Chase Headley Stats & Scouting Report

AB	5088
AVG	.263
OBP	.342
SLG	.399
HR	130

Full name Chase Jordan Headley
Born 05/09/1984 in Fountain, CO
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Tennessee
Debut 06/15/2007
Drafted in the 2nd round (66th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2005 (signed for $560,000).

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After two years of relative obscurity, Headley became a big name in SEC circles this year as he helped lead Tennessee's turnaround, joining ace Luke Hochevar as Volunteers from Colorado. Headley headed to Pacific and hit .330 as a freshman before deciding to transfer. His sophomore year was dogged by a hamstring injury, but he returned healthy as a junior and confident after a solid showing in the Cape Cod League. Headley's advanced plate approach is his best asset; his discipline led to 59 walks, second in the nation, and helped him rank in the top 10 in home runs (12) as well. He's solid from both sides of the plate, with more power from the right side and greater consistency as a lefthanded hitter. One SEC coach who saw Headley earlier in his career was shocked by his improvement, crediting his excellent work ethic and makeup. Defensively, Headley is just adequate, lacking in lateral movement but coming in well on bunt plays and showing an average arm.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

Headley finished second in NCAA Division I in walks (63) as a junior at Tennessee in 2005, then signed with the Padres for $560,000 as a second-round pick. Headley continued to show outstanding pitch recognition in his first two pro seasons, allowing him to hit for average and draw walks. For all his hitting ability, though, Headley slugged just an aggregate .431 in the hitter-friendly Northwest and Cal leagues. Last offseason, he embarked on a rigorous weight-training program that added 15 pounds of muscle, which he worked hard to retain through the summer months. The returns were immediate. Headley turned in one of the finest seasons in the minors in 2007, taking home Double-A Texas League MVP honors while leading the league in average (.330), on-base percentage (.437) and slugging percentage (.580). He made his major league debut in mid-June when starting third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff missed time with a back injury. After returning to San Antonio, Headley led the Missions to the TL title. Like most everybody drafted on vice president of scouting and player development Grady Fuson's watch, Headley is an instinctive player with plus makeup who plays above his tools. A switch-hitter with a sweet swing and power to all fields from both sides of the plate, Headley was noticeably shorter and quicker to the ball in 2007, and observers made note of his improved physique. Already blessed with well-above-average hand-eye coordination and confidence, Headley learned to pick his spots to hit for power without selling out. He wasn't helped by San Antonio's Wolff Municipal Stadium, which ranks among the TL's most difficult power parks, and slugged .624 on the road compared to .528 at home. He also markedly improved his two-strike approach in 2007. Prior to 2007, Headley had struggled from the right side of the plate, as his right elbow would get too high during his load and create a longer, loopier swing. He has overcome that flaw and actually was more productive as a righty last season. An average defender at third base with a solid-average arm, Headley has made strides with both his reads off the bat and his throwing accuracy. A below-average runner, Headley has a slow body and isn't a factor on the bases. His lack of athleticism could become an issue, because he's just about major league-ready but is blocked by Kouzmanoff. A move to an outfield corner could be in order, but scouts wonder whether Headley or Kouzmanoff has the quickness to be more than playable out there. Headley has all the qualities required of a third baseman on a first-division team, so the Padres eventually will find a way to get him into their lineup. Because of the presence of Kouzmanoff and the Padres' general lack of outfield depth, Headley may begin his career in left field, where he worked in the offseason.
Headley spent his freshman year at Pacific before transferring to Tennessee, where he missed significant time as a sophomore with hamstring trouble. After a strong summer in the Cape Cod League. he finished second in NCAA Division I with 63 walks and got drafted in the second round in 2005. He earned all-star recognition in the high Class A California League last season. Headley stands out most with his outstanding pitch recognition, allowing him to hit for average and get on base. He's a switch-hitter who has hit significantly better from the left side in pro ball. Defensively, he has a plus arm and clean hands. A high school valedictorian and academic all-American in college, he's intelligent and has strong makeup. In the context of the hitter-friendly Cal League, Headley's 12 homers and .434 slugging percentage were unimpressive. The Padres think he can learn to pull the ball with more authority and develop average power. At times he opens up early on throws, resulting in low tosses to first base. He's a below-average runner with heavy feet. Though he has no outstanding tool, Headley projects as a potential regular because of his on-base skills and instincts. Destined for Double-A this year, he could push Kevin Kouzmanoff from third base to left field when he's ready.
Headley led Pacific in hits and the Big West Conference in walks as a freshman in 2003 before transferring to Tennessee, where hamstring problems limited him as a sophomore. He finished second in NCAA Division I in walks (63) last spring before signing for $560,000. Headley is adept from both sides of the plate, showing outstanding pitch recognition and average power. He's a fundamentally sound third baseman with soft hands and an average, accurate arm. A high school valedictorian and academic all-American, he boasts excellent baseball instincts and makeup. Headley's power ceiling has long been a question, leaving some to wonder if he profiles as an everyday third baseman. He makes the routine plays, though his feet are a little slow and restrict his range. He's a below-average runner but not a clogger. Sean Burroughs never worked out at third base, but the Padres believe they have found their long-term answer in Headley. He tore up instructional league and could move fast after starting his first full season in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

