Fragmentsofme
12-05-2003, 01:24 PM
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/atl/news/atl_news.jsp?ymd=20031203&content_id=611198&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
ATLANTA -- Adam LaRoche's biggest challenge in his brief professional career will come in a few months, when he is given the opportunity to win the Braves starting first baseman's job.
But the way LaRoche has steadily progressed through the minor leagues provides a lot of promise that this 29th-round selection will excel when given the opportunity in Spring Training.
"Who knows if he is going to win a roster spot in Spring Training," Braves director of player personnel Dayton Moore said. "But we as an organization are very excited to see how he does and how he competes for a big-league job."
LaRoche has continued to raise eyebrows while playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League over the past few weeks. Through his first 17 games with Mayaguez, the 24-year-old left-hander was hitting .308 with four homers, 11 RBIs and a .538 slugging percentage.
"All of the reports that we have gotten have been very positive," Moore said. "He continues to swing a good stick and show a lot of ability around the bag."
LaRoche, who was the MVP of the 2000 Junior College World Series while attending Seminole Junior College in Oklahoma, fell into the Braves lap during the 2000 draft because of his desire to be a position player and not a pitcher like his father, Dave, who spent 14 seasons in the big leagues.
"When you get to that point in the draft, you're looking for ability that is more defined and also having to take more of a risk," Moore said. "At the same time, we're always trying to draft a Major League player with every pick. (LaRoche) had Major League genes and we believed a very good bat."
LaRoche's selection in the 2000 draft came long after the Braves had already compiled a wealth of pitchers, including Adam Wainwright and Bubba Nelson, a pair of right-handers who will also compete for a spot on Atlanta's roster in the Spring.
It didn't take LaRoche long to make the transition from aluminum to wooden bats. In his first professional stop, he hit .308 for the Rookie Level team in Danville. His average dipped to .251 in 2001 at Myrtle Beach. But over the past two seasons, he steadily progressed towards his shot at the Majors.
"It was very apparent from the time he arrived that he was very confident in his abilities and felt good about coming to the ballpark every day," Moore said. "Those are qualities every organization wants to see in their players."
During this past season, which was split between Double-A Greenville and Triple-A Richmond, LaRoche kept his average above .280 and smacked 20 homers. In addition, he was named the best defensive first baseman in both leagues and was named the sixth-best prospect in the International League.
"I don't feel that any of us see him as a (Jason) Giambi-type player," Moore said. "We see him more in the mold of a (Wally) Joyner or a (Mark) Grace-type of player."
LaRoche plans to play in Puerto Rico until Dec. 23 and then return to prepare for his opportunity to realize a dream of being an everyday position player in the Major Leagues.
ATLANTA -- Adam LaRoche's biggest challenge in his brief professional career will come in a few months, when he is given the opportunity to win the Braves starting first baseman's job.
But the way LaRoche has steadily progressed through the minor leagues provides a lot of promise that this 29th-round selection will excel when given the opportunity in Spring Training.
"Who knows if he is going to win a roster spot in Spring Training," Braves director of player personnel Dayton Moore said. "But we as an organization are very excited to see how he does and how he competes for a big-league job."
LaRoche has continued to raise eyebrows while playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League over the past few weeks. Through his first 17 games with Mayaguez, the 24-year-old left-hander was hitting .308 with four homers, 11 RBIs and a .538 slugging percentage.
"All of the reports that we have gotten have been very positive," Moore said. "He continues to swing a good stick and show a lot of ability around the bag."
LaRoche, who was the MVP of the 2000 Junior College World Series while attending Seminole Junior College in Oklahoma, fell into the Braves lap during the 2000 draft because of his desire to be a position player and not a pitcher like his father, Dave, who spent 14 seasons in the big leagues.
"When you get to that point in the draft, you're looking for ability that is more defined and also having to take more of a risk," Moore said. "At the same time, we're always trying to draft a Major League player with every pick. (LaRoche) had Major League genes and we believed a very good bat."
LaRoche's selection in the 2000 draft came long after the Braves had already compiled a wealth of pitchers, including Adam Wainwright and Bubba Nelson, a pair of right-handers who will also compete for a spot on Atlanta's roster in the Spring.
It didn't take LaRoche long to make the transition from aluminum to wooden bats. In his first professional stop, he hit .308 for the Rookie Level team in Danville. His average dipped to .251 in 2001 at Myrtle Beach. But over the past two seasons, he steadily progressed towards his shot at the Majors.
"It was very apparent from the time he arrived that he was very confident in his abilities and felt good about coming to the ballpark every day," Moore said. "Those are qualities every organization wants to see in their players."
During this past season, which was split between Double-A Greenville and Triple-A Richmond, LaRoche kept his average above .280 and smacked 20 homers. In addition, he was named the best defensive first baseman in both leagues and was named the sixth-best prospect in the International League.
"I don't feel that any of us see him as a (Jason) Giambi-type player," Moore said. "We see him more in the mold of a (Wally) Joyner or a (Mark) Grace-type of player."
LaRoche plans to play in Puerto Rico until Dec. 23 and then return to prepare for his opportunity to realize a dream of being an everyday position player in the Major Leagues.