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Hitting

It’s easy to underestimate Ryan Pilotte offensive impact because his two major weaknesses-his low average and high strikeout totals-are so visible.Between his power, his ability to draw walks and base running skills, he contributes in a variety of ways. Pilotte doesn’t hit for a high average to bat at the top of the order, but he has enough power to be a useful run producer. The deep ball parks has held down his power numbers, since his power mainly is to straightaway center and left-center. Streakiness seems to be an unavoidable part of his game.

Base-Running & Defense

An aggressively smart base runner, Ryan Pilotte will take the extra bases and is effective as a base runner when scoring, because he reads fielders’ moves so well. Defensively, Pilotte was competent athletically, with a strong fielding percentage his fielding stats don’t tell the whole story. He was a liability at shortstop entering the league, particularly in the upper level, where the large in-field expanse and with the newly softball bats the players use makes it hazardous for anyone. His biggest problem is the lack of a serious throwing arm, and teams routinely advance bases on base hits to the gap.