Christopher Vinyard
| AB | 744 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .274 |
| OBP | .349 |
| SLG | .457 |
| HR | 24 |
- Full name Christopher James Vinyard
- Born 12/15/1985 in Las Cruces, NM
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Chandler-Gilbert CC
- Drafted in the 38th round (1,143rd overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2005.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Vinyard signed as a draft-and-follow in May 2006 and immediately attracted attention by hitting 26 doubles and eight home runs at Aberdeen, establishing himself as a power prospect in a system that didn't have many. He continued driving the ball last season in low Class A, though his slugging percentage dropped by 49 points, and proved himself as a run producer. Vinyard is a skilled hitter who can drive the ball all over the field and shows legitimate plus power. The tradeoff is high strikeout numbers, and while the Orioles are willing to accept that to a point, they would like him to become more selective. The big question for Vinyard, though, is whether he can handle a position. He doesn't move well around the bag at first base, so he'll have to work to be an adequate defender there. A fringy arm and below-average speed mean the outfield isn't an option, so DH is the only other place for him to go. Vinyard split time between first base and DH last year and should do the same this year in high Class A. He'll have to keep hitting home runs to have value. -
Vinyard grew up in San Diego playing more basketball than baseball, but he shifted his focus when his family moved to Arizona while he was in high school. The Orioles took him as a 38th-round draft-and-follow in 2005, and he signed for $90,000 last May. He led the short-season New York-Penn League with 26 doubles (an Aberdeen franchise record), eight home runs and 36 extra-base hits, and he won the home run derby at the league's all-star game. Vinyard is a big, strong man with a nice, short swing and the bat speed to produce legtimate plus raw power. He's not just an all-or-nothing slugger, as he's willing to use the whole field. The big question about Vinyard is where he'll play. He's a righthanded first baseman who's average at best defensively, and his big body and lack of athleticism make a trial in the outfield unlikely. He's a below-average runner. Vinyard also struggled against quality breaking stuff late in the summer, though the Orioles expect him to make adjustments. He'll move up to low Class A and try to prove he can slug his way to the big leagues.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Signed as a 38th-round draft-and-follow for $90,000, Vinyard paid instant dividends, leading the league in doubles (26), homers (eight) and extra-base hits (36) while finishing second in RBIs (47). He also won the home run derby at the NY-P's all-star festivities in early August, and showed a short swing and the ability to use the whole field to go with his above-average raw power. Vinyard isn't overly athletic, and his below-average speed precludes him from giving the outfield a try. His value is all tied up in his bat and he tired late, but managers believe he'll hit.
