Dustin Ackley

Bio

School: UNC
Drafted: 2nd overall in 2009 by the Seattle Mariners
Scouting Report: Ackley is the best position-player prospect in this draft, and while that's damning with faint praise, he is an excellent college hitting prospect in his own right. His swing (watch scouting video) is one of the best in the draft, if not the best; he's pretty short to the ball, gets good extension through contact and has good bat speed. His back side collapses slightly and he can lunge a little bit after a pretty long stride, but shortening the stride may help him keep his back side more upright. Ackley's major question is his ultimate position. He's a plus-plus runner who has the physical ability to play center field, but his arm is still recovering from July 2008 Tommy John surgery, itself the result of a pitching injury he suffered in high school. Any team that takes him as an outfielder is gambling that his throwing strength will fully return given more time.

Rumors

Three Questions For The 2010 MLB Draft (4/5/2010)
A look at some important questions to be asked before June's draft

Zack Cox, Bryce Brentz Lead Small Class of College Bats (2/28/2010)
The 2008 and 2009 drafts were unusually stocked in terms of the quality and quantity of available college bats. The 2010 class does not project as well, but Zack Cox and Bryce Brentz remain two bats that are safe picks in the first round.

Top 20 Baseball Prospects For 2010 (2/5/2010)
A look at the aggregate rankings of top prospects heading into the 2010 season from various sources through the baseball media.

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