Coco Crisp Stats & Scouting Report

AB	5930
AVG	.265
OBP	.327
SLG	.402
HR	130

Full name Covelli Loyce Crisp
Born 11/01/1979 in Los Angeles, CA
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Los Angeles Pierce College
Debut 08/15/2002
Drafted in the 7th round (222nd overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1999.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Cardinals' 2001 minor league player of the year, Crisp came to the Indians in a trade for Chuck Finley. Crisp is athletic, no surprise considering that his father boxed, his mother was a world-class sprinter and his sister is an ice skater. His best tool is his speed, and if he could walk more often and hit more balls on the ground, he'd be a fine leadoff man. He understands that's his role in the big leagues, and does show a knack for bunting and handling the bat. Defensively, Crisp has a below-average arm and was put on an offseason throwing and lifting program to address that deficiency. He needs to get a better feel for the strength of big league hitters, which will help him improve his jumps and reads on fly balls. He has a tendency to play a shallow center field, and balls get driven over his head more than they should. Crisp's bat fits better in center than on a corner, so getting better on defense is crucial. He and incumbent Milton Bradley are the leading candidates to start in center for Cleveland this year.
Crisp comes from a family with a rich athletic background. His father was a boxer, his mother was a world-class sprinter and his sister is an ice skater. His grandfather invented a type of track starting block and trained track athletes. After a couple of nondescript seasons in the organization, Crisp spent the offseason after 2000 getting stronger and refining his swing from the right side of the plate. It showed in 2001, as he led the Carolina League in games, at-bats, hits and total bases (224) while finishing third in batting. His speed and bat make him a prospect. Crisp now has a good approach to hitting from both sides of the plate. He has a quick bat and has shown a little pop as well, though he understands his role and doesn't try to crush the ball. Crisp likes to play and has a good attitude. To become a major leaguer he'll have to improve his defense, though. He has the legs to play center field but probably not the arm, so he'll have to get comfortable in left. He'll move up to Double-A to open 2002.

Minor League Top Prospects

Crisp profiles as a prototype leadoff hitter in an era where those type of players are rare. The hard-nosed outfielder works counts and gets on base by walking, bunting and slapping line drives. Once there, he combines good baserunning and speed (his best tool) to steal bases. Crisp has the ability to load up to smack balls into the gaps at times, but he'll still derive most of his extra-base hits with his legs "He's the most exciting player in the league," Cooper said. "He creates havoc all around with his tremendous speed. He runs like the wind." Defensively, Crisp can chase down everything hit in the air, but his below-average arm fits best in left. He'll need to add muscle by continuing the weight and strength programs he began last offseason in hopes of building his arm up enough to play to center, where his lack of pop is more palatable.
Crisp made a name for himself as one of the EL's top prospects rather than just becoming a novelty for his nickname, Coco. He's the third member of this list to have been acquired by the Indians during the season, leaving the Cardinals as part of the Chuck Finley trade. A switch-hitter, Crisp makes contact, sprays line drives and steals bases. He has the range to play center field, though his arm isn't an asset. "He's a throwback to the Cardinals' old Gashouse Gangs of the '30s," one AL scout said. "He's aggressive, athletic and fast. He's the prototypical leadoff hitter who's also an excellent defender. How the Cardinals gave up on him is a mystery to me."
St. Louis has had success recently drafting players out of Los Angeles-area junior colleges. The Cardinals landed Bud Smith out of Harbor JC and Jack Wilson from Oxnard CC in 1998. A year later, Crisp arrived from Pierce JC. Crisp batted a combined .256 in his first pro season before challenging the Cannons record for hits in a season and settling for leading the Carolina League. Snitker said Crisp had the best hands among hitters in the circuit. A switch-hitter, Crisp batted in the leadoff spot for most of the year and did a good job of getting on base and running once he got there. He also has enough power to bat lower in the lineup.