Tim Raines

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #27 prospect in 2004
  Raines completed a remarkable turnaround in 2003, going off the Orioles' 40-man roster and getting back on within a year. Raines, who debuted in the big leagues in 2001 and got the opportunity to play with his father Tim Sr., was sent back to Double-A in 2002 and performed poorly. His attitude also didn't endear him to the organization, and he was designated for assignment in January 2003. He returned to Bowie and got back on track, earning promotions to Triple-A and then to the majors. Baltimore kept him on the 40-man roster after the season. As it was for his father, speed is Raines' best tool. He's a basestealing threat and an outstanding defender in center field. He has improved his approach at the plate and made better contact last year, though he has to prove he can do the same in the big leagues. He looked overmatched by major league pitching at times. Raines still doesn't hustle all the time, failing to run after a ball that went over his head in a game against the Blue Jays, for instance. Still, his speed and defense give him a chance to make the Baltimore roster as a backup outfielder. If his offense continues to progress, he eventually could be a starter.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #7 prospect in 2002
  Raines ran from Class A to the big leagues last year. On the way, he first played against his father (then with the Expos) in Triple-A. Then the Orioles traded for Tim Sr. and the two played together in the Baltimore outfield in October. Like his dad in his prime, Raines has outstanding speed that makes him a threat on both offense and defense. He projects as a leadoff man and started to figure things out at the plate in Double- A. He has surprising power potential for his size. He covers a lot of ground in the outfield and has a playable arm for center. A righthanded hitter growing up, Raines still is adjusting to batting from the left side. To be an effective leadoff man, he'll need to improve his plate discipline and make better use of his speed. The progress Raines showed in 2001 was exciting, but the Orioles rushed him a bit. He'll probably return to Double-A to begin this season and needs another full year in the minors.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #12 prospect in 2001
  You'd be hard-pressed to find better bloodlines than those of Raines, whose father had a career that may take him to the Hall of Fame. Tim Jr. actually didn't have a lot of polish coming out of high school, though, so he'll take a level-to-level progression through the organization as he picks up the nuances of the game. He set an organizational record with 81 stolen bases at Frederick in 2000, and that number could rise if he makes more consistent contact. He's strong, fast and athletic, and he can go get the ball in center field. He has an average and potentially plus arm. Raines actually shows a decent eye at the plate, but he doesn't put the bat on the ball enough. He's been switch-hitting for just a few years, and his lefthanded stroke needs a lot of work. Like so many players with outstanding tools, Raines only will make good use of them if he can hit consistently. Facing Double-A pitchers in 2001 will be a true challenge.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Carolina League #18 prospect in 2000
  Already considered the fastest baserunner and best defensive outfielder among Orioles prospects, Raines set a Keys franchise record for stolen bases this summer. He swiped 23 in a row before he was caught for the first time in 2000. The Orioles hope that he can approach the accomplishments of his father Tim Sr., a possible Hall of Famer who retired last year with 807 career steals. "He's grown up with the game and he's had a head start in that area," Snitker said. "He can be a real solid player in the future." Learning to switch-hit has been somewhat of a challenge, but Raines has youth on his side. For now, he‘s much more comfortable batting from the right side. Though he needs to make better contact, he already has the patience to bat leadoff.

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Already considered the fastest baserunner and best defensive outfielder among Orioles prospects, Raines set a Keys franchise record for stolen bases this summer. He swiped 23 in a row before he was caught for the first time in 2000. The Orioles hope that he can approach the accomplishments of his father Tim Sr., a possible Hall of Famer who retired last year with 807 career steals. "He's grown up with the game and he's had a head start in that area," Snitker said. "He can be a real solid player in the future." Learning to switch-hit has been somewhat of a challenge, but Raines has youth on his side. For now, he‘s much more comfortable batting from the right side. Though he needs to make better contact, he already has the patience to bat leadoff.