Cubs sign minor leaguer LaHair

[Post Count Padder]

FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi reports the Cubs have signed 1B Bryan LaHair to a minor league contract.

LaHair had a .661 OPS in 136 AB for the Mariners in 2008 and wasn't heard from again. His power took a step forward during Triple-A Tacoma's 2009 season, cranking a career high 26 home runs and posting a .530 slugging percentage. Morosi goes on to say that with a strong showing in camp, the 27-year old could wind up on the big league team.

Source: FOXSports.com

Sounds like another Fox/Hoffpauir.

[Clem Fandango]

LaHair had a .661 OPS in 136 AB for the Mariners in 2008 and wasn't heard from again. His power took a step forward during Triple-A Tacoma's 2009 season

 

:scratch:

[weis21]

LaHair had a .661 OPS in 136 AB for the Mariners in 2008 and wasn't heard from again. His power took a step forward during Triple-A Tacoma's 2009 season

 

:scratch:

Maybe he lost his voice like that USC running back?

[Wrigley Rat]

I'm just searching for some info about LaHair, and here are some edited down articles/comments...

 

Seriously, I wouldn't expect much from LaHair. He isn't much of a prospect. Strikes out WAY too much, has a hard time hitting anything that moves, and is maybe average with the glove. He's got power, and isn't afraid to take a walk, but guys like that are all over the PCL. I'd expect to see a short power burst from him, followed by a big slump when pitchers stop throwing him fastballs.

 

I wouldn't count too much on LaHair moving forward. From the scouting reports I've read, it looks like he has a real hard time with inside pitches. Seems to be some concern as to whether or not he can square up an ML fastball, let alone a solid breaking pitch. He seems like he's one of those fringe AAAA players, spending most of their careers alternating between the big league and AAA. His ceiling is most likely a backup 1B/DH.

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/mariners/2008/07/lahair_up_hulett_down.html

 

For years, first baseman Bryan LaHair always had power potential. A hulking first baseman drafted by Seattle in the 39th round in 2002, LaHair's bulky physique offered hope that he could have over-the-fence power... The Mariners grew tired of incumbent Richie Sexson's terrible hitting, released him, and called up LaHair. He completely flopped. LaHair showed a bad approach at the plate, and very little of his raw power showed up in games. He had just seven extra-base hits (four doubles and two homers) in 45 games, and had an ugly .096 Isolated Power. So LaHair entered this year with a track record of major league failure and complete inability to use his bulk to produce homers. He's also well past the age where players take big steps forward. LaHair was sent to Triple-A Tacoma. It was the fourth straight year he spent extensive time there. LaHair smashed 22 homers in just 92 games with the Rainiers, and even upped his batting average significantly, hitting a nice .305/.366/.555. He has also taken well to the outfield corners, where the Mariners tried him in hopes of increasing LaHair's versatility.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/231793-heres-a-thought-bryan-lahair-deserves-another-shot

 

The Seattle Mariners 2006 Minor League Player of the Year, 24-year-old first baseman Bryan LaHair, has vaulted from a draft and follow pick to a player who stands a good chance of helping the big league club as soon as 2007. Undrafted out of high school, LaHair attended St. Petersburg Junior College and tried to bulk up his athletic 6-foot-5 frame. The Mariners liked the physical and mental maturation that they saw out of the Florida native enough to take a chance on him in the 39th round and then sign him – for well above slot money – convinced that the light went on for LaHair in his second year of college. A basketball player for Toronto Blue Jays’ general manager J.P. Riccardi in high school – Riccardi used to coach basketball during the offseason – LaHair was mediocre in his first two minor league seasons... The Mariners wisely opted to take it slow with the lefthanded hitter, promoting him just one level per year in his first three minor league seasons... We talked to an American League scout who called LaHair a “very young 24-year-old,” justifying his choice of words with an argument that LaHair is still growing into his frame and learning to make adjustments so that he can hit for power more consistently... LaHair has one plus-plus tool, his makeup. He has the kind of desire to get better that every organization wishes for out of all of its athletes. According to the American League scout, LaHair’s makeup is an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale. “He’s a relentless worker,” the scout said. “He’s a confident guy. He knows he can hit. And I think that’s 90-percent of the battle…that attitude, that confidence. He’s a leader and he’s an asset to a ball club…no doubt about it.” Still a rangy 6-foot-5, 215-pounder, LaHair is most comfortable when he’s going the other way and can slump when he tries to pull the ball. But he has gotten into some amazing power grooves... “I can see his power numbers being plus. Not an 80 power guy but something like a 60 power guy. When he gets hot, look out. When he gets locked in, look out.” LaHair is still an underdog in terms of becoming a regular position player in the majors, but as a big, talented athlete, he has the versatility to play first base or switch to a corner outfield position. Don’t be shocked if he blossoms into an above-average major leaguer. “He’s still maturing,” the scout said. “He’s still maturing physically; he’s still maturing as a hitter. I would not put anything past Bryan LaHair. You give him a challenge and then he’ll meet it.”

http://projectprospect.com/article/2006/11/09/prospect-profile-bryan-lahair

 

Strengths: LaHair has a solid stroke, a pretty strong eye at the plate and the late bloomer seems to be improving almost as if he was just 19 or 20. He has power to all fields, but he’s at his best when he’s making pitchers pay for mistakes on the inner half. Weaknesses: LaHair has problems making contact. He doesn’t draw enough walks, either. He has become more selective and his improved swing has become dramatically more consistent the past two seasons. He struggles something awful against lefties and must improve to be of any regular use in the big leagues. Tools: Hitting for Average (on-base skills): LaHair’s career .297/.356 line shows he has a pretty good idea how to get on base… he just needs to do more of it and stay consistent in his efforts. He’ll need to control the strike zone a little bit better, and continue to develop better pitch recognition. Grade: 45/55 Hitting for Power: The truth is, power is typically the last tool to reach its full potential, and LaHair is the M’s poster boy for that fact. He hit for average in San Antonio but was seemingly bothered by the home park, notorious for shredding a hitter’s power stroke and confidence. In Triple-A to finish his season, his work with Terry Pollreisz started to pay off, finishing with 10 homers, 10 doubles and a .525 slugging for the Rainiers. “He clearly made a few adjustments,” said an AL scout who had just finished watching LaHair tear a hole in the Portland Beavers pitching staff. “They may have been made before he came up but he’s really getting the (bat) head out there and turning on some fastballs.” Grade: 55/60+ Glove: The right-handed throwing LaHair handles his position well and has above average foot-speed for a player 6-5 and 225 pounds. He’s adept in turning the 3-6-3 double play and is solid at making the toss to the pitcher on grounders to the right side. Grade: 55/60 Arm: LaHair can make all the routine throws, including the tough one across the diamond and the relay to the plate. His arm strength is a tick above average. Grade: 55/55 Future: While he’s an athletic first baseman, he probably doesn’t have the foot speed to play the outfield on a regular basis, limiting his big-league roles to first or DH. He’s not versatile enough defensively to be a useful bench player, so he’ll need to produce a little versus LHP.

http://prospectinsider.wordpress.com/2007/03/07/no-8-bryan-lahair-1b/