Ryan Mount Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2294
AVG	.267
OBP	.328
SLG	.418
HR	64

Full name Ryan Bradley Mount
Born 08/17/1986 in West Covina, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Rueben S. Ayala
Drafted in the 2nd round (58th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2005 (signed for $615,000).

View Draft Report

Mount wasn't at the top of any follow lists entering his senior year at Ayala High and didn't attend any of the major national showcases last summer. Just two colleges--UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton--recruited him. His stock has taken off this spring, rising faster than any high school player in California. But he's been a tough player to get a read on. Some teams swear he's a second-rounder, at worst, while others haven't bought into the hype and see him more as a fourth- or fifth-rounder. The teams that like him see a fundamentally sound baseball player, a lefthanded-hitting shortstop with offensive upside. They also see better than average speed and arm strength suitable for the left side. His detractors don't believe he can play shortstop and don't believe he will have the power for third base, unless he gets bigger and stronger. No matter where he's picked, Cal State Fullerton coaches are resigned that a player who once seemed a certain bet to head to college won't be coming.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Mount went in the second round of the 2005 draft and signed for $615,000 after a breakout high school senior season, but in each of the last three years, injuries have relegated him to roughly half a season on the disabled list. His lost development time meant the Angels felt comfortable leaving him off the 40-man roster, and no team selected him in the Rule 5 draft. Mount had surgery on the hamate bone in his right hand in May and missed two months. He previously dealt with a sprained knee in 2007 and hamstring and quadriceps trouble in 2008. Mount has above-average raw power for a second baseman, but when he gets pull-happy he becomes vulnerable to pitches away. He just hasn't gotten enough repetitions to become comfortable against lefthanders, who continue to suffocate him (.492 OPS last year). That and an undisciplined approach suggest that power, and not average, will be his calling card. Though he was drafted as a shortstop, Mount's fringe-average speed necessitated a move across the keystone, where he turns the double play well but sometimes flubs the routine play because of poor positioning on hops. He has above-average arm strength. A healthy season in Double-A could restore his prospect status.
The good news is that Mount started to show the offensive promise that made him a second-round pick, setting career highs across the board. The bad news is that he continued to fight injuries and appeared in just 82 games. He sprained a knee when Todd Linden barreled into him on a double-play attempt in spring training, sidelining Mount until May 31. In 2007, he played in just 88 games (which remains his career high) because of hamstring and quadriceps injuries. Mount has above-average power for a middle infielder and is capable of turning on pitches or driving them to the opposite field. He can get too aggressive however, lunging after offspeed pitches and drawing few walks. Mount's fringe-average speed prompted his move from shortstop to second base in 2007. He has solid range and arm strength, though he occasionally will rush his throws. He's stuck in an organization with no shortage of offensive middle infielders, but Mount can help his cause with a healthy 2009 season in Double-A.
When Mount made a late surge as a high school senior, the Angels drafted him in the second round and signed him for $615,000 in 2005. He was raw defensively and at the plate, but he had tools and projected to hit for power, and he has taken steps in fulfilling his promise. He injured his hamstring in spring training and just as he was starting to hit his stride at the plate, missed a month near midseason with an injured quadriceps muscle. An aggressive hitter with a penchant for squaring up the ball, Mount's best tool is his bat. He can really drop the bat head, with easy power from gap to gap that could translate to 20 homers a year in the big leagues. His approach must improve in order for him to reach that potential. He did a better job of controlling the strike zone last season but tends to get out front and swing and miss on offspeed stuff. He improved his approach and results against lefthanded pitchers (.172 in 2006, .254 in '07). He made the move from shortstop to second base last season and showed improvement defensively. He's not light on his feet, but his hands are adequate and he makes the routine play. He has plenty of arm strength to turn the backside of the double play. Mount is a fringe-average runner. He should spend this season in high Class A.
Mount made a late surge as a high school senior, going from a lightly recruited college prospect to a second-round pick who signed for $615,000. His approach at the plate has aided his transition to pro ball. He's patient, has good pitch recognition and uses the whole field. He makes hard contact and has a knack for putting the barrel on the ball. Mount could develop plus power as he gains strength in his upper body. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts and improve against lefthanders after batting .172 off them in 2006. Minor league hitting instructor Ty Van Berkleo (now with the Athletics), who is lefthanded, spent hours tossing batting practice to him during instructional league, and Mount began to show confidence facing southpaws. He's a fringe-average runner. Mount has played most of his pro career at shortstop, but he lacks the actions and fluidity to remain there. His hands are adequate and he has a plus arm, but his range and footwork are concerns. He'll probably move to second base down the road, though he'll stay at shortstop this year in low Class A.
Mount didn't attend any major national showcases the year before and wasn't near the top of many follow lists entering his senior season, and UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton were the only schools that had recruited him. But teams flocked to see him as he emerged last spring, and he wound up with a $615,000 bonus. Scouts were mixed on him. Those who like him say he'll be an offensive middle infielder with the ability to remain at shortstop. Mount didn't hit much in his pro debut, but he showed the foundation of a good approach and power potential. He has plus speed and arm strength, and the Angels believe he could develop into their best defender from the 2005 draft. Other clubs saw Mount as more of a fifth-rounder, evaluating him as a 'tweener who lacked the defense for shortstop or the bat for third base. With Hainley Statia ticketed for low Class A, Mount will begin 2006 in extended spring training before trying to get his bat going at Orem.

Minor League Top Prospects

In the spring of 2005, Mount went from a lightly recruited high school player to a second-round pick. He batted just .216 in the Rookie-level Arizona League but bounced back with a strong encore in the Pioneer League. Mount has good plate discipline and pitch recognition for a player his age. He has solid power, though he profiles to hit more doubles than homers at higher levels. His biggest need is to make adjustments against lefthanders, who held him to a .173 average and 21 strikeouts in 52 at-bats. Mount has a very good feel for the shortstop position, moving well to both sides. His arm is adequate for the position, and if he had to move, he'd make a good second baseman.