Posted on 23 January 2009
H/W: 6-1 170 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 1/7/88
This 20 year old Venezuelan broke out in a big way in 2008 dominating both Low-A Asheville and High-A Modesto to the tune of an 18-3 record with a 2.03 ERA and 42 BB/160 K's in 177.2 IP. His 90-92 MPH fastball can reach 94 MPH but it is the heavy sinking action that induced ground ball outs to the tune of a 2.83 per flyout rate. Mixed with an effective curveball and changeup, Chacin has exceptional command and a highly advanced feel for how to set hitters up. Those who have seen him pitch also state that he is a nimble athlete and that his frame has the room to add more muscle to it. Though he has good command of his three pitches, Jhoulys must continue to develop the depth of them as he progresses. The jet streamed air and spacious gaps of Coors Field have squashed the futures of many a young pitcher, but Chacin's ability to induce groundball outs, coupled with his advanced control of the strike zone may give him a realistic shot at bucking this trend.
2009 Projection: Chacin will be asked to continue his devlelopment at AA Tulsa this season. If he can continue to put away more advanced hitters, he could received a promotion to AAA Colorado Springs at some point. The challenge for Chacin will be to keep the ball down. The Rockies' several minor league stops are hitter-friendly environments (Colorado Springs especially) and the hitters will be much more advanced and patient. If Jhoulys can continue to locate his fastball down in the zone, his future as a key cog in the Rockies' young rotation could be realized by the start of the 2010 season.
Key Jhoulys Chacin Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2008 Bowman Sterling
- 2008 Donruss Threads Auto #/1999
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/821
- 2008 Playoff Prime Cuts Auto #/249
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
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Posted on 16 January 2009
H/W: 6-3 200 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 7/1/86
Drafted twice as a pitcher, the long, lean Georgia Tech alum found his future as a position player would be much more lucrative. After a successful 2008 campaign with the Yellow Jackets (.396 8 HR 45 RBI 25 SB and 66 runs scored), the Colorado Rockies made him their 2nd round selection. Blackmon continued to hammer pitching at short season Tri-Cities to the tune of a .338 BA with 2 HR 33 RBI and 13 SB as well. Blackmon has a lively, athletic frame that has room to build extra bulk. His lefty swing has good balance and potential gap power that could produce 15-20 HR per season. His speed plays well on the basepaths and in the OF where his range is good enough for CF and his arm strength plays well in RF. Blackmon doesn't strike out much, but he doesn't walk much either. This can be due to the fact that he is still quite inexperienced as a full time position player and has yet to establish a strong feel for the strike zone.
2009 Projection: His exceptional short season performance and advanced age may be cause for Blackmon to spend very little time at Low-A Ashville before earning a promotion to HIgh-A Modesto. There should be an increase in the HR totals this season as Blackmon smacked 21 doubles at Tri-Cities. As he gains more polish, he should also have an increased comfort in being more aggressive on balls in the inner portions of the plate. With Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez likely manning CF and LF in the near future, it will be crucial for Blackmon to increase his power output if he is to stick as an everyday Rockies RF. Brad Hawpe has a stranglehold on that position through at least 2010 (and a $10 million club option in 2011) which should provide Blackmon enough time to develop into a viable replacement for Hawpe.
Key Charlie Blackmon Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Playoff Prime Cuts Auto #/249
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
- 2008 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1499
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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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H/W: 6-1 170 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 1/7/88