One year after decimating the Texas League, Headley took a month to adjust to Triple-A and then did much the same in the PCL. After his big league promotion in mid-June, he was one of the few bright spots in the Padres' lineup. Headley draws raves for his approach and consistency at the plate, looking for a pitch he can pound and accepting a walk if he doesn't get it. He uses the whole field and offers power from both sides of the plate. He's not immune to chasing pitches--and he expanded his strike zone in his first extended stint in the majors--but pitchers have to get ahead of him as he can hit anything over the plate. Third base remains Headley's natural position, but he played left field all season because San Diego has Kevin Kouzmanoff at the hot corner; he lacks the speed be an above-average outfielder, but his arm is solid and he has the work ethic to improve.
Headley raised his profile significantly after leading San Antonio to the league title and winning MVP honors. He was an easy choice, considering he paced the TL in batting (.330), on-base percentage (.437) and slugging (.580). Headley brings an outstanding approach to both sides of the plate, as evidenced by his 1.107 OPS against lefthanders and his .987 mark against righties. He aggressively jumps on mistakes and drives them, and he'll take a walk if pitchers won't challenge him. In the first game of the league championship series, Springfield walked him four times after he hit a solo homer in the first inning. "The only way to try to get him out is to give him nothing to hit," Cardinals manager Pop Warner said. "You don't want him to beat you." Headley also made progress with his defense at third base. He showed average range, an accurate arm and the ability to charge in on bunts.
A former high school valedictorian, Headley stands out most for his headsy approach to the game. Multiple managers commented on how much they enjoyed talking to him while they coached third base and he played the field. Headley does everything fairly well but nothing exceptionally well. His biggest asset is his plate discipline and pitch recognition. A switch-hitter, he's much more effective as a lefty, though his swing is tailored more to hit line drives than home runs from both sides. Power is the biggest question mark, because he lacks physical projection and scouts doubt he'll have enough pop for third base. He's a solid defender at the hot corner, with soft hands, a fairly strong, very accurate arm and adequate range. He does a good job charging bunts and makes all the routine plays. One scout compared Headley to Greg Norton, and he could end up as a solid player off the bench.
At Tennessee this spring, Headley finished second in NCAA Division I in walks (63) and fourth in on-base percentage (.530). He showed the same selectivity at Eugene, taking his walks and swatting hittable pitches for doubles with a similarly fluid stroke from both sides of the plate. There are questions about whether Headley has enough power potential to start at third base in the majors. At times he lost his approach and tried to hit too many balls over or off the walls, leaving exploitable holes in his swing. He was as good defensively as any NWL third baseman, and onlookers appreciated his blue-collar approach.