Jimmy
Crooks

Strong and mature bodied at 6-foot, 215 pounds, Crooks has always thrown well with plus arm strength. He keeps it simple with short footwork leading to a quick release and he slows the running game with consistent POP times in the low-1.9s. During the Texas series, Crooks was 1-for-3 throwing out runners and is now 3-for-14 on the season. He also calls his own game, receives well, blocks softly and redirects the ball out in front of home plate. At the plate the left handed hitter has more bat strength than bat speed for above average raw power to his pull side. Last season he got to that power, belting 18 doubles, 10 home runs and a .502 SLG%. This season he has only homered once, but the power is still evident during batting practice. Although Crooks was just 2-for-12 at the plate in this series, several of his outs were hard contact, including a couple fly balls to deep center field. He used all fields, showed strong in-game bat-to-ball skills, as well as solid plate discipline. A below average runner (4.42 H-1B from the left side), but one with good instincts, Crooks has stolen five bases in seven attempts this season. College catchers with strong defensive skills, plus arm strength and a chance to hit are not too common in the draft. Each draft is different with its strengths and weaknesses, but typically the draft favors offense over defense when selecting college backstops. The only two college catchers who were selected in rounds 2-4 last year were Adrian Del Castillo (Miami) and Hunter Goodman (Memphis). Both were seen as offense-first prospects with a less than average chance of staying behind the plate at the pro level. Crooks is currently hitting .303 with 17 walks and 22 strikeouts and with continued strong performance expect him to be considered in the top four rounds this summer.

01.22.18 Crooks is a left-handed hitting catcher with a smooth hack. The uncommitted junior, standing 6-foot, 190-pounds, and showed increased bat speed and strength in his hands during batting practice, with an exit velocity of 90 mph off the tee. Uses a relaxed leg kick to create leverage and timing. Short path to the ball with natural lift from the left side. Behind the plate, Crooks has a quick exchange and throws from a short arm stroke to post the top pop times of the event at 1.94-2.04, with a velocity from the crouch of 80 mph.

10.28.17 Crooks has a strong frame at 6-foot, 190-pounds. He has an ultra quick exchange and is an accurate thrower, posting his best pop time of 1.97 twice, with his others ranging from 2.0-2.09, with a top velocity from the crouch of 80 mph. Short, quick arm stroke from back to front, hands and feet sync up well, receives with soft hands. A left-handed hitter, Crooks was on the barrel throughout batting practice, showing good power to the pull side with natural lift. He has loose hands and easy rhythm, using a simple leg kick to engage his lower half and transfer through contact with an exit velocity of 85 mph. During the game, he hammered a single to center field.