Posted on 03 February 2009
H/W: 6-2 165 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 4/4/90
The Mets' affinity for young, toolsy international position players prompted the Mets to select this Puerto Rico Baseball Academy grad in the 2nd round this past season. Rodriguez played for the Mets' GCL affiliate and struggled mightily, hitting just .193 with 1 HR 20 RBI and a 10 BB/27 K ratio. Rodriguez has an athletic frame that projects to add more bulk as he matures. His bat speed is good right now, but is projected to be excellent and a source of future power production. Rodriguez is a good outfielder right now with vast CF range and a plus-plus arm, but as he gains size, he will likely be shifted to RF. Like many young international hitters, Rodriguez is a very aggressive hitter with a rudimentary knowledge of the strike zone. The Mets will assuredly take their time in shaping his tools in to productive skills
2009 Projection: Don't be surprised to see Rodriguez spend time at extended spring training before joining one of the Mets' short-season clubs (likely Brooklyn). The looming specter of J-Rod's plate discipline is the proverbial fly in his developmental ointment. Another thing to watch is his body size, as Rodriguez is just 18 years old and not finished growing. With increased weight comes higher Home Run totals, and with more Home Runs comes increased attention from fans and collectors. As it stands right now, Rodriguez's Bowman Sterling autographs are low-cost, high-reward investments going into the 2009 season.
Key Javier Rodriguez Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Sterling Auto
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Posted on 03 February 2009
H/W: 6-2 205 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 5/22/89
This young southpaw emerged as one of the Angels' brighter young pitching prospects after a fine season at Low-A Cedar Rapids. Despite being the youngest pitcher in the Midwest League, Reckling compiled a 10-7 record with a 3.37 ERA and 128 K in 159 IP. At this stage in his development, Trevor is not an overpowering pitcher. His fastball sits at 87-92 MPH with good movement, but his frame has still yet to fully develop and there is some conjecture that he can add a couple of ticks to his fastball. The true out pitch for him, however, lies in a big bending curveball that some scouts have likened to Barry Zito's infamous yakker. Reckling controls this pitch very effectively and his change up has come a long way to also be a potential plus pitch. Because his offspeed stuff is so good, Reckling gets in trouble at times when he tends to lean on them too often. If he can gain some velocity on his fastball, he should be able to feel confident in establishing it more, making his curve and change much more effective pitches.
2009 Projection: Reckling should move to High-A Rancho Cucamonga to start the '09 season. The key for him will be to improve his fastball, while at the same time maintaining his success on keeping the ball down in the zone. Last season, Trevor was quite effective at this, inducing a GO/FO ratio of 1.73. The Californian League can wreak havoc on young pitchers who struggle with their locations. While he keeps the ball down, Reckling does struggle from time to time with pitching to contact. The added velocity on his fastball would help tremendously. If he does bump it up a couple of notches, Reckling has the potential to be a solid #2 starter at the major league level. If he doesn't, his ceiling shifts dramatically to a back of the rotation starter.
Key Trevor Reckling Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2008 Donruss Threads Auto #/875
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Posted on 05 December 2008
H/W: 6-5 190 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 7/1/89
Montgomery bumped up his velocity to the 92-93 MPH range before the '08 draft prompting the Royals to select him with their supplemental 1st round pick. Montgomery was outstanding in his pro debut in the Arizona Rookie League going 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 34 K's in 42.2 IP. Montgomery features two good pitches, his plus fastball and a palm ball that profiles to be an average pitch at the major league level. He also throws a slurve and a change, though he doesn't have much feel for those yet. Montgomery has a big projectable frame that should develop more strength and velocity to his fastball as he matures. He also locates his fastball and palm ball well and has good poise on the mound. One other area of concern is Montgomery's low strike out rate. With his size and velocity, one would expect him to be a more dominant pitcher at the rookie level. The development of a suitable third pitch will be crucial for Montgomery's future as a starting pitcher.
2009 Projection: Montgomery will likely get a shot to pitch at full season Burlington in '09. Keep an eye on his strikeout totals as wells as reports on his third pitch development. Instinctively, Montgomery seems to be a potential mid to back of the rotation starter, though, it is very possible that he goes the other way as a situational bullpen lefty. His development over the next two years will tell us more.
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Posted on 30 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 180 lb. B/T:R/R DOB: 10/26/87
Rosa has risen up the Chicago Cubs prospect chart after a fine full season showing at Peoria. Rosa's 43 doubles and 81 RBI for a mediocre team shows promise of more power to come from this young 1B prospect. Like many young hitters, Rosa strikes out too often and doesn't walk enough. Defensively, he is an adequate fielder at either infield corner though his bat will need to produce enough power to stay there. Rosa is still under the radar as many prospects go though his development into a notable everyday player is not a sure thing. Keep an eye on him at High-A Daytona next season. If he can bump the power numbers up and cut down the K totals, he may open a few more eyes.
Key RC's:
- 2008 Donruss Threads Gold Auto #/973
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Posted on 16 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 185 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 12/21/88
Intrigue abounds with this young prospect. Duffy has been nothing short of dominant since being drafted by the Royals in the 3rd round in 2007. He has a nice 90-93 MPH fastball that can reach 95 at times and could well add more velocity as he builds strength. Additionally, he has improved his power curveball and is no longer afraid to pitch inside to hitters. Duffy exhibited much better control this season walking 25 hitters in 86.1 IP.
