Posted on 26 February 2009
H/W: 6-4 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 11/26/84
In an all too disturbing trend, Adam Miller's 2008 season was limited to just 6 games due to nagging injuries in, of all places, his fingers. Miller tore a tendon in his finger that required surgery and months of rehab. This latest digital malady followed the strains in his tendons and, gulp, holes in his skin that plagued him throughout the 2007 season. When healthy, Miller deals some serious heat, sporting a fastball that touches 100 MPH on the radar gun. Complimenting that is a high 80's violent slider that has all the makings of a knockout pitch. Miller locates both plus pitches well to all parts of the zone. Miller's third pitch, a changeup, shows some promise, but his time away has kept him from refining his arm speed and slot for the pitch. The best bet scenario for Miller at this point seems to be as a late inning reliever, and eventually a closer. This would limit the amount of duress that he would put his arm and fingers through while making the best use of his two plus-plus pitches. The Indians have not ruled out the notion of eventually transitioning him back to starting games. Miller is just 24 years old and still full of potential to be an elite pitcher at either the front or back ends of games.
2009 Projection: Miller has kept his velocity up during his healthy Dominican Winter League stretch. The Indians signed Kerry Wood in the off season to fulfill the role of closer, but the door has been left wide open for Miller to nestle into the set up role and, eventually, the closer role. Undoubtedly, health is key for Miller's success. Fortunately, the injuries he suffered are not ones that put unnecessary mileage on his arm. If Adam struggles in the early going with his command, the Tribe may decide to send him to AAA Buffalo for some more work. He will be with the big club at some point this season and should delight the Jacobs Field masses with his own three digit version of "Radar Love"
Key Adam MIller Baseball Cards:
- 2003 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2003 UD Prospect Premieres
- 2007 Bowman's Best Auto
VN:F [1.9.13_1145]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage Popularity: 10% [?]
Posted on 12 January 2009
H/W: 6-2 180 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 5/15/87
The final piece of the blockbuster C.C. Sabathia trade had a solid showing at AA Huntsville hitting .319 with 4 HR 40 RBI 28 SB and 80 runs scored despite missing almost the entire month of July with a sprained ankle. Brantley is the son of former Seattle Mariners OF and Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach Mickey Brantley. While his dad was more of a slugger, Michael profiles to be a top of the lineup hitter with elite plate discipline (50 BB/27 K in '08) and a relentless line drive bat that sprays the ball from foul line to foul line. Brantley was successful in 28 of 36 SB attempts last season as Huntsville's lead off man but, regardless of his great speed, he is not a great defensive OF. In fact, the Brewers organization gave him regular work at 1B over the past three seasons. Another downside to Brantley's game is his inability to hit for power. Given his long, athletic frame and youth, there is reason to believe that he could well become a 10-15 HR hitter as he matures physically. There are plenty of upsides to this young OF's game and the fact that the Indians selected Brantley over Taylor Green as the final piece of the Sabathia trade demonstrates that they expect big things from him in the not too distant future.
2009 Projection: Indians GM Mark Shapiro has already indicated that Brantley will join the big league club for spring training but will start the regular season at AAA Columbus. The Indians would like to see Brantley develop a bit more power at the minor league level before bringing him up to the big league club. Watch the XBH numbers early in the season. If he can bump up his SLG% into the .425-.450 range, Cleveland will have a hard time keeping him down. The trade of Franklin Gutierrez to Seattle has opened the door a little bit wider for Brantley to follow in his dad's footsteps. Expect him to do so at some point in 2009.
Key Michael Brantley Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
VN:F [1.9.13_1145]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage Popularity: 8% [?]
Posted on 13 December 2008
H/W: 5-11 B/T: S/R DOB: 4/8/86
If there was a "Where The Heck Did He Come From?" award, Carlos Santana would have won it running away. After batting just .223 at Low-A Great Lakes in 2007, the young switch-hitting catcher exploded in '08 to hit .323 with 14 HR 96 RBI and 88 runs scored at High-A Inland Empire before being the centerpiece in a deal that sent him to the Cleveland Indians for Casey Blake. After the trade, Carlos continued to hit the ball with great proficiency, batting .352 with 6 HR 19 RBI and 34 runs scored in just 29 games. Santana's bat speed is extremely quick, generating surprising power from both sides of the plate. His plate discipline (89 BB/85 K) rivals that of Tyler Flowers and Kila Ka'aihue as the best in minor league baseball. Defensively, Santana is a converted middle infielder who utilizes his mobility very well and has shown an adeptness at blocking balls in the dirt. It is hard to pick out many weaknesses in Santana's game, though, this season was a far departure from his previous output as a professional. Santana will need to prove that he can replicate those numbers at higher levels.
2009 Projection: Santana will start at AA Akron to begin the '09 season. Given the unsure future of Victor Martinez as a catcher, the Indians made this trade fully with the intent of transitioning Carlos into their lineup within the next two seasons. The big thing to watch is whether or not Santana can keep up this torrid offensive pace. AA should prove to be a good test for him and, if he approaches his '08 numbers, he immediately becomes one of the top-5 catching prospects in baseball. Given the recent infusion of positional talent, that is saying quite a lot.
Key Carlos Santana Baseball Cards
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
VN:F [1.9.13_1145]
Link To This Page
1.
Click inside the codebox2.
Right-Click then Copy3.
Paste the HTML code into your webpage Popularity: 7% [?]
2009 Projection: Miller has kept his velocity up during his healthy Dominican Winter League stretch. The Indians signed Kerry Wood in the off season to fulfill the role of closer, but the door has been left wide open for Miller to nestle into the set up role and, eventually, the closer role. Undoubtedly, health is key for Miller's success. Fortunately, the injuries he suffered are not ones that put unnecessary mileage on his arm. If Adam struggles in the early going with his command, the Tribe may decide to send him to AAA Buffalo for some more work. He will be with the big club at some point this season and should delight the Jacobs Field masses with his own three digit version of "Radar Love"
