Cliff Pennington

[bsb8532]

I'm just wondering what anyone's opinion is on him? I'm an Ag so I've seen him play several times. Defensively he has good range for a SS and a cannon (he pitches in the 90's), but is prone to errors. He's a switch hitter that hits for a pretty high average and has a good eye (33 BB to 18 K's last year). He has pretty good speed on the base paths as well. He's also a great leader and shows up for big games, though sabermetrics folks could care less about that. The only knock is he hasn't shown much power thus far, but definitely has all the tools to be an impact player at the pro level (especially if he continues to improve defensively and thus can stay at SS). I'm hoping the Astros are taking a look at him at the end of the first or with a compensation pick.

[colbyjack]

I saw one place call him this year's version of Dustin Pedroia, but I don't think that's a fair comparison. Pedroia didn't do much to entice scouts, while Pennington is a guy both scouts & stat-people like. He hit well on the Cape last year too, so he erased some doubts about his ability to hit with wood. He also has enough speed to steal a few bases.

 

I think he's definitely in the mix for the first round, supplemental, early 2nd round area. You're right, the lack of power is the only thing keeping him from being drafted higher, but he is going to hit a few out, and he'll get his fair share of doubles & even triples.

 

The only other question is if he stays at SS or moves to 2B.

[CarolinaTommy]

I saw him play this summer and he was one of my favorites. Like colbyjack, I agree that the Dustin Pedroia comparison is not fair -- Pennington has tools that Pedroia does not. Pennington runs better and throws better, but Pedroia also does some things that many others cannot. Pedroia plays the game with great fluidity. He is just one of those guys that is paying attention to only the correct cues going on in the game and anticipates things as well as anything. Watching him take infield practice is almost like seeing a heat-seeking missle go after grounders.

 

I think that Pennington is worthy of a first round draft pick in that he has solid run and throw tools, can handle the bat well, and is an up-the-middle guy. If Pennington moves over to 2nd, it won't be because of his throwing arm, in my opinion -- he's got the strength.