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04/14/2006 8:00 AM ET
Faces on the Field: Luke Scott
Power-hitting outfielder trying for full-time slot in Majors
By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com
Luke Scott has increased his home run total each of the last four seasons. (Steven Senne/AP)

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High on the list on most, if not all Major League general managers, is a power-hitting lefty who can come off the bench. They are in high demand and short supply.

The question, then, is why does Luke Scott not have a big league job?

On the surface, at least, there appears to be no answer. He obviously has power to spare. The 27-year-old outfielder hit 31 homers in just 398 at-bats with Triple-A Round Rock a year ago. That was enough to lead the Pacific Coast League in home runs, despite playing only 103 games there.

He's increased his power output each year, hitting 20 in 2003 -- his final season in the Indians organization before being traded to the Astros for Jeriome Robertson (Houston also retained the rights to Willy Tavares with that deal). He slugged 27 in 2004 at two levels before topping the 30 plateau last year.

He's not an all-or-nothing guy, either. Sure, he strikes out some -- 96 in those 103 games last year -- but considering the run production and the 43 walks he drew, he's clearly a hitter who has an idea at the plate. He's even shown the ability to hit lefties, batting .322 with 11 homers in 115 ABs against southpaws in 2005. Those numbers alone should at least lead to a bench job in the bigs, no? Instead, Scott finds himself spending more time in Round Rock

"I'm just focused on going out there and having fun, doing my best, as usual," said Scott, who hit two homers in his first seven games this season. "You can't control the circumstances, but you can control your mindset and your actions."

Scott has a zen-like approach to it all, an even keel he attributes to his strong faith. But even the strongest believers must have moments of doubt. Here he is, one of the game's hottest commodities, and he's still in Triple-A.

To add to the confounding situation, it's clear the Astros do hold him in high regard to some extent. When Lance Berkman was hurt to start the 2005 season, it was Scott who found himself in the Opening Day lineup, thanks to a monster spring. Scott didn't shine during his one-month audition and was shipped back to Round Rock.

To his credit, he didn't sulk and put up the best power numbers of his career. The Astros brought him up in August so he could be on the postseason roster as a lefty power bat off the bench. He had homered 20 times during the PCL season in 283 at-bats against righties. But then this year came around and Scott was again on the outside looking in. Even with Lance Berkman shifting to first base full-time, the Astros had brought in Preston Wilson to go along with Jason Lane, Orlando Palmeiro, Chris Burke and Taveras.

"It's tough. You can't really focus on what those guys say up there," Scott said. "You just have to go about your business as a professional and give it your best, no matter what."

With the Astros switching Round Rock from a Double-A team in 2004 to Triple-A in 2005, this is the third season Scott has spent quality time in that region of Texas. That's actually something that helps cushion the blow of being in the Minors again.

"It's a special place, Round Rock," Scott said. "It's one of those things that's a positive thing to look at. At least going down, I get to go down to a place where there's a great community, a great stadium, a great fan base and they treat us really well there."

It doesn't hurt that the owner is a Hall of Famer who knows just a little bita bout the game. Having Nolan Ryan around regularly is certainly an added bonus.

"It just shows by the way he runs his team: first class all the way," Scott said. "They treat us wonderfully over there. There's a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge over there, a lot to be learned from."

Good facililties, a pretty talented roster and a fairly close-knit and loose clubhouse have aided in Scott's ability to realize he still gets to play a game for a living. Granted, it may not be for the club he ultimately wants to be with, but it sure beats working. "Bottom line, the game of baseball is fun," Scott said. "We've got a good team, a good group of guys who are a lot of fun in the clubhouse. It's a very light atmosphere, everyone jokes around with a lot of laughing in there. It's a great environment. I'm just having fun."

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.