Third base is aptly referred to as the hot corner. Line drives often come at defenders in excess of 100 miles per hour. Short-hops and back-handed stabs coupled with the longest, strongest required throw on the diamond make third base one of the most challenging positions to defend. Despite the defensive demand of the hot corner, major league and fantasy baseball general managers look to third base for a major offensive contributor. If one were to scan 2007 major league team rosters, it would be hard to point to out a single offensively wanton starting third baseman. Current star third baseman include Alex Rodriguez, David Wright, Miguel Cabrera, and Chipper Jones. This edition of Minor-ity Report will feature the upcoming class of potential third base superstars.
Michael Costanzo (Houston)
Michael Costanzo was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round, with the 56th overall pick of the 2005 amateur draft. Considered by most baseball analysts to be an afterthought in the recent trade of Brad Lidge to the Philadelphia for Michael Bourn and Geoff Geary, in our estimation Costanzo is the central figure Houston targeted in the deal.
After middling around with a combination of Morgan Ensberg, Geoff Blum, Ty Wigginton, and Mike Lamb for the past few seasons at third, and unable to find a reliable starter among them, Houston took an assertive stance in changing its fortune at third base. Why did Houston seem willing to part with Brad Lidge for Michael Bourn and Mike Costanzo? The answer lies in an in-depth analysis of Michael Costanzo.
Coastal Carolina University’s own Michael Costanzo hit 8 homers and drove in 43 runs in his freshman season in only 173 at bats. In his sophomore season, Costanzo hit 21 long-balls, 21 doubles, and batted in 74 in a mere 231 at bats. In his final year of NCAA ball, Costanzo hit 16 homers, 15 doubles, 67 RBI, and stole 8 bases. Did we mention that Costanzo successively batted .318, .359, and .379 during college? With nothing left to prove in amateur ball, Costanzo began his professional career in 2005 in Batavia of the New York Penn League (NYPL). There, he batted .274 with 11 homers, 17 doubles, and 50 RBI in his first 281 professional at bats.
At first glance, Costanzo had a non-descript 2006 season. In 2006 at Philadelphia’s Clearwater affiliate, Costanzo batted an unimpressive .258 with 14 homers and 81 RBI in 504 at bats. Before condemning Costanzo to utility infielder status, a look inside the numbers is required. Even though statistically speaking his 2006 performance was not stellar, Costanzo still hit a whopping 33 doubles and .059 OPS percentage points above the league average. So, although the line statistics didn’t call out “superstar,” Costanzo was still developing his skills and improving his play.
As if on a mission to prove his prospect legitimacy to detractors, Costanzo put on a hitting display in 2007. Spending the entire season in Reading, Costanzo hit 27 homers, 29 doubles, and drove in 86 runs in 507 at bats while batting .270 (up from his previous average of .258).
We agree with Houston that Costanzo is a talent worth watching in 2008. In fact, with uber-utility veterans Ty Wigginton and Mike Lamb sharing time at the hot corner for the Astros in 2008, it would surprise nobody at the Report if Costanzo was the recipient of an earlier than anticipated call to the majors, should the parent club falter.
Jared Goedert (Cleveland)
A former college quarterback, Goedert was drafted in 2006 by Cleveland in the 9th round, 281st overall and has played like a man on a mission ever since. The 22 year old right-handed Kansas native showed great raw power, hitting 16 homers and 21 doubles while driving in 85 runs in a combined 363 NCAA at bats. Then came professional baseball.
Goedert did little to impress in his first stint in pro ball in 2006. In 238 at-bats, Goedert, a switch hitter, totaled 3 homers and a single stolen base in the NYPL. Although these statistics are not glowing, Goedert had the highest percentage of quality at-bats (45.2%) in the Indians system..
Despite his slow start for Mahoning Valley, Cleveland brass decided to begin Goedert at A ball in 2007. There, in the South Atlantic League, Goedert hit a supernatural .364/.475/.715/1.190 with 16 homers, 10 doubles, and drove in 51 runs in 165 at bats. Those numbers were good enough to earn JG a promotion to the Carolina League After his promotion, Goedert compiled 4 homers, 9 doubles, 23 RBI, and a .256 batting average in 125 at bats.
Even with his poor performance in 2006 and a mediocre end to 2007, we think Goedert is worth watching in 2008 and beyond. JG brings more to the table than some power. Goedert has great plate discipline and defensively can field both third and second base with aplomb.
Positional versatility coupled with a balance of power and plate discipline make Goedert a force worth watching in 2008 and thereafter. Whether he ends up at the hot corner or in the middle infield, we think that if JG continues to develop as he has, the sky is the limit for this potential Indians’ future star.
Michael Costanzo and Jared Goedert could find their names on starting major league lineup cards soon if they both continue their meteoric rise in 2008.