Dennis Raben Project Prospect Article

by ~ February 20th, 2009 at 9:26 am

Project Prospect has a nice article comparing two 2008 draft picks, 18th pick Ike Davis (Mets) and 66th pick Dennis Raben, selected by the Mariners. Raben had a nice debut in short-season single A last year, and Project Prospect’s Mike Rogers breaks down Raben’s power, speed, defense, and other factors based on his college performance. In the end, Rogers prefers Raben over Davis and provides some nice insight into what role Raben may eventually play in the Mariners organization.

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  • Slurve

    So basically Raben will become a beast one day?

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    Basically. (Hopefully)

  • http://www.marinercentral.com Lonnie

    I know he got me all excited with what he did last year. I have a lot of hope for the kid. From our entire draft, he made the biggest initial impact.

    Lonnie

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    His Everett debut was impressive, but it was very apparent that he wasn’t really being challenged. I can’t wait to see what he’ll do as he climbs the ladder.

    His swing is long right now but he’s strong enough (body compared to Jim Thome by some) that he should be able to shorten up without losing much power.

    I’m not sure how I feel about the above report in full (use of college power stats is sketchy, and I’ve also heard he has a plus throwing arm, among other things), but I do agree that Seattle got great value out of that pick.

    Might not of thought it at the time, because Prospect Insider and USS Mariner really knocked the pick if I recall correctly.

  • Mariners121212

    Where do you think he will wind up playing in the future?

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Scott Weber

    First base probably.

  • Mike Rogers

    Jon, do you have a link to anything that says Raben’s arm is plus? From my understanding, I’ve been under the impression it’s average or even below-average. Which means even if his thick, Jim Thome-like frame can handle a corner spot, it’s almost assuredly in LF.

    I think he’s a 1B, though, without much question.

    Thanks for the link, Scott.