Posted on 11 January 2009
H/W: 6-3 210 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 7/2/88
A devastating slide into homeplate ended the former first round pick's 2008 season in late June as he broke his fibula and tore ligaments in his right ankle. Up to that point, Marrero bat was just beginning to heat up after a slow start in April. Marrero ended up hitting .250 with 11 HR and 38 RBI in 70 games. When healthy, Marrero has a quick swing with good balance and leverage that produces light tower power that could translate to 30-40 HR potential in the major leagues. He has been lauded as being a hard worker and intelligent hitter who is always seeking to make adjustments. Marrero chased fewer pitches out of the zone last season, cutting back his strikeout rate, though he still needs to hone his ability to work counts and draw bases on balls. Marrero's slow foot speed and marginal athleticism forced the Nationals to shift him to 1B last season and, while it does not effectively utilize his strong arm, it seems to be an appropriate destination for him.
2009 Projection: The injury derailed Marrero's fast track progress, but don't be surprised to see him begin the '09 season with AA Harrisburg. Reports from Nationals camp regarding Marrero's recovery are quite positive and things seem to be all systems go for him this spring. Nevertheless, his health should be monitored closely as this was a major injury. Beyond that, take notice of how Washington decides to address their void at 1B. As it stands now, Nick Johnson is the opening day 1B, but there have been murmurs that the Nats would like to make an upgrade with a free agent who provides more power than Johnson. If they go that route, Marrero's path to the major leagues will be delayed. If not, he has an outside shot of being a September call up.
Key Chris Marrero Baseball Cards:
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2006 Bowman Heritage
- 2007 Bowman's Best Auto
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Posted on 07 January 2009
H/W: 6-0 180 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 4/8/85
2008 was a season to forget for the former Padres 1st rounder. After a stellar '07 campaign which saw him hit .307 with 21 HR 78 RBI 28 SB and an incredible 123 runs scored over two levels, Antonelli struggled mightily at AAA hitting a measly .215 with 7 HR and 39 RBI. Antonelli is a joy to watch as he plays each game with maximum effort and a compelling desire to win. He is a highly intelligent hitter who has earned 159 walks in the last two seasons. Antonelli has good pull power but tends to slap balls to the opposite field, which should limit his HR totals. Defensively, his quick first step and advanced baseball instincts allow for him to cover a good bit of ground at 2B. Antonelli's struggles have cast a serious shadow over his once bright potential. Once thought to be a future superstar, there is now a feeling that he will be a solid, but unspectacular MLB player. Antonelli should be able to hit for a .270-.290 BA with 10-15 HR and 10-15 SB per season as a major leaguer, making him a serviceable, middle of the road MLB second baseman.
2009 Projection: Matt's AAA season, as well as his brief 2008 MLB audition were nothing to write home about, but the Padres don't really have many better options at the 2B position. Antonelli should get plenty of opportunities in spring training to prove that he is ready to become a starting middle infielder. Antonelli's 76 BB/84 K ratio and .290 BA in August are reasons for optimism.
Key Matt Antonelli Baseball Cards:
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto
- 2006 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2006 Bowman Heritage
- 2007 Bowman Prospects Auto
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Posted on 07 January 2009
H/W: 6-4 185 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/25/87
The young Baltimore native regrouped well after a horrendous '07 season. Erbe pitched to a 10-12 record with a 4.30 ERA and 50 BB/151 K's in 150.1 IP. Blessed with a mid-90's fastball, Erbe worked dilligently to improve his slider and changeup which have the potential to be plus pitches in the future. Erbe has a wiry, strong frame that has proven to be quite durable (25+ starts in 3 consecutive years) and could add some bulk as he ages. This will enhance his stamina and could add a tick or two to his fastball. The major issue with Erbe right now is consistency. On the plus side, he limited hitters to a stingy .216 BA and his 3.06 BB/9 IP was his lowest as a pro. Conversely, when Erbe gets hit, he gets hit hard. He allowed 21 HR this past season and had several outings where he allowed several runs early in the contest. When things go bad for Erbe, he tends to lose focus and battles with his mechanics. Frederick pitching coach Blaine Beatty has worked dilligently with Erbe on these issues and the organization is quite pleased with the 21 year old's progress.
2009 Projection: A full season at AA Bowie is waiting for Erbe in '09. The O's are hoping that he can continue forward and have a similar season to that of their other elite RHP Chris Tillman. Command and consistency are the most important things to monitor in Erbe's performance. If he can hone his mechanics and gain a more effective feel for his changeup, he should be able to turn some of those extra base hits he surrendered last season into outs.
