With the 20th overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, the Boston Red Sox have taken second baseman Kolbrin Vitek from Ball State.
It’s the second straight year the Red Sox have taken a player from Ball State in the draft. They took Jeremy Hazelbaker in the fourth round last year.
Here’s what MLB.com has to say about him:
Hitting ability: Vitek is one of the better pure hitters in the college ranks. He’s very short to the ball with excellent bat speed. He’s got a strong track record of hitting well everywhere he goes.
Power: There’s definitely some power there, though there’s some debate over just how much he’ll show in the future.
Running speed: He’s got well above-average speed. He runs a great 60, but it doesn’t always play that well in games.
Base running: He’s a very good base runner who is a base-stealing threat.
Arm strength: He has an average to solid-average arm.
Fielding: He’s moved around a bit defensively. His hands and feet aren’t great for second base. Perhaps a move to the outfield would be best.
Range: He doesn’t move all that well in the infield, but he does have enough speed to handle an outfield position.
Physical Description: He’s got a similar look, and playing style, to 2009 first-rounder A.J. Pollock.
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: Excellent overall hitting skills, some power and speed. Also a pitcher with decent arm strength.
Weaknesses: No clear defensive home. Second base doesn’t look to be a good fit, so perhaps the outfield. But does he have the power for a corner or the speed for center?
Summary: Wherever Vitek has gone, he’s hit. He plays at a smaller program, but in a year with a lack of premium bats at big programs, his production is getting noticed. His bat speed and mechanics should make him an excellent hitter at the next level. He’s got power, though there’s some debate how much there will be at the next level. He also runs pretty well. The main question with Vitek is where he’ll play defensively, as his current home at second doesn’t appear to be a great fit. He’s athletic enough to play the outfield, and that might be the best bet. Wherever he plays, it’s his bat that has people interested, and that’s what will get him drafted in the first couple of rounds.
And here’s what Scout’s Inc. has to say about him:
Vitek loads his hands deep and comes close to barring his lead arm, but he has the bat speed to overcome it (for now, at least), and stays upright through the swing with good hip rotation.
He’s got a projectable frame and could add 20 pounds or so by the time he’s through, but right now his swing plane is flat and I don’t see more than average power down the road unless he makes some significant changes. He’s an above-average runner but doesn’t have the agility for the infield, making centerfield the optimal destination.
The best-case scenario here has him hitting for average and playing plus defense in center with average power, assuming he doesn’t change his swing. However, I am concerned that he has no experience facing quality pitching and may not profile if he has to move to right field.
Update: According to a post on MLB Trade Rumors, the Red Sox and Vitek already have a “verbal agreement” on contract terms.
