Jeremy Slayden
| AB | 1877 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .289 |
| OBP | .369 |
| SLG | .478 |
| HR | 66 |
- Full name Jeremy Chad Slayden
- Born 07/28/1982 in Paducah, KY
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Georgia Tech
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Drafted in the 8th round (247th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005 (signed for $95,000).
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Slayden has had little good luck on the field since bursting on the scene as a freshman in 2002, when he helped Georgia Tech reach the College World Series by hitting .348-18-66. He has hit just 20 home runs in the last three years since then, struggling with injuries and working to harness his extreme uppercut swing. Slayden missed all but nine games in 2004 with a right shoulder injury that required surgery, and the injury has cost him significant arm strength. Once a right fielder with at least an average arm, Slayden has shown a below-average arm this season, and scouts aren't sure how much it will come back in the future. His swing evokes comparisons to Jeromy Burnitz, though Slayden is less athletic and a poorer defender at the same stage. He's also been slowed by an ankle sprain this spring, and he had surgery in early May to remove a cyst on his right foot, which might end his season. Slayden's above-average lefthanded power once seemed to fit toward the back of the first round. Now he should go in the fourth to sixth round.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Slayden was considered a first-round talent in 2004, but injuries plagued him over his last two years at Georgia Tech--most notably a torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. A 20th-round pick of the Padres out of high school and an 18th-round pick by the Athletics in 2004, Slayden ultimately signed for $95,000 as an eighth-rounder with the Phillies a year later. Slayden hit 40 homers during his college career, and he's continued to show power and a solid approach to hitting as a pro. He shortened his stroke in 2006 to make better contact, and used the whole field much better than he ever had. He also commanded the zone and his pitch recognition improved significantly as a result. Because of the shoulder surgery, Slayden is limited to left field defensively, and his arm strength will never be anything more than average. He's never been overly athletic and is a below-average runner. Slayden needs to remain consistent and keep his strikeout totals down. Already 24, he'll jump to Double-A in 2007. -
Slayden set a Georgia Tech freshman record with 18 home runs in 2002, and despite a sophomore slump, still ranked as a possible first-round pick entering 2004. Slayden lasted just nine games before a torn rotator cuff in his right (throwing) shoulder ended his season. He saw little time in the field as a redshirt junior in 2005, as the shoulder injury rendered his arm below average and a staph infection in his foot cost him three weeks. A 20th-round pick of the Padres out of high school and an 18th-round pick of the Athletics in 2004, Slayden finally signed for $95,000 as an eighth-rounder last June. He showed his power potential and solid approach in his pro debut, but his defensive limitations were also obvious and DHing in college added rust to the equation. Slayden could gain arm strength as he recovers from the shoulder surgery but it never will be better than average. He needs even more work at making better reads and taking better routes on flyballs. At best he'll be a playable outfielder, but his bat could make him worthwhile. He'll see time in left field and at DH in low Class A this year.
