YURENDELL DeCASTER

9/26/79; NDFA '96 (Tampa Bay); Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
R/R; 6-1, 175

Level
BA
OBP
SA
AB
2B
3B
HR
BB
K
SB
CS
1998 R (TB)
.236
.315
.328
174
4
3
2
19
48
10
 
1999 R (TB)
.257
.346
.503
183
12
0
11
20
65
4
 
2000 A (TB)
.240
.299
.413
242
21
0
7
16
89
4
1
2001 A+
.104
.157
.146
48
2
0
0
3
16
0
0
2001 A
.290
.365
.531
341
17
4
19
35
83
4
4
2002 A+
.252
.309
.428
432
25
3
15
30
102
1
2
2003 A+
.230
.283
.427
330
24
1
13
22
86
3
2
2004 AA
.279
.331
.476
330
18
1
15
22
78
4
2

The Pirates acquired DeCaster when they selected him in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft. After he initially flopped at high A, he had a strong season at Hickory. He did not, however, adjust to the pitching at high A, with poor command of the strike zone being his main problem. He seemingly graduated to UT player in 2003, but ended up starting much of the year when Jose Bautista got hurt. He continued to show good power but poor plate discipline. He started 2004 in a corner UT role at Altoona, but played surprisingly well and won the 3B job. His season was interrupted by the Olympics, in which he played for The Netherlands. Overall, he hit for average and power, but his K and walk rates remained almost exactly what they'd been previously, which leaves questions about whether he'll adjust to higher levels. In the past he was very shaky defensively, but he's improved significantly and is much less mistake-prone. He'll be 25 at the start of next season, which isn't too late for him to establish himself as a marginal prospect. He was a minor league free agent at the end of the 2004 season, but he's signed with the Bucs for 2005. He opened 2005 at Indianapolis, but depending on how various players get moved around, he could see time at Altoona.

Return to Third Basemen