BaseballEvolution.com Scouting Report: Nationals OF Carlton Tyrell Godwin
By Keith Glab 5/28/05
Back in 2004 the Expos made a friendly trade with their Canadian counterparts, landing them exciting young outfielder Tyrell Godwin.
Vitals:
Height: 6’0"
Weight: 200
Bats/Throws: L/R
Position: Center Field/Left Field
Birthdate: July 10, 1979
Nickname: "Thanks Be"
Drafted: ByToronto—3rd Round of the 2001 Amateur Draft
2005 Statistics, New Orleans Zephyrs, AAA affiliate of the Washington Nationals:
|
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
|
44 |
180 |
25 |
60 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
12 |
16 |
28 |
11 |
7 |
.333 |
.394 |
.428 |
Exactly one Month ago, "Thanks Be" was hitting .390 with 2 homers for the New Orleans Zephyrs. He cooled off considerably, not homering since then and dropping to a .333 BA.
Hitting and Power:
This guy is a force at the top of the order, having left New Orleans with a .394 OBP and 25 runs scored. He hits southpaws well, though he probably won’t be asked to do that much with the Nats this year. Though labeled a spray hitter, he’s got a slight inclination towards the opposite field. Tyrell generally shows good patience at the plate and knows how to bunt for a base hit. You can’t just groove fastballs to him, however, and he has a dozen extra base hits to prove it.
Baserunning and Speed:
Tyrell can fly; he wears 24 as a tribute to Rickey Henderson. The most fascinating part of Godwin’s game is his lead off of first base. He measures exactly three fully stretched strides off of first base to gauge this leadoff. Previously, he took his second step with his back to the pitcher, but a well-timed pickoff play makes him now do that only while his foot is still on the bag for his first step. Caught stealings are a problem for Godwin; he’s only been successful in 11 of 18 chances this year due to pickoffs and bad jumps.
Defense:
What’s surprising is that for an outfielder with Tyrell’s speed, his arm is his best defensive asset. I’ve seen him play in eight gamers this year, and he’s made five assists from the outfield in that time. Conversely, he will occasionally take circuitous routes on fly balls. Thankfully, he can usually catch up to them with pure speed.
ETA: 2005
Projection: Leadoff Hitter, Starting Center Fielder
MLB Clone: Kenny Lofton
Comments:
Tyrell hit leadoff in AAA over former ML leadoff hitter Endy Chavez. Clearly, the organization is high on him, and he has every opportunity to establish himself as more than just a pinch runner and late-inning defensive replacement with all of the injuries for Washington.
2005 Outlook: Nationals’ new top-of-the-order threat