Posted on 26 February 2009
H/W: 6-4 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 11/26/84
In an all too disturbing trend, Adam Miller's 2008 season was limited to just 6 games due to nagging injuries in, of all places, his fingers. Miller tore a tendon in his finger that required surgery and months of rehab. This latest digital malady followed the strains in his tendons and, gulp, holes in his skin that plagued him throughout the 2007 season. When healthy, Miller deals some serious heat, sporting a fastball that touches 100 MPH on the radar gun. Complimenting that is a high 80's violent slider that has all the makings of a knockout pitch. Miller locates both plus pitches well to all parts of the zone. Miller's third pitch, a changeup, shows some promise, but his time away has kept him from refining his arm speed and slot for the pitch. The best bet scenario for Miller at this point seems to be as a late inning reliever, and eventually a closer. This would limit the amount of duress that he would put his arm and fingers through while making the best use of his two plus-plus pitches. The Indians have not ruled out the notion of eventually transitioning him back to starting games. Miller is just 24 years old and still full of potential to be an elite pitcher at either the front or back ends of games.
2009 Projection: Miller has kept his velocity up during his healthy Dominican Winter League stretch. The Indians signed Kerry Wood in the off season to fulfill the role of closer, but the door has been left wide open for Miller to nestle into the set up role and, eventually, the closer role. Undoubtedly, health is key for Miller's success. Fortunately, the injuries he suffered are not ones that put unnecessary mileage on his arm. If Adam struggles in the early going with his command, the Tribe may decide to send him to AAA Buffalo for some more work. He will be with the big club at some point this season and should delight the Jacobs Field masses with his own three digit version of "Radar Love"
Key Adam MIller Baseball Cards:
- 2003 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2003 UD Prospect Premieres
- 2007 Bowman's Best Auto
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage
Posted on 12 January 2009
H/W: 6-2 180 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 5/15/87
The final piece of the blockbuster C.C. Sabathia trade had a solid showing at AA Huntsville hitting .319 with 4 HR 40 RBI 28 SB and 80 runs scored despite missing almost the entire month of July with a sprained ankle. Brantley is the son of former Seattle Mariners OF and Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach Mickey Brantley. While his dad was more of a slugger, Michael profiles to be a top of the lineup hitter with elite plate discipline (50 BB/27 K in '08) and a relentless line drive bat that sprays the ball from foul line to foul line. Brantley was successful in 28 of 36 SB attempts last season as Huntsville's lead off man but, regardless of his great speed, he is not a great defensive OF. In fact, the Brewers organization gave him regular work at 1B over the past three seasons. Another downside to Brantley's game is his inability to hit for power. Given his long, athletic frame and youth, there is reason to believe that he could well become a 10-15 HR hitter as he matures physically. There are plenty of upsides to this young OF's game and the fact that the Indians selected Brantley over Taylor Green as the final piece of the Sabathia trade demonstrates that they expect big things from him in the not too distant future.
2009 Projection: Indians GM Mark Shapiro has already indicated that Brantley will join the big league club for spring training but will start the regular season at AAA Columbus. The Indians would like to see Brantley develop a bit more power at the minor league level before bringing him up to the big league club. Watch the XBH numbers early in the season. If he can bump up his SLG% into the .425-.450 range, Cleveland will have a hard time keeping him down. The trade of Franklin Gutierrez to Seattle has opened the door a little bit wider for Brantley to follow in his dad's footsteps. Expect him to do so at some point in 2009.
Key Michael Brantley Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage
Posted on 13 December 2008
H/W: 5-11 B/T: S/R DOB: 4/8/86
If there was a "Where The Heck Did He Come From?" award, Carlos Santana would have won it running away. After batting just .223 at Low-A Great Lakes in 2007, the young switch-hitting catcher exploded in '08 to hit .323 with 14 HR 96 RBI and 88 runs scored at High-A Inland Empire before being the centerpiece in a deal that sent him to the Cleveland Indians for Casey Blake. After the trade, Carlos continued to hit the ball with great proficiency, batting .352 with 6 HR 19 RBI and 34 runs scored in just 29 games. Santana's bat speed is extremely quick, generating surprising power from both sides of the plate. His plate discipline (89 BB/85 K) rivals that of Tyler Flowers and Kila Ka'aihue as the best in minor league baseball. Defensively, Santana is a converted middle infielder who utilizes his mobility very well and has shown an adeptness at blocking balls in the dirt. It is hard to pick out many weaknesses in Santana's game, though, this season was a far departure from his previous output as a professional. Santana will need to prove that he can replicate those numbers at higher levels.
2009 Projection: Santana will start at AA Akron to begin the '09 season. Given the unsure future of Victor Martinez as a catcher, the Indians made this trade fully with the intent of transitioning Carlos into their lineup within the next two seasons. The big thing to watch is whether or not Santana can keep up this torrid offensive pace. AA should prove to be a good test for him and, if he approaches his '08 numbers, he immediately becomes one of the top-5 catching prospects in baseball. Given the recent infusion of positional talent, that is saying quite a lot.
Key Carlos Santana Baseball Cards
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage
Posted on 05 December 2008
H/W: 6-1 200 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 10/4/88
Chisenhall lasted until the end of the 1st round and signed quickly for slot money and was sent to short season Low-A Mahoning Valley where he hit .290 with 5 HR 45 RBI and 7 SB in 276 AB. Chisenhall has a sweet swing from the left side that produces line drives to all fields and profiles to be plus power as he develops. He demonstrated good plate discipline as well walking 24 times versus just 32 K's. Chisenhall is a good athlete with average speed and a strong arm, though his limited range should move him over to 3B in the near future. Chisenhall's make up is a little bit of a concern. He was kicked off the South Carolina Gamecocks' team after being arrested for burglary and grand larceny charges. He admitted that it was a stupid mistake and has not have any legal troubles since then.
