Vince Sinisi Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2246
AVG	.287
OBP	.35
SLG	.415
HR	45

Full name Vincent James Sinisi
Born 11/07/1981 in Houston, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Rice
Drafted in the 2nd round (46th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2003 (signed for $2,070,000).

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Sinisi ranks right behind Southern's Rickie Weeks and Tulane's Michael Aubrey as one of the best pure college hitters available. But his draft status is slightly shaky because he has three signability strikes against him: he's a sophomore-eligible who can re-enter the draft next year without compromising his leverage; he's at Rice, a school where it's often difficult to get players to come out early; and he's advised by Scott Boras. He's often compared to Lance Berkman, the best hitter ever produced by Rice, and he has similar aptitude at the plate. Sinisi doesn't have Berkman's power--he's more of a 20-homer guy--but is more athletic and probably will be moved to the outfield after he signs. He has enough speed and the instincts to play left field. Sinisi might be a good fit at No. 9 for the Rangers, who like polished/productive college players and have a good relationship with Boras.

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Sinisi was the most dangerous hitter on Rice's College World Series championship team in 2003, when he was one of the best pure bats available in the draft. Because he had lots of leverage as a draft-eligible sophomore at a strong academic school, not to mention being represented by Scott Boras, he dropped to the second round. The Rangers lavished a $2.07 million on bonus on Sinisi, but have gotten little return on it so far and didn't bother to protect him on their 40-man roster this offseason. He has yet to play a full season. He broke his left forearm in a collision with Joaquin Arias in 2004. His recovery was slowed because he had to have a metal plate inserted into and later removed from his forearm, and he developed a dangerous bacterial infection that could have killed him. Sinisi couldn't start the 2005 season until mid-May. While he tore up high Class A, his health problems seem to have affected his pop. He lost weight during his downtime and got tired after a promotion to Double-A. Sinisi can hit line drives to all fields and knows the strike zone, though he sometimes gets impatient. His smooth lefthanded stroke is tailored to hit doubles in the gaps, but scouts question if he'll ever have the 20-homer power the Rangers hope he'll develop. Sinisi's bat will have to carry him, because his below-average speed and defensive skills limit him to left field or first base. He'll start 2006 in Double-A and hope for his first fully healthy and fully productive season.
Sinisi was Rice's best hitter for two seasons and helped the Owls win the 2003 national championship. He dropped to the second round that June because of signability concerns and agreed to a $2.07 million bonus, almost double the next-largest bonus in the round. Sinisi's first full season ended in mid-June when he broke his left forearm in a collision with Joaquin Arias, and the arm took longer than normal to heal because the break had to be reset. Before he got hurt, Sinisi showed the hitting ability the Rangers coveted. He has a pure lefthanded swing, a smooth stroke that leaves the bat head in the strike zone for a long time. He's short to the ball, hits the ball on the screws consistently and isn't afraid to take a walk or go the other way. His power doesn't wow anyone yet. While it's often the last tool to come, scouts aren't unanimous in believing Sinisi's will develop. His below-average speed limits him to left field or first base. He wasn't healthy enough to swing the bat in instructional league, so he may start slowly in spring training while shaking off rust. His spring performance will determine when he gets his first taste of Double-A.
In two seasons at Rice after redshirting at Texas, Sinisi earned second-team All-America status in 2002 and a College World Series championship ring last season. Sinisi's signability was in doubt and prompted him slipping to the second round last June. He signed for $2.07 million, getting the 10th-highest draft bonus in 2003 as the 46th overall pick. Sinisi reminds scouting director Grady Fuson of Jason Giambi, who was drafted by the A's when Fuson was their national crosschecker in 1992, at the same stage. Sinisi has a balanced approach at the plate and uses quick hands to propel the ball into the gaps with a compact stroke. He recognizes pitches well and should respond quickly to the Rangers' plate- discipline program. Sinisi projects to develop above-average power but has yet to show it in games. He hit just 21 home runs in two seasons at Rice. He's an underrated athlete and possesses the instincts to help make a smooth transition from first base in college to left field as a pro. The Rangers were encouraged by Sinisi's instructional league performance and expect him to rake at Double-A Frisco this season.