AFL Wrapup - Part Two
After a lengthy delay (sorry, magazine work), here's part two of the AFL
wrap-up. We'll cover 30 prospects from the remaining three teams this week.
Peoria Javelinas
Lorenzo Cain - OF Brewers - DOB: 04/13/86
.287/.358/.448, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 68/29 K/BB, 19 SB in 317 AB (A+ Brevard County)
.277/.363/.486, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 41/19 K/BB, 6 SB in 148 AB (AA Huntsville)
.158/.273/.158, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 6/3 K/BB, 0 SB in 19 AB (AAA Nashville)
.333/.382/.635, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 8/4 K/BB, 4 SB in 63 AB (AFL)
A mediocre 2007 meant that Cain had to open last season back at Single-A
Brevard County, but he was much improved in his second go-round in the FSL
and he kept it up in 40 games in Double-A, raising his OPS from 806 to 849.
He also shined in the AFL, hitting .333 with the biggest power surge of his
career (five homers in 63 at-bats). Cain could possess 20-homer power in
time, and he's already a quality defensive right fielder with very good
speed. Fewer strikeouts would be nice, but he's managed to post solid
averages at every level. If it comes together for him, a future as a
long-term regular is a real possibility. The plan will be for him to open
2009 back in Double-A, with the possibility of a midseason promotion to
Triple-A. He could then make his major league debut in September as a bench
player.
Greg Halman - OF Mariners - DOB: 08/26/87
.268/.320/.572, 19 HR, 53 RBI, 76/16 K/BB, 23 SB in 257 AB (A+ High Desert)
.277/.332/.481, 10 HR, 30 RBI, 66/16 K/BB, 8 SB in 235 AB (AA West Tenn)
.217/.244/.410, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 37/2 K/BB, 5 SB in 83 AB (AFL)
While he's still very much a raw talent, Halman did take quite a step forward
last season. One year after flaming out in the Midwest League (.182 average,
77 strikeouts in 52 games), he was able to amass an 892 OPS in high-A ball
and then more than hold his own in Double-A. The end result was a
.272/.326/.528 season with 29 homers and 31 steals. His 142/32 K/BB ratio was
still grotesque, but a substantial improvement nonetheless. Unfortunately,
his gains didn't hold up in the AFL, where he altered wind patterns
nationwide by hitting .217 with a 37/2 K/BB ratio in 83 at-bats. It'd be
foolish for the Mariners to rush Halman to the majors next year, but anything
is possible if he gets off to a good start. He has terrific power, but his
current swing probably won't work for him against advanced pitching. Odds are
that it's going to take him at least another two years to polish up his game.
Gaby Hernandez - RHP Mariners - DOB: 05/21/86
3-0, 4.30 ERA, 21 H, 17/4 K/BB in 23 IP (AA Carolina)
1-1, 5.01 ERA, 38 H, 23/15 K/BB in 32 1/3 IP (AA West Tenn)
2-8, 7.24 ERA, 94 H, 54/26 K/BB in 64 2/3 IP (AAA Albuquerque)
2-5, 7.67 ERA, 33 H, 24/14 K/BB in 29 1/3 IP (AFL)
Hernandez entered 2008 with a 3.49 ERA in 3 1/3 minor league seasons, but he
couldn't handle the combination of the jump to the PCL and the great
offensive environment at Albuquerque. His struggles made him available to the
Mariners in the Arthur Rhodes deal, but he didn't show much after the trade,
going 1-1 with a 5.01 ERA in six starts in Double-A and later getting knocked
around in the AFL. Hernandez has struggled to throw his 89-92 mph fastball
past more mature hitters. His curveball is very good and he still has youth
on his side, but he'll have to add a wrinkle if he's going to make it as a
starting pitcher in the majors. He might prove to be better off in the
bullpen.
