9/9/11

The Keepers: - #64 - SS/2B - Robbie Shields

64. Robbie Shields



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/



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&



6-28-10: - Shields hit his first home run on Sunday and continues to fight back from last year’s TJS He was a big time prospect, as you will read below, but is way behind in his development. He’s playing DH right now and is playing GCL ball at 22-years old.



7-13-10: - Shields was a hot-shot prospect before he had to go under the knight for TJS… he quietly has returned this year, starting out with the GCL Mets and, frankly, he’s really heating up, batting leadoff and playing shortstop. On Monday, Shields went 3-4, scored one run, and knocked in three runs. He finished the day with a seasonal .293 BA… this includes going 7-12 in the last three games.



7-25-10: - Shields was transferred from being a rehabbing SS for GCL, to a part time SS for Lucy and now a full time SS for the Sand Gnats. The ex-prospect needs to play every day to get back his strength and he’ll get that opportunity in Savannah. In the pecking order, he’s currently behind Wilmer Flores. Wilfredo Tovar, and Jordany Valedespin in development.

10-7-10 - 2011 Forecast: - Hopefully, we won't have another Shawn Bowman on our hands here. Shields is a bonefide prospect who has fell down the pecking order due to a serson ending injury. No sweat. He got right back on the horse last season for Savannah, and a good year in 2011 at Lucy will get the writers writing about him again.


5-31-11: - SS Robbie Shields has done a good job of settling into the two spot in the Sand Gnats order this year, (.281), especially after getting off to quite a slow start (.236 April). He’s playing A-ball as a 23-year old due to past injuries, and, frankly, the ex-number two draft pick should be realigned to be put back where he is supposed to playing right now. Shortstop wise, Ruben Tejada will step in when Jose Reyes is gone, but Shields should be the next in line and playing Binghamton right now. 19-year old Wilmer Flores has been rushed lime most “Omarlatins” and should stay in St. Lucie through 2011. Jordany Valdespin and Rylan Sandoval have faded and Wilfredo Tovar needs to play every day in Savannah.





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