Keith Ginter Fantasy Prospect Profile

DOB: 5/5/76, Age: 25, Height: 5’10’’, Weight: 190, Bats: R, Throws: R. Acquired: Astros - Drafted in the 10th Round of the 1998 draft (Texas Tech). 2000 Stats: (AA - Round Rock) .333 AVG, 462 AB, 30 2B, 3 3B, 26 HR, 24 SB, 82 BB, 127 K, .458 OBP, .580 SLG; (Maj. - Houston) .250 AVG, 8 AB, 1 HR, 1 BB, 3 K, .333 OBP, .625 SLG. 2001 Stats: (AAA - New Orleans) .269 AVG, 457 AB, 31 2B, 5 3B, 16 HR, 8 SB, 61 BB, 147 K, .380 OBP, .464 SLG.

Keith Ginter probably deserved a shot in the majors this season, and as always, one wonders if his early-season performance suffered in AAA without one. Ginter has turned into an offensive force the past two seasons, totaling 111 extra base-hits in 919 at-bats. He crowds the plate unabashedly (47 HBP in ’00 and ’01), looking to pull nearly every pitch he sees, but is still strong enough to muscle pitches off the other way. The high strikeout numbers are much more a result of his “pull-centric” philosophy than a susceptibility to certain types of pitches, and thus are reasonably likely to be reduced given the right hitting coach. In essence, his offense is not a problem. He has power, speed, and a fairly good batting eye. The problem, aside from a general lack of opportunity, is his defense. Ginter is not very fluid in the field, which prompted the Astros to move him to third base (from second) at the beginning of the season. That experiment lasted all of three games, as Ginter’s arm is barely adequate from second base. Keith spent the rest of the season bouncing back and forth between second and left field, where his arm is also a liability. Whatever position he lands at, he won’t be playing there because of his defense. Ginter has above-average power and speed, reminding some of Craig Biggio at the same point in his career, albeit with more power and less speed. If he is able to improve himself defensively at the same rate as Biggio, then the Astros might have another potential All-Star in the making.

The best news that Ginter could have received came last week: the Astros did not tender contracts to Moises Alou or Vinny Castilla. That leaves the option open to use him in either left field or at third base. Defensively, neither option is very palatable to the Astros, but in that bandbox, the importance of defense is tempered somewhat. I actually think that they’ll put Daryle Ward in left and let Ginter battle with Chris Truby for the third-base job. No matter what, I think Ginter will be in the majors next year, it’s just a question of how many at-bats he will receive. Damion Easley might be a reasonable comparison for Ginter, with a peak level similar to Easley’s peak. (38 2B, 27 HR, 15 SB in 1998).

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