Monday, February 19, 2007

Bucco Wire Player Profiles: Xavier Nady



XAVIER NADY



Born: November 14, 1978

Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 4th round of the 1997 amateur draft, but did not sign. Drafted by the San Diego padres in the 2nd round of the 200 amateur draft and signed on September 17, 2000. Traded by the Padres to the New York Mets for Mike Cameron. Traded by the Mets to the Pirates for Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez.

2006 Stats:
AVG - .280
R - 57
HR - 17
RBI - 63
BB - 30
SO - 85
OBP - .337

Summary:



Nady is still young and will play this whole season as a 28-year-old. Personally, I thought the trade to bring Nady to Pittsburgh was a good one for the Buccos. Nady was always considered a top prospect when coming up with the Padres and showed promise in his first two half-season stints in the big leagues.

In New York, Nady still progressed, hitting 14 home runs and driving in 40 runs in 265 at-bats. In Pittsburgh, Nady's power numbers dropped in terms of home runs, but his gap power increased, hitting nearly as many doubles thanks to spacious PNC Park in 62 less at-bats. His overall hitting went up as well, sitting at .300 in his time with the Pirates.

I, and I may be in the minority here I'm not sure, really believe that Nady is going to improve upon his numbers. Nady played in 130 games last season, the most of any season in his career. With a full slate of games, meaning his first full season in the big leagues with a starting job, Nady will produce. And he will be a nice compliment for Bay and LaRoche. A .280 showing with 20+ home runs and 80+ RBIs out of the right field spot for Nady will be a huge upgrade at the position for the Pirates. I think Nady can accomplish that, and maybe even a little more.

Profile links:


Baseball-Reference
The Baseball Cube
Wilbur Miller's Profiles

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