Eric Chavez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	5518
AVG	.268
OBP	.342
SLG	.475
HR	260

Full name Eric Cesar Chavez
Born 12/07/1977 in Los Angeles, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Mount Carmel
Debut 09/08/1998
Drafted in the 1st round (10th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 1996 (signed for $1,140,000).

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Chavez is the best pure hitter in the country, college or high school. He has a short, compact stroke that will allow him to adapt easily to wood and hit for average and power. Scouts aren't sure what his best position is because he doesn't run especially well. He has good hands and arm strength and likely will remain at third base.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

Background: From the time Chavez reported to instructional league after signing in 1996, the A's knew they had a special talent. A High School All-American in both 1995 and '96, Chavez rose quickly and matured markedly during the '98 season, both on and off the field. At three different stops, he hit a combined .327 with 33 homers and 126 RBIs, finishing the season in Oakland after being named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year. "It's just a matter of how good a player he wants to be," said Keith Lieppman, the A's director of player development. "He could settle for a mediocre career, or he could make the extra commitment to becoming something special. It's really up to him." Strengths: Perhaps Chavez' most important asset is his ability to make adjustments. He is an extremely quick learner with the physical gifts to quickly master difficult tasks. He made great strides against lefthanders last season, after struggling against them early in the year. He is a pure hitter, who uses all parts of the field. He has excellent power potential, though the A's expect him to emerge as more of a high-average gap hitter than a slugger. His speed has improved to the point where he is considered an average runner. Weaknesses: Chavez still needs more refinement on defense and must improve his baserunning. On offense, he needs to refine his strike zone and has a tendency to chase too many high fastballs. After a '98 season in which he exceeded every expectation, some concern arose when he experienced what he called "burn out" during the Arizona Fall League and departed early. He was troubled by back and shoulder soreness in Arizona, which the A's are treating with a strengthening program. He also must work on flexibility and agility. The Future: Chavez will come to spring training with the opportunity to win the third-base job. The A's believe his potential is unlimited.