Phil Hughes - RHP Yankees - DOB: 06/24/86
2-0, 0.00 ERA, 3 H, 6/2 K/BB in 6 2/3 IP (A- Charleston)
1-0, 5.90 ERA, 34 H, 31/9 K/BB in 29 IP (AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre)
0-4, 6.62 ERA, 43 H, 23/15 K/BB in 34 IP (AL New York)
2-0, 3.00 ERA, 21 H, 38/13 K/BB in 30 IP (AFL)
Penciling Hughes into the 2008 rotation seemed like the right call for the
Yankees, but he failed to build on his modest success from his rookie season,
going 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA in six starts before being placed on the DL with a
stress fracture in his rib cage. It was 2 ½ months before he got back on the
mound, and he didn't rejoin the Yankees until Sept. 13. Upon returning, he
allowed three runs in 12 innings over two starts. The AFL also provided
encouraging results, even if he was lucky enough to face the circuit's two
worst offenses in five of his six starts. He went 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 38
strikeouts in 30 innings. Hughes has struggled to consistently show the
velocity that once made him the game's No. 1 pitching prospect. He's still a
very good bet to turn into a reliable major league starter, but he currently
looks like a No. 3 with an outside chance of becoming a No. 2. The Yankees
won't leave a spot open for him next year, so he'll head to Triple-A unless
an injury strikes. With his price tag well down, he's worth a look in the
hope that he'll make 20 starts or so.
Rhyne Hughes - 1B Rays - DOB: 09/09/83
.268/.356/.448, 14 HR, 52 RBI, 112/46 K/BB, 2 SB in 395 AB (AA Montgomery)
.394/.432/.697, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 33/7 K/BB, 0 SB in 109 AB (AFL)
24-year-old first basemen who barely manage 800 OPSs in Double-A aren't
typically prospects, but a couple of factors do make Hughes a sleeper. First,
he's a terrific defender, probably to the point at which he'd be an upgrade
over 2008 Gold Glove winner Carlos Pena. Second, he came through with a huge
fall, hitting .394/.432/.697 with five homers in 109 at-bats. Hughes is still
quite a long shot to make it as a major league regular, but he could be a
decent enough stopgap. Should Pena get hurt again next season, the Rays could
bring up Hughes to play against righties and use Willy Aybar versus lefties.
Austin Jackson - OF Yankees - DOB: 02/01/87
.285/.354/.419, 9 HR, 69 RBI, 113/56 K/BB, 19 SB in 520 AB (AA Trenton)
.246/.298/.377, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 30/7 K/BB, 2 SB in 114 AB (AFL)
Jackson was better at basketball than baseball coming out of high school, but
after two years of modest production, he busted out following a midseason
promotion to the FSL in 2007. 2008 was more of a consolidation year. His
numbers didn't stand out, but they were still very good for a 21-year-old in
Double-A. Unfortunately, he did falter in the AFL, finishing at .246 with 30
strikeouts in 28 games. What slim chance there was of the Yankees giving him
a chance to compete for a starting job in 2009 probably died with his
struggles there. Jackson needs the year in Triple-A anyway. Comparisons to
Bernie Williams are easy. Besides the obvious similarities, both are
all-around players without one real standout skill. Jackson is highly
unlikely to match the eight Hall of Fame-quality seasons that Williams had in
his prime, but he could turn into a well above average regular. Ideally, the
Yankees wouldn't call on him before September.
Robert Manuel - RHP Reds - DOB: 07/09/83
1-0, 0 Sv, 0.00 ERA, 5 H, 11/3 K/BB in 7 2/3 IP (A+ Sarasota)
5-3, 3 Sv, 1.40 ERA, 47 H, 92/15 K/BB in 77 IP (AA Chattanooga)
0-0, 0 Sv, 0.00 ERA, 2 H, 0/0 K/BB in 2 IP (AAA Louisville)
1-0, 0 Sv, 1.98 ERA, 16 H, 13/1 K/BB in 13 2/3 IP (AFL)
Working as a full-time reliever for the first time, Manuel was one of the
most effective pitchers in the minors last season, finishing with a 1.25 ERA
and a 103/18 K/BB ratio in 86 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander went
undrafted out of Sam Houston State before signing with the Mets. He joined
the Reds in a trade for Dave Williams in 2006. Manuel works at around 90 mph
and relies on outstanding command. Neither his slider nor changeup will
function as a true outpitch in the majors, so it's doubtful that he'll serve
as an eighth- or ninth-inning guy. However, he's used to working two innings
at a time and he could fit in nicely as a middle reliever.
