Brad Emaus

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Mets #21 prospect in 2011
  Emaus doesn't have a standout tool, but the Mets have a hole at second base and gave him a chance to fill it when they plucked him from the Blue Jays system in the major league Rule 5 draft in December. He's coming off the best season of his four-year pro career, having hit .290/.397/.476 with 15 homers and 81 walks between Double-A and Triple-A. Emaus' best skill is his ability to control the strike zone. He consistently works counts to his advantage, with the payoff of walks and doubles to the gaps. He has some home run power to his pull side and could hit as many as 15 longballs annually in the big leagues. The question with Emaus is whether he can be a big league starter at second or third base. He doesn't have ideal pop for the hot corner, where he has a decent arm and can make routine plays but is error-prone. He's more dependable at second base, though he lacks the quickness needed there. He's a well below-average runner but has good instincts on the bases. Per Rule 5 guidelines, the Mets must keep Emaus on their big league roster all season, or else put him on waivers and offer him back to Toronto.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #25 prospect in 2010
  An ankle injury slowed Emaus during his junior year at Tulane, causing him to slide to the 11th round of the 2007 draft. He made his full-season debut in high Class A in 2008 and impressed the Blue Jays with his allaround skills, then carried that over to big league spring training last year, hitting .306/.370/.694 in 49 at-bats. He couldn't continue his momentum in Double-A, however. Emaus has solid tools across the board but gets higher marks for his moxie and approach to the game. He has a consistent swing and can pepper the gaps. He has good plate discipline and puts together quality at-bats. He got overanxious at the plate last season and got away from his usual stroke, which contributed to his struggles. Emaus projects to hit 10-15 homers annually in the big leagues and could use more strength down the road. Though he has slightly below-average speed, he has good baserunning instincts. Emaus' defense is improving at second base after he played third base in his first pro summer. He turns double plays well and has plenty of arm for second base. He'll return to Double-A and try to get back on track in 2010.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #10 prospect in 2009
  A Cape Cod League all-star in 2006, Emaus fell to the 11th round of the 2007 draft after an ankle injury slowed him as a junior. He earned an Opening Day assignment to high Class A in 2008 and went on to surprise the Blue Jays with all facets of his game. He ranked sixth in the Florida State League with 49 extra-base hits. A gap hitter with a sturdy build and a short stroke to the ball, Emaus grinds out at-bats and already shows average hitting and power tools. His strong knowledge of the strike zone and his willingness to use all fields should help him refine his offensive potential. He has a strong arm. After playing mostly third base in his debut, Emaus shifted to second base, where he played as a college junior, and proved to be steady on double-play feeds and pivots, but a bit fringy overall in terms of range. He has slightly below-average speed, though he's a smart baserunner who stole 12 bases in 16 attempts in the FSL. Emaus has drawn comparisons with Ty Wigginton for his build, solid righthanded bat and ability to cover second and third base. After the season he headed to Hawaii Winter Baseball, where he played all over the infield while batting .333/.447/.494, and he will advance to Double-A in 2009.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #31 prospect in 2008
  Emaus figured to go in the first five rounds of the 2007 draft after earning all-star honors in the Cape Cod League in 2006. But an ankle injury contributed to a disappointing junior season in which he hit just .329 with five homers, and he dropped to the 11th round, where he signed for $100,000. He got healthy with short-season Auburn, and though he hit just .228 in his pro debut, he started to tap into his raw power with three homers in the Doubledays' successful playoff run. He missed much of instructional league when he went home for school. Emaus reminds the Blue Jays of Ty Wigginton, a grinder type who has good plate discipline, a sound, compact swing and no real position. He lacks the quickness for second base and the home run power for third base. With solid range and a strong arm, Emaus fits best at the hot corner or on an outfield corner. He's a below-average runner. Though it may take him time to develop because he lacks a standout tool, Emaus could surface as a major league reserve. He'll play in Class A during his first full pro season.