[情報] Top Ten Mexican Prospects in the Minors
Mexico is a place that should be scouted more by major league teams. The
Yankees seem to be the most successful signing players in Mexico the last
couple years, which would seem to be an insult to teams like the San Diego
Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers that are only a few hours drive away. Perhaps
it is because there is a Mexican Leauge that plays about the same time as the
major leagues and the best players are already committed to their teams that
restricts the movement of these players.
The best player from Mexico to play in the major leagues is their current WBC
manager Vinny Castilla. Karim Garcia had some good years but never reached
his full potential and he continues to hit homeruns in Korea. On the
pitching side, everyone remembers Fernando Valenzuela and Teddy Higuera. The
current stars are Yovani Gallardo, Oliver Perez and Joakim Soria. If the
drug cartels don't ruin it you should see some more talent come from there.
Below is a list of top ten prospects that are struggling to make the major
leagues. Not a great bunch, but some diamonds could emerge.
1. Alfredo Aceves RHP (Yankees) - He originally signed with the Blue Jays in
2001 but they sold his contract to the Mexican League, where he toiled for
six years. The Yankees found him down there last year and signed him for
$450,000. To the Blue Jays all you can say is "Too bad. So sad. Spin the
wheel again Vanna." In his first year in 2008 he started in high A and it
took him only 15 starts to get to AAA. While the Yankee staff struggled with
injurikes, Aceves was more than happy to take the ball after eight starts in
AAA. He finished the season with a 2.40 ERA after four starts. Yankee fans
should not get too excited as his stuff is only average, with a fastball that
rarely hits the 90s. He relies on pitch sequences to be successful and a
decent changeup to get hitters out. It appears the Yankee rotation is filled
so he should stick in the bullpen until the Yankees need a starter. Much of
his future will depend on the success he has this spring, a reason he turned
down the opportunity to pitch for Mexico in the WBC.
2. Jaime Garcia LHP (Cardinals) - He was born in Mexico but he moved to the
United States and went to high school in Texas where he was drafted in the
22nd round. He would have been the top player on this list if not for the
Tommy John surgery that will force him to miss most of the 2009 season. His
stuff is a little more electric than Aceves, with a fastball between 88-92
that has better movement and a plus curveball. If the surgery does not have
a negative impact on the quality of his pitces when he returns in 2009 he
could be in the Cardinals rotation in 2010.
3. Manny Banuelos LHP (Yankees) - Manny is nine years younger than Aceves and
the Yankees signed the two pitchers last year. Next month he will turn 18.
At least the Yankees hope so. He already throws a fastball in the low 90's
and at 5'10" 155 pounds that could increase in velocity as he gains some
strength. His curveball and change are still developing and both pitches are
below average at this point. He should start 2009 in Low A.
4. Edgar Osuna LHP (Braves) - In four years in the minors, three of them in
Rookie ball, he has an ERA of 2.51. He's gone from the Dominican League, to
the Gulf Coast League and to the Appalachian League. He should advance a
little more quickly now after his success in Low A South Atlantic, where he
was voted pitcher of the year. Edgar is not overpowering, with a fastball in
the mid 80s, but he sets it up well with an above average curve ball and an
excellent changeup. How far he advances with his pedestrain stuff will
depend on the success he has as he rises to the higher levels.
5. Fernando Salas RHP (Cardianls) - Fernando represented the Cardinals in
last year's Future's game, a remarkable achievement when you consider that he
had to be sent back to Mexico because his minor leage debut in 2007 was less
than stellar (5.26). One of his strengths is the command of his low 90s
fastball. He can locate it up or down, in or out of the strikezone. He did
give up 12 homeruns in only 74 innings, so if he gets behind in the count and
has to throw a strike the hitters have no problem depositing it in the seats.
6. Jorge Vazquez 1B, (Yankees) - He's 26 years old and with Juan Miranda in
their system it will be interesting if either player gets an opportunity.
He's 6'2" 230 while the Cuban is 6'0" 200, both of them perform similar
roles. Miranda will start in AAA and Vazquez at 26 should destroy AA. Jorge
had some excellent power numbers in the Mexican League where he was an
Allstar three straight years from 2005-2007. His 2008 season saw him clout
18 homeruns and hit .339 in only 56 games. He continued the assault during
the winter league, topping the league in homers with 15, and hitting .348.
He also had a .416 OBA. As a righthander hitter he could always platoon
with Miranda, who hits lefthanded, but during the winter league his splits
against righthanded pitching (.384) were far better than lefthanders (.234).
With Tex at first, that platooning will have to be done at the DH level and
the way the Yankees spend money they would prefer that a high paid veteran
fill that position.
7. Arnold Leon RHP (Athletics) - The A's discovered him last year, but per an
agreement with the Mexican League club, they had to return him towards the
end of the 2008 season so he could particpate in the Mexican League playoff
run. In 20 relief appearances he finished with an ERA of 2.86. He should
have a full season to pitch in 2009 and at 20 years old has some time to
develop. He stands only 5'11" and as a righthander does not get a lot of
plane to his pitches. His fastball travels in the low 90s but his curveball
is a sloth like 68 miles per hour. Those major league hitters with quick
bats should have two opportunities to hack at it before it arrives to the
plate. He needs to develop a third pitch if he wants to make it as a
starter. Right now his changeup is below average.
8. Luis Cruz 2B/SS (Pirates) - Cruz turned down an opportunity to play in the
WBC. He is a whiz defensively, but a lack of patience and recognition of
breaking pitches makes his offense weak. He was signed by the Red Sox, then
traded to the Padres for Cesar Crespo. He was signed by the Pirates as a six
year minor league free agent December of last year. In 67 at bats with the
Pirates he hit .224. As good as his defense is, he only needs to hit a
little to make it as a utility player. In the winter league he hit .277.
Cruz was a Future Game selection in 2006.
9. Freddy Sandoval 3B (Angels) - The most that can be said about him is that
he is still on the Angels 40 man roster. If the Angels had been active on
the free agent front he would probably have been one of the first players
removed from the roster. He did post solid numbers at AAA Salt Lake, hitting
.335 with 15 homeruns, but most hitters should post inflated numbers with the
altitude there. This led to his major league debut, a September cup of
coffee where he hit .167 in six games and six at bats. He was a 2007 Future
Games selection. He doesn't have the tools of a Brandon Wood, but he's less
likely to fail miserably if given an opportunity. He should hold his own at
the position.
10. Walter Silva RHP (Padres) - He's 32 years old, which normally isn't the
definition of a prospect. But he dominated in the winter league, leading
Mazatlan to the Caribbean World Series. His ERA in the winter league was
3.23 in 13 starts and in two starts at the Caribbean World Series he finished
at 2.25. His fastball sits in the high 80s and low 90s and he's got a good
cutter. Righthanders in the Caribbean World Series could only manage to hit
him at a .105 pace. He made the Mexican League all star team in 2006 and
2008. Pitching in Padres stadium with their lack of depth in the rotation
makes him a real sleeper to make an impact on the major league club.
http://myworldofbaseball.com/wordpress/?p=1057
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