Kevin Kramer

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #21 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Kramer showed advanced hitting ability from the time the Pirates drafted him in the second round out of UCLA, and he generated extra excitement as he began to tap into his raw power in the upper minors. Kramer made his major league debut in 2018 and looked like a part of the club's plans for 2019, but instead he took a step back and spent most of the season at Triple-A Indianapolis.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: At his best, Kramer controls the strike zone and hits for average with a line-drive stroke that drives balls to the gaps. In 2019, however, his power went down and his strikeout numbers went up. He got 42 at-bats in the majors and struck out in 17 of them. Kramer offers some defensive versatility. He profiles best at second base with his smooth glove and above-average range, and he has enough ability that he can fill in at shortstop in a pinch. He also began seeing time at both corner outfield spots.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kramer is now 26 and coming off a down year. He should serve as bench depth in 2020 and could work his way back into the second base mix with a rebound season at the plate.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #5 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: In Kramer's first two years in the Pirates' system, he developed a reputation as a reliable singles and doubles hitter. After hitting 29 doubles in 2016, he began focusing on hitting more fly balls in a 2017 season shortened by a fractured hand. That switch paid off at Triple-A Indianapolis in 2018 as he reached career highs in both home runs (15) and doubles (35). That earned him a September callup, where he registered five hits but also struck out 20 times in 37 at-bats.
  
  Scouting Report: Kramer allowed his swing to get bigger with a little more of an uppercut so he could take advantage of added muscle and power. He has accepted more strikeouts and sacrificed what was an above-average hit tool to have average power potential. It's a concession that should pay off for a bat-first second baseman. Defensively, Kramer has good hands but fringy range at second base. His fringe-average arm also limited him in stints at shortstop and third base. Future: The Pirates would like to keep Kramer in Indianapolis for more seasoning when the season starts. He's on the 40-man roster and should see plenty of big league time in 2019.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #12 prospect in 2018
  Kramer was taken by the Pirates after his redshirt junior season at UCLA, having been a part of the 2013 national championship team before missing his third year with a torn labrum. He then hit .323 in 2015 for a Bruins team that entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed. Kramer has shown patience and the ability to hit for average at every level on the way up the Pirates' minor league ladder. He missed much of the 2017 season with a fractured hand but returned in time to help Double-A Altoona win the Eastern League title. Kramer reminds many in the system of former Pirates second baseman Neil Walker. He doesn't have great range or a great arm, but he has good hands and positions himself well, so he projects to be average at second base. He has hit just 10 minor league home runs, but his ability to drive the gaps suggests that he'll find below-average to fringe-average home run power in the major leagues. Kramer might spend a little more time at Double-A in 2018, but he'll likely find himself at Triple-A Indianapolis at some point.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #21 prospect in 2017
  Kramer spent four years at UCLA after being a high school baseball and football star in Turlock, Calif. He missed his junior season in 2014 after surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, but he returned the following year to lead the Bruins to the top seed in the NCAA Tournament as their starting shortstop. Kramer has the chance to be a high-average hitter with his excellent knowledge of the strike zone and ability to hit the ball to all fields. His power is only middling, but the Pirates believe he could eventually reach in 10-12 homers a season. Drafted as a shortstop, Kramer has now settled in as a second baseman. He has good range and hands for the position, and the shorter throws cover for a somewhat below-average arm. He doesn't pose much threat on the bases as an average runner. Kramer will start 2017 at Double-A Altoona and could be in position to move fairly quickly in a utility role as long as he hits.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #28 prospect in 2016
  Kramer was a two-sport start in high school in Turlock, Calif., serving as a dual-threat quarterback on the football team while also starring on the diamond. Baseball was always his best sport, and he played internationally for USA Baseball before committing to UCLA. Kramer played shortstop in college, but the Pirates moved him to second base at short-season West Virginia after making him a second-round pick last June. They selected Kramer one round after taking another Pacific-12 Conference shortstop, Arizona's Kevin Newman. Newman has a much better chance to stay at shortstop, however. The Pirates feel Kramer is better suited for the keystone after missing the 2013 season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He is a steady fielder with good hands and range. He also quickly adapted to turning the double play with his back to the runner. Kramer is not a big home run threat, but he has good gap power and is adept at working counts and getting on base. He received a late promotion to low Class A West Virginia in 2015 and is advanced enough to warrant starting 2016 at high Class A Bradenton.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #133 prospect in 2015 draft
  The starting third baseman for UCLA's 2013 national championship team, Kramer has returned well in 2015 after missing last season with a torn labrum. He had successful surgery and has come back with solid-average arm strength while playing a smooth shortstop for the Bruins, who won the Pacific-12 Conference and were the top seed in the NCAA tournament. Kramer's a huge reason for that as a savvy player with present strength and feel for the barrel to go with a polished offensive approach. Kramer has enough power to command pitchers' respect and plays the game with a combination of calmness and intensity that helps him be the Bruins' leader. He lacks a true plus tool and likely fits better defensively at third base as a pro, without the power to profile at the position. Kramer's savvy and high floor, as well as the fact he already has his degree and is signable as a fourth-year junior, should send him out higher in the draft than his pure tools might suggest.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #14 prospect in 2018
  Kramer has hit for a higher average and more power every level he’s climbed, and that trend continued this year with Indianapolis. Kramer finished tied for second in the IL batting title race (.311), second in doubles (35), third in OPS (.856) and was one of only two players with at least 15 home runs and 10 stolen bases. He earned his first big league callup Sept. 5. Kramer has settled in as a second baseman, but he showed decently well in stints at shortstop and third base as well, although scouts aren’t entirely comfortable with his range. Kramer’s bat is enough to keep him in the majors as an everyday second baseman, but his added versatility this year certainly doesn’t hurt. He’s getting the chance to show he can stick in the majors and made the most of it early, going 2-for-4 with a double in his first big league start.

