Age: 23
Born: September 11, 1983
Madras, OR
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 1st round, 2005
How Acquired: Draft
College: Oregon State
High School: Madras (OR)
ETA: mid-2007

Jacoby is set to start the season as the Centerfielder for the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

Scouting Report: Ellsbury was on of the best players in the NCAA in 2005. He is very fast, plays excellent defense, and has shown a great ability to get on base. Decent gap power for a centerfielder who projects as a lead-off hitter. Has often been compared to Johnny Damon. Also said to be a team leader.

23. Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Oregon State U.
Ellsbury has few holes in his game and is capable of beating teams in a lot of ways. He has excellent makeup and instincts. His best tool is his speed, and it’s evident both on the bases and in center field, where he catches everything hit his way. He has been clocked in 6.55 seconds over 60 yards. He has become more patient, rarely swings and misses and is comfortable hitting with two strikes. His style of play and physical appearance have drawn comparisons to Johnny Damon at a similar age, but scouts say Ellsbury has a better swing. They question whether he’ll grow into the same power, though.

OREGON STATE: Co-captain ... among OSU's 10 returning starters ... named to Preseason All-America third team, Gold Glove team, nation's 23rd-best junior, Pac-10's sixth-best prospect for 2005 draft by Baseball America magazine; also named Pac-10's fastest runner, best defensive outfielder by BA ... OSU head coach Pat Casey says: "Jacoby needs to be a big part of what we're doing, both offensively and defensively. He's a team captain, and we're looking for a great season from him." ... named Cape Cod League's 17th-best pro prospect by Baseball America after batting .245, 1 homer, 3 triples, 2 doubles, 7 RBIs, 12-for-15 stolen bases

MADRAS HIGH: Lettered 4 years for coach Bruce Reece ... as a senior, batted .430 with 3 homers, 4 triples, 9 doubles, 20 RBIs, 29-for-29 stolen bases; all-state first team, league Co-Player of the Year ... as a junior, batted .458, 2 homers, 4 triples, 5 doubles, 13-for-13 stolen bases; all-state second team, all-league first team ... Area Code Games ... drafted in 23rd round by Tampa Bay Devil Rays ... also competed in football, soccer, cross country, basketball ... 3.6 GPA.

PERSONAL: Majoring in Business ... born in Madras, Ore. ... parents are Jim and Margie Ellsbury; family includes brothers Matthew (19), Tyler (16), Spencer (12) ... enjoys sports, hanging out with friends, watching movies, listening to music ... favorite athlete is Michael Jordan; favorite movie is Gladiator; favorite TV show is Seinfeld; favorite food is Navajo frybread; favorite restaurant is Olive Garden ... chose OSU for its academic excellence and a chance to play Pac-10 baseball.

Career Stats
[codebox] AGE AVE G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO SLG OBP
2003 Oregon State 19 .330 53 206 56 68 10 3 7 33 14 4 26 33 .510 .427
2004 Oregon State 20 .352 49 196 56 69 8 2 3 20 20 4 30 17 .459 .464
2004 Falmouth (CCL) .245 28 110 20 27 2 3 1 7 12 3 17 25 .345 .376
2005 Oregon State 21 .406 58 244 56 99 19 3 6 48 26 8 36 21 .582 .495
2005 Lowell .317 35 139 28 44 3 5 1 19 23 3 24 20 .432 .418
2006 Wilmington 22 .299 61 244 35 73 7 5 4 32 25 9 25 28 .418 .379
2006 Portland .308 50 198 29 61 10 3 3 19 16 8 24 25 .434 .387
2006 Total miL .303 111 442 64 134 17 8 7 51 41 17 49 53 .425 .382
2006 Peoria (AFL) 23 .276 25 105 18 29 4 3 0 3 7 3 8 16 .342 .371 [/codebox]

2006 Wilmington Blue Rocks
Through 4/7/06
[codebox]G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG OPS E
2 9 3 3 0 1 0 1 5 0 3 0 0 .333 .556 .333 .889 0[/codebox]
Jacoby got off to a fast start going 2-4 in the Rocks' opener with a triple, a single and an RBI. With the jump to high A it will be interesting to see how he performs in his first full season in pro ball.

