Bryan Bass

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #30 prospect in 2004
  Bass' tools alone would put him among the elite prospects in the organization, but the way he uses them threatens his future. He grew up in Alabama and moved to Florida in his draft year to get more exposure, but an eligibility snafu kept him off the field. The Orioles still gave him a $1.15 million bonus to lure him away from a football scholarship to play wide receiver at Alabama. Bass looked like he would be worth the investment in his pro debut, but he has regressed since. Last year was a disaster, as he played poorly while repeating low Class A and was worse after a demotion to Aberdeen. Bass could be a standout offensive player if he made consistent contact, as he has shown the ability to drive the ball from both sides of the plate. His defense similarly has deteriorated each year in spite of his physical ability. He committed 52 errors between his two stops last year. It's probably time to move him over to third base. More than anything else, Bass needs to mature and come to the field ready to play every day. Like many young players, he has excelled with pure ability for so long that it's taking time for him to figure out how to work. Bass is still young, so the Orioles haven't given up on him, but he needs to show something this season.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #12 prospect in 2003
  Bass turned down a football scholarship from Alabama so he could sign with the Orioles for a $1.15 million bonus in 2001. He grew up in Alabama but moved to Florida in his draft year to get more exposure. A transfer snafu made him ineligible, though teams still knew about his tools and he went 31st overall. Bass, whose brothers Jayson and Kevin were outfielders in the Cubs system, followed a successful pro debut with a disastrous first full season, as he led the organization in strikeouts and errors (38). He's still a baseball rat who likes to do two things: play baseball and fish. To improve, he needs to stop chasing high pitches and offspeed stuff. The organization worked with him in instructional league to shorten his stroke from the left side and make him understand the importance of just putting the ball into play. In the field and at the plate, Bass has to control his aggression so his tools will translate into performance. On some days he looks all right at shortstop, and on others he doesn't. In the long run, he'll probably end up at third base. Bass came to the organization with a reputation of being cocky, but the Orioles haven't seen that. He loves to play the game and never has a bad day at the park. Baltimore might have more success with a handsoff approach with Bass. He could go back to low Class A in 2003 to get a chance to taste success again.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #10 prospect in 2002
  Bass moved from Alabama to Florida to get more exposure for the draft, but it didn't work out. He started out at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale and transferred to Seminole (Fla.) High, but a snafu made him ineligible. He turned down a University of Alabama football scholarship to sign for $1.15 million. Scouting director Tony DeMacio remembers seeing Bass as a ninth grader while scouting his older brother Kevin for the Cubs. Even then, Bryan drew attention. He loves to play and makes big plays at the plate and in the field. His bat is his best tool, and he offers power from both sides of the plate. Despite good hands and a solid arm, Bass is a step short in terms of range and probably will end up at third base. Second base is another possibility. He comes off as arrogant to some people and is in a hurry to get to the big leagues. If he hits the way he did in his debut, he could move quickly. He should open his first full season in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida Complex League #14 prospect in 2001
  Bass was at the center of controversy in the spring when he was declared ineligible for national No. 1 Seminole (Fla.) High because of a transfer irregularity. He missed most of the high school season, causing him to slip to the supplemental first round. He drew a lot of support from Alfaro and Caceres, two former big league middle infielders. Both like Bass' shortstop actions, particularly his quick hands, first-step quickness and strong, accurate arm. They also think he'll hit. "I like the way he makes quick adjustments at the plate," Alfaro said. "He should have power to all fields." Bass spent just 21 games in the GCL before being promoted to the Appalachian League, where he hit .324.

• December, 2000 Scouting Report
  Bass was at the center of controversy in the spring when he was declared ineligible for national No. 1 Seminole (Fla.) High because of a transfer irregularity. He missed most of the high school season, causing him to slip to the supplemental first round. He drew a lot of support from Alfaro and Caceres, two former big league middle infielders. Both like Bass' shortstop actions, particularly his quick hands, first-step quickness and strong, accurate arm. They also think he'll hit. "I like the way he makes quick adjustments at the plate," Alfaro said. "He should have power to all fields." Bass spent just 21 games in the GCL before being promoted to the Appalachian League, where he hit .324.