Posted on 11 April 2009
H/W: 5-7 145 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 6/18/89
If good things come in small packages, then the Angels will be quite pleased with their 3rd round pick from the '08 draft. Gomez played in four games with the Angels' Arizona Rookie League affiliate managing just two hits in 15 AB. Despite his demure build, Gomez has a sharp, line drive bat that can power balls to the gaps for doubles and the occasional long ball. He plays the game with savviness and grit that exceeds the range of his skills. He has a strong arm and soft hands that fit well at shortstop, though there is some conjecture that his fringe-average range could fit better at second base. Gomez has gotten pull-happy at times, seemingly to compensate for his slight build, but there is enough projection in his body to believe that he will develop more strength, perhaps alleviating his compulsion to overswing from time to time.
2009 Projection:Limited exposure and limited success should force Gomez to start his '09 season at extended spring training before heading out to Orem in June. Keep an eye on the development of Gomez's offensive game. Has the ability to hit for a high average with 5-10 HR power, but it may take a while for it to develop. If he can stick at SS, his chances of reaching the major leagues with the Angels is a bit better as the road ahead of him is not quite as congested. Long term, he will need to build some more strength to become a serious consideration as an MLB regular. It could happen, but the league is full of SS prospects with much higher upsides.
Key Rolando Gomez Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra #/544
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket SP Auto #/113
- 2008 Playoff Prime Cuts Auto #/249
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/699
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Posted on 25 March 2009
H/W: 6-2 190 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 12/18/89
The Rangers decided to add to their 1B depth with the selection on the Californian prep slugger in the 5th round of the '08 draft. Clark Murphy performed quite well in his first professional action with the Rangers' Arizona Rookie League affiliate, hitting .358 with a HR 21 RBI and 7 doubles in 25 games. Murphy has a rock solid frame and fluid left-handed swing that has already demonstrated good power with wooden bats. His hands move quickly through the ball and he exhibits solid plate discipline (12 BB/19 K in 25 games). Though he is now fully recovered from his quad injury, Murphy still exhibits below average foot speed which should limit his defensive abilities to 1B as a pro. He has exhibited above average footwork and agility around the bag. His arm is more than strong enough for the position as he was an outfielder as a prep player. There are still some mechanical glitches to iron out in his swing. He has a little hitch that occasionally throws off his timing and affects his ability to make consistent contact. This should be something that is completely rectified, allowing for him to more effectively stay back on balls and tap into his considerable raw power.
2009 Projection: Murphy should start at full season Low-A Hickory with future All-Star 1B Justin Smoak beginning at High-A Bakersfield. The thing to watch in Murphy is his power numbers. The odds are good that he will increase his HR output this season, but will it come at the expense of his BB/K ratio? Murphy is stuck in an offensively loaded farm system with exceptional depth at the 1B and OF positions. Expect the Rangers to bring Murphy along at a prudent pace. If he continues to produce good offensive numbers, there is a good chance that he could be a valuable commodity when the Rangers start looking to add to their pitching depth. Given Texas' rapidly improving odds as a playoff contender, this could happen sooner rather than later.
Key Clark Murphy Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Auto
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra TOTC Auto #/644
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Posted on 17 March 2009
H/W: 6-1 190 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/18/89
Originally a SS in high school, the Red Sox decided to convert their 2008 35th round pick to catcher during the off season. His brief tenure at the Red Sox GCL affiliate was a successful one as Blair went 9 for 22 with a HR and 9 RBI. Blair has excellent hand-eye coordination and a quick right handed stroke that projects to have average power at the major league level. Like many young shortstops, Blair is extremely agile and has above average speed that he utilizes well on the basepaths and in the field. This agility and quickness should prove to be a benefit behind the plate and his strong arm should also be a viable asset. The Red Sox are in need of projectible young catchers in their farm system and the depth of SS and 3B prospects throughout their farm system affords them the luxury of making this transition.
2009 Projection: Blair is a project player and the list of 35th round picks that have measurable success at the MLB level is thin. However, the Red Sox have a knack for developing players with projectible tools into solid prospects. The fact that the talent pool for backstops is thin also bodes well for Carson's chances to succeed. Keep him on your radar and monitor his offensive numbers this season as he should play at short season Lowell. If he continues to display good pop and plays some solid defense behind the plate, he could rapidly become known as another Red Sox late round steal.
Key Carson Blair Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/719
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Posted on 09 March 2009
H/W: 6-4 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 1/27/87
The Detroit Tigers saw projectibility and two MLB-plus pitches when they selected the Ole Miss University hurler in the 2nd round of the '08 draft. Promptly converted to a late inning reliever, Satterwhite threw 20.2 innings at two stops earning 3 saves, a 3.92 ERA and a 13 BB/24 K ratio. Satterwhite has an explosive 95 MPH fastball with excellent late movement that moves in on the hands of RH batters. His slider has high upside with a violent two plane break, but he has had trouble commanding it at times. He has dabbled with developing a changeup, but it really hasn't taken as of yet. Satterwhite has a tall, broad frame that still has quite a bit of projectibility left, which leads some to believe that he can tack on some additional ticks to the velocity of his fastball. His inconsistent delivery and loose mechanics causes him to miss up in the zone quite a bit which makes him hittable and marginalizes his ability to induce groundball outs. This could serve as a problem at higher levels. The Tigers are quite enamored with the closer potential of 1st rounder Ryan Perry, and given Satterwhite's young age, there is still some possibility that he could be developed as a starter in the future.