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Kramer showed advanced hitting ability from the time the Pirates drafted him in the second round out of UCLA, and he generated extra excitement as he began to tap into his raw power in the upper minors. Kramer made his major league debut in 2018 and looked like a part of the club’s plans for 2019, but instead he took a step back and spent most of the season at Triple-A Indianapolis.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: At his best, Kramer controls the strike zone and hits for average with a line-drive stroke that drives balls to the gaps. In 2019, however, his power went down and his strikeout numbers went up. He got 42 at-bats in the majors and struck out in 17 of them. Kramer offers some defensive versatility. He profiles best at second base with his smooth glove and above-average range, and he has enough ability that he can fill in at shortstop in a pinch. He also began seeing time at both corner outfield spots.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kramer is now 26 and coming off a down year. He should serve as bench depth in 2020 and could work his way back into the second base mix with a rebound season at the plate.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Kramer showed advanced hitting ability from the time the Pirates drafted him in the second round out of UCLA, and he generated extra excitement as he began to tap into his raw power in the upper minors. Kramer made his major league debut in 2018 and looked like a part of the club's plans for 2019, but instead he took a step back and spent most of the season at Triple-A Indianapolis.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: At his best, Kramer controls the strike zone and hits for average with a line-drive stroke that drives balls to the gaps. In 2019, however, his power went down and his strikeout numbers went up. He got 42 at-bats in the majors and struck out in 17 of them. Kramer offers some defensive versatility. He profiles best at second base with his smooth glove and above-average range, and he has enough ability that he can fill in at shortstop in a pinch. He also began seeing time at both corner outfield spots.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kramer is now 26 and coming off a down year. He should serve as bench depth in 2020 and could work his way back into the second base mix with a rebound season at the plate.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Kramer embraced the launch-angle revolution and it has paid off. The former UCLA star hit more home runs (11) by July 1  this year season than he had combined in his first three seasons as a pro (10). He still shows gap-to-gap power as well with 22 doubles and three triples for a .473 slugging percentage. Kramer is striking out more, but is not necessarily bothered by the trade-off. Kramer’s bat could get him into the big leagues as early as August or September, and the Pirates are increasingly confident that he can handle third base, shortstop or second base.