Slade Heathcott

Who is Slade Heathcott

Well, for starters, he is the top pick for the Yankees New York Yankees in this year's First-Year Player Draft. Baseball America ranked Heathcott No. 72 overall in this year's draft class and 10th best in the state of Texas. Heathcott is a 6-foot-1, 190 pound outfielder who hits and throws left-handed. Here is a bio on him from Baseball America, and by no means does it make Heathcott out to be a sure thing:

Heathcott is an enigma for scouts. He's a legitimate second-round talent as both an outfielder and a lefthanded pitcher, but he has DHed for most of the spring. He was out until mid-March recovering from November surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, then jammed his throwing shoulder diving for a fly ball in his second game back.

When healthy, he's an athletic outfielder with five-tool potential. He swings a quick bat from the left side and has strength and power in his 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame. He earns plus grades for his hitting and his speed, and he has good range and above-average arm strength in the outfield.

Heathcott was selected for the Aflac All-American Game last summer as a pitcher, and some clubs like him more as a lefty with an 88-92 mph fastball that touches 94 and a promising curveball. There's effort in his delivery because he approaches pitching like he does everything else: full speed ahead.

Heathcott hasn't pitched this spring because of the shoulder injury, however. His makeup also is a concern for several clubs, so it's uncertain where he'll fit in the draft. He's committed to Louisiana State.

Posted by Tim Bontemps on June 9, 2009 8:50 PM





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