Brian Bixler Stats & Scouting Report

AB	323
AVG	.189
OBP	.249
SLG	.269
HR	2

Full name Brian Joseph Bixler
Born 10/22/1982 in Sandusky, OH
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Eastern Michigan
Debut 04/06/2008
Drafted in the 2nd round (52nd overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2004 (signed for $670,000).

View Draft Report

Bixler raised red flags when he hit.120 last summer in the Cape Cod League, but he quieted his doubters with a breakout 2004 season at Eastern Michigan. He hit .443--one of the best averages in the country--while compiling a .520 on-base percentage. The rest of Bixler's tools have never been an issue, nor has his enthusiasm for the game. He has above-average speed and stole 31 bases in 37 attempts this spring. He's a solid, dependable middle infielder with quick feet. Bixler projects as a third- or fourth-round pick.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

In 2007, Bixler was the International League's all-star shortstop, then helped Team USA win the World Cup in Taiwan following the regular season. He encored with a disappointing 2008, looking overmatched in his major league debut. A lack of plate discipline long has limited Bixler, especially considering his offensive game is predicated on making contact and using his above-average speed. Big league pitchers carved him up by overpowering him with fastballs and getting him to chase offspeed stuff out of the strike zone. Bixler can steal bases but was tentative on the basepaths in the major leagues. He's an average defensive shortstop, though he struggled with routine plays in the majors and could get passed on Pittsburgh's depth chart by better defenders. A telling sign came when Luis Cruz, who had spent eight seasons in the minors, saw more action than Bixler last September when shortstop Jack Wilson was out with a broken finger. Bixler also has experience at second base, and scouts say his fringy arm and range are better suited to the position. He now profiles a utilityman and will compete with Cruz for a backup infield spot on the major league club in spring training.
Bixler was slated to begin 2007 in Double-A but jumped to Triple-A after an impressive showing during his first major league spring training. The International League named him to its postseason all-star team, and he played for Team USA in the World Cup in November. He has shown the ability to hit for average since nearly winning the NCAA Division I batting title with a .453 average in 2004, and Bixler is developing gap power as he gets older. He's an above-average runner and a high-percentage basestealer with good awareness on the basepaths. He has outstanding instincts and makeup, understands the nuances of the game and is a hard worker. Bixler strikes out too much, especially for someone with only modest power. He also can be inconsistent in the field, especially with his throws. His range and arm are fringy, so he'll likely wind up at second base in the long run. There are a number of different scenarios for Bixler in 2008. He could be the Pirates' starting shortstop if Jack Wilson is traded, their utility infielder or their Triple-A shortstop.
Bixler was the Mid-American Conference player of the year in 2004, setting Eastern Michigan records for hitting (.453) and runs (74) and league marks for hits (110) and hitting streak (32 games). After a lackluster first 1 1/2 pro seasons, he made the high Class A Carolina League all-star team and reached Double-A in 2006, batting better than .300 at both stops. The most improved player in the system in 2006, Bixler tightened his strike zone, which allowed him to be more productive at the plate. He has gotten stronger over the last two years, giving him decent gap power. With above-average speed, he's a threat to steal bases and beat out infield hits. Bixler strikes out too much, particularly for a top-of-the-order hitter. He can improve the frequency and the success rate (71 percent) with which he steals bases. His arm and range are average at best, so he faces an eventual move to second base. Coupled with Pittsburgh's lack of middle-infield prospects in the upper levels, a good spring performance could push Bixler to Triple-A Indianapolis to start 2007. With shortstop Jack Wilson signed through 2009 in Pittsburgh, it would be easier for Bixler to push underachieving Jose Castillo off second base.
Bixler ranked second in NCAA Division I in batting (.453) and on-base percentage (.520) at Eastern Michigan in 2004. While he has hit for a decent average as a pro, his on-base skills have declined. That detracts from his ability to use his best tool, his speed. He's always a threat to steal and can take the extra base on most balls hit to the outfield. Though he showed improved pop in 2005, he needs to worry more about improving his grasp of the strike zone. He swings and misses too much, and pitchers at higher levels will exploit his declining discipline even further. He also needs to be more consistent in the field after making 33 errors last season. Bixler will move to high Class A this season. His tools are intriguing but his production must improve.
Bixler finished second in NCAA Division I with a .453 average last season for Eastern Michigan, and he put up a .520 on-base percentage. That enabled him to erase the doubts that cropped up after he hit just .120 in the Cape Cod League the previous summer. Bixler has plus speed and uses it well as a baserunner and basestealer. He's athletic and shows good quickness in the field, particularly with his feet. He plays hard all the time and exhibits great hustle and desire, the sign of an overachiever. Despite his gaudy college average, Bixler's bat is still a question in professional baseball. He strikes out too much for a player who relies on speed and needs to sharpen his eye at the plate. He has minimal power. Bixler could get to the major leagues quickly, and his bat will ultimately determine whether he is a starter or utility infielder. He will be the starting shortstop in low Class A to begin this season.

Minor League Top Prospects

Before he moved up to Double-A and made way for Lillibridge, Bixler was one of the most exciting players in the league. As with Lillibridge, speed is Bixler's best tool, though he's not quite as fast. A spray hitter with gap power, Bixler learned to work counts more effectively this season. He's surehanded, but his range and arm are average at best and may be better suited for second base. "His bat is really going to have to carry him because he's not going to be a shortstop in the big leagues," a NL scout said. "He has some instincts there, but not enough to get to balls he should get to. He's Tony Graffanino for me."