Joe Crede

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #5 prospect in 2002
  A two-time minor league MVP, Crede has become a staple on this list but almost certainly will graduate this time around. Many expected him to become the regular third baseman last season but he failed to break through, instead spending his first year in Triple-A. His offensive totals were down from previous seasons and his late-season showing in Chicago qualified as a disappointment. The White Sox drafted his brother Josh in the 48th round last June but didn't sign him. Crede is a productive hitter, especially when he trusts himself to drive the ball to the opposite field, and has shown the ability to come back from long slumps. He's a smooth fielder with good range and a plus arm. He could be part of a much-needed defensive improvement for the White Sox. Expectations have been high for Crede since he was the Carolina League MVP at age 20. He expects so much from himself that he's too critical at times. Despite playing in more than 600 games, he hasn't shown signs of cutting down his annual triple-digit strikeout totals. With Herbert Perry out of the picture, the Sox appear ready to give Crede 300-400 at-bats this season. He'll need to produce to play for a team with playoff aspirations.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #3 prospect in 2001
  Crede picked up MVP awards in the Double-A Southern League and the Class A Carolina League in the last three seasons. The year he wasn't an MVP he was limited by a foot injury. He may have completed his minor league education with a tour of the Arizona Fall League. A pure hitter with a solid approach, Crede has been compared to Scott Rolen. His bat speed generates power without requiring him to pull the ball or swing for the fences. He has shown the mental toughness to recover from slow starts. He's a solid fielder and cut his error total dramatically in 2000. Crede never had a lot of speed and has slowed down after twice having surgery on a toe in 1999. His strikeout total rose above 100 for the first time last season. The only real question is whether Crede will open 2001 as Chicago's third baseman or will displace veteran Herbert Perry along the way. If Crede can win the job in spring training--problematic given Perry's importance to the 2000 team--he could emerge as a rookie-of-the-year contender.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #2 prospect in 1999
  Background: Crede enjoyed two building years in the White Sox system before blossoming in 1998. He contended for the Carolina League triple crown most of the year. He was the only hitter in the league to broach the .300 mark in that pitching-dominated league. Strengths: The White Sox describe Crede as a complete professional in his approach to the game. Crede has a line-drive swing and generates most of his power to right-center field, the mark of a mature hitter. His improved plate discipline also is a strength. Defensively, Crede has above-average arm strength. Weaknesses: Crede needs work on his footwork and defensive fundamentals. The White Sox believe he will learn to turn on balls and develop more home run power with experience, much like Carlos Lee. The Future: Crede and Lee are very similar players offensively and defensively, with Crede better with the glove and Lee with the bat. The White Sox will be forced to make room for both in the near future.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #10 prospect in 2002
  A seasoned minor league veteran at age 24, Crede is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get prospect. He's not going to get much better, but he has proven to be a consistently productive player every step of the way. He improved across the board as he repeated Triple-A, leading the IL in slugging (.571). Crede is a polished hitter who punishes mistakes. He has good power to right-center and has cut down on his strikeouts. He quickly became one of the White Sox' top hitters when they finally wisened up and gave him an everyday job in August. "He can hit for average, power and drive in runs," Charlotte manager Nick Capra said. "He has a good eye and is patient. He knows what he can handle and what he can't. He doesn't get himself out very much." Voted the league's best defensive third baseman by the managers, Crede plays smooth around the bag. He has soft hands, moves from side to side well and is good at going to his backhand.
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  Ranked International League #11 prospect in 2001
  The White Sox have the arms to maintain an American League Central contender for years, and developing more hitters could give them one of the best young teams in the game. Crede, their third baseman of the very near future, and outfielder Aaron Rowand were the best of the bunch at Charlotte this season. "He has a good arm and I like his makeup," Indianapolis manager Wendell Kim said. "He's a hard-nosed guy with extra-base power. I think he has a good glove, but young players can alternate between getting too aggressive and waiting too long. He'll just have to play some more and he'll have it down." Crede doesn't have much speed and his power is just developing, but he has the skills to play solid defense and he has hit for average in the minors. "I think Crede has a chance to have some power," Tosca said. "He already plays good defense. For me, he's more of a player who should be at the bottom of a top 10 because his ceiling's not quite as high. "There's a little panic in his swing than some of these other guys. I think he'll be a guy who really, really has to guard the inner half. And when he does that, the outer half could be trouble."
• 
  Ranked Southern League #4 prospect in 2000
  Crede won his second MVP award in three seasons. He captured high Class A Carolina League honors in 1998 before having his 1999 season ruined by a bone spur in his right big toe. He required surgery that cut his first Double-A season in half. "This wasn't a repeat season. That was a lost season," Birmingham manager Nick Capra said. "And at 22, he's still one of the younger players in the league. He started slowly, but he gradually, progressively got better." Crede projects as a .300 hitter with 20-plus homers in the majors, and that's exactly what he produced this season. He's also a standout defender on the hot corner.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #94 prospect in 2002
• Ranked Baseball America's #36 prospect in 2001
• Ranked Baseball America's #96 prospect in 2000
• Ranked Baseball America's #46 prospect in 1999

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Crede won his second MVP award in three seasons. He captured high Class A Carolina League honors in 1998 before having his 1999 season ruined by a bone spur in his right big toe. He required surgery that cut his first Double-A season in half. "This wasn't a repeat season. That was a lost season," Birmingham manager Nick Capra said. "And at 22, he's still one of the younger players in the league. He started slowly, but he gradually, progressively got better." Crede projects as a .300 hitter with 20-plus homers in the majors, and that's exactly what he produced this season. He's also a standout defender on the hot corner.