Jason Lane Stats & Scouting Report

IP	10
ERA	.9
WHIP	.7
BB/9	0
SO/9	5.4

Full name Jason Dean Lane
Born 12/22/1976 in Santa Rosa, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: L
School Southern California
Debut 05/10/2002
Drafted in the 6th round (203rd overall) by the Houston Astros in 1999.

View Draft Report

USC's 1998 College World Series champions had more players drafted than anyone a year ago, but 1B/OF Jason Lane, now a senior, was not one of them. Scouts couldn't decide whether he was a pitcher or hitter, but he left little doubt this spring by hitting a team-leading 20 homers. On his power alone, he should be picked in the first six to eight rounds.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Lane started getting taken seriously as a prospect after winning two league MVP awards and three RBI titles in his first three pro seasons. But when the Astros moved Craig Biggio to center field, it left Lane without a spot to crack the big league lineup. Lane is the lone impact hitter in the system. He has consistently hit for power and average as a pro. He's not a burner and fits best on an outfield corner, but he's a better center fielder than any of Houston's regulars. The Astros wanted him to become less pull-conscious and more disciplined in 2003, and he accomplished both missions. Lane has worked hard to eliminate glaring flaws from his game. The only negative in 2003 was a sports hernia that led to two lengthy stints on the disabled list and postseason surgery. He has nothing left to prove in the minors and will break camp with the Astros. But unless the Astros can move Richard Hidalgo's $12 million salary, Lane will serve as a fourth outfielder.
Unlike most players, Lane has accepted and handled tougher defensive assignments as he has risen through the minors. He broke in as a first baseman, moved to the corners of the outfield and spent 2002 as a center fielder. While his run of three consecutive league RBI titles and two straight league MVPs ended, he had a solid year and looked good in his big league debut. Lane projects as a .275-.280 hitter with 25-30 homers. He has enough power and bat speed to take good fastballs out of the park. He has improved all facets of his outfield play and has a solid-average arm that's also accurate. He also runs well for his size. Lane needs to improve his pitch selection and draw more walks. He has gotten better going back on balls, but he's still more serviceable than a standout in center. Best suited for right field, Lane is better than Lance Berkman in center and ready for a big league job. If the Astros move Craig Biggio to the outfield, he might have to come off the bench in 2003.
Lane is nothing if not productive. He hit a grand slam and picked up the victory in the 1998 College World Series championship game. As a pro, he has won three RBI titles in three seasons, and has earned backto- back MVP awards in the Class A Midwest League and Texas League. He topped the minors in RBIs and total bases (320) in 2001. In addition to being productive, Lane's tools are better than the Astros thought they were when they drafted him as a senior. Possessing the best power in the system, he drives balls to all fields. Good fastballs don't give him a problem. He has worked diligently to improve his running, throwing and outfield skills. Lane needs to adjust to breaking balls a little better, as he compensates now by looking for them more often than he should. He has some trouble going back on balls in the outfield but should become at least an average corner outfielder. The Astros see parallels between Lane and Lance Berkman. They both broke in as first basemen, and they're similar hitters, athletes and personalities. Triple-A New Orleans is Lane's likely destination in 2001, but he's next in line if Daryle Ward can't handle left field.
Lane played with Morgan Ensberg on Southern California's 1998 championship team, hitting a grand slam and earning the victory in the College World Series finale against Arizona State. He tied a CWS record with four homers in the tournament, and his overall .517 average matched Mark Kotsay's career mark. Lane came up big in the postseason again in 2000, batting .370-2-10 in six games as Michigan won the Midwest League title. He has led his league in RBIs in each of his two pro seasons, though he also has been older than most of his competition each time. His biggest assets are his bat, which produces line-drive power to all fields, and his makeup. He sometimes looks for breaking balls too much, allowing pitchers to sneak a fastball by him, and he's just adequate as a baserunner and defender. As an outfielder, he has a decent arm but his range limits him to left field. Lane probably should have been promoted out of low Class A in 2000, though he never complained. He could skip a level and head straight to Double-A to begin this season.

Minor League Top Prospects

The Texas League player of the year, Lane offered a well-rounded offensive package along the lines of a Lance Berkman. Astros farm director Tim Purpura also praised Lane's consistency and improved defense, while Round Rock manager Jackie Moore appreciated his big-game mindset. "It seemed like he was in the middle of every rally we had, and if he didn't have a big night at bat he'd be the one making the game-saving catch," Moore said. "The games that mattered the most were the ones he was at his best in, and that's the sign of a true competitor."