Tyler Pastornicky

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #7 prospect in 2012
  Swapping Yunel Escobar for Alex Gonzalez hasn't worked out as the Braves hoped, but they did get Pastornicky as part of the July 2010 trade with the Blue Jays. The son of former big leaguer Cliff Pastornicky, he blossomed in all phases of the game in 2011 and would have made his major league debut if not for a high ankle sprain in mid-August. Pastornicky competes as well as anyone in the system and has excellent instincts. He has a good feel for hitting and makes consistent line-drive contact, though he could stand to draw a few more walks. He doesn't have a lot of strength, but he has a quick bat and could develop some gap power. Pastornicky has plus speed and the aptitude to steal bases. He has above-average range at shortstop, and he could get more out of his average arm with a more consistent arm slot. Pastornicky has proven to be better than Atlanta expected and now is knocking on the door to the big leagues. With Gonzalez gone after signing as a free agent with the Brewers, Pastornicky is clearly the best in-house option to replace him.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #14 prospect in 2011
  When the Braves shipped Yunel Escobar and Jo-Jo Reyes to Toronto last July, they got their shortstops of the present (Alex Gonzalez) and possibly the future (Pastornicky), as well as minor league lefthander Tim Collins. The son of Cliff Pastornicky, who played briefly for the Royals and now scouts for the Blue Jays, Tyler moved to Double-A after the trade. He impressed Atlanta officials with his all-around skills before a hamstring injury hampered him late in the season. A solid athlete who's fundamentally sound, Pastornicky has a smooth line-drive stroke and makes consistent contact. He has minimal power but can drive the ball into the gaps and should produce his share of doubles and triples while batting near the top of the lineup. He has above-average speed that he uses to his advantage by stealing bases and taking the extra base when the situation presents itself. Pastornicky is surehanded at shortstop and moves his feet well. His range and instincts are above-average, and his arm is strong enough to remain at short. The Braves have rebuilt their depth at the position, and Pastornicky is their most advanced shortstop prospect. He'll get a look as a potential long-term answer there, and if he doesn't pan out as a starter, he could be a good utility player. After playing in the Arizona Fall League, Pastornicky could make the jump to Triple-A in 2011.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #17 prospect in 2010
  The Blue Jays went to the Florida high school ranks for two of their top five picks in the 2008 draft, and fifth-rounder Pastornicky has surpassed second-round outfielder Kenny Wilson in the early stages of their development. He's the son of Cliff Pastornicky, who played with the 1983 Royals and now scouts for Kansas City. An athletic infielder, Pastornicky doesn't have flashy tools but gets the most out of what he has. He has good instincts at shortstop, along with plus range and an average arm. He's an above-average runner and basestealer, which opposing catchers quickly figured out as he swiped 57 bases between two Class A stops in 2009. Pastornicky has a line-drive stroke and projects as a .275 hitter in the big leagues. The only thing he lacks is power, as he has hit just two homers in 636 pro at-bats. But as a potential top-of-the-order hitter who provides sound defense, he may not need it. Pastornicky got a taste of high Class A at the end of last season and likely will return there to begin 2010. If he doesn't end up as an everyday shortstop, he could be a very useful utilityman.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #23 prospect in 2009
  The Blue Jays have gone hard after high school talent in the state of Florida in the past two drafts, taking John Tolisano (second round) in 2007 and Kenny Wilson (second), Pastornicky (fifth) and Markus Brisker (sixth) in 2008. Pastornicky signed with the Blue Jays for $175,000, passing on the opportunity to play at Florida State. He has big league bloodlines, as his father Cliff played 10 games at third base for the 1983 Royals and currently scouts for Kansas City. An athletic middle infielder, Pastornicky does a lot of things well but has no standout tool. He's a rangy if unrefined shortstop with good hands and plus arm strength, though he'll need to continue working to handle the defensive demands of the position. A heady player with a feel for the game, he has a chance to be an average hitter with line-drive power. He has good bat speed and uses the whole field, though his swing is too long at times. As he matures, he figures to add muscle to his lean frame. Pastornicky's best attribute is above-average speed, as he runs the 60-yard dash in 6.6 seconds and already is a plus basestealer who expertly cuts the bases while in stride. He led the GCL Blue Jays with 27 stolen bases (in 32 attempts) and 21 walks. Because of his solid all-around game, Pastornicky may develop into a regular, but he also could surface as a utilityman.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Southern League #17 prospect in 2011
  After growing frustrated with Yunel Escobar in 2010, the Braves dealt him and Jo-Jo Reyes to Toronto to acquire Alex Gonzalez, Tim Collins and Pastornicky. While Escobar has bounced back to become one of baseball's best shortstops, Gonzalez scuffled at the plate this year and Atlanta sent Collins to the Royals a month after acquiring him. Yet Pastornicky still could salvage some value from the deal for the Braves. The son of former big leaguer Cliff Pastornicky makes consistent contact thanks to his feel for hitting, compact swing and ability to get the bat head through the zone quickly. He could be an above-average hitter who strokes line drives to all fields. His power is well below average, so he projects as no more than a gap-to-gap doubles hitter. Pastornicky is an above-average runner with sound defensive fundamentals. He has soft hands, quick feet and a slightly above-average arm. Some scouts view him as an everyday shortstop, while other think he profiles better at second base and others wonder if his lack of power might make him better suited to be a utilityman.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background:: Swapping Yunel Escobar for Alex Gonzalez hasn't worked out as the Braves hoped, but they did get Pastornicky as part of the July 2010 trade with the Blue Jays. The son of former big leaguer Cliff Pastornicky, he never got past A-ball with the Jays but jumped right to Double-A following the trade. He blossomed in all phases of the game in 2011 and would have made his major league debut if not for a high ankle sprain in mid-August. Scouting Report: Pastornicky competes as well as anyone in the system and has excellent instincts. He has a good feel for hitting and makes consistent line-drive contact, though he could stand to draw a few more walks. He doesn't have a lot of strength, but he has a quick bat and could develop gap power. Pastornicky has plus speed and the aptitude to steal bases. He has above-average range at shortstop, and he could get more out of his average arm with a more consistent arm slot. The Future: Pastornicky has proven to be better than Atlanta expected and now is knocking on the door to the big leagues. With Gonzalez's contract up after his disappointing season, the Braves are considering their options, and Pastornicky is clearly the best in-house option to replace him.
• December, 2008 Scouting Report
  The Blue Jays have gone hard after high school talent in the state of Florida in the past two drafts, taking John Tolisano (second round) in 2007 and Kenny Wilson (second), Pastornicky (fifth) and Markus Brisker (sixth) in 2008. Pastornicky signed with the Blue Jays for $175,000, passing on the opportunity to play at Florida State. He has big league bloodlines, as his father Cliff played 10 games at third base for the 1983 Royals and currently scouts for Kansas City. An athletic middle infielder, Pastornicky does a lot of things well but has no standout tool. He's a rangy if unrefined shortstop with good hands and plus arm strength, though he'll need to continue working to handle the defensive demands of the position. A heady player with a feel for the game, he has a chance to be an average hitter with line-drive power. He has good bat speed and uses the whole field, though his swing is too long at times. As he matures, he figures to add muscle to his lean frame. Pastornicky's best attribute is above-average speed, as he runs the 60-yard dash in 6.6 seconds and already is a plus basestealer who expertly cuts the bases while in stride. He led the GCL Blue Jays with 27 stolen bases (in 32 attempts) and 21 walks. Because of his solid all-around game, Pastornicky may develop into a regular, but he also could surface as a utilityman.