STEVE LERUD

10/13/84; '03 3rd; Galena, NV (HS)
L/R; 6-1, 205

Level
BA
OBP
SA
AB
2B
3B
HR
BB
K
SB
CS
2003 INJURED
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2004 A-
.241
.353
.241
29
0
0
0
4
6
0
1
2004 R
.246
.297
.411
175
12
1
5
11
38
0
1
2005 A
.088
.149
.238
80
2
2
2
4
27
0
1
2005 A-
.125
.176
.219
32
0
0
1
2
14
0
0
2005 R
.267
.351
.450
60
3
1
2
7
13
0
0
2006 A
.239
.330
.402
393
28
0
12
40
146
4
3
2007 A+
.202
.299
.310
287
17
1
4
31
63
3
2
2008 AA
.233
.302
.363
146
7
0
4
14
42
1
0
2008 A+
.256
.344
.419
234
14
0
8
26
65
1
1
2009 AA
.240
.339
.336
304
17
0
4
38
53
2
1

Lerud batted .490 with 21 HRs his senior year in HS, making him Nevada's career leader in HRs. He was regarded as being a good hitter but probably subpar defensively. As a pro, though, he's made very slow progress. He's struggled to hit and has had injury setbacks, including a broken hand that largely wrecked his 2005 season and some minor injuries that cost him time in 2006-07. He had a dismal 2007 season at Lynchburg that seemed to put an end to any prospect status he might have, but he returned there and had a better year in 2008, earning a promotion to AA. Over the years he's improved dramatically on defense. In 2006 he had an alarming PB total of 35. The following year he threw out nearly 40% of opposing base stealers, although he still had 25 PB. In 2008, he continued to improve, although it's necessary to distinguish between his performance at Lynchburg, which had a horrible pitching staff, and Altoona, which had a decent one. He had 16 PBs in 57 games at Lynchburg, but only two in 45 games at Altoona. He threw out 28% of base stealers at Lynchburg and 49% at Altoona. He's always thrown well when I've seen him.

The Pirates added Lerud to the 40-man roster in fall 2008, saying they believed he'd be selected in the Rule 5 draft. As a LH-hitting catcher with some power and patience, and good defensive ability, that wasn't implausible. Unfortunately, he had a disappointing season in 2009. He showed good plate discipline, but his power largely disappeared. He threw out only 27% of base stealers, although it's hard to say how much of that was the pitching staff. The Pirates removed Lerud from the 40-man roster after the season and he became a minor league free agent.

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