Final 2003 Scouting Report: SS, Chris Basak

Chris Basak was the Mets 6th round selection in the 2000 draft. Basak was a 3-year starter at the University of Illinois, where he also played 3B and 2B in his first 2 seasons. After an excellent rookie season in 2000, Basak has struggled in the first half of most seasons. In 2003, Basak had a more solid early, but struggled late. His final numbers (.270, 7 42) at Binghamton reflected the improved first half. (Free Example of Premium Content)

Basak regularly struggles early, but finished strong in each season in the organization. He continues to demonstrate decent gap power in 2002 with 40 extra-bas hits in 475 AB. For a non-power hitter, he still Ks too much. Overall his peripheral ratios are problematic: 1 BB per 11.3 AB; 1 K per 3.8 AB; XBA of 0.084; stolen base success rate of 61.8% (21 SB/34 SBA). In the past, his BB-rate was much better. While the XBA was improved, the K-rate suggests that he won’t hit for much average and he’ll have a weak OBP to boot. His bat not likely to get him to MLB.

Year	Team	AVG.	AB	Hits	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB	K	OBP	SLG
2003	Norfolk	.239	71	17	0	8	10	3	7	24	.316	.324
2003	Binghamton	.270	404	59	7	42	59	18	35	101	.332	.396
2002	Norfolk	.217	60	13	0	6	6	5	3	14	.254	.267
2002	Binghamton	.255	377	96	4	34	54	19	38	94	.322	.350
2001	Binghamton	.372	43	16	1	7	11	2	3	10	.429	.628
2001	St. Lucie	.227	365	83	3	34	58	23	35	93	.296	.310
2000	St. Lucie	.412	17	7	0	3	2	3	4	2	.524	.471
2000	Pittsfield	.349	249	87	0	15	46	32	26	36	.417	.454

*Stats as of 9/7/03.

Batting and Power. Basak, who handles the bat very well, can bunt, hit and run and hit behind the runner. He has shown gap power and now projects to 5-10 home runs a year. He’ll need to improve his contact to hit for a decent average. It’s difficult to project him to a BA of more than .240. if that, due to his high K-rate.

Baserunning and Speed. Basak is a good base runner, but needs to improve his success rate on stolen base attempts.

Defense. Basak plays polished defense with good range and makes few mistakes.

Projection. Utility infielder at best.

ETA. 2004.

Middle Infielders	Team
Danny Garcia	AAA - Norfolk Tides
Chris Basak	AA - Binghamton Mets
Victor Diaz	AA - Binghamton Mets
Brian Shipp	AA - Binghamton Mets
Joseph Jiannetti	A - St. Lucie Mets
Blake Whealy	A - Capital City Bombers
Corey Ragsdale	A - Capital City Bombers
David Reaver	A - Brooklyn Cyclones
Marcos Cabral	R - Kingsport Mets
Todd Dulaney	R - Kingsport Mets
Edgar Bruzal	R - Tronconero Mets
Wilson Medina	R - DSL Mets

COMMENTS

With Jose Reyes now with the big club, the shortstop prospects are very weak. Basak at best projects to utility player. Ragsdale continues to struggle and Ks at a frightening rate. Marcos Cabral struggled in his debut, but still bears watching. The Mets have a couple of SS prospects in Wilson and Bruzual in their Latin league teams.

1. Chris Basak has potential be a solid utility infielder as an above average defender at both SS and 2B with good bat handling skills and base running skills. Basak was eligible but not taken in the Dec. 2002 rule 5 draft. The Mets will be hard pressed to add him to their 40-man roster, so they are likely to leave him at Binghamton. Some chance he might be taken in the rule 5-draft after 2003 – the second time he’s been eligible.

2. Corey Ragsdale has great tools, but he has not demonstrated an ability to convert them to usable baseball skills. He won’t be rule 5-draft eligible until after 2004.