JEFF LARISH
FIRST BASEMAN
  Born: October 11, 1982
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 200
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 5th Round, 150th Overall, 2005 (Tigers)
How Acquired: Trade with Boston (for cash considerations)
College: Arizona State University
Agent: Scott Boras

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES
Larish was considered a potential early draft pick after his sophomore year in college due to prodigious power, but he had a disappointing junior season.  His problems were attributed variously to a wrist injury, to a long swing that many scouts regarded as suspect, and to “draftitis.”  Having Scott Boras as his agent didn’t help, either, and he fell to the 17th round.  He didn’t sign and went the next year to the Tigers in the 5th round.  He ended up signing for about a third of what the Dodgers had offered.  Larish has generally put up good on-base and slugging numbers in the minors, but hasn’t hit in the majors, where he’s been hampered by high K rates.  He’s seldom batted against LHPs in the majors, going just 2-21 against them.  He’s considered a good first baseman, and has also played a little at third and a handful of games in the outfield.

2005
R:  222/375/278, 18 AB, 1 2B, 4 BB, 5 K, 0-1 SB
A-:  297/430/625, 64 AB, 3 2B, 6 HR, 13 BB, 6 K 

After a brief tuneup in rookie ball, Larish dominated the NY-Penn League in a short stint.

2006
A+:  258/379/460, 457 AB, 34 2B, 2 3B, 18 HR, 81 BB, 101 K, 9-16 SB

Larish didn’t overwhelm in high A, but his K:BB ratio was good.  His profile–lots of walks and Ks, with good power–was one that doesn’t always work well at higher levels.

2007

AA:  267/390/515, 454 AB, 25 2B, 2 3B, 28 HR, 87 BB, 108 K, 6-8 SB

In AA, Larish had a better version of his high A performance.

2008
AAA:  250/341/477, 384 AB, 20 2B, 2 3B, 21 HR, 50 BB, 109 K, 0-1 SB
MLB:  260/306/375, 104 AB, 6 2B, 2 HR, 7 BB, 34 K, 2-4 SB

In AAA, Larish’ K rate started to increase, but he still hit for good power.  The Tigers called him up in late May and he spent most of June and part of July in the majors.  He came back up again in late August for the rest of the season.  He hit decently in the majors, but with a high K rate.

2009
 AAA:  265/397/412, 211 AB, 13 2B, 6 HR, 42 BB, 56 K, 2-4 SB
MLB:  216/344/446, 74 AB, 3 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 15 BB, 25 K, 0-1 SB

Larish opened the season with the Tigers.  He hit for good power and drew a lot of walks, but fanned in a third of ABs and hit for a low average.  Detroit sent him to AAA in early June and his power dropped off a lot at that level.

2010
AAA (Det):  275/373/497, 298 AB, 21 2B, 15 HR, 45 BB, 84 K, 1-1 SB
AAA (Oak):  361/410/833, 36 AB, 2 2B, 5 HR, 3 BB, 9 K, 0-1 SB
MLB (Det):  200/200/200, 10 AB, 4 K
MLB (Oak):  175/277/333, 57 AB, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 BB, 20 K, 1-1 SB 

Detroit brought Larish up only briefly and he otherwise spent his time in AAA.  At the end of July the Tigers designated him for assignment and Oakland claimed him off waivers.  He didn’t hit much in his brief time in Oakland and the Athletics removed him from the roster after the season.

2011
AAA:  240/330/449, 254 AB, 12 2B, 1 3B, 13 HR, 33 BB, 85 K, 1-2 SB

Larish signed a minor league deal with the Phillies and played about half a season with their AAA affiliate before breaking his leg.  He didn’t hit as well as he had in the past, as he fanned in a third of his ABs.

2012
AAA:  182/308/298, 181 AB, 13 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 33 BB, 65 K, 0-1 SB

The Orioles signed Larish for 2012, but he didn’t make their roster and they released him.  He then signed a minor league deal with Boston, but never played in their organization before being dealt to the Pirates for cash considerations shortly after Nick Evans broke his hand.  He divided his time the rest of the year between first, left and right, and didn’t hit.  His playing time diminished as the year went along.

Larish became a free agent after the season, but the Pirates immediately re-signed him for 2013.  Considering how badly he struggled in 2012, it’s surprising that they would do so.  With Indianapolis having a surplus of position players, Larish was not on the initial roster.
STATS
Baseball Reference–Majors
Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MLB.com
MiLB.com
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2009: $403,000
2013: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $220,000
MiLB Debut: 2005
MLB Debut: 5/30/2008
MiLB FA Eligible: 2014
MLB FA Eligible: 2017
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: May 27, 2008
Options Remaining: 0 (USED: 2008, 2009, 2010)
MLB Service Time: N/A
TRANSACTIONS
June 5, 2001: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 32nd round, 948th overall pick.
June 7, 2004: Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 17th round, 388th overall pick.
June 7, 2005: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 5th, 150th overall pick; signed on August 9.
May 27, 2008: Contract purchased by the Detroit Tigers.
January 25, 2010: Outrighted to AAA by the Detroit Tigers.
July 25, 2010: Called up by the Detroit Tigers.
July 30, 2010: Designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers.
August 3, 2010: Selected off waivers from the Detroit Tigers by the Oakland Athletics.
October 30, 2010: Outrighted to AAA by the Oakland Athletics and became a free agent.
November 18, 2010: Signed as a minor league free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies.
November 2, 2011: Became a free agent.
January 3, 2012: Signed as a minor league free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.
March 31, 2012: Released by the Baltimore Orioles.
April 30, 2012: Signed as a minor league free agent with the Boston Red Sox.
May 11, 2012: Acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations.
November 6, 2012: Became a free agent.
November 9, 2012: Signed as a minor league free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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