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SHELBY FORD
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SECOND BASEMAN
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Born: December 15, 1984 Height: 6′ 3″ Weight: 190 Bats: Both Throws: Right Drafted: 3rd Round, 80th Overall, 2006 How Acquired: Draft College: Oklahoma State Agent: Franklin-Frye Sports Agents |
WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES |
| The Pirates drafted Ford as an offense-oriented infielder. He played at Texas Christian before transferring to Oklahoma State for 2006. Although his statistics look good, he was only the fourth best hitter on his team in his senior year. He doesn’t have great range, but is a solid defender who doesn’t make many errors. He has decent speed and is a good base stealer.
2006: Got off to hot start at Williamsport, earning quick promotion to Hickory. Did only OK there, showing some power but weak plate discipline. 2007: Started off slowly, posting only .687 OPS in season’s first half. Got hot in late June, however, and had OPS of 1.001 after midpoint. Unfortunately, went on DL with back problems in late July and didn’t return. Had only five errors and was voted top defensive 2B in Carolina League. (So was Rob Mackowiak; you have to keep in mind that there are only eight teams in the league and 2B is a low priority position in the minors, as most major league second basemen move there from SS.) 2008: Figured to be regular 2B at Altoona, but missed most of first two months with hip flexors. Also missed about half of July with another injury. In his two healthy months, he posted OPS of .853 (June) and .891 (August). Numbers overall were solid and not dominant, but he seemed to have a lot of potential if he could stay healthy for a whole year. 2009: Missed start of season due to yet another injury, this time a sprained wrist. Took over at second for Indianapolis partway into April and, unfortunately, had probably the most disappointing season of any prospect in the system. To put it mildly, he completely tanked at the plate. It took a five-hit game late in the season to get his numbers up to the level where they finished in AAA. Pirates finally demoted him to Altoona in early August; didn’t hit well there, either. Team left Ford off roster and available for the Rule 5 draft in Fall, but he wasn’t selected. 2010: Opened as utility player at Altoona, a sign he’d fallen off prospect track. Played everywhere in infield and also in left, but still didn’t hit. Team eventually demoted him to Bradenton, which was shorthanded due to injury epidemic. Played regularly there for the last six weeks or so, splitting time between second and short, and hitting problems continued. Ford will again be a utility guy in Altoona in 2011. |
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STATS
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| Baseball Reference–Minors Fangraphs MiLB.com
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