Prospect Spotlight- Ryan Fitzgerald

(February 29, 2020 - Source:
Kelly O'Conner/https://sittingstill.smugmug.com/keyword/ryan%20fitzgerald/i-SPtHVMx)

This week's prospect spotlight is on Ryan Fitzgerald! Fitzgerald is a 25 year old middle-infielder from Hinsdale, IL. Known mostly for his defense, his recent development as a hitter has taken in on a unique career path in professional baseball.

Fitzgerald played his college ball for Creighton University, where he became the team's starting shortstop by his sophomore year. He shifted over to second base for his junior and senior seasons. His best season came as a junior when he hit .279 and a team high 4 home runs, earning him Second Team All-Big East. His offense slid in his senior season and he only .230 with 1 home run.

Because of the offensive dip in his senior season Fitzgerald ended up going undrafted. He didn't go completely unnoticed however, as he signed with the Gary Southshore Railcats of the American Association as an amateur free agent. He continued to shine with the glove in his first professional season, but he continued to have some struggles at the plate, hitting .239 with a .695 OPS. He did show some flashes of power while hitting 6 triples and 7 home runs. 

Railcats manager Greg Tagert noticed Fitzgerald's potential and managed to get him an invite to a tryout with the Red Sox in February 2018. At the tryout Fitzgerald impressed Red Sox scout David Scrines enough to sign him to a minor league deal. He was assigned to full-season A Greenville where he saw his first affiliated-ball game action.

Fitzgerald continued to show improvements at the plate, specifically in getting on base. He had .337 OBP in 80 games for Greenville in 2018, his highest on-base percentage since his junior season at Creighton. He also hit 8 home runs- his highest season total as a pro or in college. His power numbers dropped slightly in 2019 with high-A Salem, but he continued to get on-base at a solid rate with a .345 OBP. While Fitzgerald has been gradually improving as a professional hitter, he's alway been an exceptional fielder. He was finally recognized for his defensive efforts at the end of the 2019 season when he won the Red Sox minor league Defensive Player of the year.

According to Sox Prospects, Fitzgerald was able to find offensive success after focusing on launch angle. He makes solid contact, so his power numbers began to increase after he started to focus on hitting the ball in the air. Because of his exceptional defense Fitzgerald has the potential to be a solid MLB utility player. He will most likely begin next season in either high-A Salem or AA Portland.