Cesar Crespo

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #19 prospect in 2001
  Marlins sent OF Robert Stratton to Mets for a player to be named (March 20, 1998). The younger brother of Giants infielder Felipe Crespo, Cesar was advised by agent Scott Boras during a lengthy holdout and got first-round money from the Mets. When the Marlins got outfielder Robert Stratton along with pitchers A.J. Burnett and Jesus Sanchez in a February 1998 trade, then discovered that Stratton was injured, they sent him back to New York for Crespo and righthander Brandon Villafuerte. Crespo was drafted as a second baseman but was a little short there defensively. He has established his value as a switch-hitting utilityman. He lit up the Eastern League for the first month of 2000, batting .397, then cooled off when he changed his approach and started trying to hit for more power for some reason. A classic tinkerer, he changed his stance and hand position repeatedly, and his average plummeted as a result. He has a good enough arm to play center or left field. He just needs to gain maturity and experience to carve out a spot in the majors. Unlike Amaury Garcia, who was traded to the White Sox this winter, Crespo is solid enough defensively not to hurt his team wherever he spots into the lineup.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #20 prospect in 2001
  Crespo got lost in the shuffle a bit after changing organizations for the second time. A third-round draft pick of the Mets in 1997, he was traded to the Marlins in 1998. Florida sent him to the Padres with Mark Kotsay at the end of spring training this year in a deal for Matt Clement and Eric Owens. Crespo quickly showed his value as a utilityman, playing second base, third base, shortstop and the outfield for Portland. That earned him an extended trial in San Diego, where the Padres wanted to see if he could be a full-time player at second base. In addition to his versatility on defense, Crespo is a switch-hitter with a bit of pop. "Crespo is a great guy to have in any situation," Sweet said, "because he can play anywhere."
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #19 prospect in 2000
  Stuck in an organization with Alex Gonzalez and Pablo Ozuna, Crespo made the transition from second base to center field this season. He was acquired from the Mets as part of the Al Leiter trade, which also landed Florida a quality young pitcher in A.J. Burnett. "He's an interesting guy," Wedge said. "He has had some ups and downs, but he has tremendous bat speed. He has good speed out of the box. Defensively, he tracks down the ball and has a fantastic arm. He's a little guy, but he has some tools." Versatility is another of his talents. Rohn said Crespo has the speed, power and arm to play either middle-infield position or any of the three outfield spots.

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Stuck in an organization with Alex Gonzalez and Pablo Ozuna, Crespo made the transition from second base to center field this season. He was acquired from the Mets as part of the Al Leiter trade, which also landed Florida a quality young pitcher in A.J. Burnett. "He's an interesting guy," Wedge said. "He has had some ups and downs, but he has tremendous bat speed. He has good speed out of the box. Defensively, he tracks down the ball and has a fantastic arm. He's a little guy, but he has some tools." Versatility is another of his talents. Rohn said Crespo has the speed, power and arm to play either middle-infield position or any of the three outfield spots.