Nate McLouth

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #6 prospect in 2006
  McLouth shared Mr. Baseball honors in Michigan in 2000, but teams shied away from drafting him because of his commitment to the University of Michigan. However, the Pirates drafted him in the 25th round and persuaded him to sign for $500,000. He made his big league debut last season and hit four home runs in his final six games. McLouth's tools all grade out at average or a little above. He plays above his tools because of his outstanding work ethic and baseball acumen. He handles the bat well, makes consistent contact, runs well and is an exceptional bunter. A 'tweener, McLouth lacks the desired power for an outfield corner and the range for center field. His best position is probably right field, where his arm is just adequate. He has shown the ability to hit doubles in the minors and needs to translate that into over-the-fence power. McLouth may not have the perfect profile, but he consistently has overcome doubters and should become at least a good fourth outfielder. He'll compete for a big league job in spring training.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #10 prospect in 2005
  McLouth was the Michigan high school player of the year in 2000 but lasted until the 25th round because of his commitment to the University of Michigan. The Pirates signed him for $500,000. After repeating high Class A in 2003, he had the best year of his career in 2004, leading the Eastern League in runs, hits and doubles. McLouth always seems to get the sweet spot of the bat on the ball. He is a contact hitter with the strength to reach the gaps. He's getting better at working counts. He has above-average speed and is a good basestealer, with an 83 percent success rate as a pro. McLouth saw extended duty in center field during 2003, but his range is a step short to play there in the majors. He saw more time last year in right field, where his arm is adequate. To play there in the majors, he'll have to develop more home run power. The hard-nosed McLouth will begin this season at Indianapolis and will be a legitimate candidate to start on a corner for the Pirates in 2006 if his homers increase. At worst, he'll be a fourth outfielder in the majors.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #18 prospect in 2004
  McLouth had a lifelong dream of playing at the University of Michigan before the Pirates dissuaded him with a $500,000 bonus. McLouth was thrown into a full-season league for his pro debut in 2001 and wound up repeating high Class A in 2003, where he led the Carolina League with 85 runs scored. Though he has pop, particularly to the gaps, the Pirates asked McLouth to concentrate on honing his leadoff skills last season. He responded by hitting for average, drawing walks and using his plus speed to steal 40 bases in 44 attempts. He has sacrificed power for average since his debut season and could stand to learn how to turn on some inside pitches. McLouth plays a solid center field with decent range and an adequate arm. There are durability questions about him because injuries have nagged him throughout his career. McLouth will go to Double-A this season. The Pirates suddenly have a number of leadoff prospects and he'll need to keep pace in order to hit his major league ETA of late 2005.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #21 prospect in 2003
  McLouth was Michigan's Mr. Baseball in 2000. The Pirates gambled a 25th-round pick on him that year and lured him away from a scholarship to Michigan. He went straight to low Class A to make his pro debut in 2001, a rare leap for such a young player. McLouth is a high-energy guy who gets his uniform dirty on a daily basis and often draws comparisons to Lenny Dykstra. He makes consistent contact, is tough to strike out and has at least moderate power potential. He has plus speed and is good enough defensively to play center field, though left was his primary position last season. McLouth is a leadoff hitter in the making but needs to develop more patience at the plate to excel at that job. He tends to try to pull everything and must learn to hit outside pitches the opposite way. McLouth has climbed the ladder rapidly, so the Pirates may slow him down by sending him back to high Class A to start 2003.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #12 prospect in 2002
  Most clubs shied away from McLouth in the 2000 draft because he had planned on attending Michigan after being named the state's high school player of the year. The Pirates took a shot on him and after they failed to sign fourth-rounder Patrick Boyd, they found the money to sign McLouth and righthander Jason Sharber. Seemingly everyone who has seen McLouth play has the same impression, that he's a gamer and fun to watch. McLouth is a somewhat stocky leadoff hitter who draws comparisons to a young Lenny Dykstra, right down to his lisp. He works counts and knows how to get on base, making him an ideal candidate to stay in the No. 1 hole. He also shows good power potential and could wind up hitting lower in the order. McLouth signed as a second baseman but the Pirates feel he lacks the range needed from a pro infielder. He made his pro debut and played center field in low Class A last season. He may not cover quite enough ground to handle that position in the major leagues, which would force a move to one of the corner spots. McLouth went from extended spring training to full-season ball last May and made a rather seamless transition. He'll probably get a shot at high Class A this season and could move fast.