Before 2009: Krum was drafted in the 9th round in 2007 by the Yankees out of noted baseball powerhouse Dallas Baptist University. Assigned to Short Season-A Staten Island after signing, he got off to a somewhat lackluster start, hitting just .238 in 60 games, adding one home run, 22 RBI and 11 stolen bases along the way.
Krum garnered national attention prior to the start of the 2008 season following his arrest for trespassing after allegedly refusing to leave a restaurant. On the field, things went much better for him. An everyday outfielder at Low-A Charleston, Krum hit .272 with eight home runs and 67 RBI in his first full professional season, and posted a career high OPS of .753
2009: Krum started the season in High-A Tampa and lasted about two months before ultimately being called up to Trenton. In Tampa, he hit .272 in 53 games, but hit no home runs and drove in only 14. His 77-game stay in Trenton…it would be harsh to call it disappointing, but he stood out more for his unexpectedly strong arm than anything he did at the plate. He hit only .234 and added only two home runs and 24 RBI.
After 2009: It’s hard to know what to make of Krum after just two and a half professional seasons. As of right now, I’d say he’s got a decent bat with below average power and average speed. Probably above average in the field, with the occasional errant throw mixed in. I’d think it’s pretty much a lock that he starts 2010 in Trenton, and may spend the majority of the season here, if not all of it.
It’s probably a little much to say 2010 is a make or break year for the friendly outfielder, but at 24 years old, he needs to start making some progress in his game to have a real chance to progress to Triple-A and possibly the big leagues.
Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com
February 10, 2010 at 10:07 am |
i think he’s already topped out at AA
February 10, 2010 at 1:53 pm |
i think you have made a negative / pessimistic comment about every player mike has written about
February 10, 2010 at 7:32 pm |
haha good catch, anonymous. i thought the same thing.
February 11, 2010 at 9:57 am |
Austin is almost a Brett gardner clone, but without the tremendous speed or OB skills. In short, while he seems liek a nice player, i do not see much of a major league future for him.