ERIC HINSKE

Third Baseman
Toronto Blue Jays

Bats: Left Throws: Right
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 225 lbs.
Born: August 5, 1977, in Neenah, Wisconsin, U.S.A.

 YEAR

PROFILE:
Eric Hinske graduated from Menasha High School in Wisconsin, in 1995. While in school, he lettered in basketball and football, as well as baseball. However, he was an All-State selection in baseball. He went on to attend the University of Arkansas, where he majored in Special Education. He was also an All-State baseball player in college. Eric was selected originally by the Chicago Cubs with their 17th round pick in the 1998 draft; he signed on June 17, 1998. At the time, the Cubs thought they finally had a good third base prospect in their system. However, because the Cubs also had managed to sign prospect, David Kelton, Hinske was traded from the Cubs to the Oakland A’s in the spring of 2001, in a move that allowed the Cubs to retain Rule 5 pickup, Scott Chiasson. Eric was then dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays for reliever Billy Koch last off-season. Defensively, Hinske is adequate at third. He makes most of the plays and has a solid arm. However, he will probably never win a Gold Glove Award. In the minors, he also played a lot in left field and first base. Hinske’s ticket to the majors though has been his offense. He possesses terrific power and patience at the plate. He still strikes out too much, but overall, he has a good batting eye. Most opposing teams try to get Hinske out by changing speeds on him. Eric has hit for power and decent average at just about every level as he has progressed up to the majors. In the low minors, he was basically a pull hitter, but has since learned how to hit to the opposite field with power. He kind of came out of nowhere last season to win the American League Rookie of the Year honors, but when you look at this stats throughout his minor league career, he has always hit well, and the kind of patience that he demonstrated at the plate, usually translates into success at the major league level.

FINAL ASSESSMENT:
We kind of find it amazing that a player with Hinske’s definite offensive ability has already been traded so many times. However, what has been a major loss for the Cubs and A’s, has turned into a major boon for the Blue Jays. We feel that there is no reason why Hinske should not continue to be a very solid major league player. Our only concern is that he still needs to stop trying to pull the ball, and he has to try to cut down on his strikeouts. He’ll probably be selected with one of the top picks in the upcoming NABL draft (possibly second overall behind Mark Prior?). He’ll anchor third base for some lucky NABL team next season.