I am going to see him player tomorrow, will give any insights I can.

Jacoby played a blazer today. 4-6 (I believe) with a double, 2 singles and homer to right off a lefty who was throwing about 90.

He also made two unbelievable catches in center. One running towards the wall in right center. He was running full speed while watching the ball and caught it with a backhanded lunge over his head. I don't know of anyone else that could get there and make a calm play like he did. And one was a liner to shallow center that he got a great jump on and made a head first diving catch. Also made another great running grab.

On the bases he seems to be a bit too aggressive, but that can be fixed. He got called out trying to stretch a single into a double (bad call by the ump, great slide by Jacoby but it was one of those "ball was there first" plays) His first 3 steps out of the box, or when stealing a base are so quick and powerful I sat and watched in awe. He also scored from second on an E4. It was more amazing because his third base coach tried to stop him and he came to a stop, faked back to third (which froze the second basemen, who had the ball at this time) then dashed for home and slid in before the tag, unbelievable quickness on that play.

I was very very impressed with him and with some molding he can be a true stud.

From today' s 'Oregonian', the largest daily paper in the Pacific Northwest. It accompnied a story on yesterday's win over the Mariners:

Ellsbury faces a new hurdle on his way to Fenway Park

Saturday, April 15, 2006

By Joe Freeman

The Boston Red Sox this week signed flamboyant center fielder Coco Crisp to a contract extension that will keep him roaming Fenway Park though 2010, or, roughly about the time Oregon native Jacoby Ellsbury presumably will enter the prime of his career.

While the Boston media praised Red Sox ownership for locking up Crisp -- and designated hitter David Ortiz -- with long-term deals, folks in Oregon couldn't help but wonder if Crisp's signing might hinder Ellsbury, the Madras native and former Oregon State player selected with the 23rd pick in last year's draft.

"It really doesn't impact Jacoby at all," said Mike Hazen, the Red Sox's director of player development. "We like Jacoby a lot. But he's not a big leaguer yet, and it's going to take some time before he's ready."

When Ellsbury was drafted, it appeared the only person blocking him from Fenway Park was popular Johnny Damon. But Damon defected to the rival New York Yankees as a free agent during the offseason, and the Red Sox plugged their gap in center field by acquiring Crisp from Cleveland.

Crisp, 26, is the same age now that Ellsbury will be in 2010, when Crisp's three-year, $15.5 million contract extension expires. Crisp has played in the major leagues since the end of the 2002 season.

Ellsbury has been exceptional as a pro. He thrived at short-season Class A last season (batting .317 with five triples and 23 stolen bases) and is seven successful games into long-season Class A in the Carolina League, known as a pitcher's league. Ellsbury leads the Wilmington (Del.) Blue Rocks in hits (11), runs (five) and total bases (17), and ranks second in RBIs (seven).

Seemingly every time Hazen glances at a box score or reads a manager's report, it praises Ellsbury, and Hazen said he continues to be impressed.

"He seems to make some outstanding defensive play every night," Hazen said. "The Carolina League is a difficult jump for any player to make, especially someone in their first full professional season. But Jacoby is succeeding right off the bat and that is very encouraging."

Joe Freeman: 503-294-5183; joefreeman@news.oregonian.com

Link:
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian...6990.xml&coll=7

From the Wilmington News Journal:

Martin Frank - Ellsbury delivers decisive blow

So, when Jacoby Ellsbury nailed Troy Patton's pitch into the right-center field gap and sped around the bases without having to slide into third base, it was easy to reminisce about Johnny Damon doing the same thing for the Blue Rocks 12 years ago.

...


Ellsbury's three-run triple in the second inning was the decisive blow for the Rocks in their 4-2 win over the Salem Avalanche on Sunday. It was the Rocks' second straight win after a 2-7 start to the season.

...


"Ellsbury and Coco Crisp are rated the fastest players in the Red Sox organization. But Ellsbury, the Red Sox's first-round draft pick (23rd overall) last June, doesn't want to be known as a typical leadoff hitter "who slaps the ball around," as he put it.

