Drew Stubbs

2013

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2012

After a promising 2010 season, Stubbs really backslid in 2011, striking out a whopping 205 times while hitting for considerably less power. The weight of his mounting strikeout totals (along with the fans and local media turning on him) seemed to take its toll, as his worst two months of the season were in August and September, when he turned in consecutive sub-.600 OPS months. His baserunning skills remained intact, and his defense is still fantastic, so there's a base to work with. Don't write Stubbs off just yet, as many hitters develop in fits-and-starts rather than in a linear fashion, but his star is not as bright as it was a year ago.

2011

Stubbs' 67-percent contact rate last year, resulting in 168 strikeouts, is worrisome, but at least there's a payout that comes with those strikeouts in Stubbs' power and speed. Many observers have compared Stubbs' game to that of Mike Cameron, and the comparison seems apt. He draws walks, plays good defense in center field, and provides both power (22 homers) and speed (30 stolen bases). With his raw speed, Stubbs has the potential to turn in a few 50-steal seasons. As long as you're willing to put up with a lower batting average, Stubbs can provide a lot across the board.

2010

Stubbs is a unique prospect in that when he was drafted in the first round in 2006, many thought he'd project to hit for power, but struggle with his plate discipline. He has evolved in nearly the opposite fashion in the minor leagues, though he hit for power in his brief trial with the Reds at the end of 2009. Be wary, though seven of his eight homers came at home, and his OPS at home was a whopping .450 higher than it was on the road. Expect a bit of a correction in his first full season in the majors.

2009

Stubbs hit for good average while climbing two rungs of the minor league ladder in 2008, but the 2006 first-round pick still isn't hitting for power, combining for just seven homers on the entire season. His defense already rates superbly, and he's a good baserunner, but he still needs to hit for more power and cut down his strikeouts to fulfill the potential the Reds envisioned when they drafted him.

2008

For a player that was the eighth-overall pick in 2006 out of college, Stubbs' season at Low-A Dayton has to be considered a bit of a disappointment. While his walk rate is nice, it's counterbalanced by way too many strikeouts with too little power. Even the 23 stolen bases come with the price of being caught 15 times. In his defense, Stubbs played through a turf toe injury all season. He'll matriculate to High-A Sarasota this year, but it's pretty clear that Stubbs doesn't have the same upside as organization mate Jay Bruce.

2007

Stubbs, the Reds' 2006 first-round pick, is pretty athletic and showed a good walk rate in his professional debut, but there are significant concerns about his contact rate and power. He's going to need some time to fully develop.