Home 2009 Season Coverage2009 Top Players CBB Top 50 Countdown: Number 33 Chris Dominguez (Louisville)

CBB Top 50 Countdown: Number 33 Chris Dominguez (Louisville)

by Brian Foley
13 comments

The CBB continues our countdown to the 2009 College Baseball season with our Top 50 players to watch. We will be providing one player each day (Monday-Saturday) until we reach number 1.

We continue the list today with redshirt junior third baseman Chris Dominguez from Louisville. He is a 6-4 240 pound power hitting third baseman from Gulliver Prep and Miami Florida.

He had an outstanding sophomore season which saw him hit .365 average with 21 homers and 75 RBI. He was honored by the Big East conference as Co-Player of the Year and being named to the All-Conference First team. The national awards flowed in after the season with ABCA naming him to their All-American Second team while Baseball America, Ping!, NCBWA, and Collegiate Baseball put him on their All-American Third team.

Dominguez came into the national spotlight during his redshirt freshman campaign in 2007 when he led the Cardinals to their first appearance in the College World Series. He batted .262 with 15 homers and 51 RBI. In 2006, he suffered a broken arm in the third game of the season which forced him to take a medical redshirt.

The biggest weakness that Dominguez has is his defense is below average. In 2008, he committed six errors with a fielding percentage of .959. He was actually worse in 2007 which saw him make 18 errors for a fielding percentage of .896. These stats show that Dominguez might be moved when he eventually makes the move to the minors. He projects as a great designated hitter or a corner outfielder if third base doesn’t work out.

You can check out the full top 50 by clicking here.

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13 comments

waltgreenberg November 22, 2008 - 10:21 am

Let me get this straight– Joey Wong (who couldn’t hit his way out of a paper bag) is the #39th ranked college player, while Chris Dominguez is ranked only at #33? Geez, Brian, it appears clear that defense is the #1 criteria in your ranking system, as the gap between Dominguez and Wong both as college players and pro prospects is wider than the Great Divide. Dominguez is a legitimate National Player of the Year candidate heading into this season and will almost assuredly be a 1st or 2nd round draft pick; whereas Wong will be luck to hit .300 with no power whatsoever, and it would be a huge surprise if he’s drafted higher than the 10th round.

NYDORE November 22, 2008 - 12:10 pm

I’m loathe to normally agree with Walt until he starts admitting that Mikie Minor is better than Ryan Berry. That said, he’s spot on here. It does seem, however, that Walt is placing too much emphasis on draft position, when his strongest argument is that despite Wong’s ridiculously fast hands in the field, he just doesn’t compare to a guy who a) saw a dramatic improvement in his defense as a sophomore and b) is the top returning power threat in college baseball now that Smoak, Wallace and Alvarez have graduated to the pros.

In Brian’s defense, I know that he values pitching above all else, so I wouldn’t be shocked if CD is the top third baseman on the list.

Brian Foley November 22, 2008 - 12:17 pm

I am a huge pitching guy as NYDore says. He is the top third baseman on my list if you can consider Chris a third baseman as he will be moved based on what I have been told by people in the industry.

This list is set up to get some discussion during the dead time in College Baseball.

waltgreenberg November 22, 2008 - 12:24 pm

I’m a HUGE pitching first guy, as well…and as Dore knows (from my posts on Rivals), I have been highly critical in the past of Dominguez’ defense and high strikeout frequency. However, he showed marked improvement in both areas during his Soph year such that I don’t consider either a liability at this point. To have Dominguez ranked out of anyone’s Top 15 – 20 is absurd…but not as much as placing Wong in anyone’s Top 100 (let alone Top 40).

Actually, Dore, my primary beef with Brian here (and I have admittedly been busting his chains a bit in my comments) is that he appears to be placing far too much emphasis on a players prospects as a pro as opposed to ranking as top college player. As you know, they are two very different things. I’d be the first to admit that Minor is a much more attractive pro prospect than Ryan Berry, primarily due to his being born left-handed, but as college pitchers they are about as equal as they come after two seasons of work on their respective resumes…and both are primed for Junior seasons which should surpass their exceptional Freshman campaigns.

