Esteban German

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #22 prospect in 2006
  The Royals used the first pick in the major league Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings to take White Sox lefty Fabio Castro, whom they traded to the Rangers in a prearranged deal for German. He was the Athletics' 2001 minor league player of the year, but never could win a regular job with Oakland. He signed with Texas as a minor league free agent after the 2004 season. German excels at getting on base via his line-drive bat, patient eye and bunting ability, posing a career .404 OBP in the minors. He also has plus speed and has led his leagues in steals three times, including the Triple-A Pacific Coast League last year. He has little power but recognizes that and focuses on putting the ball in play. German's lack of defensive skills have hurt his ability to stick in the majors. His below-average arm makes second base his best position, and he lacks a quick first step, so he possesses just average range despite his speed. He played four different positions in 2005, and his best hope to make the Royals may be as a utilityman.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #21 prospect in 2004
  Just two years ago German was one of the premier prospects in the organization, considered the cream of a deep middle-infield crop that also included Bobby Crosby, Mark Ellis and Freddie Bynum. He was Oakland's minor league player of the year in 2001, but his stock slipped the following year, when it also was discovered that he was 11 months older than previously believed. German rebounded in 2003, but still will have trouble pushing Ellis or Crosby aside to earn regular big league playing time. German has the tools to become a solid leadoff man, with plus speed and on-base ability. He also has good bunting skills. He recognizes that he has little power and doesn't try to drive. Defensively, German has to play second base because he lacks the arm for shortstop. He doesn't read balls quickly off the bat and doesn't cover as much ground as might be expected for a player with his speed. He did make strides last year with his double-play pivot and range to his right side. German could claim a big league utility job if he performs well this spring.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #16 prospect in 2003
  German's 2002 didn't begin auspiciously and it never got better. He didn't arrive in spring training until mid-March because of visa problems related to his falsified age. It turned out that German was 11 months older than previously believed. The A's gave him a look as their regular second baseman at the end of May, but he didn't do much in a brief stint before returning to Triple-A. He wasn't nearly as electric at Sacramento as he had been in 2001, when he was the organization's minor league player of the year. German's defense, never a strong suit, was shoddy in the major leagues. He's limited to playing second base, where Mark Ellis emphatically claimed the starting job last year. During his breakthrough season in 2001, German used the entire field and collected many of his hits by going the other way. He became pull-conscious again last year and wasn't as selective. German has little power, so he must get on base and use his speed to be of value. He'll start 2003 in Triple-A, trying to get back on track for another shot at the majors.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #4 prospect in 2002
  German put up quality numbers during his first four seasons in the system, but there were reservations about his long-term ability. His long swing and propensity to hit pop-ups to the right side made the Athletics wonder if he'd adjust at higher levels. But in 2001, he concentrated on playing the little man's game and was Oakland's minor league player of the year. Speed is his game, and when he uses it he becomes an offensive force. He stole 83 bases in 2000, then 48 in 61 attempts last season. He has a knack for reading pitchers and getting jumps that make for a prolific basestealer. A prototypical leadoff man, he works pitchers well, can hit late in the count and has developed a propensity to reach base. After making more contact and hitting more balls on the ground, German needs to grow more comfortable with that approach. He also must become more consistent on defense, where he's limited to second base and isn't exceptional there. He has an outside chance at Oakland's second-base job this spring. More likely, he'll open the year at Triple-A Sacramento. He could be a better long-term fit in the leadoff role than Eric Byrnes.