in his second game back and was out for two more months. Fellow San Diego outfield prospects Marcus Nettles and Jeremy Owens have similar top-of-the-line speed, but for now Donovan has a better chance to hit. He's not going to hit for power but he accepts that and focuses on getting on base. He knows how to swipe bases, succeeding on 84 percent of his attempts as a pro and going 23-for-25 in 2001. Donovan can go gap to gap in center field, though his arm is merely adequate. San Diego will jump him to Double- A this year and would love to get a full season out of him.