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
Posted on 26 February 2009
H/W: 5-11 190 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 12/12/86
The Cincinnati Reds may have struck gold by selecting this former Northwestern Wildcat in the 22nd round of the '08 draft. Coming off of an intensely disappointing collegiate season that saw him bat just .227, Wiley tore apart the pitching of the Pioneer League hitting .327 with 5 HR 37 RBI 17 doubles and 29 runs scored in just 39 games. Wiley is an exceptional athlete with enough footspeed to be an above average CF and a threat to steal double digit bases every year. His left handed swing drives the ball well to the gaps with occasional fence clearing power. His 24 walks in 139 AB shows that he has the capability to work deep into counts, but the rub on Wiley is his disturbingly high strikeout totals. This was a main factor in his struggles at Northwestern (he struck out 51 times in 46 games) and, despite his early success, he punched out 49 times in 39 games with Billings.
2009 Projection: Wiley will move to full season Low-A Dayton to try and build upon his promising short season numbers. The K rate is the big thing to watch in Wiley. He doesn't walk enough nor possess enough power to make his high strikeout rates acceptable. He has shown in previous collegiate seasons a much better grasp of the strike zone, which offers promise that he can do the same with the Reds organization. There is some level of promise with this young outfielder and, in time, he could become widely regarded as a late round steal and potential starting MLB outfielder.
Key Byron Wiley Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Auto
Posted on 19 December 2008
H/W: 6-4 225 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 2/3/86
Duda has a statuesque build, but thus far has been unable to harness his natural strength into tangible power production on the diamond. He has a natural line drive swing and he has a firm grasp of the strike zone, though he strikes out more than what is acceptable from someone who hit just 11 HR. Defensively, Duda has average skills at 1B and can also play in the OF corners if needed. He is not a threat on the basepaths, as testified by his 2 SB in 9 attempts. Long term, if he can discover how to generate more loft from his swing, Duda can realize a power increase similar to what Marlins OF prospect Bryan Petersen accomplished this year. If he doesn't, his chance to develop into a major league player dims significantly.
Key RC's:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2008 Donruss Threads Gold RC #/250
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
Posted on 02 December 2008
H/W: 6-2 190 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/6/85
Iorg shook off some rust in '08 after spending the better part of the previous two years serving on a Mormon mission in Portugal. The Tigers challenged Iorg by placing him at High-A Lakeland where he hit .251 with 10 HR 47 RBI and 22 SB in 99 games. Iorg is a 5-tool player who should hit for a solid average and develop 15-20 HR at the major league level. Iorg has above average speed that he utilizes well on the basepaths and his quick first step gives him plus range at shortstop. Iorg is a hard worker and his major league bloodlines gives him a solid makeup and baseball IQ. The major weaknesses in Iorg's game is his lack of plate discipline which saw Iorg punch out 111 times while earning just 35 walks. Much of that may have been due to his rustiness from a long layoff, but it bears watching for 2009. The Tigers are quite high on Cale's ability to be their SS of the future.
2009 Projection: The Tigers will likely move Cale to AA Erie for the 2009 season as the everyday SS. Expect better numbers across the board from Iorg this season though the Eastern League is a difficult league for hitters. If Iorg can sharpen his plate discipline, he could wind up being a solid #2 hitter with good gap power in a MLB lineup. His 2007 Donruss Elite Extra autos are limited to just 397 copies and, at $5-6 each, are solid prognosticative values.
Key Cale Iorg Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/397
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Auto
Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 175 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 11/20/87
Bucardo struggled a bit this season in his repeat performance at short season Salem-Keizer. Bucardo went 6-7 with a 4.57 ERA and 40 K's in 67 IP. Burcardo proved to be quite hittable allowing a .357 BAA. Bucardo has decent stuff, a 90-92 MPH fastball with heavy sink and a solid slider and change that needs polish. Bucardo has decent control and his sinker effectively induces ground ball outs. Read the full story
Posted on 12 November 2008
H/W: 6-4 215 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 8/1/89
Wow! Bumgarner blasted his way onto the prospect scene with an '08 season for the ages. Bumgarner blazed through the South Atlantic League compiling a 15-3 record with a minuscule 1.46 ERA and 164 K's in 141.2 IP. Moreover, Madison showed impeccable control with only 21 walks and a .216 BAA. Blessed with a mid 90's fastball with good movement in on right handed batters, Madison also showed marked improvement in his off speed offerings, a hard curve and improving change. Bumgarner is a great athlete who can still grow into his young developing body.
After an '08 like that, it is hard to find areas in Bumgarner's game that need to improve. Better command of his changeup and a sharper bite to his sweeping curveball will enhance his effectiveness and efficiency. The young ace needs to locate his pitches down in the strike zone more as he showed some difficulty in forcing groundballs. Bumgarner is on the fast track to San Francisco and will likely start off the 2009 Season at San Jose. Expect a promotion to AA Connecticut at some point next season. Bumgarner is one of baseball's biggest and brightest future stars and joining a rotation with the two Tim's (Lincecum and Alderson) is cause for Giants fans to celebrate.
Key Madison Bumgarner Baseball Cards
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Madison Bumgarner
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Madison Bumgarner Auto #/794
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Madison Bumgarner Auto
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects Madison Bumgarner Auto
- 2008 Donruss Threads Madison Bumgarner Gold Auto #/250
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"
