AA proved to be no match for the Padres' young behemoth as he batted .325 with 20 HR 107 RBI and 75 runs scored at San Antonio. Despite his size, Blanks is a complete hitter who hits well to all fields, but, to this point, has only displayed power to his pull side. Unlike many young power-hitting prospects, he doesn't strike out too often and consistently makes hard contact. As a 1st baseman, Blanks has demonstrated soft hands and surprising agility which should play well in the future. Blanks has worked dilligently to reduce his weight from over 300 lb. to his current weight of 270, which should help reduce the risk of nagging injuries while increasing his flexibility. The size and strength is there for Kyle to be a 30-40 HR hitter at the MLB level, but he needs to develop more loft to the opposite field and greater hand speed to get around on pitches thrown to the inner half of the plate.
2009 Projection: After a decent but not spectacular performance in the Arizona Fall League, Blanks should get some at bats in spring training before being shuttled to AAA Portland to start the season. Current Padres' 1B Adrian Gonzalez is signed through the 2010 season, though the rebuilding Padres may deem him expendable for the right price, especially if Blanks' power takes a step forward this season. Blanks will likely play most of the 2009 season at AAA, with a MLB call up likely in August or September.
The best athlete in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system played at three levels in '08 batting .279 with 11 HR 60 RBI 25 SB and 31 doubles. The power proved to be a big step forward for Cain as many within the Brewers organization projected that his long, wiry frame would develop more strength as he matured. There is still room for him to develop even more HR power, as evidenced by his 40 combined doubles and triples. Cain has good speed that he utilizes well on the basepaths and his good range and strong arm plays well in both CF and RF. The biggest thing holding Lorenzo back from being a blue chip prospect is his plate discipline. Last season, Cain had a 51 BB/115 K ratio which, while not horrible, is less than acceptible for a player with marginal HR totals. On the bright side, Cain had a stellar showing in the Arizona Fall League where he hit .333 with 5 HR 11 RBI and 4 SB in 18 games.
2009 Projection: Since he played at three levels in '08, it is somewhat tough to figure out exactly where Cain will begin the '09 season. He should get plenty of AB's in spring training before being sent to either AA Huntsville, or AAA Nashville. Either way, Cain is one of the brightest young prospects in Milwaukee's talented organization. His HR increase in Arizona is a definite bright spot. If he can bump up his power production to the 20-25 HR range while maintaining his SB numbers, Cain's stock will rise rapidly.
2008 was a lost season for the Rays' top OF prospect. Jennings was limited to just 24 games during the regular season as he suffered a lower back injury and had season ending shoulder surgery. Jennings returned to play in the second half of the Arizona Fall League hitting .231 with a HR 7 RBI and 3 SB in 39 AB. When healthy, Jennings is a bright 5-tool athlete who turned down a scholarship to play WR at Alabama to pursue his baseball career. Jennings has blazing speed and a line drive bat that drives the ball well to the gaps. His long lean frame projects that he could add more power to be a 15-20 HR hitter down the road. Jennings makes good contact at the plate and his advanced strike zone knowledge helps him to draw walks as well. Defensively, Jennings utilizes his eye-popping speed to cover vast swathes of space in CF and his arm strength is solid. The biggest variable to Jennings' game is his inability to stay healthy. Jennings has had knee surgery, shoulder surgery, and back problems within the past two years, hampering his development as a pro. If he can stay healthy for a sustained amount of time, Desmond is a top-tier future lead-off hitter with All-Star written all over him.
2009 Projection: Jennings' involvement in the AFL gives the notion that the Rays would like to challenge him with a promotion to AA Montgomery to start the season. Keep an eye on the injury reports and cross your fingers that he doesn't find his way on the DL next season. If he can reproduce the success that he enjoyed in 2007 at Low-A Columbus, Jennings should move quickly through the Rays' system with an ETA of mid-summer 2010 being a good possibility. The Rays could use a good lead off hitter with base stealing speed to set the table for Upton-Longoria-Pena. Jennings could be just the right fit.
Murphy was a well-travelled man this season playing at four different levels including a highly successful debut with the New York Mets. Murphy batted .313 with 2 HR 17 RBI and 24 runs scored in 49 games. After the regular season, Murphy then went to the Arizona Fall League where he tore the cover off of the ball, hitting nearly .400 with 2 HR 18 RBI and 13 BB/7 K's. Murphy has a silky-smooth stroke from the left side that generates 15-20 HR power while hitting for a high batting average. Murphy has very good plate discipline and he doesn't strike out often. Defensively, Murphy has a strong arm, but his footwork and range may limit him to 1B or a corner OF spot at the major league level. Murphy has been playing 2B in Arizona as an experiment, but his lack of range may not allow him to stick at that position.
