Posted on 09 December 2008
H/W: 6-5 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 7/13/92
The youngest addition to the Giants baseball family received a $2.55 million gift on his 16th birthday. Rodriguez has immense power potential and 5-tool athleticism drawing several comparisons to fellow Dominican Vladimir Guererro. Giants former manager Felipe Alou was very impressed by his bat speed and hand-eye coordination, mentioning that he didn't see him swing and miss at a pitch against more advanced competition. Amidst all of the positives, there are plenty of questions in Raffy-Rod's game. Some scouts have criticized his long, loopy swing as being strikeout prone and others feel he will develop into a one dimensional hitter. There are some concerns that he may grow too big to maintain his plus speed as he ages. The Giants will likely develop Rodriguez in much the same manner that they are with 1B Angel Villalona.
2009 Projection: Expect Rodriguez to begin the season at the Giants' extended spring training camp before heading to their Arizona League rookie affiliate in June. If he is successful there, it is not out of the question to see him get some late season AB's at short-season Salem-Kaiser. Keep an eye on Rodriguez's K-rate. This seems to be the biggest concern that scouts have with his game right now. Rodriguez is a good four or five years away from being a MLB player, but he is worth watching right now.
Key Rafael Rodriguez Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra #/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 09 December 2008
H/W: 6-2 210 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 8/27/90
Drafted in the 10th round by the A's, Dixon cancelled his scholarship to play WR for Mississippi State and signed a $600 K bonus. He immediately reported to Oakland's Arizona League rookie affiliate where he mashed 8 HR and 10 triples in 45 games. Rashun oozes athleticism and power potential and his initial adjustments to professional pitching has A's officials laud him for his tremendous make-up and work ethic. While his raw tools are quite exciting, there is much room for refinement. Dixon's garnered an 18 BB/68 K ratio and his swing, while powerful and fast, lacks fluidity and balance at times. The A's project that Dixon will be a CF at the major league level, though he mainly played RF and catcher in high school.
2009 Projection: Although he performed quite well at rookie league ball, expect the A's to work with Dixon at extended spring training before sending him to short-season Vancouver in June. Like many young and toolsy prospects, there are plenty of rough spots in Dixon's game that will need to be polished. Watch to see how he adjusts his approach at the plate. The A's are an organization that prides itself on grinding out AB's, if Dixon can fall in line with this corporate value, his athleticism may vault him to the very top of their organizational chart within the next couple of seasons.
Key Rashun Dixon Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto Redemption #/199
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 09 November 2008
H/W: 6-6 210 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 8/28/86
You'd be hard pressed to find many pitchers that had a better season than Tommy Hanson. Over two levels, Hanson was dominant combining to go 11-5 with a 2.41 ERA and 163 K's in 138 IP. This included a 14 strikeout no-hitter against AA Birmingham on June 25th. Hanson added a couple ticks to his fastball which now sits at 92-94 MPH with good movement. His curveball and slider are also already MLB plus pitches and his changeup shows quite a bit of promise too. Additionally, Hanson has proven to be a gritty competitor with good poise on the mound. It is hard to 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
H/W: 6-5 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 7/13/92
