2011 S2S FSL All-Star Team: 2B Scooter Gennett
By Aaron Somers
The 2011 Advanced-A Florida State League season is officially in the books. Well, to be exact the season ended over two months ago. As we count down the days to Spring Training I thought I’d begin a new tradition here at S2S. Over the past few years around the Tigers Blogosphere I’ve presented an Annual Tigers MiLB All-Star Team at seasons end. Residing in Central Florida has presented me with the opportunity to watch some of the future stars of tomorrow in the Florida State League. I attended the 2011 FSL All-Star Game and visited seven different stadiums last season giving me the opportunity to see every team a handful of times.
So without further adieu the time has come for me to announce the 2011 S2S FSL All-Star Team. While you may recognize some of the names, remember these awards aren’t a pronouncement of the FSLs “top prospects”. The awards were based heavily upon the best overall statistical season per position. Factors such as age, ceilings, floors and prospect status carried only partial weight when I created this list. While you may see a top prospect here and there, the bulk of the list features players that simply caught my eye during my adventures around the FSL last season.
The breakdown of the roster will consist of one player per position, a designated hitter and ten pitchers.
Remember to check back frequently and share your thoughts as I work my way through the 2011 S2S FSL All-Stars.
2011 S2S FSL All-Star Team: 2B Scooter Gennett
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 164
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
21-years-old
2011 MiLB Teams: Brevard County Manatees
2011 MiLB Stats: 556 AB .300 AVG. .334 OB% 20 doubles 6 triples 9 HR 51 RBI 11 SB
Background:
The Milwaukee Brewers selected Scooter Gennnett in the 16th round of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Sarasota High School in Florida. In his first season with Milwaukee’s class-A affiliate, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Gennett hit .309 with 9 home runs, 87 runs scored, 55 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Last season Gennett was assigned to the Advanced-A Brevard County Manatees where he was the starting second-baseman. Gennett was named to both the Mid and Post season FSL All-Star Teams. Both Baseball America and MLB.com listed Gennett as Milwaukee’s fourth-best prospect heading into the 2011 season.
Scouting Report:
Originally a shortstop, Gennett has now spent the majority of his pro career at second-base. He grades average overall defensively but the move to second-base has definitely helped him out looking forward. Although Gennett features plus speed, it hasn’t really translated yet on the base-paths–just 11 0f 21 last season. Regardless, his raw speed easily allows him to routinely do the small things like go from first to third and leg out infield hits. At the plate he grinds out at-bats and hits for a high average. He has very good bat speed and a solid smooth swing. He also finished with the second lowest total plate appearance-to-strikeout ratio in the Florida State League with one strikeout per every 8.88 plate appearances. Beyond the box, Gennett just appeared to simply have “it” to me. He works hard, hustles, gets timely hits and is the epitome of the term “spark plug”on the diamond.
Future:
Although he doesn’t strikeout much and makes contact often, Gennett would greatly benefit from increasing his walk total. His hit tool and “scrappiness” are definitely his bread and butter moving forward. He’s still young and has plenty of time to refine his other skills a bit though. Obviously I don’t see him overthrowing Rickie Weeks but if Gennett continues to shine he’ll definitely force his way into the show sometime within the next few years.
Congratulations to Scooter Gennett for an outstanding 2011 season!
2011 S2S FSL All-Star Team
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