Nomar Garciaparra

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #1 prospect in 1997
  Garciaparra has become a better player than the Red Sox bargained for when they gave him $895,000 to sign in 1994. As the only true freshman ever to play for the U.S. Olympic team, he was a defensive whiz but mediocre at the plate. He became an accomplished college hitter at Georgia Tech, then added power to his game as a pro. Though ankle and knee injuries limited him to one-third of a the at-bats he had in his first full pro season in 1995, he surpasseed those home run and RBI totals anyway. Boston called him up in late August, which would have made him eligible for postseason play had the Red Sox advanced. Garciaparra isn’t flashy a la the Mets' Rey Ordonez, but he’s solid. Likewise, his arm isn’t a gun, but it’s good enough and Garciaparra has a quick release. Boston initially hoped that he would become a No. 2 hitter, but he may have more bat that that. He worked out diligently last offseason, adding 15 pounds of muscle, and showed a previously undiscovered ability to loft balls. He now projects as being able to hit at least 10-15 homers per season, a huge bonus for such a strong defensive shortstop. Garciaparra can steal bases as well, having swiped 35 in Double-A in 1995 before injuries slowed him in 1996. The Red Sox also rave about his intelligence and personable demeanor. Garciaparra has a bit of an uppercut to his swing, which big league pitchers began to exploit soon after his callup. But he made some adjustments, and in his final six games he hit three homers, including an opposite-field shot over the Fenway Park bullpens. The initial diagnosis on Garciaparra’s knee injury was that it would require surgery, but he overcame the problem with rest and rehabilitation. Was it a coincidence that the injuries came after his first heavy weight training? If not, he’ll need to be careful with his training. Garciaparra claimed the Boston shortstop job with his late-season performance, moving incumbent John Valentin to third. He shouldn’t relinquish it any time soon.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #4 prospect in 1996
  The only true freshman ever to start for the U.S. Olympic team (1992), Garciaparra signed with the Red Sox for $895,000. He was named the Eastern League’s best defensive shortstop and best baserunner in his first full pro season. Garciaparra is known for his defense. He has excellent range, especially to his left, an above-average arm and a quick release. His intelligence makes him a better hitter and runner than his tools would indicate. He projects as No. 2 hitter with 20-25 steals per year. The slightly built Garciaparra wore down in 1995, necessitating conditioning work this offseason. To be a No. 2 hitter, he’ll have to be more selective and draw more walks. If the Red Sox didn’t have Jose Valentin, Garciaparra would be their Opening Day starter. Instead he’ll play at Triple-A Pawtucket before pushing Valentin to third base in 1997.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #1 prospect in 1995
  Garciaparra’s talents have been evident since 1992, when he started for the U.S. Olympic team as a freshman. He had an All-America junior season at Georgia Tech in 1994, batting .427-16-73 with 33 steals and hitting the home run that advanced the Yellow Jackets to the championship game of the College World Series. After a fine pro debut, Garciaparra was one of the most talked about players in the Arizona Fall League. He also excels off the field, earning academic all-America honors this year (3.20 grade-point average in management) and almost-universal praise for his warm personality. His $895,000 bonus was a Red Sox record. Garciaparra's calling card is defense. One scout who saw him in the AFL said Garciaparra goes to his left better than any shortstop in the game. His arm is above-average, and a quick release makes it a plus. He has good hands, and routine plays are nearly automatic: He made just three errors in 28 games at Class A Sarasota. Garciaparra also will contribute offensively, probably in the No. 2 hole in a lineup. He makes good contact, uses the entire field and keeps the ball out of the air. He’ll show occasional power, and runs well enough to steal 25 bases per year. Finally, he’s lauded as a smart player who does the little things needed to win.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #1 prospect in 1996
  Before he was called up to Boston late in the year, Garciaparra’s playing time was limited by knee injuries. When he was healthy, he excelled offensively and defensively for Pawtucket. “He’s a possible franchise player,” Toledo manager Tom Runnells said. “He looks to me like another Barry Larkin type. He’s a very two-dimensional player. Offense and defense, he provides them both.” One manager didn’t care for Garciaparra’s throwing mechanics. But that was the only dislike on a long list of likes: great hands, good arm, good range, good contact, increased strength and developing power. After hitting eight home runs in 513 Double-A at-bats in 1995, he popped 16 in 172 trips to the plate this year.
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #4 prospect in 1995
  For years, other Eastern League teams loaded up victories at the expense of Boston’s Double-A teams. The slick-fielding Garciaparra ended that this season, helping the new Red Sox affiliate in Trenton become one of the EL’s more dangerous teams. “He’s grown on me over the course of the season,” New Haven manager Paul Zuvella said. “He’s one of those guys who makes the plays and has a good strong arm, and he’s a tough out at the plate for what really is his first full season in baseball.” “He’s a smart player on the field, liked to take charge,” Hardware City manager Sal Butera said. “You can see now why he’s a (first-round) pick.”

