Jonathan Gilmore Scouting Report (2009)
A former supplemental first round pick of the Atlanta Braves, Gilmore was a piece of the deal which brought Javier Vazquez to Atlanta. In 2009, he posted a .274/.322/.361 line as a 20-year old for Kannapolis. Pedestrian as those numbers may be, his .355/.410/.491 August and even more impressive September will earn him some looks as a sleeper entering 2010. Last season I pegged him in a "sleeper potential" piece and have my doubts after watching him play.
Physique and Athleticism: With a strong lower half and size through his forearms, Gilmore projects for additional size through the back and shoulders. At 6'3", 195 lbs., he could handle an additional 20-25 lbs. which would hurt his speed, but help his ability to drive the baseball. If I were a scout, I would have been thoroughly impressed with his physique.
Offense: During the series, Gilmore took the ball the other way peppering a Kyle Allen (Mets) 90+ mile heater for a solid single. In going to right field during subsequent at bats, it became obvious Gilmore's swing was inside-out out of necessity as his swing was too long to successfully stay inside the baseball. With his high back elbow, a hitters first tendency is the drop the elbow causing the bat to drag. While this is a problem, the fix is relatively easy and it seems as if Gilmore made those adjustments late in the season. Should the fix prove to be permanent, he could see a power spike in 2010.
Defense: A bit mechanical in the field, he moves well enough for me to believe he can remain at the position. In game action, he showed a solid average arm which was plenty strong for third base. As a former football player, he has some of the same issues Red Sox prospect Will Middlebrooks did at the hot corner. While I don't see him becoming a plus defender, solid average is not out of the question should his footwork improve and his movements become more fluid.
Speed: Gilmore has no present speed and will likely settle in as a slightly below average runner. However, he won't be a base clogger and hurt his team on the base paths. With Kannapolis in the Sally league playoffs, Gilmore will have a few more opportunities to improve his prospect status heading into the off season. Prior to his late season surge, he was bordering on bust and needs to carry his second half success into high A next spring. With his size and strength, he has significant untapped potential, but has been slow to develop which has left him a wild card in an organization with two high profile prospects in Gordon Beckham and Dayan Viciedo currently playing some third base. While neither may be long for the position, Gilmore needs to begin establishing himself in a hurry for the White Sox to consider him a legitimate heir possibility at the hot corner.
Physique and Athleticism: With a strong lower half and size through his forearms, Gilmore projects for additional size through the back and shoulders. At 6'3", 195 lbs., he could handle an additional 20-25 lbs. which would hurt his speed, but help his ability to drive the baseball. If I were a scout, I would have been thoroughly impressed with his physique.
Offense: During the series, Gilmore took the ball the other way peppering a Kyle Allen (Mets) 90+ mile heater for a solid single. In going to right field during subsequent at bats, it became obvious Gilmore's swing was inside-out out of necessity as his swing was too long to successfully stay inside the baseball. With his high back elbow, a hitters first tendency is the drop the elbow causing the bat to drag. While this is a problem, the fix is relatively easy and it seems as if Gilmore made those adjustments late in the season. Should the fix prove to be permanent, he could see a power spike in 2010.
Defense: A bit mechanical in the field, he moves well enough for me to believe he can remain at the position. In game action, he showed a solid average arm which was plenty strong for third base. As a former football player, he has some of the same issues Red Sox prospect Will Middlebrooks did at the hot corner. While I don't see him becoming a plus defender, solid average is not out of the question should his footwork improve and his movements become more fluid.
Speed: Gilmore has no present speed and will likely settle in as a slightly below average runner. However, he won't be a base clogger and hurt his team on the base paths. With Kannapolis in the Sally league playoffs, Gilmore will have a few more opportunities to improve his prospect status heading into the off season. Prior to his late season surge, he was bordering on bust and needs to carry his second half success into high A next spring. With his size and strength, he has significant untapped potential, but has been slow to develop which has left him a wild card in an organization with two high profile prospects in Gordon Beckham and Dayan Viciedo currently playing some third base. While neither may be long for the position, Gilmore needs to begin establishing himself in a hurry for the White Sox to consider him a legitimate heir possibility at the hot corner.