Juan Miranda - 1B Yankees - DOB: 04/25/83
.287/.384/.449, 12 HR, 52 RBI, 79/55 K/BB, 2 SB in 356 AB (AAA Scranton)
.400/.500/.500, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4/2 K/BB, 0 SB in 10 AB (AL New York)
.301/.378/.658, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 23/7 K/BB, 0 SB in 73 AB (AFL)
The Yankees won a modest bidding war for Miranda two years ago, signing the
Cuban defector to a $2 million deal, but nothing they've done since suggests
he's in their plans. He did show a fair amount of ability while hitting
.332/.439/.534 against righties in Triple-A last season, earning himself a
September callup. However, his name rarely came up when the subject turned to
potential replacements for Jason Giambi. Miranda hasn't helped his case with
his glovework at first base, and it's doubtful that he'll ever hit lefties
well enough to play regularly in the majors. Still, if his listed age is
correct and he's truly 25, then he should have a few years as a platoon guy
ahead of him. His best hope of getting a shot with the Yankees would be a
Hideki Matsui injury or a prolonged slump from Nick Swisher.
Humberto Sanchez - RHP Yankees - DOB: 05/28/83
0-1, 2.31 ERA, 9 H, 15/4 K/BB in 11 2/3 IP (R GCL Yankees)
0-1, 9.00 ERA, 3 H, 2/1 K/BB in 2 IP (A+ Tampa)
0-0, 9.00 ERA, 2 H, 2/0 K/BB in 1 IP (AA Trenton)
0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1 H, 1/2 K/BB in 2 IP (AL New York)
0-1, 12.00 ERA, 21 H, 4/11 K/BB in 12 IP (AFL)
Sanchez, the most talented of the three righties the Yankees picked up from
the Tigers for Gary Sheffield after 2006, had a tough time making it back
from April 2007 Tommy John surgery, though he did pitch in the majors at the
very end of the year. After two innings with the Yankees, he went to the AFL
and promptly gave up 21 hits and walked 11 in 12 innings. A healthy Sanchez
can throw in the mid-90s and strike batters out with a plus slider, but
command has always been an issue. Since the Yankees have loaded up with
starting pitching depth, Sanchez is probably destined to become a short
reliever if he remains with the team. For now, though, getting him innings
has to the priority, and that should probably happen in the rotation in
Double- or Triple-A. Perhaps he'll help the Bombers in the second half.
Justin Smoak - 1B Rangers - DOB: 12/05/86
.304/.355/.518, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 10/5 K/BB, 0 SB in 56 AB (A- Clinton)
.353/.468/.588, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 11/10 K/BB, 0 SB in 51 AB (AFL)
Even though Chris Davis was shaping up as the long-term first baseman, the
Rangers couldn't pass on Smoak when he was still sitting there at pick No. 11
in the 2008 draft. Many figured the switch-hitter out of South Carolina would
go in the top five. The Rangers got him signed just before the Aug. 15
deadline, so he didn't have much of a chance to light up Midwest League
pitchers. However, he did hit .353/.468/.588 in 51 at-bats against advanced
competition in the AFL. Smoak is a polished hitter from both sides of the
plate, and he has the power that could make him an All-Star in his prime. He
already seems to be ready for Double-A, and if he does well there, it's
possible he'll debut before the end of 2009. A Hank Blalock trade or injury
would help his chances.
Carlos Triunfel - SS Mariners - DOB: 02/27/90
.287/.336/.406, 8 HR, 49 RBI, 52/30 K/BB, 30 SB in 436 AB (A+ High Desert)
.298/.339/.394, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 16/7 K/BB, 1 SB in 104 AB (AFL)
After jumping him from low-A to high-A ball for no good reason in the middle
of 2007, the Mariners backed off Triunfel last season, allowing him to spend
the whole year at one of the game's best environments for hitters. The
results may not have met expectations, but for a kid who would have been
finishing up his final year of high school had he been born in the U.S., they
weren't bad at all. Triunfel went on to put up a nearly identical line
against older pitchers in the AFL. He's not going to last at shortstop and he
may not hit for as much power as originally hoped, but he still has plenty of
upside. Third base is probably his best bet for a long-term home. The odds
are against him seeing the majors in 2009, but the Mariners have rushed
prospects before. Any chance of it hinges on him growing up and moving beyond
the behavioral problems that led to him being suspended for nearly two weeks
last season.
