2/21/2003 1:56:41 PM - 2003 Scouting Report
This guy needs some pub. Hummel played 2002 at Charlotte and hit .260 with 33 doubles and a .350 OBP while playing 4 positions and committing just 12 errors during the year. He has a steady if not unspectacular game and he’ll be a major league fixture if only because of his versatility- and I actually think his ceiling is a lot higher than just as a role player. Hummel finished 2002 by logging a .420 OBP in 110 AFL at bats.
A wiry player with a strong base, Hummel doesn’t look all that imposing from a distance but he’s actually a physical player with good baseball actions.
At the plate, he’s got a balanced stance with some crouch and a quiet start. His right swing is very direct and compact enough to yank inside fastballs. Despite his frame and compact swing, Hummel hasn’t run into much power but he has more than enough juice to knock pitches to the gaps. With some more bat extension, he might be able to launch with more frequency.
Hummel’s pitch recognition and zone management skills are improving and I really like the way he takes pitches- tracking them all the way into the catcher’s glove. I could see him in the 2-hole eventually.
Defensively, Hummel is quite valuable. He plays all the infield positions and I’m sure he’d be just fine in left if needed. Most of his reps have been at short but long term, he’ll probably see most of his innings at second or third.
Hummel has a chance this Spring. He’ll be 24 for the entire year.
