Sunday, February 8, 2015

DrB's 2015 Giants Top 50 Prospects: #46 Kelby Tomlinson

Kelby Tomlinson, SS/2B.  DOB:  6/16/1990.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 180 lbs.

2014 AA:  .268/.340/.323, 49 SB, 12 CS, 8.9 BB%, 16.6 K%.

Kelby Tomlinson might have been the toughest Giants prospect to rank for me.  He was drafted in the 12'th round in 2011 out of Texas Tech and methodically worked his way up the organizational ladder to AA last year.  He seemed to be mainly a defensive SS with some speed, but not much of a bat.  While his AA season last year was not Matt Duffy, it is also not a bad line for the environment.  Speaking of Duffy, it was a surprise when Duffy got the starting SS job at Richmond, moving Tomlinson over to 2B.  Kelby then moved back to SS after the Duffman moved up to bigger and better things.  In addition to his solid AA slash line, Tomlinson significantly improved his K rate while maintaining a solid BB%.  His success rate on the bases was solid too, showing acumen for when and how to steal a base.  Tomlinson's ceiling is probably utility IF at the MLB level.

5 comments:

  1. One did not expect significant improvement (in any area) at his age last year. But he did.

    Can he continue to improve this year? Is that possible? Is that too much to expect, two years in a row at his age?

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    1. I'm not sure why you would not expect significant improvement prior to typical peak years which are ages 26-32, right? I think the surprise was that he showed the improvement in an environment where a lot of hitting prospects have run into trouble.

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    2. I like it and it's good. Maybe it's just me but improvement or significant improvement in one area (K%) as a hitter in the EL is not common for our guys and it was a little unexpected but very much appreciated. I say, good job, Kelby.

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  2. nice article about our old friend, gb

    http://www.semissourian.com/story/2164398.html

    bacci

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    1. What a guy. As someone who tracked Garret as a player around the SF organization, it would be an absolute treat to see him step out and be the guy who pulls the house of cards out from the meager living standards of MiL players & starts a new chapter in that manner. Baseball is making more than ever, and part of that revenue absolutely deserves to be shared with the players who toil endlessly for the dream. Without them, there cannot be the development system for those that do make it.

      Nice find Bacci.

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