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Post by Dale on Jan 14, 2011 14:57:21 GMT -6
2. Zack Cox Best Hitter for Average Zack Cox St. Louis Cardinals Top 10 ProspectsBackground: Cox was the best pure hitter in the 2010 draft, but his $6 million asking price and extra leverage as a draft-eligible sophomore allowed him to slip to the Cardinals at No. 25 overall. He signed a $3.2 million major league contract at the Aug. 16 deadline. St. Louis threw him into the Arizona Fall League after only four pro games, and he batted a respectable .262/.333/.446. Scouting Report: Cox's balanced and refined swing enabled him to lead the Southeastern Conference and set an Arkansas record with a .429 average last spring. He modified his approach after being too home run-conscious as a freshman, flattening and shortening his stroke and using the opposite field more often. Some scouts question how much pop he'll have, but he's a gifted hitter with strength and strike-zone awareness, so he should have at least average power. Cox has the arm strength and instincts for third base, though some evaluators think his actions are better suited for second base. He has fringy speed and quickness, but he has the work ethic to improve his defense. The Future: The Cardinals will keep Cox at third base until he shows he needs a move or a shift to second would speed his ascent. They may let him begin 2011 in low Class A, but he should get to St. Louis well before his contract forces the issue. |
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