[情報] Top Venezuelan Prospects in the NL
We did the AL, but the NL is where the talent is. Below is a list of the top
ten Venezuelan prospects in the National League:
1. Alcides Escobar SS (Brewers) - There are a number of good Venezuelan
players that play shortstop in the National League, but Alcides is one player
that has the defensive skills to stay at this position when the major league
team is calling. His bat has steadily improved as he has gotten stronger and
pitchers no longer jam him inside for popups in the infield. He still needs
to develop more patience and swing at his pitches and not what the pitcher
wants him to swing at. His inability to draw a lot of walks will probably
restrict him to the nine hole, but with his defense and his ability to hit
around .280 he will still contribute to an offense. The only impediment for
him playing shortstop now is a player named J.J. Hardy, who is not as strong
defensively as Alcides, but he is a much more consistent with the stick with
better power. Eventually, it is expected J.J will be traded for pitching or
move to third once Alcides proves he is ready to handle the major leagues.
2. Wilmer Flores SS (Mets) - As Wilmer develops he may end up looking more
like Miguel Cabrera, which would make a stay at shortstop unlikely. As a
below average runner who lacks first step quickness his best position may be
third base or an outfield corner. Unlike Alcides, there is no question that
Wilmer will have a powerful bat, but unlike Alcides his defensive tools are
not suited for shortstop. The Mets will keep him there until he shows he
becomes a liability at the position. As his bat develops don't be surprised
to see 30 homerun power.
3. Carlos Carrasco RHP (Phillies) - He is fighting for the Phillies number
five spot in the rotation, competing with Kyle Kendrick, Chan Ho Park and
J.A. Happ. He may need an injury to squeeze in the rotation. His mid-90s
fastball only saw six games in AAA last year so more development time
wouldn't hurt, but his 1.72 ERA and 46 K's in 37 innings shows he can handle
hitters there. The big criticism of Carlos is the rumors of his lack of
toughness and his propensity to fold in big games. As defending World Series
champs, the last thing the Phillies need for their rotation is someone that
folds during big games. Carlos can prove those critics wrong in AAA, which
will give him an opportunity to get more consistency with his curveball and
changeup.
4. Jhouyls Chacin RHP (Rockies) - Chacin has an impressive 31-10 minor league
record. That wouldn't be something to brag about if he also didn't have the
stuff to back up his record. Chacin has a fasball with good velocity,
hitting the radar guns at 92-93. He also throws a good change, but still
needs to work on the curveball to give him an effective third pitch to
survive as a starter. He is due for AA this year and will not see the majors
until 2010, unless the Rockies rotation is decimated by injuries.
5. Gorkys Hernandez RHP (Braves) - Getting Jair Jurrgens for Edgar Renteria
would be a nice haul for any team, but to also get Gorkys Hernandez is a
robbery. He may be the better player from the trade, giving the Braves two
superior starters for a shortstop that has his better years behind him. He
covers a lot of ground in centerfield and walks enough to be a pesky leadoff
hitter. His power is more gap to gap. He could end up a 20/20 man, but his
power will have to develop more in order for that to happen.
6. Jose Tabata OF (Pirates) - At one point he was considered one of the
better prospects in the game. But attitude problems and a number of
disciplinary suspensions has erased the luster from his prospect status. As
he gets older he will get bigger and his ability to cover the ground needed
to play centerfield will be lost. He has enough arm to settle in right
field. In his four years in the minor leagues he has been dogged by
suspensions and injuries and so far has not gotten over 411 at bats in a
single season. It's time he stays injury free and keeps out of trouble so he
can get the requesite at bats to justify his top prospect status.
7. Gerrado Parra OF (Diamondbacks) - He had a strong winter, hitting .329
with seven homeruns for Zulia. He could end up as a fourth outfielder
because he lacks the speed to really wow scouts with his centerfield tools.
He also does not have the power that is normally associated with corner
outfielders. His career .377 OBA is acceptable for a leadoff hitter but the
Diamondbacks would like to see him draw a few more walks.
8. Yorman Rodriguez OF (Reds) - He hasn't played a game in the minor leagues
yet and he will turn 17 this year. But his $2.5 million signing bonus this
past July show what kind of talent he has. He should hit for power, he has
plus-plus speed, which may disappear as he bulks up and he covers a lot of
ground in centerfield. He has the arm that would allow him to play right
field. You won't see him until the summer, when the rookie leagues begin.
Until that time he will be working on his skills in extended spring training.
9. Adys Portillo RHP (Padres) - One of the Padre hauls in the July
international signing sprees. His $2 million signing bonus was the highest
ever for a Venezuelan, until Rodriguez signed for $2.5 million one month
later. As a 17 year old his fastball already hits the low 90s and has topped
out at 95. Once he puts on some muscle that velocity should increase. He
still needs to work on his secondary pitches. His changeup already shows
promise, but his curve ball needs a lot of work. Adys still needs to work on
his command, but at 17 that is to be expected.
10. Ehire Adrianza SS (Giants) - Ehire is just one of many talented middle
infielders the Giants are percolating through their system. A switch hitter,
he plays Gold Glove level defense. He played two games in AAA but other than
that he should get his first year in a full season minor league, starting at
Low A. If he has success there he could quickly move up the chain. Right
now his power is gap to gap. He only has one professional homerun, so don't
expect a lot of balls clearing the fence. He also lacks the speed to steal a
lot of bases. It will be his defense that separates him from the others.
http://myworldofbaseball.com/wordpress/?p=1090
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