Chris Valaika - SS Reds - DOB: 08/13/85
.363/.393/.585, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 28/7 K/BB, 2 SB in 135 AB (A+ Sarasota)
.301/.352/.443, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 74/28 K/BB, 7 SB in 379 AB (AA Chattanooga)
.311/.346/.437, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 26/8 K/BB, 0 SB in 119 AB (AFL)
Valaika's ability to hit for average is what will get him to the majors.
Including the AFL, he's batted .300 in five of his six stops so far. The only
time he didn't is when he hit .253 following a midseason promotion to
Single-A Sarasota in 2007. The Reds started him at the same level last
season, and hit batted .363 in 32 games before making the jump to Double-A.
In all, he hit .317/.363/.481 for the season. Valaika doesn't project as more
than a 15-homer guy, and he strikes out more than one would expect. Still,
his bat should make him a utilityman at worst in the majors. It's just too
bad he isn't a legitimate shortstop. He might be able to serve as a backup at
the position in the majors, but he'll be a far better fit at second base.
He's due to open next year in Triple-A.
Phoenix
J.P. Arencibia - C Blue Jays - DOB: 01/05/86
.315/.344/.560, 13 HR, 62 RBI, 46/11 K/BB, 0 SB in 248 AB (A+ Dunedin)
.282/.302/.496, 14 HR, 43 RBI, 55/7 K/BB, 0 SB in 262 AB (AA New Hampshire)
.274/.298/.484, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 26/5 K/BB, 1 SB in 95 AB (AFL)
Though many considered him suspect defensively, Arencibia was deemed worthy
of the 21st overall selection in the 2007 draft by the Blue Jays. The
Tennessee product has developed as hoped offensively, and the Jays remain
optimistic that he'll be able to stay behind the plate. He does have the arm,
and he threw out 34 percent of would-be basestealers last season. Still, the
total package is lacking and he might have to wait for his glove to catch up
to his bat before he gets a chance to play regularly in the majors. His bat
isn't there yet anyway. Arencibia has 20-homer power, but he strikes out five
times for every walk. He'll likely never be much of an OBP guy. Still, the
power could make him a $10-$12 fantasy catcher in a couple of years. A debut
before the end of next season is likely.
Brooks Brown - RHP Diamondbacks - DOB: 06/20/85
6-15, 4.18 ERA, 152 H, 112/67 K/BB in 144 1/3 IP (AA Mobile)
2-3, 5.61 ERA, 29 H, 19/14 K/BB in 25 2/3 IP (AFL)
It's going to take more than an ability to keep the ball in the park to make
Brown a major league starter. He allowed just eight homers in 170 innings
between Double-A and the AFL last season after giving up four in 146 1/3
innings the season before, yet his bend-but-don't-break strategy led to a
total of 18 losses and a 4.39 ERA. Brown's 89-92 mph fastball has some
sinking action on it, but he's only a modest groundball pitcher. Neither his
slider nor changeup results in many strikeouts, and he walks more than his
share of batters. He could prove to be useful in middle relief with a little
work, but he doesn't appear cut out to become the workhouse No. 4 starter the
Diamondbacks were looking for when they made him a 2006 supplemental
first-round pick.
