Drafted in the 5th round (159th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2000.
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The son of longtime Dodgers bullpen coach Mark Cresse and the godson of Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, Cresse has cooled off since his scintillating 2000 performance. He led NCAA Division I with 30 homers and drove in the College World Series-winning run for Louisiana State, then hit 17 homers in 48 high Class A games after signing. He has a power stroke and previously showed the ability to make adjustments, but he struggled at the plate in 2002 as he was shuttled between Double-A and Triple-A. The Diamondbacks also believe his offensive woes were related to a conscious effort to improve his defense, which was successful. He improved his catch-and-throw skills, increasing his success against basestealers to 39 percent, up from 27 percent in 2001. His footwork and accuracy on throws got better, and he grew more adept at game-calling--something catchers don't do at LSU. Cresse could reassert himself as a prospect in Triple-A if he learns to not put so much pressure on himself and let his natural gifts work for him.
Cresse hit 29 homers as a Louisiana State sophomore but wasn't drafted after a disappointing junior season. He rededicated himself and led NCAA Division I in homers as a senior, capped his career by driving in the championship-winning run in the 2000 College World Series and tore up pro pitching in his debut. Cresse's father Mark served as Dodgers bullpen coach, and Mark's godfather is Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda. Cresse is a strong, durable slugger with tremendous raw power. He has a good idea at the plate and shows the ability to make adjustments. His bloodlines come across in his work ethic. He has plenty of arm strength and instills confidence in his pitching staff. At Cresse's size, mobility behind the plate will always present a challenge. While he has improved his footwork and overall receiving, he allowed 17 passed balls last year and threw out just 27 percent of basestealers. He gets too pull-conscious at times. The Diamondbacks have yet to develop an everyday catcher but think Cresse could be their first. He's a student of the game and could move quickly through Tucson to Arizona by the end of 2002.
If the last name sounds familiar, it's because Cresse is the son of former Dodgers bullpen catcher Mark. Brad made a name for himself by driving in the winning run in the 2000 College World Series title game, capping a senior season in which he led NCAA Division I with 30 homers and 136 RBIs. Cresse loves to play and made an impressive transition from the college game to the high Class A California League. He even held his own after a late promotion to Double-A. Power is his best tool, and it's obvious that he's been around the game for most of his life. His work behind the plate was better than advertised. Though Cresse wouldn't admit it, he showed the effects of a long 2000 season during his rough stint in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .169. He was vulnerable to breaking pitches in the final weeks. Roving catching instructor Ron Hassey will continue to work with Cresse's defense, which is still the weakest part of his game. Cresse is on the fast track, as evidenced by his start in the Cal League, his jump to Double-A and his placement in the AFL in his first pro summer. He probably needs a full season at Double-A unless he improves dramatically, but his future appears bright.
Minor League Top Prospects
What strides Cresse must make as a catcher are made less worrisome by his skills as a hitter. After signing as a fifth-round pick in June, he came straight to high Class A and banged out 17 homers and 56 RBIs in 48 games before moving up to Double-A.
"He's in the Piazza mold," High Desert manager Scott Coolbaugh said. "The offense overwhelms whatever deficiencies he has a catcher. What you don't usually see from a kid right out of college is power to all fields, but he has it.
"He's a quick learner and can do what you show him. We shortened up his swing and he started hitting balls the other way. The biggest question about him is arm strength, but he worked on his arm action and he was getting better by the time he left."
One manager saw Cresse during his first week in the league and was prepared to write him off, criticizing his insistence to pull balls and his shoddy defense, which included a long throwing motion. Weeks later, the same manager said he was convinced Cresse would reach the majors.
Scouting Reports
What strides Cresse must make as a catcher are made less worrisome by his skills as a hitter. After signing as a fifth-round pick in June, he came straight to high Class A and banged out 17 homers and 56 RBIs in 48 games before moving up to Double-A.
"He's in the Piazza mold," High Desert manager Scott Coolbaugh said. "The offense overwhelms whatever deficiencies he has a catcher. What you don't usually see from a kid right out of college is power to all fields, but he has it.
"He's a quick learner and can do what you show him. We shortened up his swing and he started hitting balls the other way. The biggest question about him is arm strength, but he worked on his arm action and he was getting better by the time he left."
One manager saw Cresse during his first week in the league and was prepared to write him off, criticizing his insistence to pull balls and his shoddy defense, which included a long throwing motion. Weeks later, the same manager said he was convinced Cresse would reach the majors.
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