Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’1”/195 lbs

Acquired: 3^rd rd (2009 – Florida Southern)

Born: 12/7/87 (Naperville, IL)

2010 Rank: 35

Why Ranked Here: Shields is an interesting player and a pretty good athlete with a chance to take a big leap with a fully healthy season.  No burner on the bases, Shields moves his feet well at short, but I think he’ll fall short of prototypical MLB shortstop range.  It’s very possible, verging on likely, that his arm strength was not fully recovered, when I saw him in Savannah as it was fringy for an everyday shortstop.  However, Shields’ range and arm would play well at second. His line-drive swing, and the ability to play short in a pinch, would also make him an asset at the keystone as well. He showed gap power in 2010, and became more comfortable driving the ball during his time in Savannah.

2010: Tommy John Surgery kept Shields out of action until June 21, when he took his rehab to the Gulf Coast League, where he saw action in 23 games.  He then played two games in the Florida State League before he was shipped off to Savannah.  The plan, for the first month, was for him to play short for two days at a time, DH for two days, and sit for one to give his elbow a chance to work back to full strength.

Dr. Pangloss Says: Late-blooming starting MLB second-baseman.

Debbie Downer Says: He’ll be 23 on Opening Day 2011, has not graduated to AA and doesn’t walk yet.  He’s an MLB back-up at best and might never make the show.

Projected 2011 Start: A+ 2B who will play short when Wilmer Flores needs a rest or begins playing another position

MLB Arrival: September 2013

– Shields is responsible for one of my favorite memories of the 2010 season.  During a rain delay, he and RJ Harris did a little dance off along the first base line to entertain the fans (and themselves).  I don’t believe there’s any photographic evidence of the event, but it was very cool.

Shields photo courtesy Savannah Sand Gnats.