Scott Campbell - 2B Blue Jays - DOB: 09/25/84
.302/.398/.427, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 63/66 K/BB, 2 SB in 417 AB (AA New Hampshire)
.280/.446/.320, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 15/14 K/BB, 2 SB in 50 AB (AFL)
After a successful career at Gonzaga, Campbell became the first native New
Zealander ever chosen in the MLB draft when the Jays took him in the 10th
round in 2006. His .279/.390/.387 line in low-A ball in 2007 didn't draw much
attention, but he's looked at as a prospect now after skipping the FSL
entirely and hitting .302/.398/.427 in Double-A. The left-handed hitting
Campbell may never slug much better than .400 in the majors, but he racks up
the singles against right-handers and walks more than he strikes out. A
career as a platoon second baseman is a possibility. Toronto has resisted the
temptation of moving Aaron Hill back to shortstop, so Campbell is pretty well
blocked at the moment, assuming that Hill's battle with post-concussion
syndrome is history. The Jays may have to find another way to work him in if
he continues to look like the best leadoff man in the organization while
playing in Triple-A next year.
Sean Doolittle - 1B/OF Athletics - DOB: 09/26/86
.305/.385/.560, 18 HR, 61 RBI, 99/46 K/BB, 7 SB in 334 AB (A+ Stockton)
.254/.311/.388, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 54/17 K/BB, 1 SB in 201 AB (AA Midland)
.293/.363/.578, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 29/15 K/BB, 0 SB in 116 AB (AFL)
Some preferred Doolittle as a left-handed pitcher coming out of Virginia, but
the A's liked his advanced approach at the plate and made him the 41st
selection in the 2007 draft. He showed limited power in his pro debut, but he
delivered 22 homers and 40 doubles last season and then added eight homers in
116 at-bats in the Arizona Fall League. Doolittle does whiff an awful lot,
but he still makes a lot of hard contract and works an above average number
of walks. He's also proven to be surprisingly adequate in right field, though
he still projects best as a first baseman. The A's have more guys ahead of
him in the outfield now, so he might resume playing more first base, where
he's a substantial upgrade defensively over Daric Barton and fellow prospect
Chris Carter. If he gets off to a good start next year, it'd be no surprise
to see him make his A's debut in June or July.
Jeff Manship - RHP Twins - DOB: 01/16/85
7-3, 2.86 ERA, 68 H, 63/20 K/BB in 78 2/3 IP (A+ Fort Myers)
3-6, 4.46 ERA, 90 H, 62/24 K/BB in 76 2/3 IP (AA New Britain)
2-1, 5.01 ERA, 36 H, 29/8 K/BB in 32 1/3 IP (AFL)
Manship can generate grounders with his 89-92 mph fastball and strikeouts
with his plus curveball, but questions persist about whether he'll make it as
a starter in the majors. His small build is an issue. While Manship, who is
listed at 6-foot and 165 pounds, did manage to throw 187 2/3 innings between
the minors and the AFL, his stuff wasn't as crisp at year's end. Stamina
really isn't an issue for him during his starts, since his excellent command
helps him keep his pitch count down. Still, the Twins are hardly lacking for
starters right now and might find that they're better off with Manship in the
pen. He could become a setup man in short order and perhaps a closer down the
line. As a starter, his lack of an above average changeup might leave him as
nothing more than a four or a five.
Michael McKenry - C Rockies - DOB: 03/04/85
.258/.360/.468, 18 HR, 75 RBI, 101/55 K/BB, 2 SB in 400 AB (A+ Modesto)
.369/.430/.786, 9 HR, 25 RBI, 22/6 K/BB, 0 SB in 84 AB (AFL)
After the leap forward Chris Iannetta took last season, the Rockies should be
set behind the plate for the next several years. That could make McKenry a
nice piece of trade bait. McKenry followed up a solid season in the
California League by hitting .369 with nine homers in 84 at-bats in the AFL.
His defense has typically drawn mixed reviews, but he was one of the best in
the minors at throwing out basestealers last season, cutting down 40 of 85.
McKenry has benefited from playing in nice parks for hitters in the minors,
but he has legitimate 15-18 homer power. The Rockies could give him a look if
either Iannetta or Yorvit Torrealba gets hurt next season.
Chris Nelson - SS Rockies - DOB: 09/03/85
.167/.219/.300, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 8/2 K/BB, 0 SB in 30 AB (A+ Modesto)
.237/.324/.346, 3 HR, 42 RBI, 69/35 K/BB, 6 SB in 283 AB (AA Tulsa)
.321/.392/.595, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 15/11 K/BB, 2 SB in 84 AB (AFL)
Nelson has disappointed more often than not since he was taken ninth overall
in the 2004 draft, but he still intrigues with glimpses of potential. That's
what he did in the AFL by hitting .321/.392/.595 in 84 at-bats, a surge that
forced the Rockies to protect him in the Rule 5 draft. Nelson has been left
at shortstop, even though he has no future at the position with Colorado.