2009 Projection:Murphy showed enough in his stint with the Mets to earn thorough consideration for a spot in their lineup. The knock on Murphy is that his power production is not enough to play 1B or a corner OF spot. If Murphy can stick at 2B, his value increases considerably as he will be one of the better hitting 2B in the N.L. However, expect Murphy to make the move to 1B or OF. Regardless, he will be a solid #2 or #6 hitter for some years to come.
Jackson took major strides this year to become the top prospect in the Yankees budding farm system. Spending the entire '08 season with AA Trenton, Jackson hit .285 with 9 HR 69 RBI and 19 SB. Jackson possesses an athletic 6-1 185 lb. frame that should produce more home runs as he matures and his 33 doubles this season shows promise for future power production. Defensively, he has all the tools necessary to be an above average CF at the major league level. Jackson has shown the ability to draw walks (56 in '08) though he still needs to improve his strike zone judgment as he often over swings, especially in deeper counts.
2009 Preview:Jackson is not ready for New York yet. Even though he will get a good amount of playing time in spring training, he will likely start AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre in April. Keep an eye on the development of his plate discipline and HR power. If he takes a step back, the Yankees may decide to send him back to Trenton to work out the kinks. Jackson's target date for NY is 2010 as Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui's contracts are due to expire at the end of the '09 season. Don't be surprised if the Yankees decide to get Austin some Bronx AB's in September. While the market demand for his 2007 Donruss Elite Extra and 2008 Bowman Chrome autographs is high, Jackson's projectible ceiling and status as the Yankees' top prospect make his cards a can't miss addition to any collection.
Young's 2008 campaign got off to a slow start as he missed most of the first month of the season recovering from surgery that removed the hammate bone from his left hand. Upon returning, Young tore up the basepaths at AA Tulsa, stealing 46 bases in 62 attempts while hitting .290 with 3 HR 33 RBI and 74 runs scored. Young has elite, top of the order speed much like his father Eric Young Sr. Junior has swiped 206 bases over the past three years. Originally a 2B, the Rockies decided to move him to the outfield where he could utilize his elite speed tracking down flyballs instead of bobbling ones on the ground. Young does not profile to have much power, though his Arizona Fall League performance (.430 5 HR 20 RBI) gives much optimism that, perhaps, Young can develop 8-12 HR power to compliment his game breaking speed. One area of Young's game that has improved significantly is his BB/K ratio which went from 46/105 in 2007 to 61/77 this season. Young is a high energy, max-effort player whose ability to get on base with frequency makes him an increasingly intriguing lead-off candidate for the Rockies.
2009 Projection: Young's MVP-like AFL performance has opened the eyes of Rockies' team officials and should give him ample opportunities in spring training to build on his successful performances. The Rockies are loaded with talented OF throughout their organization even after the trade of All-Star Matt Holliday. Young will have to contend with the likes of Dexter Fowler, Seth Smith, Ryan Spilborghs, and newly acquired Carlos Gonzalez for AB's at Coors Field.
Snyder has progressed well after struggling with injuries and plate discipline woes early in his professional career. This season Snyder played at High-A Frederick hitting .315 with 13 HR 80 RBI and 33 doubles. Snyder really heated up after the All-Star break hitting .357 with 9 HR and 36 RBI in 53 games. Snyder has good bat speed and emerging opposite field power. His 33 doubles demonstrates that more HR power will develop as he builds onto his solid 6-2 205 lb. frame. Snyder is a good athlete who was drafted as a catcher but should be an above average 1B in the field. One area that Snyder will need to continue to address is his approach at the plate where he garnered a 29 BB/83 K ratio. A 100% increase in his walk totals and HR production would vault him into the elite class of 1B prospects. While that seems like a tall expectation, Snyder's raw hitting ability could easily produce those numbers within the next season or two.
2009 Projection: Snyder has continued his fine hitting in the Arizona Fall League, batting .328 with 4 HR 10 RBI and 7 doubles in just 58 AB. He will likely start 2009 at AA Bowie and it will be critical for him to continue his torrid offensive production that he exhibited in the second half of the season. Current Orioles 1B Aubrey Huff is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2009 season. The Orioles would love to see Snyder develop into a solid replacement by next season. Don't be surprised to see Brandon get some September AB's at Camden Yards in '09.
