Ryan Raburn Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2472
AVG	.253
OBP	.316
SLG	.436
HR	93

Full name Ryan Neil Raburn
Born 04/17/1981 in Tampa, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School South Florida State College
Debut 09/12/2004
Drafted in the 5th round (147th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2001.

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South Florida CC Ryan Raburn, who went undrafted in 2000, has power in his bat and arm.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Raburn has hit 39 homers in Triple-A during the last seasons, but it's unclear whether he can play well enough defensively to find a role in the major leagues. Signed as a third baseman in 2001, he moved to second base in 2004 and played mostly in left field last year. The Tigers needed an extra bat several times in 2006, but opted for other outfielders such as prospect Brent Clevlen and journeyman Alexis Gomez over Raburn. The younger brother of Devil Rays minor league utilityman Johnny Raburn, Ryan has natural power. He looks to drive the ball at the expense of making contact, so he piles up strikeouts and hits only for a decent average. He's a below-average runner and lost some athleticism when he dislocated a hip in an all-terrain vehicle accident that cost him most of the 2002 season. Raburn has some arm strength but doesn't have a lot of range in the outfield. Still, that's a better fit for him than second base, where he lacks the actions to get the job done. Barring a trade, he may be looking at a third straight year at Triple-A.
Raburn achieved one key goal in 2005 by remaining healthy. Raburn stayed off the disabled list and played a career-best 130 games, then had enough left to help Toledo win the International League title. He batted .348 in the playoffs during the Mud Hens' Governor's Cup run. Otherwise, Raburn didn't have a tremendous season, and with the arrival of Placido Polanco in Detroit, his window of opportunity with the Tigers is closing. He was outrighted off the 40-man roster prior to the Winter Meetings. Raburn, whose brother Johnny was a utilityman in the Devil Rays system last year, always has been a player who will only go as far as his bat will take him. He's not a gifted defensive player, and while he's athletic, he has lost some athleticism since dislocating his hip in an all-terrain vehicle mishap that sidelined him for most of 2002. He doesn't run well and isn't fluid at second base, where he led the IL with 21 errors. The Tigers are considering moving him to the outfield, and he has enough power to make the switch. He was hitting .197 in late May but came on in the second half to finish third on the Mud Hens in homers and RBIs. Just a solid bat, though, won't do it for Raburn. He'll return to Triple-A and try to be more consistent in order to earn a big league look.
Raburn's career was sidetracked in 2002 when he dislocated his hip falling off an all-terrain vehicle. He moved from third base to second in instructional league after 2003, then missed the first six weeks of the 2004 season after dislocating his left pinky in spring training. He recovered from the injury and a slow start to hit .381 in July and August and join the Tigers in September. Raburn hits the ball to all fields with authority and has elicited comparisons to Jeff Kent as an offensive-minded second baseman since he shifted from the hot corner. He was a poor defensive third baseman, but his hands are good and he has an average arm. Raburn is making progress at second base but must get more consistent on routine plays. He strikes out in bunches, and pitchers at higher levels may be able to exploit him. He has below-average speed and his maturity has been questioned at times. The Tigers have a greater need at third base, but Raburn will stay put at second. He'll begin 2005 in Triple-A.
After two years regaining his health and hitting stroke, Raburn's stature rose during instructional league when he moved from third base to second. He dominated in his pro debut in the New York-Penn League in 2001, but dislocated his hip that offseason in an all-terrain vehicle accident. Raburn, whose brother Johnny is an outfielder in the Brewers system, has struggled in game action since returning late in the 2002 season. But at the end of 2003 and during instructional league, he found his quick, compact swing, which offers lots of power potential. He stings the ball to all fields and has a good idea when it comes to the strike zone. Though he's fairly athletic, moves well and has decent hands, he was a poor defensive third baseman. He struggled with his footwork on throws and made too many errors. A center fielder at University of Florida before transferring to junior college, Raburn seems to have found a home at second base. He was remarkably solid there during the fall, and some scouts say he has the ceiling of a Jeff Kent. Raburn likely will advance to Double- A because Michael Woods will have to repeat high Class A.
After an excellent pro debut in 2001, Raburn dislocated his hip in an all-terrain vehicle accident during the offseason. There was concern that his career was in jeopardy and he was expected to miss all of 2002. He returned ahead of schedule, playing in 48 games, but his production was down considerably. His live bat started to come around again during instructional league. The brother of Brewers infield prospect Johnny Raburn, Ryan has a short stroke, good pitch recognition and power to all fields. He has a long way to go defensively and made 15 errors in 23 games at third base last season. He has a strong arm and good hands, but poor footwork causes fielding and throwing problems. He'll spend the season with one of Detroit's Class A affiliates.
Another member of Detroit's banner 2001 draft class, Raburn wasn't drafted in 2000 because he was at the University of Florida but went in the fifth round last June. His brother Johnny is an infield prospect in the Angels organization. A fundamentally sound hitter, he drove in 42 runs in 44 games in the short-season New York-Penn League. His stroke is compact and quick, while his pitch recognition is excellent. He's strong and has good power potential. A shortstop in high school and an outfielder at Florida, he moved to third base at South Florida CC. He made 23 errors at Oneonta because he struggles with his footwork, both when he fields grounders and when he sets to throw. He does have a good arm and is relatively athletic. Raburn will start this season in low Class A, where he'll be watched closely for his defensive progress. If he still struggles at third base, a return to the outfield could be in order.

Minor League Top Prospects

Raburn was drafted by the Devil Rays in the 18th round out of high school in 1999, but instead opted to attend the University of Florida. Injuries curtailed his playing time there and he transferred to South Florida CC to become eligible for the 2001 draft. After regaining his power stroke last spring, he was drafted by Detroit in the sixth round. He kept hitting this summer, posting an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.114 and leading the league in triples. Raburn will need to improve his defense after making 21 errors in 40 games at third base, but his bat wasn't questioned. "He's going to hit," Elliot said. "He has a good body, a plus arm and he can hit any fastball out of any park."