He'd probably be better off at second even if he didn't have Troy Tulowitzki
in front of him. The tools are still present for a breakthrough to take
place, and given that he only turned 23 in September, he has time left. His
bat speed suggests that he still has 20-homer potential, and his plate
discipline has improved through the years. Now that he's on the 40-man
roster, the possibility exists that a strong first couple of months will lead
to a major league stint.
Max Scherzer - RHP Diamondbacks - DOB: 07/27/84
1-1, 2.72 ERA, 35 H, 79/22 K/BB in 53 IP (AAA Tucson)
0-4, 3.05 ERA, 48 H, 66/21 K/BB in 56 IP (Arizona)
1-0, 3.38 ERA, 16 H, 24/5 K/BB in 24 IP (AFL)
Scherzer, a 2006 first-round pick who didn't sign until May 2007, was the
hottest thing in the minors last April, posting a 1.17 ERA and amassing a
38/3 K/BB ratio in four starts before getting his first callup. He went on to
make a few starts in place of an absent Doug Davis, but he was sent to the
pen in mid-May and then returned to the minors in June with the idea of
getting him additional innings. Instead, he went down with a sore shoulder
and missed five weeks. Scherzer didn't rejoin the Diamondbacks until Aug. 29,
and he had a 3.24 ERA in four starts and two relief appearances the rest of
the way. In order to boost his innings count further, he pitched briefly in
the AFL and had a 3.38 ERA in four starts. All indications are that Scherzer
will have a rotation spot in 2009, and he could give Arizona a third
outstanding starter if his arm holds up. The 24-year-old has an explosive
fastball in the 92-96 mph range, and both his slider and changeup are major
league quality. He can't be penciled in for 200 innings yet, but he'll be an
option at $15-$16 next year anyway.
Steven Tollseon - INF Twins - DOB: 11/01/83
.300/.382/.466, 9 HR, 50 RBI, 74/44 K/BB, 12 SB in 343 AB (AA New Britain)
.383/.449/.543, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 16/11 K/BB, 7 SB in 94 AB (AFL)
The son of former Ranger and Yankee infielder Wayne Tolleson, Steven was the
Twins' fifth-round pick in 2005. He entered last season as a major long shot
to ever reach the majors, but he raised his OPS 80 points upon moving from
Single-A to Double-A, and he was particularly impressive in the AFL, hitting
.383/.449/.543. Tolleson has been groomed as a utilityman ever since being
drafted, and he added center field to the mix last season after previously
splitting time between three infield positions. He's due to open 2009 in
Triple-A and could spend the entire year there, but he will be a fallback at
second base if Alexi Casilla struggles or gets hurt.
Eric Young Jr. - 2B/OF Rockies - DOB: 05/25/85
.290/.391/.392, 3 HR, 33 RBI, 77/61 K/BB, 46 SB in 403 AB (AA Tulsa)
.430/.504/.640, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 20/14 K/BB, 20 SB in 100 AB (AFL)
The rare underdrafted son of a major leaguer, Young was a draft-and-follow
prospect who went in the 30th round in 2003. He was more of a curiosity than
a legitimate prospect while stealing 160 bases between 2006 and 2007, but he
got off to a great start in Double-A last season and likely would have
finished with significantly better numbers if not for a broken hamate bone
suffered in May. Finally back at full strength, he was incredible in the AFL,
hitting .430 with five homers and 20 steals in 21 tries. Young's home run
power won't carry over to the majors, but he has really upped his line drive
rate and he's also drawing more walks. Unfortunately, he's never grown all
that comfortable with playing second base. The Rockies have started using him
in center, but they have a better prospect there in Dexter Fowler. It's
unlikely that Young will have the bat for left field. Still, even without an
obvious place to play, he has to be taken seriously as a fantasy prospect.