Key Brandon Erbe Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2005 Bowman Sterling
- 2005 Bowman Heritage
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Posted on 31 December 2008
H/W: 5-11 185 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 10/10/85
Anyone who watches this James Madison alum play would swear that they are witnessing the reincarnation of Brian Giles. Compact and powerfully builty, Kulbacki has a quick left-handed swing that mashes the ball with 20-25 HR power to all fields. After early season struggles at Low-A, Kulbacki was promoted to High-A Lake Elsinore where he terrorized California League pitching to the tune of a .332 BA with 20 HR 66 RBI and 68 runs scored in just 84 games. Kulbacki has an advanced feel for the strike zone and he tends to make hard contact with just about every ball he hits. Defensively, Kellen can play either corner OF spot, but he profiles better as a LF down the road. Though he is not a base clogger, Kulbacki will not steal many bags and his range may suffer a little if he puts some more beef on his already sturdy frame.
2009 Projection: The Padres have an affinity for drafting stocky, corner OF, but Kulbacki may end up being the best of them. After a successful '08, Kulbacki will get the nod at AA San Antonio. The biggest challenge for Kellen will be to continue to replicate his power numbers as he advances. He has had no problem doing so to this point, but his value as a corner OF will hinge greatly upon his ability to hit 20+ HR and 75-90 RBI per season. Brian Giles' days as a run producing OF are coming to a close and the Friars have high hopes that the young Kulbacki will swoop in and enjoy the same success as his two-time all-star predecessor.
Key Kellen Kulbacki Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/549
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Posted on 16 December 2008
H/W: 5-11 175 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/10/86
The Pirates #1 prospect had another solid season in '08 batting .283 with 9 HR 50 RBI 34 SB and 75 runs scored at AAA-Indianapolis. It came as a surprise to everyone, including McCutchen, that he was not called up to the big league club in September. In addition to his outstanding athleticism, Andrew showed a marked improvement in his plate discipline, as testified by his 68 BB/87 K ratio. McCutchen has all of the tools to be an all-star centerfielder for years to come, yet the Bucs continue to stall his progress. Perhaps this has something to do with some questions about McCutchen's maturity, he is a supremely confident individual who plays the game with swagger and aggressiveness. This has often led to lapses in judgement on the basepaths and inconsistencies at the plate. Others feel that McCutchen's delayed MLB debut is purely a maneuver by the Pirates to delay the start of his arbitration eligibility clock.
2009 Projection: Rumor has it that both McCutchen and 3B prospect Neil Walker will begin the season back at Indianapolis to start the '09 season. The Bucs are quite pleased with the progress of current CF Nate McClouth, and are interested in seeing what last year's acquisition Brandon Moss has to offer. McCutchen has a history of taking very well to new challenges and it seems very reasonable to expect that he will come into spring training ready to force his way into the opening day lineup. Watch his power numbers as last season's showing was a little disappointing for someone with his quick bat and wiry strength. If he can bump up to the 15-20 HR range, McCutchen could develop into an elite leadoff hitter by 2010.
Key Andrew McCutchen Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2005 Bowman Sterling Jersey/Auto
- 2005 Bowman Heritage Auto
- 2005 Topps Chrome Update Auto
- 2006 Bowman Originals Auto (various serial #'s)
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
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Posted on 15 December 2008
H/W: 6-2 211 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 3/5/88
The Twins' 2006 2nd round pick had his season cut short in June after suffering a stress fracture in his back. Prior to the injury, Benson batted .248 with 4 HR 27 RBI and 17 SB in 69 games. When healthy, this Joliet native is hands-down the best athlete in the Minnesota Twins' organization with an athletic and muscular frame that should develop plus power and top-notch speed. Defensively, Benson has the tools to be an elite CF and the arm strength to play RF. He is a gritty competitor who was a top prep running back recruited by Purdue and other universities. The biggest questions remain with his lack of offensive polish. Benson displayed poor plate discipline (24 BB/72 K) and a lack of basestealing savvy (11 times caught stealing). Additionally, the looming spectre of a major back injury does present the risk of becoming a chronic problem that could continue to hamper his development. All told, Benson is a young and intriguing athlete who has several questions to answer this upcoming season.
2009 Projection: Early reports show that Benson will be healthy and ready to go for 2009. The Twins will likely send him back to Low-A Beloit and if early returns are good, he should move to High-A Fort Myers at some point in the season. Pay close attention to his health status this year as well as his progress in both his plate and baserunning discipline. If he can hone these skills, Joe Benson could become the MInnesota Twins' version of Grady Sizemore within the next few seasons.
Key Joe Benson Baseball Cards
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2007 Bowman Heritage Auto
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
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Posted on 02 December 2008
H/W: 6-2 195 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 8/11/86
2008 was a downer year for the Cards' top prospect. After bombarding AA pitching in '07, Rasmus was expected to continue the hot streak at AAA Memphis for a short while before patrolling CF at Busch Stadium. None of that happened, however, as Rasmus battled an early season slump and was plagued by injuries to his groin and knee. Rasmus struggled to hit .252 with 12 HR 38 RBI and 15 SB in 96 games. When healthy, Rasmus is one of the brightest 5-tool talents in all of baseball. His left handed swing generates easy power to all fields as he seemingly hits every ball with authority. Rasmus can play any OF position with Gold Glove capability and his speed translates to 20-30 SB potential at the big league level.
