Darin Holcomb Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Darin M Holcomb
Born 12/07/1985 in Spokane, WA
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Gonzaga
Drafted in the 12th round (372nd overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2007.

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He doesn't have a standout tool, yet scouts looked up to see him hitting .369 this spring with more walks than strikeouts.

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Holcomb doesn't open eyes when he walks onto the field, but so far he has put up the kind of results that force scouts to pay attention. He has a bit of Ron Cey in him, with a small, stout build, and modest athleticism but a toughness and determination to succeed. Consider the fact that he was the MVP in the South Atlantic League last year, but still ranked just 17th on the list of prospects. A grinder who can hit, he led the league in doubles and RBIs, finished second in on-base percentage and batting average and showed the plate discipline to draw more walks than strikeouts. He stays back on the ball and has good pitch recognition. He has extra-base power, but isn't the home run hitter teams usually look at from the corner infield spots. He doesn't have the quick reflexes at third base, and isn't built like a player that would seem fit to move to second base, which could result in an eventual move to left field. Holcomb wore down late and didn't perform with the bat--a first--in Hawaii Winter Baseball, batting .163. He could push for a jump to Tulsa with a strong spring or take it one step at a time and report to Modesto.

At 22 the oldest player on this list--he's two weeks older than Taylor--Holcomb has made nice strides since signing as a 12th-round pick in 2007. His hard work and patience at the plate paid off with MVP honors in the SAL after he led the loop in doubles (46) and RBIs (102) while ranking second in on-base percentage (.400) and batting (.318). He also had more walks (65) than strikeouts (60). "His head position is the best I have seen in my nine years in the league," Mikulik said. "He does a great job of staying back and driving the ball to all fields. He also played a solid third base for us. He has a real chance to play in the big leagues." Some scouts wondered if Holcomb's so-so athleticism will enable him to remain at the hot corner. Moving him to second base would be a stretch, and he might be best suited for left field.