ProfileHt.: 5'10" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School
Mississippi
Debut09/08/2010
Drafted in the 8th round (230th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006 (signed for $95,000).
View Draft Report
Pressley arrived in Oxford thanks in part to the recruiting of his Neville High teammate, Robert Lane. Lane was the more highly touted of the twosome entering their senior seasons in 2003, but spent his time concentrating on football at Ole Miss. Pressley, meanwhile, developed in to a good all-around outfielder. He doesn't hit for enough power to play a corner outfield position, and his range doesn't profile in center. He has good speed and a below-average arm.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Presley was no more than an organizational afterthought following a 2009 when he repeated high Class A and didn't show much improvement, but he astoundingly ended up the Pirates' minor league player of the year for 2010 and spent the final month of the season in Pittsburgh. He opened with Altoona and led the Eastern League with a .350 average before being promoted to Triple-A on June 25. His total of 166 hits between the two stops ranked 15th in the minors, and was the fifth-highest mark in the Pirates system since 1995. Presley showed occasional pop, but his sudden success came because he has made the transition to more of a little-man's game, going to a shorter swing and shooting the ball the other way. His fielding is a tick below-average, with a raw feel to his break on fly balls, and he has a below-average arm. He has plus speed, which brought many infield singles, and his baserunning is as raw as the defense, and not just in the area of stolen bases. The Pirates liked what they saw during his month in Pittsburgh, and one evaluator said he looked overmatched in only one of his 23 at-bats. Presley will come to spring training under consideration for reserve outfield duty in the big leagues.
Minor League Top Prospects
Presley treaded water for the first four years of his career until he recognized and accepted who he was in 2010. By shortening his swing and not trying to hit for power, his game took off. He continued to refine his game in Indianapolis to start this season, improving his approach at the plate, and he spent most of the second half as the Pirates' regular left fielder. Presley covers the plate well against both lefties and righties and is willing to hit the ball where it's pitched. While he doesn't have corner-outfield power, he does have some pop and will surprise with a home run from time to time. With his plus speed, anything into the gap is an opportunity for a triple. Pittsburgh challenged Presley to be more aggressive on the bases this year and he responded a career-high 31 steals in 42 attempts between the majors and minors. Defensively, he gets quick jumps, runs good routes and has enough range to play center field. He has seen time on the corners as well, though his fringy arm is a little short for right field.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the International League in 2011
Career Transactions
Charlotte Knights released LF Alex Presley.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent LF Alex Presley to a minor league contract.
LF Alex Presley assigned to Charlotte Knights.
Norfolk Tides released LF Alex Presley.
LF Alex Presley assigned to Norfolk Tides.
Baltimore Orioles signed free agent RF Alex Presley to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RF Alex Presley elected free agency.
Detroit Tigers sent RF Alex Presley outright to Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers activated RF Alex Presley from the 10-day disabled list.
Detroit Tigers sent OF Alex Presley on a rehab assignment to Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers placed OF Alex Presley on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to July 27, 2017. Right side strain.
Detroit Tigers activated OF Alex Presley from the 10-day disabled list.
Detroit Tigers placed OF Alex Presley on the 10-day disabled list. Concussion.
Detroit Tigers placed OF Alex Presley on the 7-day disabled list. Concussion.
Detroit Tigers selected the contract of OF Alex Presley from Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers signed free agent OF Alex Presley to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
OF Alex Presley assigned to Toledo Mud Hens.
LF Alex Presley elected free agency.
Detroit Tigers sent LF Alex Presley outright to Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers designated LF Alex Presley for assignment.
Detroit Tigers selected the contract of CF Alex Presley from Toledo Mud Hens.
RF Alex Presley assigned to Toledo Mud Hens from Lakeland Flying Tigers.
RF Alex Presley assigned to Lakeland Flying Tigers.
Detroit Tigers signed free agent OF Alex Presley to a minor league contract.
RF Alex Presley elected free agency.
Milwaukee Brewers sent RF Alex Presley outright to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Milwaukee Brewers designated RF Alex Presley for assignment.
Milwaukee Brewers selected the contract of RF Alex Presley from Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
LF Alex Presley assigned to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent LF Alex Presley to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
LF Alex Presley elected free agency.
Houston Astros sent LF Alex Presley outright to Fresno Grizzlies.
Houston Astros designated LF Alex Presley for assignment.
Houston Astros selected the contract of LF Alex Presley from Fresno Grizzlies.
Houston Astros sent LF Alex Presley outright to Fresno Grizzlies.
Houston Astros designated LF Alex Presley for assignment.
Alex Presley changed number to 20.
Houston Astros activated LF Alex Presley from the 15-day disabled list.
Houston Astros sent OF Alex Presley on a rehab assignment to Tri-City ValleyCats.
Houston Astros placed LF Alex Presley on the 15-day disabled list. Strained right oblique
Houston Astros claimed LF Alex Presley off waivers from Minnesota Twins.
Minnesota Twins traded 1B Justin Morneau to Pittsburgh Pirates for Player To Be Named Later and CF Alex Presley.
LF Alex Presley roster status changed by Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Alex Presley from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned LF Alex Presley to Indianapolis Indians.
Alex Presley roster status changed by Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Alex Presley to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Alex Presley from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Alex Presley to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Alex Presley from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Alex Presley from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Alex Presley to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Alex Presley to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Alex Presley from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Alex Presley to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Alex Presley to Indianapolis Indians.
Alex Presley roster status changed by Pittsburgh Pirates.
sent LF Alex Presley on a rehab assignment to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates placed LF Alex Presley on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to July 4, 2012. concussion
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Alex Presley from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Alex Presley to Indianapolis Indians.
Alex Presley roster status changed by Pittsburgh Pirates.
sent CF Alex Presley on a rehab assignment to Indianapolis Indians.
sent CF Alex Presley on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders.
Pittsburgh Pirates placed CF Alex Presley on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 23, 2011. left hand contusion
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Alex Presley from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Alex Presley to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of Alex Presley from Indianapolis Indians.
Alex Presley assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve.
Alex Presley assigned to Altoona Curve from Bradenton Marauders.
RF Alex Presley assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates.
CF Alex Presley transferred to Bradenton Marauders from Lynchburg Hillcats.
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