Minor-ity Report: Highlight on Scott Sizemore

June 26, 2009

Scott Sizemore is neither the flashiest prospect in professional baseball nor the most popular Sizemore. What he is, is a 2006 5th round draft pick by the Detroit Tigers that brings an intriguing mixture of power, speed, and positional versatility to the table. In fact, the Virginia Beach native is quickly earning attention as one of the top middle infielders in Detroit’s organization. Let’s look between the numbers:

Scott Sizemore began his professional career after a three year stint at Virginia Commonwealth. There, Sizemore flashed some power and speed, topping out at 12 homers, 19 steals, and 56 RBI in 200 at bats (with more walks than whiffs). All this as a burgeoning prospect at shortstop.

After his final season at VCU, Sizemore began pro ball at single A Oneonta of the New York Penn League, where he hit 3 homers but batted a robust .327 in just under 300 at bats. Not bad for a fresh-faced 21 year old with no professional experience, and in effect, good enough to earn a promotion the following season. In ‘07, Sizemore was played almost entirely at second base, where he hit 4 homers, stole 16 bases, and batted an unremarkable .265. His plate patience was still intact, but his statistical line was still not particularly worthy of fantasy accolade.

In 2008, Sizemore stepped it up and belted 4 homers and stole 14 bags in just 200 at bats, an improvement upon 2007’s output in both the power and speed departments. But come 2009, a healthy Sizemore took double A (Eastern League) by storm, knocking 9 homers and stealing 7 bases in just 228 at bats, with a .307 average to boot. That was good enough for a promotion to triple A, where Sizemore has held his own with a homer and a .278 average in just over 30 at bats.

The question on every Fantasy GM’s mind is – when does Sizemore fever hit Detroit? The answer is most likely early 2010…but with Adam Everett and Ramon Santiago splitting time at shortstop and Placido Polanco not tearing it up at second base, perhaps the era of Scott Sizemore will soon be upon us. Astute Fantasy GM’s be warned – there’s a new Sizemore in town and he is worth watching!