Why the Astros Loved #1 pick Jiovanni Mier (2009)
John Klima | June 11, 2009
In scouting lingo, you either “like” a guy or you “love” a guy. A guy you “like” is a good player who you think is a prospect, but not a definite to play in the big leagues. A guy you “love” is one you feel is a definite major league everyday player. A scout “loves” those guys because they are as hard to find as a dry field in the winter.
(photo: Baseball Beginnings)
Longtime Houston Astros territory scout Doug Deutsch loved Jiovanni Mier, the Bonita HS shortstop who was his organization’s first-round pick in 2009. Deutch, as the organization’s local point man on the player, saw and studied him diligently.
“The thing that attracted me was the ease with which he plays shortstop,” Deutsch said. “He seemed to have an instinct for the ball. He has what we call excellent athletic actions. The ball seems to find the center of his glove a lot. He has a short arm stroke with an above-average arm. He is an average runner, but his speed plays up. His frame should be able to carry more weight. He has above-average bat speed in my opinion. I believe he will have some power as he develops. I think he will be a very good ballplayer for our ballpark.”
Deutsch loves Mier’s character. One of Deustch’s influences as a scout was Jesse Flores Sr., a former major league pitcher and longtime pre-expansion Pacific Coast League knuckleball pitcher who twice won 20 games as a professional, including a 21-10, 3.03 season for San Diego in 1949. Flores believed in watching how a player interacted with other players, especially as a shortstop. Deutsch, whose major league alumni have included Morgan Ensberg, Jason Lane and John Buck, said he loves the way Mier takes charge.
“A shortstop is basically the quarterback of the baseball team,” Deutsch said. “(Mier) will jump on somebody if it needs to be said. He is a very solid individual whose character is off the charts. He has a form of quiet leadership.”
Mier draws comparisons to Nomar Garciaparra. Garciaparra was a skinny Southern California shortstop who, like Mier, played a decade of youth soccer, which helped him develop his footwork.
This helps Mier’s athletic body control, one reason why many observers believe Mier can stay at shortstop. Deutsch notes that Mier controls his body direction and movement on double-play pivots, keeping his weight in front of him while he throws without his inertia taking him toward center field. Offensively, Deutsch believes Mier will fill out and add the ability to drive the ball. Don’t expect a power hitter, but Deutsch believes he will be a good offensive player for Minute Maid Park.
Deutsch said Garciaparra was probably a full-grade better as a runner at the same age, but likened the physical stature and power potential to Garciaparra. In 1991, the Brewers drafted Garciaparra out of Bellflower HS, but he elected to attend Georgia Tech, where he was the 12th player selected in the 1994 draft.
Mier will have to choose between signing as a first-round pick and replacing another first-round pick, Grant Green, at USC.
Be sure to read more about Mier right here at Baseball Beginnings. Follow the links below to read a Q&A, scouting report and watch video.
Read Jiovanni Mier Q&A
Read Jiovanni Mier Scouting report
Watch Jiovanni Mier Scouting video
Jiovanni Mier Drafted by the Astros
Today, the Oakland A’s selected Grant Green with the 13th overall draft pick. Follow the links below for Baseball Beginnings content on Green.
The chain link fence at Cal State Northridge is so close to the field that whispers and grumbles carry as long and as far as the metal-bat home runs rocket through the smoggy air and carry over the brick walls.
