JB Shuck

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #17 prospect in 2012
  Since Bobby Heck started running the team's draft in 2008, Shuck is one of four Astros picks to reach the majors, joining Jason Castro, Jordan Lyles and J.D. Martinez. Shuck has the lowest ceiling of the group and he's close to reaching it. His ability to be a regular hinges on whether he'll be able to play center field capably. Shuck hits singles, draws walks and leaves scouts wanting more. He has a slashing, contact-oriented approach that enabled him to hit .302 in the minors while striking out just once every 10.2 plate appearances. He also draws a fair share of walks, making him a top-of-the-order option. However, Shuck doesn't do much else. He's a plus-plus runner down the line, but his speed doesn't play that well on the bases or in the field because he lacks instincts and aggressiveness. Though he pitched at Ohio State, he lacks the arm strength to play right field and hasn't distinguished himself in center. Shuck will compete for Houston's center-field job in 2012 and could settle in as a fourth outfielder if he doesn't win it.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #18 prospect in 2011
  Shuck had a 3.87 ERA in 223 innings at Ohio State and slugged .409 with metal bats as a two-way player, with 34 stolen bases and one home run. His best tool always was his above-average speed, and the Astros drafted him as an outfielder. He has already reached Triple-A and was off to a hot start in the Arizona Fall League (7-for- 20) before a knee strain shut him down. Shuck has good bat control and a slashing approach. He has excellent plate coverage and isn't afraid of hitting with two strikes. He has walked more than he has struck out in the minors and has the best strike-zone discipline in the system. He's an above-average runner who has posted sub- 4.0 seconds times to first base. Shuck remains an inefficient baserunner who needs to become more aggressive and smarter as a basestealer. His arm is below-average but playable in left or center field. He fits better in left, and the Astros would like to see Shuck work harder on his defense, so they can see if he could handle center long-term. One club official compared his game to that of Dave Roberts, who moved much slower through the minors than Shuck and was a good fourth outfielder on championship-caliber clubs in Cleveland and Boston. Shuck figures to start 2011 back in Triple-A at the Astros' new Oklahoma City affiliate. He should earn a 40-man roster spot after the season, unless he secures one with a big league callup first.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #13 prospect in 2010
  Shuck was a two-way standout at Ohio State, making the all-Big 10 Conference team as both an outfielder and a pitcher. Now a full-time hitter, he ranked second in the minors with 175 hits in 2009, his first full pro season. Playing in Lancaster helped, but he's a talented hitter who does an excellent job controlling the strike zone. His swing has a short, flat path to the ball, spraying liners to all fields. He has limited power and hit just one homer despite playing in an extreme hitter's park. More advanced pitchers won't hesitate to challenge him if he doesn't develop more pop. He hit markedly better against righthanders last year, so he'll have to prove that he can hit southpaws. Shuck has plus-plus speed under way, but it doesn't play quite that well in the outfield or on the basepaths. He needs to improve his jumps and leads to become a basestealing threat. Shuck could be an average defender in center field, but his routes to the ball need work and he shows better instincts in left field. Though he pitched in college, he has a fringe-average arm. He'll head to Double-A in 2010.