Drafted in the 3rd round (86th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2005 (signed for $440,000).
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Pettway had two solid college seasons for the Rebels and was ready to fall into the "good senior sign" category before making a change in his routine this offseason. He lost about 20 pounds, regaining some athleticism and more importantly some bat speed, and emerged as more than just a good prospect. He became perhaps the best hitter in the Southeastern Conference and helped carry the Rebels to a No. 5 overall national seed. Pettway's new body gave him newfound confidence, and he has excellent presence in the batter's box. He uses it to take confident swings at his pitch, as he remains patient and lashes line drives from gap to gap with a level, consistent swing. His biggest question as a pro is his position. A low-90s fastball helps him work as a reliever in college, but most clubs prefer his bat. Once a third baseman, his footwork leaves a return to that position questionable, making right field his most likely destination.
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Pettway hasn't come close as a pro to living up to his billing as a top Southeastern Conference slugger. He has struck out 211 times in 181 pro games, and adversity has yet to result in motivating him to improve his pitch-recognition skills and two-strike approach. Sharpening both would enable Pettway to use his raw power, the equal of any Jays farmhand's, in game situations. He finished fifth in the Midwest League in extra-base hits in 2006, but he also was quite old for low Class A. Pettway played at a lower level because he lacked the advanced wood-bat experience as an amateur. Pettway is a hard worker who was equally hard on himself when he struggled. He has a strong throwing arm from his days as a two-way player in college, but his below-average range probably limits him to left field and he's not a factor on the bases. His bat will have to carry him and he needs to kick into gear at high Class A this year.
Pettway enhanced his draft stock by shedding 20 pounds for a junior season that culminated in second-team All-America honors as he helped Mississippi get within a game of the College World Series. Several Southeastern Conference opponents considered Pettway, and not Indians second-round pick Stephen Head, the Rebels' most dangerous hitter last spring. After Pettway signed for $440,000 as a third-round pick in June, he struggle more than expected against pro pitching. He had trouble making contact, which may be the result of a brief layoff during negotiations and/or a lack of advanced wood bat experience. Pettway is an aggressive hitter who favors swinging at the first pitch, and he was frequently induced to put less-than-optimal pitches in play. He utilizes a level, consistent swing to hit for average and he's expected to develop power--some think he'll have more than Ryan Patterson-- as he matures. A two-way player who also relieved at Mississippi, Pettway played catcher when he arrived in college and has enough arm for right field. He has below-average speed and ordinary range, so he profiles more as a left fielder. After working on his selectivity during instructional league, he'll head to low Class A to begin this season.
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Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Toronto Blue Jays in 2007
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