H/W: 6-4 210 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/12/83 O's fans got a dose of what Reimold can do when fully healthy. Reimold battered AA pitching this season to the tune of a .284 25 HR 84 RBI 87 runs scored. Reimold has a power hitters frame at 6-4 210 lb. that is deceptively athletic. His right-handed swing generates easy power to all fields and he controls the strike zone effectively, earning 62 BB this season. Reimold's success has continued in the Arizona Fall League where he started slowly but has come back to hit .273 with 4 HR and 18 RBI in 24 games. Defensively, he has good range and a cannon arm built for RF. The main detractor to Reimold's success has been his proneness to injury, though his healthy '08 season is cause for optimism. Additionally, due to his advanced age, Nolan will have added pressure to make a positive MLB impact earlier than many younger prospects. Failure to do so may relegate him to the dreaded role of 4th outfielder or, even worse, AAAA player.
2009 Projection:Expect Reimold to get plenty of AB's in spring training with an outside shot of earning a spot on the O's opening day rosters. More likely, Reimold will start 2009 at AAA with a promotion to Baltimore happening soon. Watch to see how well Reimold plays this spring. If he hits well, there is a shot that he could find his way onto the roster in a possible platoon position with O's LF Luke Scott. A future outfield of Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Reimold should give Orioles fans ample reasons to be excited about their team's future.
2009 Update: Reimold has been on a hot streak ever since he showed up to spring training this year. After belting four HR during his two week stint in the Grapefruit League, Nolan made his way to AAA Norfolk where he scorched International League pitching to the tune of a .349 BA with 9 HR 27 RBI and 6 SB in just over 100 AB. Reimold earned his promotion to Baltimore on May 14th and has promptly blasted 4 HR and 9 RBI in his first 13 games. Reimold's solid plate discipline and 30 HR power potential has effectively pushed the underachieving Felix Pie out of a job. Expect Nolan to get the bulk of the playing time in LF and all signs point to him making a major push towards becoming the 2009 A.L. Rookie of the Year.
Donaldson was a throw-in by the Cubs in the Rich Harden trade, but the move to Oakland proved to be a renaissance as Josh hit .330 with 9 HR and 39 RBI in 47 games following the trade. Donaldson is the kind of polished, Moneyball-type college draftee that the A's love. He works counts effectively, but is aggressive with pitches in the strike zone, especially on the inner half of the plate. Defensively, Donaldson was a catcher in the Chicago Cubs system, though he almost exclusively playing 1B and DH in the Arizona Fall League. Donaldson played 3B at the University of Auburn, which indicates that he has the potential to be a solid fielding 1B at the major league level.
2009 Projection: This upcoming season will be an important one for Donaldson. He will almost certainly begin at AA Midland as will Stockton slugger Chris Carter (39 HR in '08). Watch to see where the A's decide to play each one of them throughout the season. This will speak volumes about what the future plans are for each one of these guys. If Donaldson can continue to be the hitter his was in the second half of the season rather than the first half, his 2007 Donruss Elite Extra autographs will be solid bargain buys.
Calamitous, injury riddled, disappointing; these are just a few words that could describe Phil Hughes' anticipated foray into Yankee lore. Hughes was miserable in April compiling a 0-4 record with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.18 WHIP in 22 IP. Hughes then missed a considerable amount of the season recovering from a stress fracture in his rib. After a lengthy minor league rehab, Hughes returned to the Yankees and pitched well in a couple of September outings and his Arizona Fall League season, while it has had its ups and downs, has shown that Hughes is once again healthy. Hughes still has dynamite stuff His fastball can still hit 95 MPH and his curveball, slider and change are all potentially solid pitches. Some time and patience will be needed for the 22 year old hurler to regain his confidence and refine his control.
2009 Projection: Expect the Yankees to be cautious in bringing Hughes back. Given that he has thrown in the Arizona Fall League, it would make sense for Hughes to start the season at AA or AAA. The Yankees will be addressing the holes in their starting rotation with high priced free agent acquisitions, which should allow for Hughes to slowly work his way back into the New York spotlight. Skeptical and risk averse collectors have shied away from Hughes' various '04 rookie cards, but the market for his Bowman Chrome Draft and Donruss Elite Extra autographs could heat up again after a few successful outings.
