Posted on 30 March 2009
H/W: 6-0 190 lb. B/T: S/R DOB: 1/17/85
Emmanuel Burriss missed a considerable amount of time last season with a left oblique injury that nagged him throughout the first part of the season. Regardless, he was able to log in about 240 AB in his first major league season producing a solid 283 BA with 1 HR 18 RBI and 13 SB. Burriss has fleet feet that wreak havoc on the basepaths as testified by the 103 SB he logged in his two previous minor league seasons. A contact hitter, Burriss works counts efficiently and is almost impossible to strike out. He is an excellent bunter and hits line drives to all fields with little to no power. Defensively, Burriss has the ability to play both SS and 2B or the OF in a pinch. He needs to continue to shore up his glove work and arm accuracy in order to stick as a starter.
2009 Projection: Burriss has looked sharp this spring hitting .397. The Giants are locked in at SS with the off season signing of Edgar Renteria, and Kevin Frandsen is the early favorite to receive most of the playing time at 2B. However, Burriss is a serviceable utility guy who should get a considerable amount of playing time at either position throughout the season. He has a strong frame that could add a little more XBH pop as he matures. That would do nothing but help his chances to receive more playing time. In a full season, Burriss is a threat to steal 35-40 bases while hitting for a high average and excellent OBP.
Key Emmanuel Burriss Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects Auto
- 2007 Bowman's Best Auto
- 2008 Topps
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Posted on 28 January 2009
H/W: 6-4 195 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 8/18/88
The Braves' 2006 1st round pick continued to mash the ball at full season Low-A Rome hitting .252 with 26 HR 89 RBI and 62 runs scored. Johnson has a long, projectible frame that promises to add more bulk as he ages. His big lefthanded swing generates awesome torque that lofts the ball out of any part of the ballpark. The downside of a big swing is the proclivity to have exploitable holes and Johnson's hack is no exception. Last season, Cody struck out an alarming 177 times in 127 games while drawing just 40 walks. Defensively, Johnson has made some positive strides as an outfielder, though he should be strictly limited to LF as a pro. The Braves knew when they drafted Cody that he was going to be a long-term project, but they are pleased by the early returns on their investment. In time, Johnson could develop into a prolific power hitter in the mold of Adam Dunn or a cataclysmic bust a la Rick Elder.
2009 Projection: Cody will start the '09 season at High-A Myrtle Beach, which should provide a good challenge for him. Of course, the numbers to watch are the K's. Johnson will always rack up big strikeout numbers, but the hope for him is to limit them to a level that is closer to a one per game average. If he can turn 20-30 of his K's into walks, Johnson has the potential to be a .270-.280 hitter with 30+ HR potential at the major league level. It seems a bit irrational to call 2009 a make or break season for Cody, especially since he will be just 20 years old for most of it, but the amount of outfield depth in Atlanta's farm system could rapidly pass him by if he continues to struggle.
Key Cody Johnson Baseball Cards:
- 2006 Bowman Originals
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft AFLAC Redemption
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto
- 2006 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2007 Bowman Prospects Auto
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Posted on 20 December 2008
H/W: 6-6 270 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/11/86
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.
Key Kyle Blanks Baseball Cards:
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2006 Bowman Prospects Auto
- 2007 Bowman Prospects Auto
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H/W: 6-0 190 lb. B/T: S/R DOB: 1/17/85