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #10 prospect in 1997
• Ranked Baseball America's #36 prospect in 1996
• Ranked Baseball America's #22 prospect in 1995

• December, 1996 Scouting Report
  Garciaparra has become a better player than the Red Sox bargained for when they gave him $895,000 to sign in 1994. As the only true freshman ever to play for the U.S. Olympic team, he was a defensive whiz but mediocre at the plate. He became an accomplished college hitter at Georgia Tech, then added power to his game as a pro. Though ankle and knee injuries limited him to one-third of a the at-bats he had in his first full pro season in 1995, he surpasseed those home run and RBI totals anyway. Boston called him up in late August, which would have made him eligible for postseason play had the Red Sox advanced. Garciaparra isn’t flashy a la the Mets' Rey Ordonez, but he’s solid. Likewise, his arm isn’t a gun, but it’s good enough and Garciaparra has a quick release. Boston initially hoped that he would become a No. 2 hitter, but he may have more bat that that. He worked out diligently last offseason, adding 15 pounds of muscle, and showed a previously undiscovered ability to loft balls. He now projects as being able to hit at least 10-15 homers per season, a huge bonus for such a strong defensive shortstop. Garciaparra can steal bases as well, having swiped 35 in Double-A in 1995 before injuries slowed him in 1996. The Red Sox also rave about his intelligence and personable demeanor. Garciaparra has a bit of an uppercut to his swing, which big league pitchers began to exploit soon after his callup. But he made some adjustments, and in his final six games he hit three homers, including an opposite-field shot over the Fenway Park bullpens. The initial diagnosis on Garciaparra’s knee injury was that it would require surgery, but he overcame the problem with rest and rehabilitation. Was it a coincidence that the injuries came after his first heavy weight training? If not, he’ll need to be careful with his training. Garciaparra claimed the Boston shortstop job with his late-season performance, moving incumbent John Valentin to third. He shouldn’t relinquish it any time soon.
• December, 1995 Scouting Report
  The only true freshman ever to start for the U.S. Olympic team (1992), Garciaparra signed with the Red Sox for $895,000. He was named the Eastern League’s best defensive shortstop and best baserunner in his first full pro season. Garciaparra is known for his defense. He has excellent range, especially to his left, an above-average arm and a quick release. His intelligence makes him a better hitter and runner than his tools would indicate. He projects as No. 2 hitter with 20-25 steals per year. The slightly built Garciaparra wore down in 1995, necessitating conditioning work this offseason. To be a No. 2 hitter, he’ll have to be more selective and draw more walks. If the Red Sox didn’t have Jose Valentin, Garciaparra would be their Opening Day starter. Instead he’ll play at Triple-A Pawtucket before pushing Valentin to third base in 1997.
• December, 1995 Scouting Report
  Before he was called up to Boston late in the year, Garciaparra’s playing time was limited by knee injuries. When he was healthy, he excelled offensively and defensively for Pawtucket. “He’s a possible franchise player,” Toledo manager Tom Runnells said. “He looks to me like another Barry Larkin type. He’s a very two-dimensional player. Offense and defense, he provides them both.” One manager didn’t care for Garciaparra’s throwing mechanics. But that was the only dislike on a long list of likes: great hands, good arm, good range, good contact, increased strength and developing power. After hitting eight home runs in 513 Double-A at-bats in 1995, he popped 16 in 172 trips to the plate this year.
• December, 1994 Scouting Report
  Garciaparra’s talents have been evident since 1992, when he started for the U.S. Olympic team as a freshman. He had an All-America junior season at Georgia Tech in 1994, batting .427-16-73 with 33 steals and hitting the home run that advanced the Yellow Jackets to the championship game of the College World Series. After a fine pro debut, Garciaparra was one of the most talked about players in the Arizona Fall League. He also excels off the field, earning academic all-America honors this year (3.20 grade-point average in management) and almost-universal praise for his warm personality. His $895,000 bonus was a Red Sox record. Garciaparra's calling card is defense. One scout who saw him in the AFL said Garciaparra goes to his left better than any shortstop in the game. His arm is above-average, and a quick release makes it a plus. He has good hands, and routine plays are nearly automatic: He made just three errors in 28 games at Class A Sarasota. Garciaparra also will contribute offensively, probably in the No. 2 hole in a lineup. He makes good contact, uses the entire field and keeps the ball out of the air. He’ll show occasional power, and runs well enough to steal 25 bases per year. Finally, he’s lauded as a smart player who does the little things needed to win.
• December, 1994 Scouting Report
  For years, other Eastern League teams loaded up victories at the expense of Boston’s Double-A teams. The slick-fielding Garciaparra ended that this season, helping the new Red Sox affiliate in Trenton become one of the EL’s more dangerous teams. “He’s grown on me over the course of the season,” New Haven manager Paul Zuvella said. “He’s one of those guys who makes the plays and has a good strong arm, and he’s a tough out at the plate for what really is his first full season in baseball.” “He’s a smart player on the field, liked to take charge,” Hardware City manager Sal Butera said. “You can see now why he’s a (first-round) pick.”