Brandon Larson
Cincinnati Reds
Position: 3B Bats Right Throws: Right Height: 6-0 Weight: 210 Born: 5/24/76

Year	Team	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG
2001	Louisville	AAA	115	424	61	108	22	2	14	55	24	123	5	6	.255	.312	.415
2001	Cincinnati	NL	14	33	2	4	2	0	0	1	2	10	0	0	.121	.171	.182
2002	Louisville	AAA	80	297	47	101	20	1	25	69	24	70	1	1	.340	.393	.667
2002	Cincinnati	NL	23	51	8	14	2	0	4	13	6	10	1	0	.275	.362	.549

Background
Brandon Larson was the College World Series MVP for Louisiana State in 1997, having hit .341 with 40 homers and 118 RBI that year. The Reds drafted him in the first round that year. But he had difficulties adjusting to the professional strike zone, and injuries were a serious problem for several years. A year ago at this time, he was off the 40-man roster, following a mediocre '01 season for Triple-A Louisville and a poor major league trial for the Reds. But Larson took a big step forward in 2002, ripping the ball in Triple-A, salvaging his prospect status, then shining in another audition for Cincinnati.

The Rookies

Throughout spring training, John Sickels will provide in-depth reports on 10 of the hottest rookies to watch. Here's the complete schedule of when each report will appear: 2/27: 1B, Travis Hafner, Cle. 3/5: 2B, Joe Thurston, L.A. 3/7: SS, Angel Berroa, K.C. 3/11: 3B, Brandon Larson, Cin. 3/13: C, Miguel Olivo, ChW 3/18: SP, John Patterson, Ari. 3/20: RP, Frankie Rodriguez, Ana. 3/25: OF, Hideki Matsui, NYY 3/27: OF, Jason Lane, Hou. 4/1: OF to be determined

Scouting report
Larson has always crushed fastballs, but was unable to recognize breaking pitches before last year, making a habit of flailing at stuff outside the strike zone. An eye exam revealed a vision flaw last spring, and he had laser surgery to correct it. This procedure, as well as a greater mental emphasis on strike zone judgment, was the reason for his improved performance. Larson still needs to be mindful of plate discipline, and will probably always fight the zone to some extent, making him vulnerable to streaks and slumps. He gets in trouble when trying to pull the ball too much, but did a better job of hitting to the opposite field last year. His defense at third base has improved significantly. He has an accurate arm and decent range.

Performance
2002 was Larson's best campaign as a pro. Previous seasons in Double-A and Triple-A marked him as a guy who projected 20-homer power in the major leagues, but was likely to post a low batting average and on-base percentage. His numbers last year imply he could hit .280 or better in the Show, and he showed excellent pop in his 23-game trial with the Reds. He turns 27 in May, so he is at his peak now, unlikely to improve much further, and is not young as prospects go.

Health record
Injuries were a big factor for Larson early in his career. He's had injuries to his wrists, knees, and ankles over the years, which definitely slowed his development. Some scouts are concerned that he tends to gain weight. He showed better conditioning last year, but he'll have to work hard to preserve his health.

What to expect
Larson is expected to play third for the Reds this year, with Aaron Boone moving to second base. He has some measure of job security, but needs to prove that he can control the strike zone, while also staying healthy long enough to establish himself as a reliable player. Given 500 at-bats, he seems a lock for 20 or more home runs, but his batting average and on-base percentage could fluctuate significantly, depending on if he maintains a disciplined approach. He's not as big of a wild card as Angel Berroa in Kansas City, but Larson is definitely a "could be really good, could be really bad, probably somewhere in-between" guy.

John Sickels is the author of the 2003 Baseball Prospect Book, which can be ordered through his website, Johnsickels.com. His biography of Bob Feller will be published this spring by Brassey's. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife, son, and two cats. You can send John questions or comments at JASickels@aol.com.