Rasmus' injuries are of concern, though his sprained knee was a Grade 1 sprain that did not need surgery. Additionally, Rasmus is a very streaky player who has a history of getting off to slow starts in the early part of the season. The Cardinals would like to see him develop a more consistent approach to his game. Tony LaRussa had a chance this last September to bring Rasmus up for his MLB debut and he responded by saying "He hasn't earned it" Reading between the lines, this may be an indicator that Colby has some "between the ears" developing to do before becoming the centerpiece of the Cardinals' talented 2009 OF.
2009 Projection: Spring training will be a key indicator on the immediate future of Rasmus. If he can perform well, he may not need to go back to Memphis to start the season. Though current CF Skip Schumaker had a solid '08 season, Rasmus is the future. Expect LaRussa to make him earn it this spring. Keep an eye on Colby's health and his early season stats (especially his BB/K ratio). When Rasmus comes up, whether it be April or later, he is a prime N.L. Rookie of the Year candidate.
Key Colby Rasmus Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto
- 2005 Bowman Sterling Jersey/Auto
- 2005 Topps Chrome Update
- 2005 Bowman Heritage
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Auto
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Posted on 24 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 195 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 3/1/88
Cahill had an immensely successful 2008 season pitching at both High-A Stockton and AA Midland earning an 11-5 record with a 2.61 ERA and 136 K's in 124.2 IP. Cahill limited hitters to a lowly .179 BA and his 2.43 GO/FO ratio was one of the best in the minor leagues. Cahill is not a flame thrower, though his fastball, sitting at 90-92 MPH, has excellent sink and late movement. He throws a hard breaking curve ball that has the makings of a strikeout pitch at the major league level. Cahill walked 50 hitters in 124.2 IP which is not terrible, but shows that he still needs to work on throwing strikes with his offspeed pitches. He has a tendency to bury his pitches in the dirt instead of offering them in the strike zone which, of course, is much better than leaving them up in the zone. There's not much to dislike about Cahill's abilities. At the ripe age of 21, he is Oakland's brightest pitching prospect in a fully stocked system.
2009 Projection: Since Cahill did not play fall or winter baseball, he will likely get a long look by the A's in spring training before heading to AAA Sacramento to start the season. The A's have many good arms in their rotation, though there are no truly elite pitchers in their rotation. Cahill has the makings of a very good #2 starter and he should be first in line for a rotation spot should one of Oakland's starters land on the DL. Cahill has just one major autograph, 2007 Bowman Chrome, out right now which should see a noticable bump in value when he makes his major league debut.
Key Trevor Cahill Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Auto
- 2007 Bowman Heritage
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Posted on 24 November 2008
H/W: 6-4 175 lb. B/T: B/R DOB: 3/12/86
Fowler experienced the finest season of his blossoming career by hitting .335 with 9 HR 64 RBI 20 SB and 94 runs scored in just 108 games at AA Tulsa. Fowler took one month off to go play for Team USA in Beijing and, when he returned, he was promoted to the Rockies for his MLB debut. Fowler struggled in 26 late season AB's scratching out just four singles and scoring three runs. Fowler's athleticism is quite similar to Florida Marlins top prospect Cameron Maybin. While he is not as powerful as Maybin, his long and lean frame has sinewy strength and his 49 XBH lends credence to the belief that he should develop 15-20 HR power as he matures. Fowler's speed serves him quite well on the basepaths and in the OF, though his average arm will probably limit him to CF or LF as a pro. Fowler controls the strike zone very well for someone his age and his ability to grind out AB's would make him an excellent top of the order hitter. There is not much to dislike about Fowler's skill set. He has had injury struggles in the past and he needs to build strength, but all of the other tools are in place for Fowler to be a 5-tool top of the order hitter who should be a strong candidate for the 2009 N.L. R.O.Y. award.
2009 Projection: Fowler was given the winter to rest and prepare for spring training. He is the front runner of a talented field of Colorado Rockies prospects that will be looking to fill the OF vacancies left by Matt Holliday and Willy Taveras. Fowler seems to be the ideal candidate to fill Tavaras' spot leaving the floatilla of Carlos Gonzalez, Seth Smith, Ryan Spilborghs, and Eric Young Jr. to battle for LF playing time.
Key Dexter Fowler Baseball Cards:
- 2004 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/623
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2006 Bowman Sterling
- 2006 Bowman Originals
- 2006 Bowman Heritage Auto
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Posted on 22 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 210 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 4/1/85
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.
