Brian Specht

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #20 prospect in 2003
  Specht has been rushed since spurning a commitment to Baylor for a $600,000 bonus. He began his pro career in high Class A, unusual for a player less than a year removed from high school. He skyrocketed to No. 3 on this list after his debut but has been hampered by shoulder problems ever since. Some scouts compare Specht to Adam Kennedy because his future is predicated on his ability as an offensive middle infielder. While Kennedy hit .309 in the minors, though, Specht has a career .255 average. He has a smooth stroke from both sides of the plate, though it occasionally collapses, leading to lazy fly balls to the opposite field. The Angels plan to keep him at shortstop until he proves he can't handle the position. He's steady in the field, catching what he gets to, but won't make many spectacular plays. His arm strength, which was a plus, is now short on tough plays in the hole or up the middle. His defense will be a half-grade better if he moves across the bag to second base. After having arthroscopic surgery on his labrum, Specht might miss the first week of spring training.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #11 prospect in 2002
  It cost the Angels $600,000 to get Specht away from his commitment to Baylor in 1999. A stint in instructional league in 2000 went so well that he jumped all the way to high Class A to make his pro debut--a rare move for a teenager less than a year removed from high school. He held his own and ranked third on this list a year ago. Specht returned to the California League in 2001, when he had an up-and-down season interrupted when he suffered a minor shoulder injury diving back into first base in May. He was promoted to Double-A when Alfredo Amezaga went to Triple-A. Though Specht was among the youngest players in the Texas League, he reached base safely in 33 of his 45 games. He isn't flashy but has the potential for solid average tools in the future. His style evokes comparisons to workmanlike infielders such as Gary DiSarcina, Chris Gomez and Randy Velarde. Specht may not continue switch-hitting if he doesn't improve on his .188 average batting righthanders last year. He has a lot of movement in his swing and needs to shorten his stroke. With Amezaga stepping up as Anaheim's shortstop of the future, Specht won't have to be rushed and could end up in a utility role. He's scheduled to return to Arkansas.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #3 prospect in 2001
  Specht seemed determined to attend Baylor, so he lasted until the ninth round in 1999. The Angels successfully gambled a pick on him, signing him for $600,000, the highest bonus they paid in that draft. They challenged him by letting him make his pro debut in the Cal League last season and he responded, hitting safely in his first 12 games and performing well before fading in August. Specht will have at least average tools across the board. He already has shown the ability to hit, and his speed, arm and shortstop actions are solid. As he develops, he could have average power from both sides of the plate. He's also instinctive and mature. Specht made 34 errors in 2000, several because he rushed plays when he didn't have to. While he has good patience at the plate, he'll have to make more contact. He needs to get stronger in order to hold up over a full season. Spring training will determine whether Specht returns to Class A or moves up to Double-A to start 2001. He's not as flashy defensively as fellow shortstop prospects Wilmy Caceres or Tommy Murphy, but Specht is more likely to produce at the plate.