Jim Rushford

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #30 prospect in 2002
  One of the most unlikely players ever to lead the minors in batting, Rushford hit .354 to edge out better-known prospects Hank Blalock (Rangers) and Lyle Overbay (Diamondbacks) by two points last year. Undrafted after completing his college career as a two-way player at San Diego State in 1995, Rushford hooked on with independent teams, mainly as a pitcher, in 1996 and 1997. He came down with a sore arm, though, and left the game for the better part of two years. He spent much of the time working as a pizza delivery man, a job he still works in the baseball offseason. He might have stayed out of baseball if the independent Northern League hadn't expanded to Schaumburg, Ill., near where Rushford grew up. He made the club as a right fielder in 1999, and hit .314 in two years in the league. Brewers minor league pitching coach R.C. Lichtenstein, who had signed him to his first independent contract in 1996, urged Milwaukee to acquire Rushford. Though at 27 he was going to be old for whatever leagues he played in during his Organized Baseball debut, Rushford hit for average and power while walking more than he struck out. His bat is going to be his ticket to the majors because he's not going to offer much in the way of speed or defense. He made himself into a better hitter by working out and getting much stronger. He also learned to turn on the ball after going through life as an inside-out slap hitter. Rushford said when he came back from his baseball sabbatical, something just clicked and he's been hitting ever since. He'll to have to prove himself all over again this year in Triple- A, but he's a good story no matter where he ends up.