Indians Top 100 Prospects: #67 Kevin Rucker

67. Kevin Rucker - Outfielder
Born: 09/14/1989 - Height: 6'1" - Weight: 185 - Bats: Right - Throws: Right

Year	Age	Team	Lvl	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2007	17	GCL Indians	R	11	32	3	9	1	0	0	8	4	8	0	.281	.361	.313	.674
2008	18	GCL Indians	R	39	105	19	22	4	0	2	9	16	44	5	.210	.314	.305	.619
		Career		50	137	22	31	5	0	2	17	20	52	5	.226	.325	.307	.632

History: Rucker was a 47th round pick in the 2007 Draft out of a Pioneer Valley High School in Santa Maria, CA. He signed late and had an injury, so he played very little with the Indians in 2007.

Strengths & Opportunities: Rucker was one of the more intriguing players on the GCL roster last year, and at 6'1" 185-pounds is a player with a lot of talent who is also very rough around the edges and raw for a prospect, but the Indians are excited about his potential. He is very inconsistent at the plate, but has good raw power and the skills to hit the ball way out of the ballpark when he makes contact. Last year was his first full season in the organization, and at 18-years of age he was mostly learning to live on his own and also get acquainted with everyday life as a professional baseball player. His arm strength and speed are above average, and he can go get the ball in the outfield.

Rucker sort of went unnoticed coming into the draft because he spent a lot of time playing football in high school as a full-time defensive player at the free safety position. His prowess as a free safety in football certainly translates to his excellent ability to track down balls as an outfielder, and it is his most developed tool. His instincts in the outfield are getting a lot better, and the adjustment from center field to right field has gone well. The Indians are really working with him on being a more consistent hitter and putting up more quality at bats by staying with a steadier approach, sticking to a plan at the plate, and trying not to swing at balls out of the zone. They feel this will come as he matures, and he has a bright future as a potential everyday player in the big leagues.

Outlook: While the projection is long, Rucker reminds some in the Indians organization of Andre Dawson. He has a good shot to open the 2009 season in the Single-A Lake County outfield, but may need to open the season in extended spring training for more instruction before moving onto Lake County later in the year.

Photo courtesy of Ken Carr

Kevin Rucker MinorLeagueBaseball.com stats page

Kevin Rucker Baseball-Reference page

Kevin Rucker MinorLeagueSplits.com page

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