Prospect in the Spotlight: Rickie Weeks

Name: Rickie Weeks
Team: Milwaukee Brewers
Pos: 2B
T/H: R/R
Ht: 6-0; Wt: 195 lbs
DOB: 9/13/1982

Team (Level)

HR/RBI

AVG

OBP/OPS

AZL Brewers (R)

0/4

.500

.600/1.100

Beloit (A)

1/16

.349

.500/1.052

Milwaukee

0/0

.167

.286/.536

Huntsville (AA)

479

8/42

.259

.366/.773

In college Rickie Weeks was considered to be the best hitter – and he did win the NCAA batting championship his junior (.495) and senior (.479) year. Many scouts considered him to be the best college talent in the nation, but when draft day came around he only went number two overall, as Delmon Young went first with the D-Rays.

Now that he has had some time to get his feet wet using a wooden bat instead of an aluminum, Weeks has shown what his talent level is more apt to be: pretty darned good. Weeks combines very good bat speed with knowledge of the strike zone, though it did not always show this past season. In the Arizona Fall League, Weeks destroyed the league, as well as showing much better plate judgment. Much of that can be attributed to his father, who videotapes every one of Rickie’s at-bats and reviews them once they get home.

"The Fall League is a great place for Rickie to experiment with his batting," Rickie Weeks Sr. said. "It's pretty tremendous, he's batting more like a Sheffield this year. He went from a candlestick-type stance to holding his hands high and moving the bat back and forth to get his timing down. It works, he's been hitting hard."

Weeks Jr. also attributes some of his newfound talent to his playing experience.

"I know what to expect this year," said Weeks Jr., who is playing in the AFL for the second straight season. "You learn from others and do the best you can. It's great that my Dad came to see me play. He is happy for me and shows his support."

The only downside to Weeks’ game was the on other side of the diamond. Weeks’ defense at second base was a little sketchy, according to some scouts. Once again, Rickie Weeks Sr.’s scouting report on his son.

"Defense-wise, he used to scoop the ball to short if it was hit close to second. Now he takes it himself," Weeks Sr. pointed out. "Defensively, he has been pretty consistent. In Beloit, he was pretty average. Now he is showing a Gold Glove style of play. He is seeing the ball better."

Another upside of this prodigy is his attitude and work ethic. Once again, the words of his own father:

"Rickie's personality allows him to be around people, coaches say he listens, is easy to teach and will take tips and criticism.

"It feels good as a father that any Little League player can look to him and say he's a good person. Baseball is important but in our household it's more important to be a good person.

"He was always a real good kid, coaches would elaborate that he was a better person than ball player. We didn't have to do this and do that, he just did it."

This kid has it all: improving defense, quick bat, fast legs, and the work ethic to put it all together. Fans will not have to worry about him doing anything wrong, as he was not brought up that way. So, for the fans in Milwaukee, just look forward to the day when Rickie Weeks gets his call to the Majors. You’ll have a star player at the keystone position that will play hard and play right.

Good luck, Rickie, hope to see you soon.