Tommy Medica
| AB | 309 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .246 |
| OBP | .308 |
| SLG | .417 |
| HR | 12 |
- Full name Thomas Anthony Medica
- Born 04/09/1988 in San Jose, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Santa Clara
- Debut 09/11/2013
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Drafted in the 14th round (424th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2010.
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Had he not been injured last year, Santa Clara's Medica would have been drafted. He was granted a medical redshirt after a shoulder injury (non-throwing related) required surgery. The problem is that Medica was not throwing all that well during his sophomore year to begin with, which was hurting his value as a catcher, and this year he had caught just two innings. A career .367 hitter, Medica had a career-best 12 homers this spring but has below-average power for the professional level and fringe-average speed. He has been playing the outfield this year to protect his arm but has more value as a catcher. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Medica is a well-above-average receiver, blocks well and has leadership qualities. His bat alone may not be enough to carry him beyond a utility role, which he could fill as an athlete with aptitude and the ability to play multiple positions.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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A shoulder injury at Santa Clara cost Medica virtually all of 2009 and forced him out from behind the plate to the outfield when he returned as a redshirt junior in 2010. A 14th-round pick by the Padres that year, he hasn't fared much better at avoiding the injury bug in pro ball, averaging about 90 games a season from 2011-13 as he has dealt with shoulder surgery (his second after having one in college) and a strained muscle in his ribcage. The organization received a pleasant surprise when a 25-year-old Medica, now a first baseman, put up a .954 OPS at Double-A San Antonio in 2013 while leading the system with 20 homers to receive a September callup. At high Class A Lake Elsinore the year before he led the system with a .330 average. That is to say, he has a track record for hitting whenever he's been on the field. Scouts like Medica's approach at the plate even if he doesn't have elite bat speed. He looks to hit the ball to all fields, recognizes spin on breaking balls early and hits with authority to right-center field with a strong righthanded stroke. He doesn't lift the ball all that well, so he'll probably be limited to below-average home run output. An ordinary defender at first base, Medica would enhance his attractiveness to the big club if he could play left field or possibly spot at his college position of catcher. He could be an early callup from Triple-A El Paso in 2014 if he hits.
