- Full name Steve Stanley
- Born
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Stanley was a quintessential "Moneyball" draft pick for the Athletics in 2002. Though his tools didn't impress scouts, they loved his college track record, which included consecutive Big East Conference player-of-the-year awards in 2001 and 2002. He also excelled with wood bats, winning the Cape Cod League batting title in 2000 and the Great Lakes League MVP award the following summer. Most teams considered Stanley as a low-round pick, but Oakland took him in the second round and signed him for $200,000, well below slot money. The A's pushed him to Double-A for his first full pro season, and the results were mixed. He did hit .296 and reach base at a .370 clip, a testament to his ability to control the strike zone. But he's a little guy with very little strength at the plate, as evidenced by his .330 slugging percentage. He has plus speed and good instincts on the bases, but he's not a blazer nor much of a basestealing threat. Stanley does a good job of covering the gaps in center field, though his arm is below average. Stanley is an intense overachiever who plays well beyond his skill level because of his superior feel for the game and his drive to achieve, but he doesn't project as more than a fourth or fifth outfielder if he's able to carve a niche for himself in the majors. -
A's officials invoke the name of David Eckstein whenever Stanley is discussed. He plays well beyond his size and skill level because of his intensity, instincts and intangibles. Speed is probably Stanley's only legitimate tool, and he uses it to make himself a solid center fielder, chasing down virtually every fly ball hit his way. He also employs it on offense, bunting for hits and beating out infield rollers, and he shows excellent discipline at the plate. Oakland has no doubts that he'll get everything from his ability. His strong pro debut was no surprise considering his previous success with wood bats, as he won the Cape Cod League batting title in 2000 and was the Great Lakes League MVP the following summer. The only repeat winner of the Big East Conference player-of-the-year award, Stanley was one of two outfielders drafted by the A's off Notre Dame's 2002 College World Series team. Left fielder Brian Stavisky is a line-drive machine who may prove to be a steal as a sixth-rounder.