Drafted in the 5th round (148th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2005 (signed for $177,500).
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Oregon State's top recruit is SS Mike McCormick, who has upside as a power hitter. He can put a charge in balls with wood, as he demonstrated at last summer's Area Code Games, but his approach is unrefined and he swings and misses too much. McCormick has the arm to remain at shortstop but profiles as a third baseman as he's an average runner who is expected to fill out to his 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame as he maximizes his power potential. The Beavers may never see McCormick on campus because he's considered the most signable of the state's elite high school prospects.
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In his second year after converting from third base, McCormick discovered that a catcher's time commitments honing his skills behind the plate and working with a pitching staff leave little opportunity for him to improve his ability with the lumber. He made significant strides in his catch-and-throw abilities while displaying an above-average arm, good footwork and soft, consistent hands. He threw out 33 percent of basestealers, showed solid athleticism in terms of blocking balls and received raves from Rays coaches for his work ethic. He still needs to improve his game-calling skills and remember not to hurry his throws. All of McCormick's defensive progress came at the expense of his bat. He bottomed out in June, when he hit .131, and struggled to keep his average above the Mendoza Line afterward. He also had surprising difficulty against lefthanders, batting .178/.229/.299 against them. McCormick does have plus bat speed, and scouts believe he will hit for either power or average--if not both--once he makes the adjustments to catching on a full-time basis. While he has below-average speed, he moves better than most catchers. The Rays are confident McCormick will continue to develop because he has the drive to get the most of out of his ability. He should be their everyday catcher in high Class A this year.
A position change proved to be the catalyst that allowed McCormick to blossom as a prospect. After playing third base his first two seasons of pro ball, he moved behind the plate in 2007 and impressed. McCormick had shown pop in his bat since signing in 2005, and he continued to display solid raw power last year. He needs to develop more patience at the plate, but he can make pitchers pay when they throw him a mistake. McCormick's bat can slow down at times due to the rigors of catching, and his tendency to wrap the bat head toward the pitcher makes him susceptible to pitches up and in under his hands. In his first season as a catcher, McCormick showed a strong and accurate arm with a quick release that produced pop times as low as 1.8 seconds. He also threw out 31 percent of basestealers. His footwork is solid, and he shifts and blocks balls in the dirt well. His speed is below average but he's not a baseclogger and he runs better than most catchers. McCormick continues to learn the nuances of calling a game and receiving, but the early returns and his tremendous work ethic has the Rays encouraged. He'll open 2008 in low Class A, finally reaching full-season ball in his fourth pro year.
Minor League Top Prospects
McCormick struggled as a third baseman for two years in the Rookie-level Appalachian League before the Devil Rays decided to convert him to catcher. He took to the new position, showing a strong arm and quick release that yields pop times between 1.8 and 2.05 seconds. He threw out 31 percent of basestealers at a level where pitchers typically aren't great at holding runners. He also shifts and blocks balls in the dirt well. "Obviously he has work to be done receiving. It's new for him," Quatraro said. "But his footwork's good. He's just polishing up the receiving and game-calling. You're not going to get somebody that works harder. We'll get the most out of him." Offensively, McCormick has bat speed and good raw power. He made strides becoming a more patient hitter this summer, but he cocks the bat head toward the pitcher and can be beaten up and in under his hands. But if a pitcher makes a mistake, he can hit it a long way.
Scouting Reports
In his second year after converting from third base, McCormick discovered that a catcher's time commitments honing his skills behind the plate and working with a pitching staff leave little opportunity for him to improve his ability with the lumber. He made significant strides in his catch-and-throw abilities while displaying an above-average arm, good footwork and soft, consistent hands. He threw out 33 percent of basestealers, showed solid athleticism in terms of blocking balls and received raves from Rays coaches for his work ethic. He still needs to improve his game-calling skills and remember not to hurry his throws. All of McCormick's defensive progress came at the expense of his bat. He bottomed out in June, when he hit .131, and struggled to keep his average above the Mendoza Line afterward. He also had surprising difficulty against lefthanders, batting .178/.229/.299 against them. McCormick does have plus bat speed, and scouts believe he will hit for either power or average--if not both--once he makes the adjustments to catching on a full-time basis. While he has below-average speed, he moves better than most catchers. The Rays are confident McCormick will continue to develop because he has the drive to get the most of out of his ability. He should be their everyday catcher in high Class A this year.
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