I have always appreciated Ellsbury's attitude on this.

I read one time where he said he had the ability to bunt but "his job was to hit."

Seeing him in Fenway some day would be quite a treat. Who doesn't love the new and improved minor league system?

Ellsbury was removed from Wednesday night's game after getting in a collision at home plate, and he was not in the lineup tonight. Haven't heard anything specific about his injury.

Ellsbury was placed on the DL with a right quad strain. C Matthew Kent was added to the Wilmington roster.

2006 Wilmington Blue Rocks
Through 4/29/06
[codebox]G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG OPS E
17 69 11 21 3 2 1 11 31 6 13 7 1 .368 .449 .304 .818 0[/codebox]

bluerocks.com

Ellsbury was back in the lineup tonight after missing nearly a month. Looks like the quad is OK as he stole a base.

He also went 2-4. Its good to get him back in the lineup after an injury that intially never was thought to have taken this long to heal.

bluerocks.com

delawareonline.com

Here is Jacoby's Stats Breakdown

He went 2/3 with a dinger, SB, and 2 BB last night in Wimington's 9-8 win.

Wilmington is playing a day game today, and he's 1/2 with 2 SB through 3.

2006 Wilmington Blue Rocks
Through 5/27/06
[codebox] G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG OPS E
22 87 15 28 3 2 2 14 41 9 13 12 1 .404 .471 .322 .875 0[/codebox]

Ellsbury makes BA's Prospect Hot Sheet for this week, coming in at No. 5.

2006 Wilmington Blue Rocks
Through 6/3/06
[codebox] G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG OPS E
30 118 20 39 3 2 4 19 58 11 17 14 5 .402 .492 .331 .893 0[/codebox]

Should easily be ready when we'll need him in 09.

I think that its more likely that Wily Mo Pena makes the move to 1B after 2007 in order to limit his defensive atrocities in the OF (Youks to 3rd after Lowell is done [again after 2007]), which would open a spot for Ellsbury in the OF in 2008 (I don't think he'll be the type to spend much time in AAA).


Trot gone after this year so 2007:

CF Crisp
RF Pena
LF Manny
1B Youk
3B Lowell

2008:

1B Pena
3B Youk
CF Ellsbury
LF Manny
RF Crisp



Edit: oops thanks! changed it.

Actually, I still think there is the possibliity that Manny is traded (Milledge?), and that person plays RF (as Milledge likely would, with that cannon), and Coco LF. That's why I had Manny RF, but edited out the Milledge possibility.

uhh, Manny RF?

4-5 for Jacoby tonight with 2 RBI's and a walk

2006 Wilmington Blue Rocks
Through 6/17/06
[codebox] G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG OPS E
42 172 28 56 4 2 4 24 76 15 23 15 7 .389 .442 .326 .831 1[/codebox]

2006 Wilmington Blue Rocks
Through 7/1/06
[codebox] G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG OPS E
52 208 31 63 5 4 4 30 88 22 25 19 7 .384 .423 .303 .807 1[/codebox]
Jacoby tied a club record in Saturday night's 9-3 win over Lynchburg with 2 triples. For the game he was 2-5 with 3 RBIs and 1 run scored.

2006 Wilmington Blue Rocks
Through 7/8/06
[codebox] G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG OPS E
58 232 35 71 5 5 4 31 99 25 26 25 9 .389 .427 .306 .815 1[/codebox]

Rumor has it that Jacoby may be in for a trip north.

Stay tuned

Check here too

Final Stats
2006 Wilmington Blue Rocks
Through 7/11/06
[codebox] G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG OPS E
61 244 35 73 7 5 4 32 102 25 28 25 9 .379 .418 .299 .797 1[/codebox]
Jacoby's splits with Wilmington

It's official
Ellsbury promoted to Portland

Congratulations Jacoby

2006 Portland Sea Dogs
Through 7/13/06
[codebox] AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS IBB GIDP HBP
.250 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 .400 .250 .650 0 0 0[/codebox]

Jacoby made his AA debut in Portland tonight going 1-4 with a walk, a strikeout, a stolen base and an RBI in the Sea Dogs' 8-3 victory over the Connecticut Defenders.