Duffy does have some kinks in his delivery Read the full story
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Posted on 15 November 2008
H/W: 6-0 195 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 3/2/85
A look at Norris' numbers would indicate that he had a mediocre season for AA Corpus Christi, but the bulk of his unsuccessful outings came prior to him being shelved in late May with elbow soreness. Upon his return, Norris pitched much better pumping in his fastball at 93-95 MPH and improving the bite Read the full story
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Posted on 15 November 2008
H/W: 5-7 195 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/11/85
Salome paced the Southern League this season with a .360 BA as he racked up 132 hits in just 98 games. The Brewers slugger exhibited solid power numbers as well, clubbing 13 HR 83 RBI and smacking 30 doubles. He is a converted catcher whose compact 5-7 200 lb. build evokes comparisons to future HOF'er Ivan Rodriguez. Salome is offensively ready to take over Milwaukee's battery yet his skills behind the plate are a bit raw. Salome has above average athleticism and a rocket arm but his receiving skills and accuracy are still quite raw.
Salome was suspended for the first 50 games of the 2007 season for using PED's, though, the Brewers are quite confident that this incident is behind him and the risk of it reoccurring is low.
2009 Projection: Salome should begin at AAA Nashville and await a mid to late season call up. Salome needs to develop defensively in order to push Jason Kendall out of a job. At just 23 years old, the Brewers do not need to rush him, but his bat is just too good and may push the issue soon. Salome has just one major card to date, the 2004 Bowman Chrome Draft. This card can see considerable demand if he wins a roster spot in Milwaukee.
Key Angel Salome Baseball Cards:
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 190 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 8/11/88
Lambo was quite impressive in his first full season showing off the sweet swing and power potential that made him a top flight draft pick. Lambo is an effective run producer who has a good feel for hitting that should render a high average and 25-30 HR per season at the big league level. Defensively, Lambo is a decent fielder who uses good instincts and routes to negate his below average speed. Some feel that he may be better suited for 1B as his frame fills out more and speed decreases. One area of his game that Lambo needs to Read the full story
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-0 180 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 3/29/89
Oliveras was a 9th round selection in the 2007 draft out of Puerto Rico's baseball acadamy. The Reds are excited about his bat though it is early to tell just what it will produce at higher levels. From initial scouting, Oliveras has a line drive producing left-handed swing that could projectibly produce 15-20 HR power as he matures. Oliveras has average speed and profiles as a solid defensive LF. The Reds will likely take their time with Alexis, as his plate discipline and power are currently very raw and will take a long time to develop. Though he is projectible, he is far from a sure fire top prospect. Keep an discerning eye on his development.
2009 Projection: Oliveras will likely begin the '09 season at extended spring training with a short season stint at Billings likely. The plate discipline has to develop in order for Oliveras to progress. This season should give a better view of just what to expect out of him in the future.
Key Alexis Oliveras Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Threads Alexis Oliveras Gold Auto #/975
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 195 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 7/26/86
Marson had a very successful campaign at AA Reading, hitting .314 with 5 HR and 46 RBI. Marson also was part of bronze medal-winning Team USA in the Beijing Olympics, hitting .312 in limited action. In his major league debut, Marson went 2-4 with his first major league HR 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. There is a lot to like about Marson's game. He has a short and solid line drive stroke that should produce 10-15 HR power at the MLB level while hitting for a high average. His plate discipline is very advanced for his age, testified by a respectable 68 BB/70 K ratio this season. Defensively, he has great instincts Read the full story
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Posted on 13 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 185 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/10/88
Colina performed pretty well to the challenge of his first full season at Low-A Wisconsin. Given his age and long lean frame, it is conceivable to expect that Colina can add strength and power numbers as he matures. Colina has average speed though he doesn't use it as well as he can on the basepaths. He has a nice line drive swing and makes good contact, though he would be best served to work on extending counts and drawing more walks. Defensively, Colina has Read the full story
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Posted on 13 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 185 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/21/87
This season began with Jeffress serving a 50 game suspension which sidelined him until late June. Upon his return, Jeffress compiled a 4-6 record with a 4.08 ERA in 79.1 IP at High A Brevard County before earning a promotion to AA Huntsville that was less successful. Jeffress has an electric fastball that lights up the radar gun at 95-97 MPH and his curve and change have the makings of solid off speed pitches. Additionally, Jeffress is an exceptional athlete and good competitor. The off-field issues have kept Jeffress from realizing his incredible potential. Jeffress has two prior Read the full story
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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
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Posted on 09 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 190 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 9/26/86
Doolittle started his 2008 campaign at High-A Stockton where he proved critics of his power potential wrong by the cover off of tha ball. In 86 games, Doolittle hit .305 with 18 HR 61 RBI and 25 doubles. This performance was good enough to earn him a promotion to AA Midland where he struggled early on to make consistent contact, but a late season hot streak boosted his AA average to .254. Doolittle has a sweet left-handed line drive swing that seems to have developed more loft and power Read the full story
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Posted on 08 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 180 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/13/87
Rodriguez is a projectible young pitcher who signed with the Rockies as a 17 year old free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Long-limbed and wiry, it is thought that Rodriguez may not yet be done growing and that his 89-94 MPH fastball could gain a few ticks over the next season or two. Aneury had a solid season in the unforgiving California League this year improving on his ERA and BA allowed. Much of this is due to Read the full story
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H/W: 6-2 165 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 4/4/90
