• Full name Dustin Luis Pedroia
  • Born 08/17/1983 in Woodland, CA
  • Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Arizona State
  • Debut 08/22/2006
  • Drafted in the 2nd round (65th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2004 (signed for $575,000).
    View Draft Report
    Pedroia's tools are below-average across the board, but people have learned not to sell him short. Scouts expect him to be a big leaguer, and probably an everyday player. He's not physically gifted at 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, but Pedroia is a classic overachiever and possibly the best player in college baseball. He has a great work ethic and exceptional sense of the game. He's hard-nosed and competitive, and without peer as a team leader. He's a blood-and-guts player who thrives under pressure and makes everyone around him better. Scouts question whether he can be an everyday shortstop on a good team because his arm and range are short, but he catches almost everything hit at him. He has sure hands, a quick release and excellent hand-eye coordination, and is adept at anticipating plays. He doesn't profile any better as a second baseman, a more offensive position. While he led the Sun Devils with a .409 average and nine home runs, he doesn't have a pretty swing and is a slap hitter. But he has good strike zone judgment and is a tough out. He struck only 11 times while drawing 43 walks. He compares to Angels shortstop David Eckstein, though Eckstein is a better runner. On tools, Pedroia is not a high-round pick but he's a perfect fit for a performance-based organization like the Athletics, who have four of the first 40 picks.

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Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Defensive 2B in the American League in 2014
  • Rated Best Defensive 2B in the American League in 2013
  • Rated Best Defensive 2B in the American League in 2009
  • Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the Boston Red Sox in 2006
  • Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Boston Red Sox in 2006
  • Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Boston Red Sox in 2006
  • Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Eastern League in 2005
  • Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Eastern League in 2005
  • Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Boston Red Sox in 2005

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