Sean Buckley Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Sean Christopher Buckley
Born 09/03/1989 in Tampa, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 224 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School St. Petersburg College
Drafted in the 6th round (205th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2011 (signed for $125,000).

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The son of Reds scouting director Chris Buckley, Sean has interesting righthanded power and a chance to stay at third base, though he may be a better fit in right field. He has present strength and an average to plus throwing arm, and he also could go out in the first 15 rounds.

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Both Sean and his father, Reds scouting director Chris Buckley, agreed before the 2011 draft it would be best for the son to strike off on his own path in another organization. But other members of Cincinnati's scouting staff grew more and more enamored with Buckley's potential when they evaluated him last spring. When he was still on the board in the sixth round, Reds crosschecker Mark Snipp--who said Sean reminded him of a young Matt Holliday--and others persuaded Chris to take his son. After signing for $125,000, Sean showed that he was anything but a nepotism pick when he hit 14 homers in 59 games to earn all-star honors in the Pioneer League. It was the first year he was fully healthy since 2008, as his first two years in college at South Florida were marred by an allergic reaction to antibiotics and a broken hamate bone in his left hand. Buckley projects to have plus power, including natural pop to the opposite field, though his swing is not as conducive to hitting for average. He's an average runner from home plate to first base but shows plus speed once he gets going. Buckley played third base in his pro debut, but he has fringy range there and spent time in the outfield during instructional league. His strong arm would play well in right field, where he could be a solid defender. He'll spend his first full pro season in low Class A.

Buckley's father Chris is the Reds' scouting director, but there was little nepotism involved when Cincinnati drafted him in the sixth round in June. In any other ballpark, Sean might have led the Pioneer League in home runs, but Billings' Dehler Park is the most neutral venue in an extreme hitter's league. He mashed 11 homers on the road and just three at home to rank third in the PL with 14 bombs. Buckley's tantalizing power from the right side will be his calling card. He hits with authority to all fields, and his natural power stroke carries the ball to right-center. He swings and misses enough that he doesn't project to hit for a high average. He throws well enough to hold down third base or right field. Buckley's range at the hot corner is fringy, but he runs well enough underway that he could handle a corner outfield post.