Javon Moran Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1963
AVG	.291
OBP	.351
SLG	.369
HR	9

Full name Javon M. Moran
Born 09/30/1982 in Valdosta, GA
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Auburn
Drafted in the 5th round (145th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2003 (signed for $175,000).

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Moran's speed and instincts make him the best baserunner and top defensive outfielder in the Southeastern Conference. To be an effective major leaguer, he'll have to refine his approach at the plate. While he has good pop for a 5-foot-11, 175-pounder, Moran has to play more of a little man's game. He needs to learn to get on base more often via the bunt and the walk. He had drawn just nine walks in each of the last two seasons, minimizing his basestealing chances. His arm is slightly below average but more than playable for center field.

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Moran, righthander Elizardo Ramirez and lefty Joe Wilson came to the Reds when they sent Cory Lidle to the Phillies in August 2004. His first full season in the Cincinnati system was just like his first two in pro ball. He hit for average and stole some bases, but drew few walks and showed even less power. He split time between center and left field in high Class A, largely because he was on the same team as Chris Dickerson, one of the system's top center fielders. But Moran has the range to play center field, albeit with a slightly below-average arm. He needs to improve his patience and basestealing ability to truly profile as a leadoff hitter. His instincts on the bases aren't as good as his speed. He does bunt well and make contact, spraying line drives around the field. Moran will play in Double-A this year.
Part of the Cory Lidle trade last August, Moran was particularly impressive after switching organizations, recording 11 multihit efforts in 25 games. He has good speed and instincts, and will profile as a center fielder/leadoff man if his bat plays. A plus runner, he had 52 steals last year, more than any Reds farmhand. He does need to boost his 72 percent success rate. Moran has enough range for center field, where he's a solid-average defender with a below-average arm. His slashing swing produces line drives from foul pole to foul pole, and his wiry strong frame keeps him from being overpowered by good fastballs. Plate discipline will dictate Moran's success. He drew 20 walks during his last two years of college combined, and that impatience continued with the Phillies. The Reds forced him to take a strike before swinging (as they do for all their minor league hitters), and Moran's patience and performance at the plate improved. Now the Reds want to see him do it again in high Class A.
Speed was the overriding theme of the Phillies' 2003 draft, and Moran fits the bill. He's close to an 80 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale and led the New York-Penn League with 27 steals in his pro debut, though he was caught 11 times. He also uses his speed as a center fielder to outrun balls hit into the gaps. Moran split time between center and left field with fellow 2003 draft pick Michael Bourn as the Phillies wanted each to learn both slots. Moran followed Bourn (a fourth-round pick) in the draft and in the Batavia lineup, often in the No. 2 spot. Though he broke Tim Hudson's Auburn record with 18 multi-hit Southeastern Conference games and led the Tigers in runs for three straight years, he struggled some with the transition from aluminum to wood. Phillies instructors had to teach Moran to trigger with his hands to help add the extra sock he lost without aluminum. He's a singles hitter anyway, but still needs to generate a bit more power to smack balls to the fences and use his speed for extra bases. Moran's build and hitting style remind some of Pokey Reese. He's learning to incorporate more bunting into his game, and he needs to draw more walks as well. Moran will move up to high Class A as the Phillies look to see if there's any separation between him and Bourn.