He'll be a candidate to swipe 50 bases if he gets a chance to play regularly,
and the Rockies have enough holes that an opportunity may come before the end
of 2009.
Surprise
Julio Borbon - OF Rangers - DOB: 02/20/86
.306/.346/.395, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 30/15 K/BB, 36 SB in 291 AB (A+ Bakerfield)
.337/.380/.459, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 32/14 K/BB, 17 SB in 255 AB (AA Frisco)
.287/.404/.425, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 20/17 K/BB, 7 SB in 87 AB (AFL)
Because he was a Scott Boras client with expectations of receiving a big
contract, Borbon slipped to the Rangers with the 35th pick in the 2007 draft.
As usual, the Rangers caved to Boras' demands and gave the Tennessee product
a major league deal. The results have been fairly encouraging. Borbon hit
.321 and stole 53 bases in his first full year in the minors. Especially
promising was that he raised his OPS 100 points after moving up to Double-A.
That he walked just 29 times is problematic, especially given that he's
supposed to be a natural leadoff man, but he did show more patience in the
AFL, walking 17 times on his way to a .287/.404/.425 line in 87 at-bats.
Borbon is a very good center fielder with decent pop for a speedster.
Ideally, he'd end up as a left-handed-hitting Coco Crisp. The Rangers plan to
leave Josh Hamilton in center for now, but he'd be a bigger asset in a
corner. Borbon might get a chance to displace him come July or August.
Ivan DeJesus - SS Dodgers - DOB: 05/01/87
.324/.419/.423, 7 HR, 58 RBI, 81/76 K/BB, 16 AB in 463 AB (AA Jacksonville)
.254/.333/.328, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 11/8 K/BB, 0 SB in 67 AB (AFL)
A strong glove at shortstop made DeJesus a prospect even when he was amassing
688 and 752 OPSs in his two years in A-ball. Surprisingly, his offensive game
took off in Double-A. Perhaps the .324 average was a fluke, but he showed the
ability to occasionally knock a ball over an outfielder's head and his
already strong walk rate improved further. If DeJesus can hit .260 in the
majors, he should be a capable regular. At .280, he might even be an option
as a leadoff man. He's not particularly fast, but he is a smart baserunner
and a strong percentage basestealer. The Dodgers' move to re-sign Rafael
Furcal would seem to turn both DeJesus and Chin-Lung Hu into trade bait.
DeJesus, though, will probably be kept for now, just in case Furcal has
additional back problems. He needs a year in Triple-A anyway.
Wes Hodges - 3B Indians - DOB: 09/14/84
.290/.354/.466, 18 HR, 97 RBI, 105/52 K/BB, 3 SB in 504 AB (AA Akron)
.349/.368/.587, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 20/3 K/BB, 0 SB in 109 AB (AFL)
With a .289 average and 33 homers in two seasons, Hodges has displayed ample
offensive ability since the Indians made him a second-round pick in 2006. He
hasn't, however, instilled the team with much confidence regarding his
ability to stay at third base. He made 28 errors in 125 games last season,
and he has below average range. First base may be his long-term home, and the
Indians aren't hurting for options there. It is possible that Hodges will
have the bat to survive the switch. He should be a 25-homer guy in time, and
he doesn't strike out overly much. The Indians will leave him at third base
for now and hope that he takes a step forward defensively in Triple-A.
Brian Matusz - LHP Orioles - DOB: 02/11/87
2-4, 4.73 ERA, 26 H, 31/7 K/BB in 26 2/3 IP (AFL)
Matusz was the first pitcher taken in the 2008 draft, going fourth overall to
the Orioles. After getting a major league deal just before the Aug. 15
deadline, the southpaw sat out the rest of the minor league season. However,
he did debut in the AFL and went 2-4 with a 4.73 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Matusz
has four pitches, including a low-90s fastball and a very good changeup. He's
advanced enough to potentially help the Orioles in 2009, though the team
won't have much reason to rush him in a year in which a fourth-place finish
would be an accomplishment. Matsuz could peak as a No. 2 starter. He's not
much of a fantasy sleeper for next year, but he could be quite an asset come
2010.
