Prospect #31: OF, Scott Hurst
Previously Unranked in preseason and ranked 28th at July reranking
Peoria Chiefs
Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft
22-years-old
The Stats
THE QUICK WRITE UP
I am a believer in Scott Hurst, which is something that I couldn't say during the preseason rankings. Then, to start the season, Hurst was marooned on "Extended Spring Training Island" while Jonathan Machado and other, less-talented or less-developed players were assigned to full season affiliates. It seemed like my suspicion of Hurst talent was warranted. However, Hurst replaced Machado when Machado failed to hit his slender body-weight for Peoria to start the season. Hurst has impressed since. Now, I do not think that there is much in the way of power for Scott Hurst to develop. It could come, especially when/if he makes it to the Texas League. No, where Hurst's bread is buttered is in his ability to drive the ball to all fields in any count. There isn't a more Jon Jay-esque player in the Cardinals organization than Hurst. He's never off balance in the box. He's rarely fooled, infrequently over-matched, and every plate appearance feels like a professional at-bat.
Hurst is a good outfielder, too. I questioned his ability to play center field but I am now convinced that he'd be able to do it amply if given the chance to do it day in and day out. I really like Scott Hurst and I'm anxious to see how he progresses with a promotion. He flashed surprising power during his final collegiate year and I'd love to see him tap into that. While none of his tools will "wow" you, he does many different things very well. He's a pretty well-rounded player.
WHY TO GET EXCITED
After starting the year at extended spring training, Hurst has been good at full season Peoria.
He's pretty well average in every facet of the game.
At the plate, Hurst is the most "Jon Jay-esque" prospect in the organization. He'll slap anything to stay alive in a count.
For being smaller, Hurst has tremendous plate coverage.
He drives the ball extremely well to the opposite field in pitcher's counts.
Hurst is a "high baseball IQ" player. Meaning, in this case, that he isn't prone to mental mistakes.
He did flash signs of power during his junior year at Cal State Fullerton. So, there is fifteen home run potential to unlock with a less defensive swing.
Profiles as a potentially average/above average center fielder.
He's good as a corner outfielder.
He's the exact type of hitter that the Cardinals have done well developing.
WHY TO BE CAUTIOUS
There isn't much in the way of power with his current approach.
He's pretty well average in every facet of the game.
While he profiles best as a center fielder, the Cardinals have had him in right as much as center this season because of log jam in Peoria. He'd do well to get all of the reps in CF.
He has a limited ceiling.
While there aren't many concerns in his game, there also aren't many stand-out tools. So, basically, the reason to be cautious is that this is Scott Hurst without much question or projection.
COMPARISON
JON JAY JON JAY JON JAY JON JAY JON JAY JON JAY JON JAY HURST IS BASICALLY JON JAY.
Honestly, that is his ceiling. Jon Jay at the onset of Jon Jay's career when his arm was average before falling off. Don't forget that Jon Jay was a good base-burglar in the minors and he flashed ten home run potential in the system.
Help me Fangraphs, you're my only hope for stats. Thanks for the assist!
Thanks For Reading!