Bubba Crosby

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #24 prospect in 2002
  As bad as Los Angeles' 1997 draft was, its 1998 effort might have been even worse. The only reasonable hope to make it to the big leagues from that crop is first-rounder Crosby. After three disappointing seasons in Class A, he reinvented himself last year in Double-A. A slugger during his days at Rice, he abandoned his college slugging approach and focused on hitting line drives and dropping down bunts from the No. 2 spot. Crosby had difficulties adjusting to wood bats, then lost confidence in his ability while battling injuries. He regained his poise last year and stayed healthy for his first extended period as a pro. Crosby finally has discovered how to get on base in a variety of ways, and his batting eye has improved. He has above-average speed and is a decent outfielder, albeit with a marginal arm. If he can maintain consistency, he could have a major league career as a fourth outfielder.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #25 prospect in 2001
  Few players have caused more organizational head-scratching than Crosby. He was a consensus first-rounder after hitting 25 home runs in his final season at Rice. But his power has been virtually nonexistent since he started swinging wood bats, producing a total of one home run during his first two seasons and eight in the Florida State League in 2000. His all-around hitting has not been spectacular, either. He did provide a ray of hope in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .346-3-13 in 104 at-bats. He has above-average speed, resulting in a career-high 27 steals last year. He also is an adequate defender with a decent arm, but has shown nothing to merit his $995,000 signing bonus. The Dodgers have been patient with Crosby and admit he hasn't been a complete flop. At the same time, he's going to start getting pushed to see how he reacts against better competition, beginning this year at Double-A.