• Full name Michael James Ferris
  • Born 12/31/1982 in Cincinnati, OH
  • Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: L
  • School Miami (OH)
  • Drafted in the 2nd round (60th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004 (signed for $600,000).
    View Draft Report
    No area scout envisioned Ferris' overnight transformation from a middle-of-the-road prospect to a potential first-rounder. An undrafted Cincinnati high school product, he hit .226 with four homers as a freshman at Kentucky before transferring to Miami, where he hit .360 with five homers as a sophomore. He added 20 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame in the offseason and it made an immediate difference in his bat speed. He hit 13 homers in his first 21 games this year. He developed a knack for hitting pitches he could handle, and drove them hard with a short, quick, powerful stroke like those of big leaguers Sean Casey and Rafael Palmeiro. He uses his hands well and has good pitch recognition. He drew 50 walks this season against 25 strikeouts, which will make him a primary target of clubs that covet plate discipline. Ferris may have lost mobility with his added bulk, but he's still an average defender at first base. He's a below-average runner.

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