Barry Larkin
| AB | 7937 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .295 |
| OBP | .371 |
| SLG | .444 |
| HR | 198 |
- Full name Barry Louis Larkin
- Born 04/28/1964 in Cincinnati, OH
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Michigan
- Debut 08/13/1986
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Drafted in the 1st round (4th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 1985 (signed for $165,000).
View Draft Report
A former football standout at Cincinnati’s famed Moeller High, Larkin has elected to pursue baseball only at Michigan. He was the Big 10 Conference's MVP a year ago, after hitting .363 with five homers for the College World Series-bound Wolverines. While scouts are in general agreement that Larkin is the best shortstop prospect in the country, he’s not mechanically sound yet--largely because of his Northern background. Many assumed he would be the starting shortstop on the U.S. Olympic team last summer, but his lack of fundamentals (not unusual for a Northern player) relegated him to a reserve role. “He hasn’t regressed at all since high school,” said one scouting director, “and with a lack of infielders in the draft this year, you might see some over-drafting at shortstop, which wouldn’t hurt Larkin.”
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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When Larkin came out of Cincinnati’s Moeller High in 1982, the Reds thought enough of him to make him a second-round selection. Larkin, however, turned them down and decided to go to Michigan. The Reds never gave up hope, and when Larkin was eligible in the draft again last summer, they used the fourth overall pick to take him. This time he signed, and he gave the Reds nothing but reason for optimism with his debut. Larkin looked right at home in Double-A, hitting .267 for Vermont. He didn’t show power (one home run in 255 at-bats), but that will come. They key for him was just getting his feet on the ground, and he was not overpowered by the high level of competition (21 strikeouts in 255 at-bats). He will have good power for a shortstop. In fact, Larkin should hit enough that he could be moved to third base, a good possibility considering Kurt Stillwell is on the verge of making it to the big leagues. It would only be because of Stillwell that Larkin would have to change positions. He’s got the range and natural actions of a shortstop, and good enough arm strength to play the position on turf.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Larkin’s dream is to play shortstop for his hometown big league team, the Reds. To achieve it, he’ll have to beat out Kurt Stillwell, the Association’s No. 3 rated player a a year ago. He’ll get that chance. Said Sheldon “Chief” Bender, the Reds’ vice president for player personnel: “He hasn’t done anything yet to show us that he can’t.” Larkin was called up in mid-August after batting .329 with 10 home runs, 51 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. He also fielded his position well. Larkin, a 1984 U.S. Olympian from the University of Michigan, is 24 years old. His Denver manager, Jack Lind, called Larkin “one of the most improved players I’ve seen. Offensively, he has been steady, and he has improved in most areas of the game defensively.”
Best Tools List
- Rated Best Defensive SS in the National League in 2000
Scouting Reports
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When Larkin came out of Cincinnati’s Moeller High in 1982, the Reds thought enough of him to make him a second-round selection. Larkin, however, turned them down and decided to go to Michigan. The Reds never gave up hope, and when Larkin was eligible in the draft again last summer, they used the fourth overall pick to take him. This time he signed, and he gave the Reds nothing but reason for optimism with his debut. Larkin looked right at home in Double-A, hitting .267 for Vermont. He didn’t show power (one home run in 255 at-bats), but that will come. They key for him was just getting his feet on the ground, and he was not overpowered by the high level of competition (21 strikeouts in 255 at-bats). He will have good power for a shortstop. In fact, Larkin should hit enough that he could be moved to third base, a good possibility considering Kurt Stillwell is on the verge of making it to the big leagues. It would only be because of Stillwell that Larkin would have to change positions. He’s got the range and natural actions of a shortstop, and good enough arm strength to play the position on turf. -
Larkin’s dream is to play shortstop for his hometown big league team, the Reds. To achieve it, he’ll have to beat out Kurt Stillwell, the Association’s No. 3 rated player a a year ago. He’ll get that chance. Said Sheldon “Chief” Bender, the Reds’ vice president for player personnel: “He hasn’t done anything yet to show us that he can’t.” Larkin was called up in mid-August after batting .329 with 10 home runs, 51 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. He also fielded his position well. Larkin, a 1984 U.S. Olympian from the University of Michigan, is 24 years old. His Denver manager, Jack Lind, called Larkin “one of the most improved players I’ve seen. Offensively, he has been steady, and he has improved in most areas of the game defensively.”
