Blake Tekotte

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #15 prospect in 2013
  The Padres have one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, and Tekotte found himself a victim of a numbers crunch after the worst season of his career. San Diego needed 40-man roster space and designated him for assignment in November, and the White Sox picked him up in a trade for journeyman righthander Brandon Kloess. Tekotte got knocked off course in 2012 by recurring hamstring problems and an unsuccessful attempt to change his swing to fare better against lefthanders. His plate discipline fell apart and he got away from his strength, which is to get on base and use his plus speed. He has a quick bat and close to average power, though he gets too pull-conscious at times. He's a legitimate basestealer who's aggressive on the basepaths. Tekotte is a good athlete and solid center-field defender, with his only real weakness a below-average arm. Tekotte probably will start 2013 in Triple-A, but he could win a reserve role on the big league club during spring training. He could benefit if the White Sox decide to move Dayan Viciedo to third base.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #15 prospect in 2012
  Tekotte enhanced all aspects of his game while repeating Double-A in 2011, drawing more walks, stealing more bases and hitting for more power. He received two callups to San Diego but hit a mere .176 and struck out 21 times in 34 at-bats. With San Antonio, Tekotte hit 19 homers and stole 36 bases, secondmost in the Texas League, and the Padres want him to continue to focus on the speed aspects of his game. He's a plus runner who glides to the ball in center field and has solid range. He has a below-average arm but gets to balls quickly. Tekotte's .393 on-base percentage last year established a career high and ranked third in the TL. While he generally employs a quick, line-drive stroke from the left side, he falls into funks when he sells out for power, as he did in the big leagues. For sustained success he'll need to line the ball into the gaps and use his speed. Tekotte does most of his damage versus righthanders, against whom he has hit .275/.384/.507 in 450 Double-A at-bats, but he makes enough contact against lefties and fields well enough to remain relevant as a potential center-field regular. The presence of Cameron Maybin in San Diego ultimately might force Tekotte into a reserve role. He'll have to outperform Chris Denorfia and veteran free agent import Mark Kotsay to win that job with the 2012 Padres.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #14 prospect in 2011
  Tekotte spent his first full season in low Class A, overcoming a slow start by shortening his bat path and showing better pitch selection. He played at two levels in 2010 and reached Double-A at the end of June. Despite profiling as a top-of-the-order hitter, he has surprising power and finished third in the organization with 18 home runs. He also stole 28 bases and incorporated the bunt in his repertoire, as the Padres stressed keeping the ball on the ground and using his above-average speed. Along with his running speed, Tekotte's best asset is his plus range in center field, where he reads the ball well off the bat and glides to the ball. His bat might be a bit short for regular play, but he can drive a fastball and take a walk. Tekotte hit .252 against lefthanders in 2010, but he slugged just .384 and generally looks uncomfortable when facing southpaws. Still, he's got the goods to stick around as a reserve outfielder: lefty bat, defensive chops, speed and some power. He may get a chance to tune up at Double-A early in 2011 before making his Triple-A debut.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #17 prospect in 2010
  Tekotte began the 2009 season in low Class A in part because of a center-fielder logjam at Lake Elsinore, where Brad Chalk and Danny Payne roamed. When Tekotte batted just .211/.281/.292 in 47 games during April and May, he didn't exactly argue for a promotion. He righted the ship, batting .328/.429/.529 in June and July, after he shortened his bat path and improved his pitch selection. Tekotte could grow into average power, but much of his value will be tied to his contributions as a tablesetter and as a defender. He put his average speed to good use, showing a more aggressive baserunning style and stealing 30 bases in 42 attempts last year. He has just enough power to get himself in trouble, and while he excels at turning on inside fastballs, his swing often looks long against offspeed stuff. Plus range in center field stands as Tekotte's strongest tool. He throws well enough for a center fielder and improved his accuracy in 2009. Midwest League observers were quick to credit him for strong makeup. He's agile and athletic with room to fill out. Tekotte will get a crack at Lake Elsinore to begin 2010.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #19 prospect in 2009
  The fifth Miami player selected in the first three rounds of the 2008 draft, Tekotte served as catalyst for a team that won the Atlantic Coast Conference and finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the nation. He boosted his draft stock by earning Cape Cod League all-star honors in 2007 and signed for $361,000 last June. An above-average runner with good baserunning instincts, Tekotte plays the small-man's game with aplomb. He puts pressure on defenses with his speed and ability to put the ball in play. He knows how to work the count and seldom chases pitches out of the zone. While he can surprise with his power at times, he figures to be fringe-average at best in that department. He has the hand-eye coordination and all-fields approach to hit for average. Tekotte's speed also plays in center field, where he covers the gaps, shows plus instincts and goes back on the ball well. His arm is just playable. The Padres were pleased with his debut, though he coasted at times by not running out grounders and playing indifferent defense. He also stole just seven bases and needs to improve his reads and jumps. Tekotte addressed the criticism in instructional league, hustling for five weeks and earning MVP honors while doing something to impress the coaching staff every day. He could be a dynamic leadoff man, and he figures to fall in step behind Cedric Hunter and play one level behind him at high Class A this season.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Northwest League #11 prospect in 2008
  A third-round pick in June, Tekotte immediately became the best center-field prospect in the Padres organization. He also could be San Diego's leadoff man of the future as well, thanks to his ability to work counts and get on base, where he utilizes his plus speed to steal bases. He has a little pop, too, though he needs to focus on making more contact. Tekotte's speed plays well on defense too, as he does a good job of covering the gaps. His arm is below average but playable for center field.

• December, 2008 Scouting Report
  The fifth Miami player selected in the first three rounds of the 2008 draft, Tekotte served as catalyst for a team that won the Atlantic Coast Conference and finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the nation. He boosted his draft stock by earning Cape Cod League all-star honors in 2007 and signed for $361,000 last June. An above-average runner with good baserunning instincts, Tekotte plays the small-man's game with aplomb. He puts pressure on defenses with his speed and ability to put the ball in play. He knows how to work the count and seldom chases pitches out of the zone. While he can surprise with his power at times, he figures to be fringe-average at best in that department. He has the hand-eye coordination and all-fields approach to hit for average. Tekotte's speed also plays in center field, where he covers the gaps, shows plus instincts and goes back on the ball well. His arm is just playable. The Padres were pleased with his debut, though he coasted at times by not running out grounders and playing indifferent defense. He also stole just seven bases and needs to improve his reads and jumps. Tekotte addressed the criticism in instructional league, hustling for five weeks and earning MVP honors while doing something to impress the coaching staff every day. He could be a dynamic leadoff man, and he figures to fall in step behind Cedric Hunter and play one level behind him at high Class A this season.