Shane Victorino

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #14 prospect in 2006
  Victorino twice has been plucked from the Dodgers in the Rule 5 draft. The "Flyin' Hawaiian" became the second Maui native to play in the majors, but the Padres returned him to Los Angeles after 73 at-bats in 2003. He failed to make the Phillies' 25-man roster in 2005, but the Dodgers declined to take him back and he spent the year in Triple-A. Long known for his above-average speed and defense, Victorino emerged as the International League's MVP. The performance surprised the Phillies, who had the same scouting report as everyone else, though Victorino had displayed increased power in 2004. His breakthrough came with the simple change of adjusting his approach to make more contact (to better utilize his fleet feet), and his naturally strong wrists delivered added power as a bonus. Victorino should stick with the Phillies as a low-cost extra outfielder in 2006, but has a chance to play a more prominent role.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #19 prospect in 2005
  Victorino knows the major league Rule 5 draft well, with the Padres selecting him in the 2002 edition and the Phillies plucking him this offseason. He hit .151 in 73 at-bats for San Diego before being returned in 2003, but could stick in Philadelphia as a fifth outfielder and pinch-runner. If he doesn't, he'll have to clear waivers and then be offered back to Los Angeles for half the $50,000 draft price before he can be sent to the minors. Victorino signed out of high school as a second baseman but moved to center field, where his plus-plus speed and plus arm make him an above-average defender. His offensive game is built around making consistent contact and using his speed, but Victorino has shown a shift in his approach over the last year. He reached double-figures in home runs for the first time during 2004, then continued to show improved power in Venezuela over the winter. The extra pop also comes with a decline in plate discipline, however, with Victorino's strikeout-walk ratio changing for the worse. He continued to hit lefties (.366) noticeably better than righties (.258).
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #21 prospect in 2003
  An official from another team said the Padres landed the sleeper of the major league Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings when they got Victorino from the Dodgers. After he had a strong season in low Class A in 2001, Los Angeles decided to jump him to Double-A last year. He struggled but ultimately held his own while continuing to make contact, steal bases and playing a fine center field. He played better as the season wore on, hitting .305 in the final two months and then .330 in the Arizona Fall League. Victorino abandoned switch-hitting to bat solely righthanded in 2001, but may want to consider trying it again after hitting .213 against righties last year. He's the best defensive outfielder in the system and has an average arm. He projects as a leadoff man if he can bring his average up, though jumping two more levels won't hasten his development. If San Diego can't keep Victorino on its 25-man roster all season, he'll have to clear waivers and be offered back to the Dodgers for half his $50,000 draft price.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #17 prospect in 2002
  Victorino moved to center field in low Class A last year after two seasons of modest success at second base, and he blossomed into the type of prospect the Dodgers always thought he was. The move enabled him to be much more consistent on offense and develop into one of the best defensive outfielders in the South Atlantic League. Victorino's speed rates as a 7 on the 2-to-8 scouting scale, and several SAL managers commented about how few fly balls dropped in center. After attempting to switch-hit in 2000, he returned to batting from the right side only and did an excellent job of turning on fastballs. He also showed significant improvement in taking pitches the opposite way with some power. Though his strikeout total dropped last year, Victorino needs a better grasp of the strike zone. He swings too aggressively at times when he could be more effective if he simply made contact. His arm strength is just average for center field. Few position players in the system improved more last year than Victorino. A promotion to high Class A will be his next challenge.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #17 prospect in 2001
  Having led Great Falls with 53 runs and 20 stolen bases in his first pro season, Victorino continued to use his legs to create havoc at Yakima in 2000. Reviews were mixed regarding the speedster's performance last year. Those who like him compare Victorino to Lenny Dykstra. He's a gritty leadoff hitter who plays hard from start to finish. Those who aren't impressed labeled Victorino as a one-tool talent who has a long way to go in order to develop another average tool. He tends to swing for power when he should focus on slapping the ball on the ground and going the other way with pitches. He also whiffs too often for a player at the top of the lineup, and he needs to improve his knowledge of the strike zone in order to draw more walks. After watching Victorino play a modest second base last year in the Northwest League, the Dodgers will take a look at him in the outfield as well in order to maximize his speed. The good news is that age is on Victorino's side. He's scheduled to play both second base and the outfield this season at Wilmington.