Tagg Bozied

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #12 prospect in 2005
  Bozied's second go-around at Triple-A was off to a strong start in 2004, as he matched his previous year's home run total in just 46 games. His season ended in freakish fashion less than two weeks later, as he ruptured his left patella tendon when he jumped on home plate to celebrate hitting a game-winning grand slam. Bozied has the ability to clear the fence from pole-to-pole, while making excellent contact for a power hitter. He could draw more walks, but coaches don't want to tinker with the success he had in 2004. He has worked hard to become an adequate defender, but he won't ever be more than that. Bozied still has holes in his swing and a tendency to chase breaking balls on the outer half. His power against lefthanders is limited, reducing his value as a potential platoon player. Bozied is expected to be healthy for spring training, but the presence of Ryan Klesko and Phil Nevin mean he'll return to Triple-A, where he'll look to pick up where he left off.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #10 prospect in 2004
  Bozied led the system with 24 homers and 92 RBIs in his 2002 pro debut, then set an Arizona Fall League record with 12 homers. He had trouble unleashing that power in Triple-A, where he received more attention for going after a Las Vegas fan who taunted him and threw a soft souvenir ball at him. Nineteen of his teammates followed him into the stands and all were suspended, including Bozied for eight games. Bozied is stronger and has more pure power than Jon Knott. He raised his average 13 points from 2002 by making adjustments to fight breaking balls and pitches on the outer half of the plate. He projects as a .260 hitter with 25-plus homers, along the lines of Eric Karros. His new approach cost him pop, and Bozied needs to regain aggressiveness at the plate. He won't ever hit for a high average or draw many walks. Though he has decent arm strength, his lack of speed relegates him to first base, where he's adequate. He'll return to Triple-A in 2004 and try to recapture his power. As with Knott, there are several players in Bozied's path to the major leagues.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #4 prospect in 2003
  Bozied batted .412-30-82 and led NCAA Division I with a .936 slugging percentage as a sophomore in 1999 before tailing off in his final two college seasons. He turned down the Twins as a 2000 second-rounder--he went seven picks before Xavier Nady--and went to the independent Northern League before signing with the Padres for $725,000 in 2001. He led the system in homers and RBIs while reaching Double-A in his pro debut, then set an Arizona Fall League record with 12 longballs. Bozied's power is nearly as good as Nady's, though he's not as polished a hitter and has more effort to his swing. He has a strong arm and moves well for his size, so it's possible he could play the outfield. After tearing up high Class A, Bozied didn't do nearly as much damage in Double-A. He has holes in his long swing, particularly against breaking balls on the outer half of the plate. Scouts who saw him in the AFL said he punished mistakes more than he hit quality pitches. He labors at first base. Assuming Nady becomes San Diego's left fielder, Bozied won't have a clear path to big league playing time. For now, he'll try to refine his game in Double-A.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #15 prospect in 2002
  Bozied topped NCAA Division I with a .936 slugging percentage and was among the leaders in all three triple-crown categories when he hit .412-30-82 as a San Francisco sophomore in 1999, but he failed to approach that production in his final two seasons with the Dons. Getting him signed wasn't the easiest task, as he turned down the Twins as a 2000 secondrounder and went to the independent Northern League rather than immediately signing with the Padres last summer. He finally joined the organization for a $725,000 bonus in November. Like many of San Diego's early picks in the 2001 draft, Bozied's forte is his bat and, in particular, his power. He also runs well for his size and has some arm strength, but most scouts remain unconvinced that he can play third base at the upper levels. He doesn't have a body suited for catching, so if he can't cut it at the hot corner he'll move to left field. Bozied hit well in the Northern League, so the Padres don't have any qualms about starting him at high Class A this year.