« StrikeTwo.net's Yankees Page | Main | Oddibe Young Again »

October 11, 2006

Mitch Hilligoss

Back in June of this year, Jim Callis put Hilligoss on my radar. According to Baseball America, Mitch was the 17th best prospect in the New York-Penn League last year. Here's what else they had to say about him:

Mitch Hilligoss, 3b/ss, Staten Island (Yankees)
B-T: L-L Ht: 6-1 Wt: 195 Age: 21 Drafted: Yankees '06 (7)

Hilligoss' track record says he'll hit. He batted .404 and .386 in his final two seasons at Purdue, .309 with wood bats in the Central Illinois Collegiate League in 2005, and .292 in his pro debut to finish 10th in the NY-P batting race. One scout who saw Hilligoss as an amateur compared his swing, offensive potential and overall game to Frank Catalanotto.

As with Catalanotto, Hilligoss' forté is getting the barrel of the bat to the ball consistently, driving balls to the gaps and driving pitchers crazy with an advanced two-strike approach. He also hangs in well against lefthanders and hit .397 against them this summer.

The Catalanotto comparisons extend to Hilligoss' defense as well. Though he profiles best as an infielder, he doesn't have the hands or range to stick in the middle of the diamond. He's a better fit at third base, but he doesn't project to hit for the power wanted there or on an outfield corner.

Hilligoss will have to hit for a high average to be a factor--and he has done that at every level so far.

Given his age, and the way that he hit at Staten Island, I wonder if the Yankees will fast track Hilligoss to Trenton in 2007? That would be a big jump - but, if he passes that test, he could be in the Bronx around the time that Giambi's contract is up.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at October 11, 2006 02:13 PM

Comments

I think Eric Duncan is the presumptive heir to Jason's job. It's hard to say what players are going to be like when you watch them in short-season play. The biggest jump in the minors is from A to AA. That usually weeds out the pretenders. The competition gets much tougher.

That Staten Island team had some nice hitters -- like centerfielder Colin Curtis -- but it was their pitching that was the real show. It absolutely dominated.

Posted by: baileywalk [TypeKey Profile Page] at October 11, 2006 02:35 PM

When the Yanks drafted Hilligoss, word around the water cooler was that they were going to convert him to catcher.

I don't think that's going to happen now though, and I can't see him starting '07 in Trenton. If Brett Gardner didn't start his first full year in Double-A, there's almost no way Hilligoss will.

Posted by: Mike A. [TypeKey Profile Page] at October 11, 2006 03:28 PM

Fair point - but, BG did make it to Trenton later in that 2nd year. Maybe that's the plan for Mitch?

Posted by: Steve Lombardi [TypeKey Profile Page] at October 11, 2006 04:19 PM