2009 Projection: Chisenhall will play his first full season of pro ball at Low-A Lake County in '09. Chisenhall demonstrated some decent power potential with his 5 HR and 20 doubles. Let's see if he can continue his solid batting average while adding to his power totals.
Key Lonnie Chisenhall Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage
Posted on 02 December 2008
H/W: 6-4 245 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 12/16/87
Where did the power go? Weglarz had a solid season hitting .272 as a 20 year old in High-A Kinston, though he only produced 10 HR and 41 RBI in 106 games. Weglarz has a tall, thick frame that produces good leverage and natural power from the left side of the plate. Weglarz has highly advanced plate discipline, earning 71 BB/77 K's, but his willingness to take a walk often gives him a two-strike approach at the plate which, while good for making contact, often saps him of the tremendous pull power that he is capable of. Defensively, Weglarz is below average and as he continues to age, he will likely be relegated to 1B or, worse, DH. Weglarz has the power potential to hit 30-35 HR at the big league level once he learns to effectively use his massive strength.
2009 Projection: This is a pivotal season for Weglarz. He will likely play at AA, and the Indians would be well suited to leave him there for the entire season. The Tribe would like to see him be able to stick as a LF, as either Wes Hodges or Beau Mills will play 1B for them in the future. Weglarz is an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on in '09. Watch to see if he can get his power back on track and, if so, will it come at the expense of his plate discipline? If he is able to increase his power and keep his BB/K totals intact, Weglarz is a solid under-the-radar buy. Especially given the fact that he doesn't have many cards in circulation.
Key Nick Weglarz Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Donruss Threads Auto #/999
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage
Posted on 13 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 215 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 1/1/85
LaPorta got off to a red hot start last season as the centerpiece of AA Huntsville's star-studded lineup. LaPorta belted 20 HR in just 84 games while hitting .288. LaPorta then was traded to the Cleveland Indians in the C.C. Sabathia trade where he struggled in a brief stint before playing in Beijing for the bronze medal winning U.S. Olympic Baseball Team. LaPorta has light tower power that could translate into 30-40 HR per season at the major league level. He has a keen eye at the plate and works counts well. Numerous coaches and players have given him credit for having an unparalleled work ethic as well. Defensively and athletically, LaPorta is Read the full story
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage
Posted on 10 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 205 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 8/15/86
Mills put together an impressive statline at High-A Kinston this season hitting .293 with 21 HR and 90 RBI. His 34 doubles shows that even more power may be expected from him in the near future. Mills is the son of former big-leaguer and current Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills. Beau has good extension and leverage to his swing that generates easy power to all fields. Defensively, Mills is average at 3B but Read the full story
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage
Posted on 08 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/14/84
Hodges put up very similar numbers at AA Akron to fellow Indians farmhand Beau Mills, hitting .290 with 18 HR and 97 RBI. Hodges has an even stroke that drives the ball well to all fields. His plate discipline is solid, as he walked 52 times versus 105 K's in 133 games. Defensively, Hodges is a fringe average 3B and a decent 1B. The Indians will need to choose either Hodges or Mills to play 3B with the other party moving over to 1B. The Tribe sent Wes to the Arizona Fall League to work on his defense and see what he could do with the bat. Offensively, Hodges Read the full story
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage
Posted on 08 November 2008
H/W: 6-4 220 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 8/9/89
Jason Heyward's debut season earned him the distinction of being considered one of baseball's brightest young prospects. Heyward played primarily at Low-A Rome where he hit .323 with 11 HR 52 RBI and 15 SB in 18 chances. Heyward's blend of size, strength, speed and athleticism evokes comparisons to Hall of Famer Dave Winfield. Heyward displayed a very advanced sense of plate discipline (51 BB/ 78 K) and baserunning acumen and his work ethic has been widely lauded throughout the Braves system. Heyward's good range and strong arm make him the ideal candidate for RF and his power should come more to the forefront within the next few seasons. Heyward's frame could develop more bulk, which could have an adverse effect on his baserunning speed.
2009 Projection: Heyward struggled in his brief promotion to High-A Myrtle Beach, hitting just .182 in 22 AB. Expect him to begin the season there and, barring any setbacks, a promotion to AA Mississippi seems to be an inevitability. He is on the fast track to Atlanta and his stratospheric ceiling makes him one of baseballs elite prospects. The power should come into more play this season, perhaps 20-25 HR. Let's hope that the batting average and speed numbers carry forward as well.
Key Jason Heyward Baseball Cards:
* 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Jason Heyward RC
* 2007 Bowman Sterling Jason Heyward Auto RC
* 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Jason Heyward Auto RC #'ed /750
* 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects Jason Heyward Auto
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage
2009 Projection: Miller has kept his velocity up during his healthy Dominican Winter League stretch. The Indians signed Kerry Wood in the off season to fulfill the role of closer, but the door has been left wide open for Miller to nestle into the set up role and, eventually, the closer role. Undoubtedly, health is key for Miller's success. Fortunately, the injuries he suffered are not ones that put unnecessary mileage on his arm. If Adam struggles in the early going with his command, the Tribe may decide to send him to AAA Buffalo for some more work. He will be with the big club at some point this season and should delight the Jacobs Field masses with his own three digit version of "Radar Love"
