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Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Scouting Report: Darin Erstad

Bio: 
Name:     Darin Charles Erstad
Birthday: June 4, 1974 (30 on Opening Day) 
Height:   6-2
Weight:   212
Bats:     Left
Throws:   Left
Position: 1B, OF
Acquired: Draft
Drafted:  1995, 1st round (1), ANA
Roster:   25-man
Contract: $8m
Stats (complete): 
YEAR(L)   G    AB   R   H    2B  3B HR  RBI SB  CS BB  SO  AVG  OBP  SLG  OPS
----------|----|----|---|----|---|--|---|---|---|--|---|---|----|----|----|--
2000(MLB) 157  676  121 240  39  6  25  100 28  8  64  82  .355 .409 .541 950
2001(MLB) 157  631  89  163  35  1  9   63  24  10 62  113 .258 .331 .360 691
2002(MLB) 150  625  99  177  28  4  10  73  23  3  27  67  .283 .313 .389 702
2003(MLB) 67   258  35  65   7   1  4   17  9   1  18  40  .252 .309 .333 642
2004(MLB) 125  495  79  146  29  1  7   69  16  1  37  74  .295 .346 .400 746
----------|----|----|---|----|---|--|---|---|---|--|---|---|----|----|----|--
MLB TOTAL:1127 4554 724 1318 238 26 107 554 159 47 366 669 .289 .344 .424 768
Hitting:
Had MVP-caliber 2000 season, which would appear to be a fluke as he hasn't had a single league-average season since. Quite effective against righties (.316/.370/.426), anemic numbers against lefties (.253/.298/.349) last season - the largest such split of his career. Sees a fair amount of pitches, but rarely draws walks. Couldn't hit a breaking pitch if his life depended on it. No power to speak of - purely slap hitter. Arguably the lightest-hitting firstbaseman in baseball.
Defense:
One of the premier defensive centerfielders of his generation (or of any generation, for that matter), Erstad was moved to 1B for the 2004 season in the hopes he would avoid injury. The plan didn't work - Erstad still missed substantial time with a hamstring injury that continued to hamper him after his return. He was still the best defensive firstbaseman in baseball, but the position is a waste of his abilities.
Baserunning:
Excellent baserunner, though multiple leg injuries have limited his speed over the past few seasons. Reads pitchers extremely well. 90% SB% over the past three seasons.
2005 Outlook:
The Angels will keep Erstad at firstbase where he is virtually worthless. Erstad just can't hit, and unlike in centerfield, his defense at first can't make up the difference. In all likelihood will continue to be one of the worst firstbaseman in baseball. Also, I wouldn't be at all surprised if his injury woes continued and he missed several months of the season. Projected line: .280/.330/.400
See the complete list of scouting reports here.

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