K.C. Herren
| AB | 1471 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .241 |
| OBP | .327 |
| SLG | .358 |
| HR | 18 |
- Full name Karl Christopher Herren
- Born 08/21/1985 in Santa Cruz, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Auburn
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Drafted in the 2nd round (51st overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2004 (signed for $675,000).
View Draft Report
OF K.C. Herren was one of the state's most productive high school players this spring. He hit almost .600 and reached double digits in home runs while leading undefeated Auburn High to a national top 25 ranking. Herren has an above-average bat, power potential and arm strength, and projects as a seventh- to 10th-round pick. But he has let scouts know that he's a better player than Alhaji Turay, a 2001 second-round pick of the Mets from the same school, and wants to be treated accordingly. Otherwise, he'll attend Washington.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Herren was a surprise second-round pick in 2004, but the Rangers had the inside track on him. Area scout Gary McGraw followed him closely when he played in the Seattle-area Taylor Baseball amateur program that has produced three other second-rounders in the last four drafts: Andy Sisco (Cubs) and Alhaji Turay (Mets) in 2001, Jon Lester (Red Sox) in 2002. Herren led Auburn (Wash.) High to an undefeated regular season as a senior last spring, when Rangers scouting director and Seattle native Ron Hopkins began following him closely. Herren's solid tools across the board, most notably his bat, earned him a $675,000 bonus. He turned down a baseball scholarship from Washington, which also was open to him trying out for its football team as a running back/defensive back. Herren sprays line drives all over the field with a short, compact stroke, and his gap power should turn into average home run power when he matures physically. He gets good reads and jumps in center field, making him a plus defender, and he owns an accurate if not overly strong arm. His speed will be key, because he probably won't have enough power to be a corner outfielder. Herren's first full-season test will come in low Class A this year.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Though he failed to homer in 185 at-bats, Herren has the makings of an athletic, big league body and projects plenty of power down the road. He has good plate discipline and makes solid contact with a line-drive swing, and he should add loft to his stroke with experience. Herren covered ground in center field adequately. A below-average arm and average speed probably will relegate him to left field, and he'll still have enough bat for that position.
