Scouting Report
December 26, 2004 - Ray Mileur
David Eckstein
David Eckstein (Pronounced: Eck-STYNE ) #22 | Shortstop | St. Louis Cardinals
Height: 5-7 Weight: 165 Bats: R Throws: R
Born: January 20, 1975 - Sanford, FL College: Florida
Draft: 1997 - 19th round by the Boston Red Sox
After losing free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria to the Anaheim Angels, the St. Louis Cardinals have filled the hole in their infield by signing Eckstein to a three-year, $10.25 million contract. In 142 games with the Angels last season, Eckstein batted .276 with two home runs, 35 RBI, 16 stolen bases and 92 runs scored.
Eckstein's three-year deal starts with a $250,000 signing bonus and a first-year salary of $2.25 million. In the second and third year of the deal, Eckstein's salary jumps from $3.25 million to $4.5 million, respectively.
The scrappy Eckstein expected to become a Cardinal Fan Favorite is probably a better fit at second base but is expected to be the everyday shortstop and be the potential leadoff hitter for the 2005 Cardinals.
OFFENSE
Eckstein is a contact slap hitter who also is very good bunter. He is also considered an ideal leadoff hitter by many because he can drive up pitch counts with his ability to fight off those tough pitches and he makes a pitcher throw strikes by laying off pitches outside the strike zone. Eckstein was the second-hardest player to strike out in AL and ranked fourth with 14 sacrifice bunts, now that's something that we have been looking for, for over the last couple of seasons that he brings to the lineup.
His best offensive season came in 2002 when he hit .293 with 8 home runs and 63 RBI. That season David had 21 stolen bases and a .363 on base percentage. It's clear by the hype of the signing of Eckstein that the Cardinals are hoping that the new shortstop can regain his 2002 form.
He saw a big drop in his production in 2003 before showing signs of improvement in 2004. In 03 he was troubled by
multiple injuries to include a nagging hamstring problem and a deep bruise and strain in his right shoulder that caused him to miss several games. Limited to just 120 games that season David hit just .252 with 3 HRs and 31 RBI and his stolen bases dropped down from 29 in 2001 to 16 in 2003 & 2004.
Eckstein was considered by the Angels organization as one of the best hit & run batters in the game and that could come in handy in St. Louis. He has been among the league leaders in both hit-by-pitches and sacrifice hits the past three seasons.
Concerned about a little guy like this playing everyday? He combined to hit .341 in June-July but .228 from August until the end of the season, so this is something that we will have to keep a watch out for this season.
Expect a boost in Eckstein numbers once he gets into the Cardinals NL Championship lineup, but as a leadoff hitter it might be a little much to expect him to put up the numbers of Tony Womack from this past season.
LEADOFF HITTER
04 Tony Womack .307 5 38 26 SB .349 OBP
05 Eckstein projection .279 2 34 18 SB .344 OBP
DEFENSE
In the field, David displays sure hands, if he can get to the ball he'll make the plays. He only made 6 errors last season. His instincts and great positioning make up for his lack of range and arm strength. His throws to first base appear unorthodox, but his arm is accurate and strong enough to get the job done, regardless of how fast the batter is. His hands are so small that he grips the ball with three fingers when he throws.
But the bottom line is, he finds a way to get the job done. His .988 fielding pct. led all Major League shortstops last season and Cardinal fans should not expect any problems with his defense.
What does Barry Bonds say about our new shortstop?
"Watch Eckstein throw the ball across the infield, and it barely makes it," Bonds said. "Then get the game on, and he makes a great throw. He's special. I watched him make one great play, and it brought a tear to my eye to think that someone could will himself to be a winning major league player. We can all learn something from him."
Barry Bonds
POST SEASON
Eckstein's post season history could be a big reason the Cardinals went out and got David. During the 2002 Post-Season: he hit safely in 13 of Anaheim's 16 post-season games (six multi-hit efforts). He was limited to just three runs through first two rounds of playoffs before scoring six runs during the seven games of the Fall Classic. He started three-run rally with lead-off single in third inning of Game 7 of World Series and he went 3-for-5 with three runs in Game 2 of World Series in Anaheim's 11-10 comeback win. .All told, the new Cardinal shortstop hit .294 (20/68) with nine runs and six RBI
in '02 post-season. Eckstein's spikes worn during the World Series were sent to Cooperstown.
David Eckstein seen here on the right with the 2002 World Series Trophy.
Can David Eckstein be the missing piece to a World Championship Team?
You will never question his heart. He will bring a lot more to this team than
what the numbers he puts up might suggest.
MLB.COM BIO
David Mark Eckstein (Eck-STINE)...Wrote autobiography entitled "Have Heart" in conjunction with Positively For Kids, Inc., a children's book that tells his story of overcoming adversity in his life...Held book signing at the Richard Nixon Library, Nov. 15, 2003...Honored by Court-TV as an "Everyday Hero" at 2003 Awards Luncheon...Participated in second annual Halo Winners Charity Day, Nov. 1, 2003, to help raise awareness for various Orange County children's charities. Took part in Angels 2002 pre-season Community Caravan...Represented Angels at Special Olympics Southern California Opening Ceremonies...Spoke at The Nixon Library's Sept. 11th Tragedy Memorial Service and took part in KABC Disaster Relief Drive at Edison Field...Assists Angels Community Relations with school outreach program, youth baseball clinics and Angels Boosters Blood Drive Program...Recorded public service announcement for Memorial Care to encourage exercise...Served as Kidney Association Walk Chairman in 2003...Invited to dinner at White House with President George W. Bush as guest of columnist George Will (along with Charles Johnson, Curt Schilling, Todd Helton and Red Sox executive Larry Lucchino), Nov. 25, 2002. Honored with Dick Berardino "33" Alumni Award by single-A Lowell Spinners (Boston affiliate) at Kids in Disability Sports dinner, Dec. 5, 2002...Served as Grand Marshall of hometown Sanford's 125-year-old annual Christmas parade, Dec. 14, 2002. Made acting debut in episode of "She Spies" along with Adam Kennedy and Scott Spiezio...Graduated Seminole High School (Sanford, FL) in 1993...Two-time All-State baseball selection and member of State Championship team...Attended Univ. of Florida (Gainesville, FL) and walked on baseball team in fall of 1994, later earning a scholarship. Was two-time All-SEC (1995-96) and first team All-American in 1996...Three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection (1995-97), the first two-time GTE Academic All-American in Gator history...Member of 1996 College World Series team that finished third in nation (teammate of Oakland's Mark Ellis, Pittsburgh's Josh Fogg and Los Angeles' David Ross while at Florida)...Three siblings (Susan, Kenny and Christine) suffered kidney ailments as youngsters and required kidney transplants...Both parents (Patricia and Whitey) are teachers in Florida...Originally signed by Red Sox scout Luke Wrenn.
