Mets Draft Pick - SS - Robert Shields

Robert Shields – Bats/Throws: R/R Position: IF Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 200 Hometown: Dade City, FL Previous School: Pasco HS Eligibility: Jr. Major: Finance

AS A SOPHOMORE (2008): HONORS - SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll ... second-team All-SSC ... started all 50 games at shortstop ... led team in hits (69) ... third on team in batting average (.348) ... tied for third in home runs (9) ... fourth in RBI (36) ... second in doubles (15) ... led team in multi-hit games (22) ... third in multi-RBI games (10) ... had team's second-longest hitting streak of the season (14 games, 2/8 through 3/5) ... in three-game sweep of West Florida on 2/8-9, went 5-13 with 5 RBI, 4 runs, 2 doubles and a home run ... went 7-16 with 5 RBI, 3 runs, 2 doubles, a triple and a home run vs. Nova Southeastern on 2/22-24 ... went 7-12 with 5 RBI, 3 runs, 3 doubles and a home run vs. Rollins on 3/28-30 ... in three-game sweep of Eckerd on 4/11-12, went 10-16 with 5 RBI, 8 runs, 2 home runs and a double ... went 6-13 with 3 RBI, 4 runs and 2 doubles vs. Lynn on 4/25-26 ... had multi-hit games in 12 of the last 18 ... hit .442 (23-52) over last 12 games of season.

SS - Florida Southern… 6-0, 200, R/R… junior… 2008: led team in hits, .348, 9 HR, 36 RBIs… injured wrist in Cape Cod League this past summer… ability to hit high for average… great bat speed… limited defensively.

Shields could ascend up draft boards next spring much like Gordon Beckham did during the spring of 2008 with a strong junior campaign. He, like Beckham the year before, enjoyed a fine summer on the Cape this past year, although his time was cut short when he injured his wrist sliding into a base. With very good bat speed and solid offensive tools across the board, Shields has the talent to be a game-changing infielder, with the ability to hit for a high average and power while also having good enough wheels to be a threat on the basepaths. His bat speed comes from very strong hands, wrists and forearms, and he knows how to loft balls to give him double-digit home run potential. Defensively he doesn't have ideal range at the shortstop position, as many feel he may have to move to either 2B or 3B down the road, but he has plenty of arm strength to play any infield position. He does run well and shows good overall baseball instincts. Shields has posted solid numbers since stepping onto campus, including his two summer stints (he was named one of the top prospects in the Clark-Griffith League after his freshman year), and has started at Florida Southern from day one. He is poised for a big junior year, as more and more people will become familiar with his name between now and next June.

http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewAmateurPlayerProfile.do?playerId=884&draftId=7

Robbie Shields, shortstop: Florida Southern - His draft stock has suffered a similar problem to that of D.J. LeMahieu, although far less severe. Scouts don't think Shields will stick at shortstop, and his bat has not lived up to expectations this spring, very similar to LeMahieu. This past summer, Shields grabbed teams' attention with a strong, albeit short, stint in the Cape Cod League, hitting .429 before injuring his wrist. This spring he has not hit for much power, but his solid approach at the plate, combined with a quick line drive swing still appeals to a number of teams. His future position could be second base as he possesses the hands and footwork, but he does stand the chance of growing out of it, forcing a move to third. It's possible that Shields' wrist injury hurt him at the plate this year, but the general opinion is that he won't be a big power guy anyway. He could go as early as the third.

http://www.orkut.com/

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Mack's Mets
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9.6.09

Robbie Shields: Shields emerged as a candidate for the first or supplemental first round of the draft with a strong showing at the Cape Cod League last summer, where he flashed good speed and power before injuring his wrist on a slide. He hasn’t showed any ill-affects from that summer injury. In 49 games thus far this season for Florida Southern, Shields is batting .351 with five homers, 34 RBIs and a .459 OBP. Shields has a similar build to A’s 2008 draft pick Dusty Coleman and a similar skill-set. Shields has above-average power for a shortstop, good plate coverage and decent speed. He may have to move off of shortstop to second or third base in the pros, but he has the bat to play at either of those positions. Shields may be hurt by the fact that he doesn’t play in a big Division I conference, but he did show he could hang with the big boys in the Cape this summer, which may alleviate some of those concerns. - Comparison- Aaron Hil

http://braves.scout.com/a.z?s=248&p=2&c=862955&ssf=1&