Steven Lerud

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #21 prospect in 2009
  Lerud finished his high school career as the leading home run hitter in Nevada prep history, breaking Matt Williams' record. His move through the Pirates system was initially slowed by injuries that included a broken foot and broken hand, but he showed enough last year to earn a midseason promotion to Double-A and a spot on the 40-man roster after the season. Because of the scarcity of catchers, Pittsburgh feared losing him in the major league Rule 5 draft. Lerud hasn't hit as well as a pro as he did in high school, but he has pop and has improved his plate discipline. He has worked hard on his defense, showing softer hands and nimbler footwork since being drafted. He has a solid arm and threw out 34 percent of basestealers last season. He has below-average speed and is a station-to-station runner on the bases. Lerud is a bright player with a lot of baseball savvy and could be a manager when his playing days are over. As a lefthanded hitter with power and defensive skills, he has positioned himself to have a major league career as at least a backup.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #23 prospect in 2007
  Lerud's 60 home runs at Galena High in Reno broke the Nevada career record that had been held by longtime big leaguer Matt Williams. Interestingly, Lerud's parents once shared a duplex with Williams' parents in Carson City, Nev., after they were first married. Lerud has outstanding power potential from the left side, a rarity for a catcher, but he has yet to match his high school home run proficiency because of inconsistency and injuries. He had a broken foot that delayed the start of his career and a broken arm that ruined his 2005 season. He has loft in his batting stroke that will enable him to hit 20-25 home runs a year if he cuts down on his strikeouts. Lerud has struck out in more than a quarter of his plate appearances in the minors. While he sometimes chases bad pitches, he also goes through spells when he's hesitant to swing and gets himself behind in the count. Lerud had 35 passed balls last season and needs to improve his footwork behind the plate, though he's a willing worker. He lacks experience because of his injuries, and he has a fringe-average arm. He's a below-average runner. Lerud will move up to high Class A this season. His age and power potential make him a candidate for a position switch if his defense doesn't improve.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #15 prospect in 2005
  Lerud hit 60 home runs in his high school career to set the Nevada state prep record. He wasn't able to start his professional career after signing in 2003 because of a broken foot, and he stayed behind in extended spring training last season in an attempt to help him make up for lost time on the field. He has a good lefthanded power stroke and could be capable of hitting 20 home runs a season. Lerud is solid behind the plate, moves well and shows a good arm. He is also a willing learner and has a good work ethic. At the plate, he is prone to striking out with his big swing, though he is likely to cut down on the whiffs with more experience. He is also a slow runner. Lerud will spend this season in low Class A and share catching and DH duties with Neil Walker, the Pirates' first-round draft pick last year. While Walker is a candidate to change positions, Lerud's ticket to the major leagues will be at catcher.

• December, 2006 Scouting Report
  Lerud's 60 home runs at Galena High in Reno broke the Nevada career record that had been held by longtime big leaguer Matt Williams. Interestingly, Lerud's parents once shared a duplex with Williams' parents in Carson City, Nev., after they were first married. Lerud has outstanding power potential from the left side, a rarity for a catcher, but he has yet to match his high school home run proficiency because of inconsistency and injuries. He had a broken foot that delayed the start of his career and a broken arm that ruined his 2005 season. He has loft in his batting stroke that will enable him to hit 20-25 home runs a year if he cuts down on his strikeouts. Lerud has struck out in more than a quarter of his plate appearances in the minors. While he sometimes chases bad pitches, he also goes through spells when he's hesitant to swing and gets himself behind in the count. Lerud had 35 passed balls last season and needs to improve his footwork behind the plate, though he's a willing worker. He lacks experience because of his injuries, and he has a fringe-average arm. He's a below-average runner. Lerud will move up to high Class A this season. His age and power potential make him a candidate for a position switch if his defense doesn't improve.