Desmond Jennings6'2" 180 lbs DOB: 10/30/1986
Outfielder
Bats: Right | Throws: Right
2009: Montgomery Biscuits/Durham Bulls
Acquired: 2006 Draft, 10th Round, 289th Overall
Desmond Jennings was on the brink of falling off the prospect radar with another injury-riddled year in 2009. But not only did he stay on the field, he had one of the best seasons across all of the minor leagues.
After playing just 99 and 24 games in the previous two seasons at Columbus and Vero Beach, respectively, Jennings put in 132 between Montgomery and Durham in 2009. He did a little bit of everything with the Biscuits - hitting .316, showing an impressive batting eye, swiping 37 bases, and playing top-notch defense - on his way to Southern League MVP honors. A late-season promotion to Durham didn't slow him down, in fact, he hit better with the Bulls in 32 games than he did with Montgomery. He even set a record in his brief time with the Bulls, collecting seven hits in one game.
Across the board, Jennings' tools compare favorably to anyone in the system. His combination of contact and discipline skills are un-matched among Rays' farmhands. He's not a big home run threat, but he has some raw power and his 52 extra-base hits led the system. He's among the fastest players the Rays have, and that includes Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton. Jennings, who was offered a football scholarship to play wide receiver for Alabama, may be a better basestealer than those two with an 88% success rate(52 steals out of 59 chances).
Jennings has the range to play center field at a high-caliber level. His lack of experience means his reads aren't perfect, but he has the speed to make up for it while they improve. His arm is his weakest tool, but it still grades out as at least average. A defensive outfield of Crawford in left, Jennings in center, and Upton(whose arm is superior to Jennings') in right would be among the best in recent memory.
There's little question about Jennings' tools playing at the major-league level. The only thing he has left to prove is that he can continue to stay on the field. He's missed time with injuries to his knee, back, and non-throwing shoulder, but none of those were issues in 2010. He'll begin the 2010 season back with Durham, but if he stays healthy and continues to hit the way he has, the Rays won't be able to hold him back much longer.
I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be promoted to the Rays at least by halfway through the season. Only reason I could see is if Joyce, Upton, and Crawford are really grooving.
ReplyDeleteDoes Jennings proximity to the show make it more likely that the Rays keep Zobrist at 2B preparing for Desmond's arrival and BJ's move to RF?
ReplyDeleteI would say so. That is assuming that they think Jennings is a better CF.
ReplyDeletemaniac29(who can't figure out how not to be anonymous)
I`m not sure that Jennings is a better CF than Upton,it`s just that Upton`s arm plays better in RF than Jennings would.Joyce in LF Jennings CF Upton RF not bad for 2011.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the root of his 2008 injuries? The torn muscle recurring kind, or the broken arm once and then gone kind?
ReplyDeleteI believe Jennings hurt his back(I don't know the exact nature of what happened) in the spring, so he started the season late, and then I believe he hurt his left shoulder diving for a ball.
ReplyDeletei think he will b a great aspect to the Rays just give him his props.
ReplyDeleteIf he can make better reads on the ball the Rays will have a speedy outfield with Crawford and Upton... If he makes it to the bigs next season the Rays will WIN the WS within 5 years
ReplyDelete