Jordan Lennerton

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #19 prospect in 2014
  Entering his age-28 season in 2014, Lennerton doesn't have much gap between his present and future ability. He starred for Oregon State at the 2007 College World Series, was a 33rd-round pick in 2008 and didn't begin his pro career until he was 23. Lennerton has made slow, steady progress since then, improving his hitting approach, adding power and becoming a smooth defender. Lennerton is a smart, patient hitter who walks frequently. His lefty swing has good balance, and he rarely mis-hits a ball. He keeps the bat head in the zone a long time, which helps him hit the ball over the fence to all fields despite having only average raw power. Lennerton doesn't have much speed but he has worked his way into a plus defender at first, with sure hands, good actions and reads off the bat along with an average arm. He finished his first season at Triple-A Toledo in 2013 and the Tigers placed him on the 40-man roster to avoid exposing him to the Rule 5 draft. With Miguel Cabrera at first base and Victor Martinez at DH, Lennerton's path is blocked for now.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #31 prospect in 2013
  Lennerton was a member of Canada's World Baseball Classic qualifying team this September. A College World Series hero at Oregon State-he hit three homers in the 2007 CWS--he wasn't a high pick and has fought through the minor leagues. He'll open the 2013 season at 27, so he's old for a prospect, but Lennerton worked hard to get into better shape in his first Double-A experience last season and the results paid off. He ranked third in the Eastern League in home runs and was voted as the EL's best defensive first baseman by league managers. Lennerton has a strong lefthanded swing and a quick bat. He can hit any fastball and does well in clutch situations. He can be exposed on the outer half and strikes out a lot, but he also works a lot of deep counts and draws his fair share of walks, too. He's not a masher, but he could hit 20 home runs in the big leagues if given the opportunity. If Lennerton does get that chance, he will be the third big leaguer from the 1998 Little League World Series, joining Todd Frazier and Alex White (whom Lennerton took deep in Omaha in '07).