Reid Gorecki

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #11 prospect in 2005
  Gorecki, an unheralded 13th-round pick after an all-Colonial Athletic Association junior season at Delaware, has put up consistently solid numbers since signing, earning a spot in the Arizona Fall League after the 2004 season. He batted .363 with a .449 on-base percentage in the AFL and was added to the 40-man roster. Gorecki is the best outfielder in the organization, a legitimate major league center fielder with speed and instincts as well as a good arm. He's a line-drive hitter with quick hands and the willingness to take a walk. He has a great work ethic. While he's a good athlete, Gorecki needs to get stronger to give him more pop. He strikes out too much for his offensive profile, and he needs to improve his baserunning. The Cardinals sent Gorecki to Double-A at the end of last season, and he'll return there to continue his steady progression through the organization. If his bat develops, he will be an everyday center fielder in the big leagues.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #22 prospect in 2004
  Gorecki broke the short-season New York-Penn League's 30-year-old record for triples with 13 in his 2002 pro debut. He built on that success last year by leading a weak Peoria lineup in several offensive categories. Gorecki is a strong athlete with a nice all-around game. He has a solid swing and some power potential. His approach at the plate improved in 2003, though he still strikes out too much for someone who provides mainly gap power. Gorecki has good speed but struggles to use it judiciously on the basebaths, getting caught 11 times in 34 attempts last year. His speed plays well on defense, however, and makes him a strong center fielder. His hustle helps him on defense as well, and his outgoing personality makes him a favorite of Cardinals brass and fans. Gorecki offers no overwhelming tools but is solid in all aspects. He has been moved slowly so far, particularly for a college player, and the Cardinals are looking for big things when he moves up to high Class A this season.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #17 prospect in 2003
  Gorecki completed a strong career at Delaware with a standout junior season, as he batted .414-12-50 and stole 34 bases for the Blue Hens. He was team MVP and an all-Colonial Athletic Association outfielder, but he still wasn't a premium draft pick. The Cardinals think he could blossom into a premium player, though. He led the New York-Penn League in triples and tied for the league lead in runs. Gorecki has a nice swing and showed the ability to drive the ball to the gaps with occasional home run power. He's got good speed and an aggressive approach to the game, with a competitive drive matched by few players in the organization. He has the tools to play center field, and he goes back on the ball well and gets good jumps. If Gorecki can improve his approach at the plate and take more walks, he could be a legitimate leadoff hitter. He also needs to get stronger and better channel his aggression on the basepaths. After stealing 76 bases in 87 attempts in three college seasons, Gorecki was caught 11 times in 33 attempts in his first pro experience. He'll be the center fielder in Peoria this season.