Lastings Milledge

LASTINGS MILLEDGE
OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Age: 25
Born: April 5, 1985
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 187
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 1st Round, 12th Overall, 2003
How Acquired: Trade (for Nyjer Morgan/Sean Burnett)
High School: Lakewood Ranch HS (Bradenton, FL)
Agent: N/A

SCOUTING REPORT
The Pirates made a classic buy low/sell high move in trading Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett for Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan, mostly due to the addition of Milledge.  Milledge, once the top prospect in the New York Mets farm system, and one of the top ten prospects in the game, has seen a gradual fall from grace due to what is described as personality issues.  Since joining the Pirates, no issues have been displayed.  The key issues in New York were taking a victory lap down the side of the stands and slapping five with fans after hitting his first home run, and taking part in a rap album.  In Washington, the key issue that got him demoted in 2009 was arriving to practice late.  Looking back, the issues may suggest a lack of maturity, but nothing serious, and nothing that isn’t expected of a 22-24 year old.

Milledge at this point is all upside. As the season went on, Milledge not only showed his hitting ability, batting for a .291/.333/.395 line with the Pirates, but he also showed some good defensive skills, with an 11.2 UZR/150 rating in his time in Pittsburgh. The only thing Milledge lacked was power, although he hit 14 homers in 523 at-bats last year, so there’s no reason to think he can’t do that again.  At the worst, Milledge provides the same value as Nyjer Morgan.  If Milledge can improve on his power, and maintain his hitting and defensive work from the 2009 season, he alone will make the Morgan/Burnett trade a steal.

STATS

MAJORS:

MINORS:

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2006: League Minimum
2007: $383,000
2008: $402,500
2009: $452,000
2010: $452,000
2011: Arbitration Eligible
2012: Arbitration Eligible
2013: Arbitration Eligible

Other Details:
  • N/A

PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $2,075,000
MiLB Debut: 2003
MLB Debut: 5/30/2006
MLB FA Eligible: 2014
Added to 40-Man: 5/30/2006
Options Remaining: 0 (USED: 2006, 2007, 2009)
MLB Service Time: 2.079

AWARDS / ACHIEVEMENTS / PROSPECT RANKINGS
AWARDS / ACHIEVEMENTS
PROSPECT RANKINGS
2002: 1st Team HS All-American OF
2003: 1st Team HS All-American OF
Baseball America

2004: #86 MLB, #4 NYM
2005: #11 MLB, #1 NYM
2006: #9 MLB, #1 NYM

TRANSACTIONS
June 3, 2003: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 1st round, 12th overall pick.
August 19, 2003: Signed by the New York Mets to a minor league contract with a $2.075 M bonus.
May 30, 2006: Contract purchased by the New York Mets.
November 30, 2007: Acquired by the Washington Nationals from the New York Mets in exchange for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider.
June 30, 2009: Acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Washington Nationals along with Joel Hanrahan in exchange for Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett.