Zach Daeges Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Zachary Steven Daeges
Born 11/16/1983 in Omaha, NE
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Creighton
Drafted in the 6th round (193rd overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2006 (signed for $30,000).

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Daeges won the Northwoods League triple crown last summer with .366-13-48 totals, and after a similar spring he could go as high as the fifth round to a team that appreciates strike-zone judgment (49 walks, 22 whiffs) and/or saving money on a quality senior sign. Daeges produces for power and average from the left side of the plate, and he scored points by volunteering to play third base when Creighton had a hole there. Daeges doesn't have the range for the hot corner and will be an outfielder as a pro, and his arm has bounced back nicely from Tommy John surgery in the fall of 2004.

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Benefiting from the launching pad at Lancaster, where he hit .396 with 13 homers in 65 games, Daeges led the high Class A California League in runs (124), hits (170), doubles (55, a league record), extra-base hits (81), RBIs (113), total bases (298) and walks (82) in 2007. He proved that he wasn't just a creation of Clear Channel Stadium last year, when he was one of the best hitters in the Eastern League. Daeges has the best plate discipline in the system and is reminiscent of Kevin Youkilis at the same stage of his career. Both had very discerning eyes at the plate and were line-drive hitters with doubles power, though Youkilis since has sacrificed some patience for home runs. Daeges has the strength to eventually follow the same path. Though he has played first and third base as well as all three outfield positions in the minors, he lacks Youkilis' defensive value. Daeges has below-average speed and fringy arm strength, so he's best suited for left field. Ticketed for Triple-A in 2009, he projects as a platoon outfielder and good lefty bat off the bench in the majors.