March 21, 2009

Top 50 MiLB Prospects 2009: #31 Elvis Andrus

Top 50 MiLB Prospects 2009 | #31 | Elvis Andrus | Rangers

Position | Shortstop

Bats/Throws | Right/Right

Born
| August 26, 1988 (Maracy, Venezuela)

School
| Not Available

Height
| 6'0''

Weight
| 185 lbs.

2008 Ranking | 40




Breakdown
Elvis Andrus was signed by the Atlanta Braves as a non-drafted free agent on Janurary 26, 2005 at the young age of 16. Instead of taking a year or two to develop in either the Venezuela League or Dominican League, Andrus began his professional career at 16-years-old and hit .293 with 3 home runs and 23 walks in 184 at-bats between two Rookie Ball Leagues, the Culf Coast League and the Appalachian League. In 2006, instead of heading to extended Spring Training and hitching on with one of the Rookie Ball teams in June, Andrus spent the entire season in the South Atlantic League, hitting .265 with a .684 OPS. Andrus has been moved up a level-per-year since he came to the United States and has gotten better at each stop. During the 2007 season, Andrus was traded along with a slew of top prospects to the Rangers in exchange for first baseman Mark Teixeira. Like most young hitters, Andrus struggles in the K category, but he will start progressing in that area eventually. His greatest assets are his speed and defense. He has the potential to be a good hitter, but to this point, that's yet to be seen. Still, Andrus plays a good shortstop, good enough to make the Rangers move former Gold Glove winner Michael Young from shortstop to third base. Andrus has stolen 124 bases in his career, which makes him such a dangerous player. Many expect him to be the Rangers starting shortstop in 2010, despite the fact that he'll only be 21-years-old.

2008 Statistics
Level      G     PA     AVG     OBP     SLG     XBH     HR     SB
AA       118    538    .295    .350    .367      25      4     54

2009 Outlook

I suspect Andrus to continue his rise through the Minor League ranks this season. He should be with the Oklahoma City RedHawks but I expect him to get his first cup of coffee in the Majors at some point this season.

Video


Estimated Time of Arrival
2009

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