Danny Putnam
| AB | 28 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .214 |
| OBP | .29 |
| SLG | .321 |
| HR | 1 |
- Full name Daniel Christopher Putnam
- Born 09/17/1982 in Scott Air Force Base, IL
- Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Stanford
- Debut 04/23/2007
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Drafted in the C-1 round (36th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2004 (signed for $950,000).
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Putnam has excelled for arguably the best high school (Rancho Bernardo High, San Diego) and college programs in the country, as well as last summer for Team USA. Yet he'll be drafted for the first time in June. He's expected to be a late first-round pick, quite possibly by Oakland, which has four selections before the start of the second round. Putnam fits the Athletics profile almost to perfection. At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, he's not overly physical, and beyond his bat his tools are marginal. But he may be the most polished hitter in the draft. He got few leg hits on his way to building a .393 average, and his 32-29 walk-strikeout ratio is made to order for an organization that emphasizes plate discipline. Putnam has a wide, balanced stance and generates exceptional bat speed, attacking balls with a quick, short stroke. Based on his performance last summer, he should have little problem adjusting to wood and should move quickly to the big leagues. Scouts compare him to Padres outfielder Brian Giles, another San Diego high school product who stands less than 6 feet. Putnam is a below-average defender and will be relegated to left field. He doesn't anticipate well, gets poor jumps in the field and lacks arm strength. But it's all about his bat.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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A star at San Diego's Rancho Bernardo High and at Stanford (as well as with Team USA in 2003), Putnam's track record counters his short stature and lack of overwhelming tools. His 2006 season was essentially wasted due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee, however. A grinder, he played hurt before having surgery, then returned strong in Double-A, hitting .337 with seven homers in his final 104 at-bats. His strengths remain tied to his weaknesses. He's short, but that helps account for his compact stroke. He maximizes his offensive ability with an efficient approach. He swings with a purpose, works counts and doesn't waste at-bats. Putnam is not a natural athlete, so he works hard to stay in shape and possesses plenty of strength in his hands and wrists. He's a below-average runner with just average arm strength, but he runs good routes and is an efficient defender, better suited for left but playable in right. A healthy Putnam would give the A's corner outfield depth to go with Travis Buck, Richie Robnett and Matt Sulentic, and with a strong spring, Putnam could earn his first shot at Triple-A. -
Like Kurt Suzuki and Richie Robnett, Putnam was a 2004 draft from a premier college program whom the A's felt comfortable sending to high Class A for his first full season. He responded to being pushed by leading Stockton in runs, hits and RBIs. That earned him a promotion to Double-A for the Texas League playoffs, during which he hit .314 in nine games. He made a much better impression than he did in his pro debut. A Stanford product, Putnam played his high school ball at San Diego powerhouse Rancho Bernardo. Coached by Sam Blalock (Oakland GM Billy Beane's high school coach at San Diego's Mount Carmel), Rancho has produced six first-round picks since 1995 (counting Putnam) as well as Hank Blalock. Blessed with natural hitting ability, Putnam has a good approach, a quick bat and tremendous hand-eye coordination. He consistently drives the ball to all fields. The question is whether he'll produce enough to profile as an every day left fielder. His power is no more than average and he's limited to an outfield corner or first base because of a lack of speed and a below-average arm. Short and squat, Putnam will need to pay better attention to his conditioning as he matures. His swing has a lot of moving parts, but it has worked well for him so far. His showing this year in Double-A will help the A's determine if his future is as a starter or as a solid bench bat. -
Putnam set career records for homers (33) and RBIs (118) at San Diego's famed Rancho Bernardo High program, which also has produced Hank Blalock and first-round picks Cole Hamels, Scott Heard, Jaime Jones and Matt Wheatland. Rancho Bernardo head coach Sam Blalock also coached Billy Beane at San Diego's Mount Carmel High. After high school, Putnam went to Stanford, where he blossomed into an All-American and a supplemental first-rounder who signed for $950,000. The A's had their sights on him all year and were pleasantly surprised when he was still available with the 36th overall pick. He had a disappointing debut but finished strong by leading all Midwest Leaguers with a .375 average in the postseason. Putnam was one of the best pure hitters in the 2004 draft. He has above-average bat speed and surprising power. Like most Oakland draft picks, he has an advanced understanding of the strike zone. His bat will be his ticket to the majors, as his weak arm and lack of speed limit him to left field. He can press when in slumps, and needs to learn to trust his tools and not tinker with his swing mechanics too much. The A's think Putnam is ready for a challenge and most will assign him to high Class A.