2006 Portland Sea Dogs
Through 7/15/06
[codebox] AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS IBB GIDP HBP
.467 4 15 1 7 1 0 0 4 2 2 3 0 .533 .529 1.062 0 0 0[/codebox]
Great game for Jacoby in Portland's 9-7 extra inning loss to the Defenders on Saturday night. 4-5 with 3 singles, a double, 3 RBI's, a stolen base and an outfield assist. In his first 4 games in AA he is hitting .467 (7-15) with 3 steals and 4 RBI's.

99 games into his professional career he is hitting .311 (123-396) with 25 extra base hits, getting on base at better than .380, has 55 RBI's, scored 64 runs and is 51-63 (81%) in stolen base attempts all while playing outstanding defense.

If he stays healthy and keeps his progression up over the next year +, I'd have to say that there is a very good chance of seeing him in the bigs by late 07 or early 08 at the latest.

Jacoby was also #67 on Rotoworld's 2006 Midseason Top 150 Prospects

From today's Manchester Union Leader:

John Habib - Ellsbury gets off to speedy start


He adds a new dimension to our ballclub just with the impact speed at the top of the lineup," said Portland manager Todd Claus. "He's going to be a pest to clubs. You've got to play the corner infielders in because, if he bunts on you and gets it down, he is going to be safe. That puts pressure on the defense and he definitely has taken the most of his opportunities in a short time."

In his first five games before yesterday, Ellsbury was 9-for-20 at the plate for four RBIs as the leadoff hitter. He had a double, two walks, three stolen bases and three runs scored in a five-game series against Connecticut.

"The most impressive thing is that he hasn't tried to do too much," said Claus. "He has stayed within himself and that's what professional players do. He seems to have a polished approach to his overall game and you're not going to see many better athletes on the field."

From today's Portland Press Herald:

Kevin Thomas - Prospects are good for the prospect


Ellsbury is true blue and carries an extra expectation. Just call him the next Johnny Damon. He is fast, fields superbly, controls the bat well, handles pressure, is extremely polite and yes, he's even a good-looking fellow.

But isn't that a bit much, to expect this kid to replace the Johnny?

"To be compared with a great player like Johnny Damon can't be a bad thing," Ellsbury said. "But I try to be my own player, and be as good a player as I can be."

His answers are as polished as his play.

His maturity stems from being the oldest in a family of four boys, a home life that featured responsibilities, not privilege.

2006 Portland Sea Dogs
Through 7/22/06
[codebox] AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS IBB GIDP HBP
.350 10 40 6 14 3 0 0 5 2 4 6 0 .381 .425 .806 0 0 0[/codebox]

On Baseball: Ellsbury a rising star: Sox farmhand tearing it up in Portland

2006 Portland Sea Dogs
Through 7/29/06
[codebox] AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS IBB GIDP HBP
.359 16 64 9 23 4 0 0 9 5 6 7 2 .406 .422 .828 0 0 0[/codebox]

2006 Portland Sea Dogs
Through 8/12/06
[codebox] AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS IBB GIDP HBP
.336 30 119 20 40 7 2 1 13 10 13 10 4 .389 .454 .843 0 0 1[/codebox]
After breaking an 0-16 streak on last Sunday with 2 hits, Jacoby had a total of 8 hits this week, including 2 triples and on Thursday his first AA home run.

That's interesting because......


Nothing against Crowe, I'd rather have the pure CF who can leadoff, especially with us already having Manny and WMP on the corners.

The thing with Crowe though is that he has the tools to play CF and leadoff and while he may be a defensive downgrade from Jacoby in CF, he has shown better plate discipline, slightly more power and the same ability to steal bases in his 2 seasons thus far. He also gets points for being a switch hitter.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled we have a player like Jacoby in the system and both should have nice ML careers, but in the end Crowe projects to be a slightly better player.

An article on Ellsbury in today's Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/beaversbaseball/....xml&coll=7

Great article, thanks. It seems like the Sox drafted a kid who is a class act and is going to do all the right things, not only to succeed in baseball, but in life too.

