Top 10 Prospects
- Eastern League
October 18-31, 1993 - Baseball America
CLIFF FLOYD, 1B
HARRISBURG SENATORS
The legend continued this year as the 6-foot-4, 220-pound
Floyd conquered another level. A frighteningly talented
package of power (26 homers, 101 RBI's) and speed (31 stolen
bases), Floyd only needs more at-bats and work at first
base before he becomes a fixture in Montreal.
Floyd, the 14th player taken in the 1991draft, made the
jump from the South Atlantic League look easy.
"He's a special player," said Harrisburg manager
Jim Tracy. "He's an exceptionally talented young man."
(go to list)
National
League East - Top 10 Prospects
March 8-21, 1993 - Baseball America
CLIFF FLOYD, OF
HS - South Holland, 1991
For a team that has been in search of a first baseman since
Andres
Galarraga mysteriously lost his stroke, the Expos pulled
an unusual move early in the 1992 season, switching Floyd
to center field.
Floyd appeared to be the longterm solution at first base.
He represented a big and powerful lefthanded bat, and had
little trouble handling the nuances of first base. Moreover,
the Expos are well fortified in center field, with Grissom
in the majors and White little more than a year away.
Floyd showed unusual awareness for the position, particularly
at getting jumps on balls and tracking them in the gaps
with his long, loping stride. His arm needs the most work.
It has sufficient strength, but needs refinement. Floyd
often hurries his throws unnecessarily.
Scouts say Floyd has a chance to be a complete offensive
player. He has the best power in the organization, and with
his size and natural lift in his swing, he's a solid bet
to hit 30 home runs a year in the major leagues. He also
is an above-average runner, but his chances of becoming
30-30 talent might diminish as he adds weight.
Floyd is scheduled to play in Double-A this season. That
could present an interesting dilemma if White, a superior
defender, also is sent there. (go
to list)
Minor
League Stars
March 1993 Issue #23 - Beckett Focus On
Future Stars
3B Dimitri Young, Cardinals; and OF Cliff Floyd, Expos
These players are rather similar for these purposes, so
we'll lump them together.
Both were first-round picks in 1991 out of high school and
both went nuts last year at lower level Class A. A barrelchested
third baseman. Young hit .310 (second in the Midwest League)
at age 18 with 14 homers and 72 RBI at Springfield.
A huge center fielder, Floyd at age 19 hit .304 with 16
homers, 97 RBI, an amazing 16 triples and 32 steals at Albany.
Each was named the top prospect of his league.
And both probably will play in the hitter-unfriendly Florida
State League this season, decreasing their chances for pulling
up great numbers. But each player is a titanic talent, one
who, if he doesn't dominate in 1993, is expected to do so
in the big leagues down the road. (go
to list)
