JAREK CUNNINGHAM
12/25/89; '08 18th; Spokane, WA (HS)
R/R; 6-1, 185
| Level |
BA |
OBP |
SA |
AB |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BB |
K |
SB |
CS |
| 2008 R |
.318 |
.385 |
.507 |
148 |
11 |
1 |
5 |
14 |
26 |
2 |
1 |
Cunningham had a commitment to Arizona State. Local
news reports stated that he was unlikely to sign with the Pirates, but he did so
anyway. He was regarded as much better than an 18th round talent
and fell in the draft only because of a knee injury that wiped
out his senior season. The injury was a torn anterior cruciate
ligament, but in the end he didn't have surgery because the
ligament reattached itself, which apparently happens in a small number of cases. Cunningham went to the GCL
and had the best debut of any of the Pirates'
2008 draftees, hitting for average and power, with decent plate discipline. He also went
4-for-4 with a HR in the team's only
playoff game. With Benji Gonzalez
and Andury Acevedo also on the team, and
Brian Friday there rehabbing for a bit, Cunningham played more third than short. According to Baseball America,
the lingering effects of the knee injury were also a reason he played
more at third. BA thinks, however, that he has the ability
to stay at short once the knee
is sound, which would certainly enhance his value. Unfortunately,
he tore the ligament again during spring training and this time required surgery
that will cost him the entire 2009 season. The good news is that ACL surgery has
a very high success rate, so the Pirates expect him back at full strength in 2010.
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