Craig Stansberry

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #12 prospect in 2006
  Stansberry has been a winner throughout his career. He helped lead North Central (Texas) Community College to the Junior College World Series title in 2002 and Rice to the College World Series championship in 2003. Stanberry also won championship rings in his first two pro stops at Williamsport in 2003 and Hickory in 2004, then helped Altoona reach the Eastern League playoffs last year. Stansberry began to develop pop in 2005 with a combined 21 homers, including 18 in Double-A. He also has outstanding instincts for the game with the defensive skills to play a good second or third base, and enough speed to steal some bases. Stansberry's power surge came with a price, as he became too pull-happy and his batting average plummeted. Once he begins using the whole field again, his average should return to the .280-.300 range. He likely will play second base in Triple-A this year. His path to the majors at that position is blocked by Jose Castillo, but Stansberry is helped by his ability to also play third.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #26 prospect in 2005
  Stansberry has done nothing but win the last two years. He was part of Rice's College World Series championship team in 2003, then won a short-season New York-Penn League championship later that year after turning pro. He played a key role in Hickory's South Atlantic League title run last season. Stansberry does not have great tools, but his instincts are superb. He hits for average and decent power and has a knack for delivering in the clutch, hitting .362 with runners in scoring position last season. His speed is just a tick above-average, yet he gets his fair share of stolen bases. Stansberry also made a smooth transition from third base to second base last season. He has sure hands and a strong arm, and the Pirates consider him the system's best defensive infielder. He'll need to hit with more pop if he is to continue to move up the organizational ladder. He missed a month with a jammed left wrist last season and that bears watching. Stansberry could get to the major leagues quickly, perhaps by late 2006. Even if Stanberry doesn't become a regular in the major leagues, he would figure to have a career as a utility player.