Ken Griffey

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #1 prospect in 1989
  The No. 1 selection in the 1987 draft, Griffey might make it to the big leagues before his dad officially retires, i.e. this year. Less than two years out of high school, he’s almost ready. Griffey’s 1988 season was interrupted by a stress fracture in his back which cost him two months of playing time. But before the injury he dominated the high Class A California League. When he returned, he was promoted to Double-A Vermont. He survived, but it was obvious he was hurt by the idle time. You name it, Griffey can do it. He can hit for power (27 home runs and 92 RBIs in 458 minor league at-bats). He can run (49 stolen bases). He hits for average (composite .323). And he can play defense. His range and his arm are both above-average.
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #1 prospect in 1988
  Griffey had plenty of pressure to cope with. He wasn’t just a high school kid who was away from home for the first time. He wasn’t just a No. 1 overall pick, which creates unfair expectations. He also happened to be the son of a successful big league player, Ken Sr., adding to the fishbowl Griffey had to deal with. He had some early problems at short-season Bellingham, but by season’s end had stamped himself as legitimate. The tools are all there. He can run (13 stolen bases). He can hit for average (.313) and power (14 home runs in 54 games). He can throw, and he can track down fly balls in center field. Griffey will develop as quickly as he decides he wants to get serious.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #1 prospect in 1988
  The managers surveyed agreed that Griffey, 19, has superstar skills. “Griffey’s an above-average guy in every category,” said San Bernardino manager Ralph Dick. “He doesn’t really have a weakness and I think he’s only going to get better and better.” The only question is how fast he should be allowed to progress in the Mariners' farm system. He spent 1988 at San Bernardino and was ticketed for a promotion to Double-A Vermont at midseason when a back injury sidelined him. He returned to finish the season in Double-A, and could start 1989 in Triple-A. “The only thing I’d do is not rush him,” said Riverside’s Tony Torchia. “Not making him pay his dues, necessarily, but letting him accumulate at-bats and have some success at each level.”
• 
  Ranked Northwest League #1 prospect in 1987
  Griffey can run, throw, play the outfield, hit for average and hit for power. Need to know more? "He has better tools right now than most major leaguers,” said Griffey's Bellingham manager Rick Sweet. “Experience is the only thing that he lacks.” To watch Griffey hit a homer is to watch a ball jump off the bat and tower over the right-field fence. “He can do anything he wants,” said Spokane manager Rob Picciolo. “He has all the tools to be a superstar,” said Everett’s Joe Strain.

• December, 1988 Scouting Report
  The No. 1 selection in the 1987 draft, Griffey might make it to the big leagues before his dad officially retires, i.e. this year. Less than two years out of high school, he’s almost ready. Griffey’s 1988 season was interrupted by a stress fracture in his back which cost him two months of playing time. But before the injury he dominated the high Class A California League. When he returned, he was promoted to Double-A Vermont. He survived, but it was obvious he was hurt by the idle time. You name it, Griffey can do it. He can hit for power (27 home runs and 92 RBIs in 458 minor league at-bats). He can run (49 stolen bases). He hits for average (composite .323). And he can play defense. His range and his arm are both above-average.
• December, 1987 Scouting Report
  Griffey had plenty of pressure to cope with. He wasn’t just a high school kid who was away from home for the first time. He wasn’t just a No. 1 overall pick, which creates unfair expectations. He also happened to be the son of a successful big league player, Ken Sr., adding to the fishbowl Griffey had to deal with. He had some early problems at short-season Bellingham, but by season’s end had stamped himself as legitimate. The tools are all there. He can run (13 stolen bases). He can hit for average (.313) and power (14 home runs in 54 games). He can throw, and he can track down fly balls in center field. Griffey will develop as quickly as he decides he wants to get serious.
• December, 1987 Scouting Report
  The managers surveyed agreed that Griffey, 19, has superstar skills. “Griffey’s an above-average guy in every category,” said San Bernardino manager Ralph Dick. “He doesn’t really have a weakness and I think he’s only going to get better and better.” The only question is how fast he should be allowed to progress in the Mariners' farm system. He spent 1988 at San Bernardino and was ticketed for a promotion to Double-A Vermont at midseason when a back injury sidelined him. He returned to finish the season in Double-A, and could start 1989 in Triple-A. “The only thing I’d do is not rush him,” said Riverside’s Tony Torchia. “Not making him pay his dues, necessarily, but letting him accumulate at-bats and have some success at each level.”
• December, 1986 Scouting Report
  Griffey can run, throw, play the outfield, hit for average and hit for power. Need to know more? "He has better tools right now than most major leaguers,” said Griffey's Bellingham manager Rick Sweet. “Experience is the only thing that he lacks.” To watch Griffey hit a homer is to watch a ball jump off the bat and tower over the right-field fence. “He can do anything he wants,” said Spokane manager Rob Picciolo. “He has all the tools to be a superstar,” said Everett’s Joe Strain.