3B Josh Vitters - Cubs: Boise A-

3B Josh Vitters - Boise Hawks (A-)

Position: 3B
Born: August 27, 1989
Height: 6-3 Weight: 200 Bats: R Throws: R
High School: Cypress (Cypress,CA)

60 yd dash: 7.2 sec

Hard to put ranks on a player with whom you've only seen high school clips, but BA ranks Vitters as the Cubs #1 prospect.

He should develop into a power hitting, all-star third baseman.


The hardball times broke down his swing as follows:

Roughly speaking, Vitters is a right-handed Moustakas. Vitters has what some consider to be an anomaly, a "pretty" right-handed swing. It's very short, very simple, and certainly looks the part. However, Vitters seems to get "extended" maybe even farther in front than Moustakas, and does not let the ball travel deep into the zone. (Side note: I have a little theory that the reason that most of the longest home runs are hit to the pull-side power alley and center field is because, generally, these pitches get deeper in the zone and hitters hit them closer to their center of rotation... I may be wrong, but hey, it's a thought.) Anyway, unlike Moustakas, Vitters has an aggressive trigger with his left knee and hip that I believe lets him rotate his hips faster (and thus achieve better bat speed) than Moustakas. Moustakas probably has the simpler, "quieter" swing, but I would probably pick Vitters over him based on power potential.

The article is found here (contains .gif image of Vitters' swing, as well as other 2007 draftees): http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/breaking-down-the-drafts-1st-round-picks-1-10/

Holds his hands lower that a lot of young hitters, bat with forward tilt, deep enough in the zone.

From mlb.com, pre draft: Comments: Vitters entered the season as the top high school hitter on most draft boards and he did nothing all season to upset that standing, even though he dealt with a bout of pneumonia during the season. With an uncanny ability to make hard, consistent contact, Vitters has the ability to hit for average and power at the next level. He makes terrific adjustments at the plate and rarely gets cheated. His defensive game isn't as strong as his bat, but he should be just fine at third base.

Diamond Cutter's prospect profile on Vitters is very in depth.