Key Daniel Murphy Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2007 Bowman Heritage
- 2008 Finest Redemption
- 2008 E-Topps
- 2008 Topps Red Hot Rookie Redemption
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Posted on 22 November 2008
H/W: 5-10 180 lb. B/T: S/R DOB: 5/25/85
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.
Key Eric Young Jr. Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2007 Bowman Sterling
- 2007 Bowman Heritage
- 2007 Bowman's Best
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Posted on 21 November 2008
H/W: 6-4 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 4/4/87
From an initial glance at Maybin's 2008 totals, one would surmise that the Marlins' #1 prospect had a decent but not stellar showing. Playing nearly the entire season at AA Carolina, Maybin hit .277 with 13 HR 49 RBI and 21 SB. These numbers were sufficient enough to allow Maybin the opportunity to play an octet of September games where he blistered the ball, batting .500 with 2 RBI and 4 SB in 32 AB. Maybin is one of the most athletic prospects in baseball with a wiry strong frame that should develop plus power while keeping his plus-plus speed. Maybin has gradually improved his walk rates earning 63 last season. Defensively, Maybin can has the range, glove, and arm to be an impact player at any position. The biggest downside in his game right now is his high strikeout rates. Last season, Maybin punched out 132 times in 116 games. Much of this is due to being culpable to off-speed pitches and more polished MLB pitchers will exploit this heavily until he can make the proper adjustments. Also, Maybin's raw power (he's hit 500 ft. HR's) has yet to translate into gaudy power statistics. Some critics feel that he beats too many balls into the ground and doesn't effectively utilize the strength that he has to authoritatively drive the ball. Given that he will be just 22 at the start of the '09 season, he has ample time to develop this aspect of his game. All told, Maybin is one of the most intriguing and athletic prospects in baseball and the comparisons to great outfielders like Torii Hunter and Andre Dawson may come to fruition before Maybin reaches his full potential.
2009 Projection: Maybin's Marlins debut prompted the recent exodus of Josh Willingham. Maybin will be given every opportunity to lose the starting CF job this spring and few will think that he will not be there come opening day. Keep an eye on his BB/K rate through spring training as well as his extra base hits. If he struggles in these areas, the Fish may well send him to AAA for a brief fine tuning. Rest assured, his days as a minor leaguer are extremely limited, if not gone entirely. Maybin is a top 2009 N.L. R.O.Y. candidate.
Key Cameron Maybin Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome AFLAC Redemption
- 2006 Bowman Prospects Auto
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2006 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2006 Bowman Heritage Auto
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Auto
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Posted on 21 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 11/23/86
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.
Key Brandon Snyder Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft Brandon Snyder
- 2005 Bowman Sterling Brandon Snyder
- 2005 Topps Brandon Snyder Rookie Cup Auto
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Brandon Snyder Auto
- 2006 Bowman Sterling Brandon Snyder Auto
- 2006 Bowman Heritage Brandon Snyder Auto
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Posted on 17 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 190 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 10/10/88
Martinez had a 2008 season that was strikingly similar to his 2007 season. Martinez started the year again at AA Binghamton when a hamstring injury put him on the shelf for a while. Upon his return, Martinez rehabbed at the Mets' GCL team briefly before returning to Binghamton to finish the season. From a distance, Martinez's numbers are somewhat pedestrian (.286 8 HR 43 RBI 27 BB/73 K 86 games) until you do the math and realize that he is just 19 years old. Martinez has one of the most exciting offensive ceilings in all of minor league baseball. His bat speed is special and his power ranges from foul pole to foul pole. He makes good contact and his plate discipline is improving. Martinez has average speed and he profiles better as a LF than as a CF at the major league level. He will not steal many bases, though he will not clog the bases either. One area of concern is the fact that Martinez has missed sizable chunks of time over the past two seasons due to injuries. In 2007, a wrist injury limited him to just 63 games, and this season the hamstring injury hampered his production considerably. Players who are often injured at a young age tend to have more difficulty in reaching their potential as they age. The Mets seem optimistic that this will not be a problem for Martinez.
2009 Projection: Martinez has wreaked havoc on pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League and has stayed healthy throughout. Expect the Mets to give F-Mart a long look this spring to assess where he is at in his development. It is doubtful that he will serve a third stint at Binghamton, so an April debut at AAA New Orleans seems in order. Keep an eye on Martinez's health this spring. If he can avoid injuries and prolonged slumps, it is very likely that he will get some late season AB's in a Mets uniform. That could only prove to be beneficial for many of his 2007 Bowman autographs.
Key Fernando Martinez Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Fernando Martinez Auto
- 2007 Bowman's Best Fernando Martinez Auto
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Fernando Martinez Auto
- 2007 Bowman Heritage Fernando Martinez
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H/W: 6-3 210 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 7/2/88
