John Hattig

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #21 prospect in 2006
  The first player ever drafted out of Guam, Hattig joined the Blue Jays in a July 2004 trade for Terry Adams. Hattig was in the midst of a career year that saw him hit 22 homers, but he failed to build on that effort in 2005. He hurt his elbow in spring training, sidelining him for six weeks, before lingering hamstring problems ended his season after 37 games. Hattig has a good swing from both sides of the plate and controls the strike zone, though he rarely has hit for much power with the exception of 2004. Hattig isn't much of an athlete and needs to spend more time on his conditioning, a lingering concern. He's adequate at third base, where his arm is average, but lacks first-step quickness and likely will have to move to first base in the future. He has the makeup to put bad at-bats and errors behind him. His quest to become Guam's first big leaguer will resume in Triple-A this year.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #28 prospect in 2005
  The first player ever drafted out of Guam, Hattig also is trying to become the first from the island territory to reach the majors. His chances appeared remote after he made little progress in his first four pro seasons, but he turned a corner after deciding to take his conditioning seriously. When the Red Sox were looking for bullpen help in July, they sent him to Toronto for Terry Adams. Hattig's 22 homers last year were six more than he had totaled in his five previous seasons. He works counts to get himself in a position where he can take advantage of his plus raw power. High fastballs give him trouble, however, and he swings and misses a lot. Hattig's arm is playable at third base, but his lack of first-step quickness eventually will force him to move to first base. Back spasms cost him most of June, and his weight will be an ongoing concern. But he has earned a trip to Triple-A and could get a call to Toronto in 2005.