Brian Foley November 22, 2008 - 2:05 pm

At least we are keeping things interesting…I don’t mind the criticism at all.

Service Man November 22, 2008 - 10:25 pm

WHY is the whole country fascinated with Dominguez? You have him listed farther down than most, everyone touts him so high and I can’t figure it out. In the Cape last year, look at his numbers:
.262 Not terrible
10 HR’s Excellent
13 Runs Unbelievable number hits 10 hr and only scores 13 runs
OB% .307 not good
10 BB not very good
51 K’s Not good
12 Errors Not good

The above numbers are very bad numbers with the exception of the HR’s, if you put anyone else name besides these numbers there would not be a discussion as to what kind of player that he is. Any other player with these numbers would not be listed in anyone’s top 500.
I know he has tools, but he will be lost at the next level. Please explain why everyone loves him so much.

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Belushi November 23, 2008 - 12:21 pm

Dominguez is a stud bottom line, but I like Mendonca’s fielding better and if Tommy matches Chris’ power numbers…which he easilly could…he will be the highest drafted third baseman next year. I GUARANTEE they both get drafted before Wong & Prokopowicz. Rivals.com has Mendonca listed just ahead of Dominguez at the 3B position. I tend to agree. Mendonca has more upside and a above average season next year could propel him into the top 10.

Brian Foley November 23, 2008 - 5:13 pm

Baseball America has Chris named the 30th best prospect from the Cape Cod League.

Aman Reaka November 24, 2008 - 9:46 am

I personally would have Dominguez at about 25 (so 32 is by no means an absurd ranking).
This guy is WAAAY overhyped. He has great power and while his K rates have improved somewhat, i personally don’t think they will translate very well to advanced pitching.

He obviously can prove me wrong this season, and kids have been known to turn things around rather quickly, but i really have my doubts.

Service Man November 24, 2008 - 11:43 am

I continue to be confused, Aman says he would put him at 25 and then says how overhyped he is. I agree with the overhyped, sad to hear that he is not very well liked. I have never seen him play or heard anything about him from a personal standpoint, I have only seen his numbers and based on his numbers, I do not understand why we are talking about him. I can find 500 players with better numbers, unfortunately they are not 6’4″ 240 pounds with a lot of potential just better ballplayers. I hope in the end that I am wrong about him because I always root for eveyone to succeed.

Brian Foley November 24, 2008 - 12:27 pm

I have seen him play and was unimpressed with his defense especially.

Aman Reaka November 25, 2008 - 10:27 am

I personally would rank him at 25.
And yes that is low compared to most lists you will see.
A lot of people would have top 20, top 15 easy.
He has boatloads of power and numbers dont tell the entire story when projecting to the next level. I look for him to have a good year but can he tone down those K’s?

iCoach December 19, 2008 - 6:16 pm

I agree with ServiceMan, the hype around Dominguez confuses me too!! I’ve seen him play and I watch his numbers. The selection and subjective rankings are off the charts. There are 500+ better players then him,including teamates.

If your going to list 50-players and only one from the Big East,you are not doing your job writing about any player. Cincinnati has a 3rd baseman that put better numbers up as a Junior. ba:377 hr:21 rbi:79 so:30 in 57 games because of a muscle pull in leg. I’m sure he doesn’t have a publicists. Go to the Big East website and look at the numbers. I’ve seen writers put in print Dominguez leads the Big East, (he doesn’t) don’t people read before picking players for top lists? I think Mike Spina 3b from Cincinnati will prove again,he’s more experienced then most give him credit for or even have seen him play.

Go to the NYCBL Amsterdam Mohawks, check out his stats 2008 this summer. He has nothing to prove to anyone, he’s the “sleeper” in all your blogs, news, scouts and reporters stories. Check out this kids High School Stats, I think he’s from Gainesville,Fl.*I’ve seen him play in N.Y. Ohio and Florida. He’s that good.

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