Arencibia is another fast track Blue Jays slugger who had an immensely successful '08 campaign with a .298 27 HR 105 RBI line that included 36 doubles between High-A Dunedin and AA New Hampshire. Arencibia is a powerfully built, aggressive hitter who has big time home run power to all fields. He is also a very good defender with a strong arm and solid mobility behind the dish. The big caveat in Arencibia's game is his Read the full story
Bogusevic was drafted as a pitcher in the 1st round of the 2005 draft A two way star at Tulane, the Astros decided to scrap Brian's mound future and start him exclusively as an OF. Bogusevic adapted very well hitting .371 with 3 HR 20 RBI and 8 SB in 42 games. Unlike many raw hitters, Bogusevic has an adept grasp of the strike zone. Last season he posted an impressive 16 BB/24 K ratio. Bogusevic has a muscular and athletic 6-3 215 lb. frame that shows promise to put up good power numbers and a high average. Bogusevic has Read the full story
Trumbo bounced back well this year after being written off by many as being a mediocre prospect. Trumbo batted .281 with 32 HR 93 RBI and 35 doubles between High-A Rancho Cucamonga and AA Arkansas. Trumbo's HR tally nearly equalled his combined total from the past three seasons. Trumbo has good loft on his swing that can launch balls out of all parts of the ballpark and his approach at the plate has improved over past seasons. Trumbo has a thick 6-4 220 lb. build that still could add bulk as he ages. This does not bode well for his athleticism as he is already viewed as below average in quickness and range. The Angels sent Trumbo to the Arizona Fall League Read the full story
Travis Snider was as well traveled as any prospect this season, playing at four different stops during the 2008 season. The icing on the cake was his impressive September showing with the Toronto Blue Jays in which he hit .301 with 2 HR and 13 RBI in 24 games.
Snider's 5-11 245 lb. body is a power producing machine that has drives balls out of any part of the ballpark with ease. His bat speed and strength are eye popping and his competitive makeup is spectacular. As a defender, Snider is deceptively athletic and his strong arm will play well in RF. Like many young power hitters, Snider strikes out in bunches (154 times this season) though his plate discipline is improving as he sees more professional pitching. Snider's bulk may be a concern as he ages. He is physically maxed out and his athleticism may wane as he ages. Snider will need to keep refining his approach at the plate to avoid becoming a one-dimensional slugger like Matt Stairs or Rob Deer.
2009 Projection: Snider should find himself in Toronto's starting lineup on opening day as the team's LF. Many would project Snider to be one of the leading pre-season candidates for A.L. Rookie of the Year, which could provide added pressure on him to perform early. If Snider can steer clear of an early season slump he could put up some award winning numbers. Snider has a legitimate shot at putting up Evan Longoria type numbers, which could cause his already popular 2007 Bowman Sterling autographs to experience substantial growth.
Flowers had a solid season at High-A Myrtle Beach hitting .288 with 17 HR 88 RBI and a league-high 98 walks. Flowers has a massive frame that should produce 25-30 HR power at the major league level. If he sticks as a catcher, this would make him an All-Star, though it is quite possible that he will have to move to a corner infield position as Brian McCann is firmly entrenched as the leader of the Braves' battery. Flowers has enough athleticism to make the move to 1B or 3B and the move may be better for him in the long run as he has already had a knee surgery. One caveat to Flowers' game is his 50 game suspension for the use of PED's that he served at the beginning of the '07 season. Flowers, for his part, admitted to the mistake saying that he used bad judgment as a member of Chipola CC's baseball team. Braves officials seem to be satisfied with the progress that Flowers has made since the suspension.
2009 Projection:Flowers has absolutely hammered Arizona Fall League pitching to the tune of a .385 BA with a league leading 10 HR 18 RBI and 20 runs scored. Expect his '09 debut to be with AAA Gwinnett and, if he can continue to replicate his promising numbers, a trip to Atlanta is imminent. Flowers' first year autographs in the 2008 Donruss Threads set are immensely popular and should continue as he blossoms into a major league slugger.
Cousins spent the first part of the season battling injuries at High-A Jupiter. When he returned to action, he hit well (.304 9 HR 29 RBI 11 SB in 194 AB) before earning a late season promotion to Carolina where he hit .264 with a HR and 9 RBI. Cousins has a 5-tool skill set with a smooth left-handed swing that produces above average power, and his speed is well above average, though he is still learning how to read pitchers Cousins has great range and above average arm strength that could serve him well in either CF or RF. Moving forward, Cousins still needs Read the full story
Morrison made big strides with his plate approach this season hitting .332 with 13 HR 72 RBI and 38 doubles at High-A Jupiter. While his longball totals were nearly cut in half from last season, his walk and strikeout rates both improved. Morrison's employs a smooth left hand swing that can drive the ball to all parts of the ballpark prompting many baseball officials to believe that he can be a .300 hitter with 30+ HR power at the major league level. Morrison is an Read the full story
In 2008 Stubbs took some strides in putting his critics to rest. Stubbs began slowly at High A Sarasota where he hit .261 with 5 HR 38 RBI and 27 SB in 86 games. Stubbs then was promoted to AA Chattanooga and AAA Louisville where he combined to hit .305 with 2 HR 19 RBI and 6 SB in 45 games. Stubbs still strikes out too much (123 times in 131 games) given his low power numbers, but his walk rate remains strong boosting his OBP to .371 this season. Defensively, he has the skills to be a Read the full story
H/W: 6-6 270 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/11/86
