Minor League Profile: Cody Cipriano

by FreeZorilla on Jun 16, 2009 4:51 PM EDT

William "Cody" Cipriano, the Rays 9^th round selection in the 2007 amateur draft, has been on a tear at the plate this season for the Class A Advanced Charlotte Stone Crabs. The Rays drafted the 24 year old 6'1 205 lb infielder out of the University of California-Irvine where he led the Anteaters in home runs and slugging %. Baseball America's draft bio referenced surprising pop and good patience at the with below average defensive skills.

Following the draft, Cipriano was assigned to the Hudson Valley Renegades where the right-hander showed promise OPSing .817 with a 14% walk rate. He took a major step backwards in Columbus last year, batting only .196 with a sub .700 OPS. Seemingly counted out, Cipriano has taken the Florida State League by storm batting over .330 with an OPS in .930 range. His BB/K ratio has dipped but he has been drilling the ball with a 25.4% line drive rate year to date. More good news is that he has consistently hit right handed pitching well, with a career OPS of .808 vs. RHP and .822 vs. LHP.

This year Cipriano has spent about half his time at second, while splitting the other half mostly between 1B and DH. You'll notice in 2008 his BABIP was a very low .229 with a 10.6% LD rate vs. .421 with a 25.4% LD rate in 2009. While Cipriano will most likely not be able to continue to hit one out of four line drives, he has demonstrated a solid enough bat to be in the conversation for a mid-season promotion. If he can improve on his power, he may be able to put himself near the top of the Rays anemic 1B food chain.

Please enjoy his career peripherals below as well as 2009 RH/LH splits.

	BA	OBP	SLG	K%	BB%	BB/K
07 UC Irvine	0.345	0.442	0.616	18.70%	13.20%	0.82
07 HVR	0.274	0.384	0.433	29.30%	14%	0.56
08 Col	0.196	0.322	0.378	24.70%	13.50%	0.64
09 Char	0.331	0.403	0.533	28.40%	10.10%	0.4

	BABIP	LD%	ISO
2008	0.229	10.60%	0.181
2009	0.421	25.40%	0.195

2009	AB	AVG	OBP	SLG
vs. LH	28	0.286	0.394	0.607
vs. RH	141	0.326	0.391	0.496

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The low minors must really lack lefties.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 16, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

It is an odd split

08 at A ball was 48 vs 98 AB
07 at SS was 52 vs 163

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jun 16, 2009 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

I like his BABIP this year

Rays baseball + Colorado Football= amazing

by raysfan81 on Jun 16, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

I guess thats why he has a extremely high average

Rays baseball + Colorado Football= amazing

by raysfan81 on Jun 16, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Cody is my favorite...

under the radar prospect in the organization. I liked him after reading his bio when he was drafted. Its been great following him this season.

by Tamparays01 on Jun 16, 2009 9:53 PM EDT reply actions

Him not being able to handle 2B even at the FSL level precludes him from being a prospect.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Jun 16, 2009 10:34 PM EDT reply actions

I think that Cipriano is one of those high side guys

the Rays would probably like to work into a trade that gives them a needed piece (I don’t think they need to trade for any pieces in particular right now… another starting pitcher maybe…). I don’t think he makes it past AAAA, but all the same I wish him luck and hopefully he can improve his defense and his splits.

by behn on Jun 17, 2009 1:47 AM EDT reply actions