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[Cached Version]
Published on: 3/11/2008
Last Visited: 8/7/2008
Drafted in the third round of the 2006 draft by the Boston Red Sox, Aaron Bates has lived up to his billing as an offensively charged first baseman.At 6'4 and 232 pounds, Bates is an imposing physical presence at the plate.
Bates is often profiled as just another typical power-hitting first baseman.In truth, Bates' power to the opposite field is noteworthy, as is his plate discipline.Though his swing can get long sometimes, Aaron Bates appears to make necessary adjustments at the plate and brings with him an above average glove at first.In an interview with David Laurila, Bates' had this
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Carolina, Bates tore up the NCAA, totaling 24 homers and 44 doubles in 602 at amateur bats.His sophomore year, Bates showed he was capable of posting a high batting average also, notching .425 for the season.Always a disciplined hitter, Bates took his poise and patience to pro ball in 2006.
In 2006, Aaron Bates divided his year between the New York-Penn and the South Atlantic leagues.Between them, and after already hitting 10 homers in his final year at UNC earlier that season, Bates hit 7 long-balls and 15 two-baggers in his first 250 professional at-bats.That power, added to his 27:47 BB:K ratio, made Bates a middle-of-the-lineup batter on-arrival.
Bates excelled in 2007, in just his second year in professional ball.After beginning the season in the California League (high A ball, where Bates made league history on May 19 when he belted four home runs in the same game), Aaron got promoted to the Eastern League (AA).Bates earned that promotion to AA ball by hitting 24 homers, 21 doubles, and batting in 88 RBI in just 373 at-bats in A ball.He also batted an ostentatious .332 prior to his promotion.Following that impressive performance up with 4 homers and 9 doubles in just 91 at bats after his promotion is just another on a growing list of reasons that make Aaron Bates someone worth watching closely.
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Many hitters experience a drop-off in batting average after reaching the majors, so we think if Bates continues to develop (and is given a chance to start) it is reasonable to expect a norm of 280-25-80-5 with an OBP% in the 365 range on the major league level.The talent is there, but the bigger question is whether he will positionally blocked with Adrian Gonzalez manning first base with the Padres for the foreseeable future.