Jacoby named Eastern League Player of the Week August 7-13

2006 Portland Sea Dogs
Through 8/19/06
[codebox] AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS IBB GIDP HBP
.321 35 137 22 44 9 2 2 15 13 15 11 5 .382 .460 .843 0 0 1[/codebox]
Jacoby interview from Up on the Monster

2006 Portland Sea Dogs
Through 8/26/06
[codebox] AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS IBB GIDP HBP
.320 42 169 26 54 10 2 2 17 17 19 12 7 .383 .438 .821 0 1 1[/codebox]

Jacoby will be playing in the 2006 AFL as a member of the Peoria Javelinas

2006 Portland Sea Dogs
Through 9/2/06
[codebox] AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS IBB GIDP HBP
.303 49 195 28 59 10 3 2 18 23 25 16 8 .380 .415 .795 1 1 2[/codebox]
Five minutes with Jacoby Ellsbury

Ellsbury hit a last-inning, game-tieing HR today as Portland clinched a playoff spot with a walk-off win over New Hampshire. The Sea Dogs open the playoffs Wednesday against the Yankees' AA affiliate Trenton.

This is from Jim Callis' insider chat on ESPN today.

"Ryan (Bristol): Jim: Ellsbury seems to have more power than i ever thought. Is wilmington really a tough hitters park as they make it out to be?

SportsNation Jim Callis: (2:18 PM ET ) He does, and it is."

Wicked pissah.

2006 Portland Sea Dogs
Final Regular Season Stats
[codebox] AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS IBB GIDP HBP
.308 50 198 29 61 10 3 3 19 24 25 16 8 .387 .434 .821 1 1 2

Splits:
AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS
vs Left .389 54 6 21 0 2 0 4 4 7 3 3 .431 .463 .894
vs Right .278 144 23 40 10 1 3 15 20 18 13 5 .371 .424 .795
Home Games .368 26 106 19 39 4 2 3 14 13 6 7 5 .433 .528 .962
Away Games .239 24 92 10 22 6 1 0 5 11 19 9 3 .333 .326 .659
Day Games .404 12 47 7 19 3 0 2 4 7 1 4 3 .481 .596 1.077
Night Games .278 38 151 22 42 7 3 1 15 17 24 12 5 .357 .384 .741
On Grass .308 50 198 29 61 10 3 3 19 24 25 16 8 .387 .434 .821
July .342 19 76 11 26 6 0 0 9 5 9 8 2 .383 .421 .804
August .297 28 111 16 33 4 3 2 9 15 15 8 6 .388 .441 .829
September .182 3 11 2 2 0 0 1 1 4 1 0 0 .400 .455 .855
Bases Empty .316 136 3 43 8 3 2 2 11 19 0 0 .372 .463 .835
Runners On .290 62 26 18 2 0 1 17 13 6 16 8 .416 .371 .787
RISP .333 42 21 14 1 0 0 15 11 4 4 2 .473 .357 .830[/codebox]
2006 miL Stats
[codebox] AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS IBB GIDP HBP
Wilmington .299 61 244 35 73 7 5 4 32 25 28 25 9 .379 .418 .797 3 5 7
Portland .308 50 198 29 61 10 3 3 19 24 25 16 8 .387 .434 .821 1 1 2
Total miL .303 111 442 64 134 17 8 7 51 49 53 41 17 .382 .425 .808 4 6 9[/codebox]

Thanks LDC - I'm really excited about Ellsbury and hope to get to see him in Pawtucket next year at some point. He's fun to watch.

What could possibly be the reason for such a huge H/A split, especially for a non-power hitter?

2006 Portland Sea Dogs
Eastern League Playoffs
[codebox] AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS
.282 9 29 8 11 0 0 1 6 2 7 2 1 .333 .359 .692[/codebox]

Jacoby named Red Sox Minor League Defensive Player of the Year/Minor League Base-Runner of the Year

Congradulations Jacoby, can't wait to catch some AFL games.

Is anyone else concerned about his SLG or is that just me?