[情報] United States Top Prospects in the AL
I didn't do a top prospect list for United States players participating in
the minor leagues last year, but they are part of this world of baseball. So
I include them this year. The first will be the American League, who
probably have the two best prospects in baseball.
1. Matt Wieters C (Orioles) - David Price was the first player selected in
the 2007 draft and the Pirates drafted Daniel Moskos just ahead of the
Orioles pick. Despite the World Series heroics of David Price, most think
that the best prospect in the major leagues is Matt Wieters. Daniel Moskos?
He doesn't even make the top ten in the National League. As was said about
him, this is a solid defensive catcher that can provide an offensive bat in
the Mark Teixeira mold. I'll take that at any position, but for a catcher
that is remarkable. There is some concern that his height (6′5〃) would
restrict his mobility behind the plate. So far that hasn't happened, but if
it does he still has the bat that would look good for a first baseman. The
only tool that he doesn't have is that he is not a fast runner. He will
probably begin 2009 in AAA, but during spring he could make the hitting
against major league pitching look so easy that they are forced to play him
early. For the O's, there is no purpose to rushing him to the major leagues
and jumpstart his years in service before becoming a free agent.
2. David Price LHP (Rays) - He was lights out in the playoffs and he should
make the Rays rotation. There was some talk that the Rays may option him to
the minors to start the season, similar to the Longoria experiment, but there
seems to be no purpose for that, unless they have him slated as the fifth
starter and they want to give him some work. His fastball is high 90s as a
reliever, but will be more like mid 90s as a starter. What makes the
fastball so devastating is it's movement. He also has an excellent slider
that is a complement to his fastball and a change that is an above average
pitch. So he has the three pitches to be effective has a starter. How he
uses them will gauge his success.
3. Travis Snider OF (Jays) - Myworld is not in the Travis Snider camp. We
think as he gets older he will end up a firstbaseman/DH that will be in the
middle of the pack. But there are a number of people that do like him and he
will be one of the favorites to win the rookie of the year title this year.
No one questions his bat, which should hit for both average and power. He
does tend to strikeout a lot (177 times in 2008), but he also draws his share
of walks. At 5′11, 245 most of that weight is packed in the lower half and
as he gets older that may force him to move to first base. His arm is strong
enough for right field but with Alex Rios there he will probably be a better
fit in left field for next year.
4. Trevor Cahill RHP (Athletics) - The A's will have a pretty good rotation
once Cahill and Anderson are ready. Myworld likes Cahill better because he
has more of a fastball and we can't help it that we like velocity. His
fastball hits 94 but is more comfortable in the 92 range. He complements
that fastball with a knucklecurve that is 10 miles slower than his fastball
and drops like a rock just before it crosses the plate. He has a good slider
and is working to perfect a changeup. He teamed with Brett Anderson to win
the bronze for the United States in the 2008 Olympics. In the minors, he has
never had an ERA higher than 3.00 and should spend one more year in AAA
before advancing. He is tempting the A's brass with an excellent spring, so
his timetable may be moved up.
5. Brett Anderson LHP (Athletics) - Brett is a little more polished than
Trevor as far as pitchability. He doesn't throw quite as hard as Trevor,
with a fastball in the high 80s to low 90s, but his command is much better.
He was acquired from the Diamondbacks in the Dan Haren trade and will
provide a good lefthanded alternative to Cahill. What separates Anderson
from Cahill right now is better command of his pitches (48 walks in 225 IP
versus 97 walks in 239 IP). Brett also has above average secondary pitches
in a curveball, slider and change. Being a lefthander, he can also hold
runners better than Cahill, but he is not overpowering so if his command is
not there he is very hittable.
6. Lars Anderson 1b (Red Sox) - He was not drafted until the 18th round in
2006 and the Red Sox paid above average slot money to sign him ($825,000).
The reason he dropped so low was most teams were afraid to select him
because of his asking price. The Red Sox took a risk in the 18th round and
it has paid off. Anderson should hit for both average and power and at 6′5〃
195 pounds the ball will travel a long way when he connects. He is also a
walking machine, with a minor league career OBA of .404. He is not a great
defensive player at first base, but he won't hurt you and like most big men
he is not the quickest afoot. The Red Sox will probably give him more AA
opportunity and in 2010 Kevin Youkilis may have to find another position.
7. Rick Porcello RHP (Tigers) - Rick was drafted in the first round in 2007.
He signed a $7 million major league contract and since he was drafted out of
high school his clock is already ticking to be forced on the major league
roster within four years or be designated for assignment. With his spring
performance this year he may have increased that timetable for when he
appears in the majors. His fastball is in the mid 90s and he has an
excellent sinker. He is working on a changeup and curveball, but both
pitches need a lot of work yet to be major league ready. Once he develops
and improves the command of his curveball and changeup he will be major
league ready. He should start 2009 in AA.
8. Mike Moustakas SS (Royals) - Mike was the first teenage homerun champ in
the Midwest league since 1992. He was drafted by the Royals in the first
round in 2007 and signed for $4 million. He could have been drafted as a
pitcher since in high school his fastball was clocked at 97. He makes hard,
consistent contact that should allow him to hit for a good average as well as
show decent power. He may be a better fit for the outfield and if Alex
Gordon remains a fixture at third base the Royals will have to move one of
them to get both bats in the lineup. Mike runs well enough that he will not
embarrass himself in a corner outfield environment.
9. Justin Smoak 1B (Rangers) - He was a high school teammate of Matt Wieters
and now both of them are top ten prospects. Justin will be one of those good
defensive first baseman that will compete for gold glove honors as well as
hit for average and power. The only tool he lacks is that he will be a slow,
station to station runner. Expect all star numbers from him. Since he was
drafted in the first round in 2008 he will be promoted to High A in 2009 and
if he shows he can handle that a mid-season promotion to AA is not
impossible. As a college drafted player he is more capable of handling the
quick advancement through the minor leagues than a high school player.
10. Chris Tillman RHP (Orioles) - The Orioles acquired Adam Jones and George
Sherril in the Eric Bedard trade, but the best player in that trade may be
Chris Tillman. Despite being one of the youngest players in AA he still
dominated as a pitcher, finishing 11-4 with a 3.18 ERA. He's got a low 90s
fastball that touches 94 and at 6′5〃, 195 that velocity should increase.
His curveball is a good second pitch, but his changeup still needs some
improvement before he can be a success in the major leagues, though he still
needs to improve the command of his pitches. The Orioles will start Chris in
AAA and if he does well there it won't be long before he is called up to the
major leagues.
http://myworldofbaseball.com/wordpress/?p=1134
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