Eric Hinske
| AB | 3797 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .249 |
| OBP | .332 |
| SLG | .43 |
| HR | 137 |
- Full name Eric Scott Hinske
- Born 08/05/1977 in Menasha, WI
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Arkansas
- Debut 04/01/2002
- Drafted in the 17th round (496th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 1998.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Hinske was traded for closers twice within a year. The Cubs sent him to the Athletics for Miguel Cairo and the rights to major league Rule 5 pick Scott Chiasson during spring training. New Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi, who had been with Oakland, coveted Hinske and got him and righthander Justin Miller for Billy Koch in December. Hinske follows the A's model Ricciardi wants to bring to Toronto. He hits for good power to all fields and has a patient approach at the plate. He has decent speed and a knack for basestealing. He capped his solid 2001 by hitting .300-8-28 in the Arizona Fall League. While Hinske has soft hands, his average arm and lack of range raise doubts about his ability to be a big league defender at third base. The Cubs projected him as a first baseman, one of the reasons they traded him. He has worked to quicken his release to make up for his arm. In Toronto in 2002, a player can have no greater ally than Ricciardi, who believes in Hinske as a third baseman and lefthanded power bat. The big league third-base job is his to lose. -
The Cubs have looked for a competent third baseman for almost three decades, and Hinske is the most advanced of a bevy of candidates currently in the system. He may not be destined for the hot corner at Wrigley Field, however. The Cubs signed Bill Mueller to a two-year contract, by which time David Kelton will probably be ready to take over. Hinske projects to have enough bat to play left field or first base, two positions he got a taste of in 2000. He's merely adequate as a third baseman, another factor that could lead to a future position change. He has hit 20 homers in each of his two full pro seasons, and he had to hit 17 longballs in the last two months to make it to 20 last year. Though his .255 average was 46 points below his previous career mark, Hinske's patience at the plate bodes well for his ability to hit at higher levels. He'll move up to Triple-A in 2001, and he'll probably get some more time at first base and in left field.