Beau Mills - 1B Indians - DOB: 08/15/86
.293/.373/.506, 21 HR, 90 RBI, 105/54 K/BB, 2 SB in 482 AB (A+ Kinston)
.239/.338/.388, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 22/9 K/BB, 0 SB in 67 AB (AFL)
After hitting 38 homers in his final season at Lewis-Clark State, Mills
became the 13th overall pick in the 2007 draft. The son of Red Sox bench
coach Brad Mills, Beau is a left-handed hitter with very good power and
plenty of patience at the plate. The Indians held out some hope that he'd
last as a third baseman, but the vast majority of his starts last season came
at first and he'll almost certainly stay there going forward. He'll probably
be a DH in the majors. The Indians do have Travis Hafner signed for another
four years, but he no longer looks like as much of a roadblock as he did when
Mills was drafted.
Nolan Reimold - OF Orioles - DOB: 10/12/83
.284/.367/.501, 25 HR, 84 RBI, 82/63 K/BB, 7 SB in 507 AB (AA Bowie)
.261/.352/.478, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 20/11 K/BB, 2 SB in 92 AB (AFL)
The right-handed-hitting Reimold was limited to 50 games at Bowie in 2007,
and though he was extremely productive while on the field, the Orioles
decided to have him repeat the level. A healthy 2008 followed, but for a
24-year-old corner outfielder, his numbers were nothing special. He didn't
further his case for breaking into Baltimore's outfield by hitting
.261/.352/.478 in the offense-heavy AFL. The best thing to come out of his
2008 was that he struck out just 82 times in 139 games. He had previously
fanned 229 times in 251 games. Reimold has 20-homer power and is a quality
defensive outfielder with the ability to see spot duty in center. The Orioles
could choose to break him in as a platoon partner for Luke Scott in left.
Time will tell if he'll hit righties well enough to justify a larger role.
Brandon Snyder - 1B Orioles - DOB: 11/23/86
.315/.358/.490, 13 HR, 80 RBI, 83/29 K/BB, 3 SB in 435 AB (A+ Frederick)
.349/.431/.667, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 9/6 K/BB, 0 SB in 63 AB (AFL)
Snyder, the 13th overall pick in the 2005 draft, was shaping up as a
potential bust before putting together a nice season in the Carolina League.
He entered 2008 with a career .264/.331/.401 line, and he didn't show much at
third base after shoulder problems forced him out from behind the plate. The
Orioles shifted him to first last season, and he took off after a rough
April, batting .335 over the final four months of the season and then .349 in
the AFL. Snyder figured to add some additional power, though he probably
won't become much more than a 20-homer guy. His line-drive swing should
continue to result in strong batting average. However, since he's not going
to be a true slugger, he'll have to work more walks in order to become an
adequate major league first baseman. He'll play in Double-A at age 22 next
season.
Matt Wieters - C Orioles - DOB: 05/21/86
.345/.448/.576, 15 HR, 40 RBI, 47/44 K/BB, 1 SB in 229 AB (A+ Frederick)
.365/.460/.625, 12 HR, 51 RBI, 29/38 K/BB, 1 SB in 208 AB (AA Bowie)
.301/.407/.438, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 16/12 K/BB, 1 SB in 73 AB (AFL)
The game's No. 1 prospect was taken with either the first (David Price) or
fifth pick in the 2007 draft. The Orioles jumped on Wieters after the Royals,
Cubs and Pirates all passed on the Scott Boras client and got him signed
barely before the Aug. 15 deadline. The switch-hitter made his minor league
debut last season and hit a remarkable .355/.454/.600 between two levels,
combining for 27 homers, 91 RBI and more walks (82) than strikeouts (76).
What makes Wieters truly special is that his bat isn't far ahead of his
glove. He should quickly establish himself as an above average major league
catcher, and though his arm isn't particularly strong, he could contend for
Gold Gloves someday. The Orioles intend to take the smart financial route and
have Wieters begin next year in Triple-A, pushing back his free agency clock.
However, it's a good guess that he'll be up around June 1 to begin a lengthy
reign as the team's catcher.
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