Vital Statistics:
| Name |
Jon Zeringue |
| Position |
Outfield |
| Age |
21 |
| Height |
6'2" |
| Weight |
205 |
| Bats |
Right |
| Throws |
Right |
| ’04 Club |
Lancaster JetHawks (Hi A
California League) |
Zeringue was a hitter at LSU, and impressed
during his college career when he played in the wooden bat Cape Cod league and
hit .283 with 12 of his 36 hits going for extra bases. Still, few expected
his pro debut to be as successful as it was. He had a five hit game during
his first week at the Diamondback Hi A affiliate in Lancaster, and continued to
produce all the way through the California League championship series where
Zeringue got big hit after big hit.
Batting and Power: Zeringue hit
.335 in 230 at bats at Lancaster, proving the adjustment from aluminum to wood
wasn't a problem for him. He has shown more power than the Diamondbacks
expected this quickly, jacking 10 homers in his first pro season. Though
that's not an incredible number, he projects to a 30-35 homer guy as he gets
stronger and more comfortable with wood bats. He also has a knack for
driving in runs. One scout says Zeringue might be the best pure hitter in
the Diamondback system, high praise considering Conor Jackson and Carlos Quentin
have showed no signs of slowing down and Sergio Santos had put up big numbers
before his injury filled '04 season.
| '04 Lancaster |
At Bats |
Avg. |
HR |
RBI |
SLG% |
| Jon Zeringue |
230 |
.335 |
10 |
41 |
.552 |
Base running and Speed: Zeringue has slightly above average
speed, certainly enough to play either corner outfield spot, but not enough for
center. Though he swiped nine bases at Lancaster he was caught five times,
indicating he still needs work on picking pitches to run on and getting good
jumps. Coaches have noted that he takes too many chances on the base paths
but like the aggressiveness and credit the poor decisions to the adjustment from
college to pro level outfield arms.
Defense: He has enough arm to play right field, but is better
suited to left, after being converted to the outfield from 3rd base at
LSU. His plus speed has sparked rumors that Conor Jackson may be moving to
first base to allow Zeringue to stay in left as he moves up. Takes good
lines on balls hit to the outfield, impressive considering this is his first
year in the outfield, gets to a lot of balls hitters and base runners think will
drop.