2009 Projection: Satterwhite will get a nice dose of full season ball at High-A Lakeland this season. The Tigers would like to see him get better command of his off-speed stuff and would like for him to utilize his frame to throw downhill on hitters. His control numbers are the obvious things to watch, but keep an eye on his FO/GO ratio as well. If he can bump that up over 1.00 (it was 0.57 last season), he can rapidly become a dominant reliever. Relief pitching has been a thorn in the side of the Tigers for the past few seasons, but there is high hopes that the combination of Satterwhite and Ryan Perry could help this club shorten games and put more wins on the scoreboard.
Key Cody Satterwhite Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto SP #/90
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/322
- 2008 UD USA Auto Jersey #/275
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Posted on 09 March 2009
H/W: 6-1 180 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 11/24/89
The Twins selected the young Puerto Rican OF in the 3rd round of the 2007 draft. After a mediocre '07 season with the Twins' GCL affiliate, Angel Morales came back in '08 and put up big numbers at short season Low-A Elizabethton hitting .301 with 15 HR 28 RBI 7 SB and 33 runs scored in just 183 AB. Morales has fast hands and a powerful swing that exerts excellent torque on balls in the strike zone. His athleticism plays well in every aspect of his game as he is an above average runner and solid OF. The big question mark in his game, at this point is the infamous plate discipline numbers. Last season Morales walked 26 times but punched out 74 times in 56 games. He gets overly aggressive with pitches outside the zone and has difficulty altering his approach against offspeed pitches. Also, there has been some concern that his breakout numbers could be partially inflated by the home park that he played in, as many Elizabethton players put up excellent numbers last year. Morales batted .333 at home and .275 on the road, but his power numbers were almost identical 8 HR at home vs. 7 on the road). There is a great deal to like about Morales, but much of it is raw and merely projectible at this point.
2009 Projection: Angel Morales will be gearing up for his first full season of baseball at Low-A Beloit. This should provide a good challenge for him to prove that his breakout season is authentic. Watch the K numbers this year. Last season's average of nearly 1.5 per game will not be acceptable at higher levels, making that .300 BA an outlier. The Twins will be working with Morales to get him to keep his hips closed and hands back longer, this should help him see the ball for just a bit longer and utilize the entire field when he hits. Morales has quick enough hands that he should be able to make this transition without negatively affecting his power numbers.
Key Angel Morales Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
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Posted on 05 March 2009
H/W: 6-7 245 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 6/27/89
The Royals' 3rd rounder was exactly as advertised in his professional debut with K.C.'s Arizona League affiliate going 0-5 with a 9.00 ERA and a caustic 29 BB/39 K ratio in 27 IP. Equipped with a fastball that reaches 96 MPH, the mammoth-sized right hander pitches downhill toward hitters forcing ground ball outs at a copious 2.60/FO rate. His nasty 12-6 curveball has the potential to be an elite strikeout pitch, but his third pitch, a changeup, is in its infant stages of development. Sample has emerged healthy from a 2006 Tommy John surgery, but he has been in a perpetual struggle to harness control over his plus offerings. He walked hitters at an alarming 9.7/9 IP rate and surrendered a .270 BAA in his 10 outings last season. Despite his struggles with command, Sample seems to have a good amount of poise on the mound even with runners on base. The Royals knew that they were drafting a project player in Sample, and seem comfortable with taking time to slowly bring him along as a starter.
2009 Projection: Sample is not ready for full season ball yet. Expect him to get some serious TLC with the Royals instructional staff at extended spring training before heading to Idaho Falls in June. It goes without saying that contol is the thing to monitor in Sample's game. If and when it improves, Sample has the ability to be a dominant pitcher. Expect his numbers to improve significantly this season, and watch to see if he can keep up his excellent K/9 IP ratio and GO/FO numbers.
Key Tyler Sample Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/619
- 2008 Leaf Limited Auto
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Posted on 05 March 2009
H/W: 5-11 175 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 6/3/88
The son of long time Detroit Tiger OF Chet Lemon had a fine season at High-A Bakersfield hitting .295 with 8 HR 47 RBI 12 SB and 80 runs scored. Lemon is a good all around athlete with a quick left handed swing that generates good extra base pop for a player of his stature. Last season Lemon smacked 30 doubles which may indicate that a slight uptick of power could develop, perhaps to double digits. Marcus made significant strides in improving his plate discipline, working pitchers for a respectible 46 BB/69 K's. Lemon has above average speed, but he doesn't use it as well as he should on the basepaths. Over the past two seasons, Lemon has been successful on just 24 of 46 SB attempts. Defensively, Lemon is a substandard SS, committing 43 errors last season, but those that have watched him play 2B think that he can become a solid defender there. The one area of Lemon's game that outshines the other is his remarkable makeup and maturity. Lemon is an intelligent player who works to improve upon his shortcomings.
2009 Projection: Marcus will be challenged to continue his fine progression at AA Frisco. The numbers that Lemon put up at Bakersfield could have been artificially swollen by the friendly skies of the California League. Monitor his ability to maintain his solid plate discipline and power numbers. If he can do so, his chances of evolving into a major league starter will increase. At this point in time, it appears that Lemon is best suited as a solid MLB utility players - especially given the fact that he is playing in a system that boasts some talent at the middle infield positions.
Key Marcus Lemon Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/199
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
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Posted on 05 March 2009
H/W: 5-11 175 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 2/26/89
Drafted in the 3rd round last year, Vasquez signed early and immediately put up some solid numbers at short season Low-A Johnson City, batting .317 with 4 HR 25 RBI 8 SB and 42 runs scored in 55 games. His fine performance earned him a promotion to Low-A Quad Cities where he promptly struggled, managing just 5 hits in 39 AB. Vasquez has power that belies his demure build. He generates tremendous torque with his quick right-handed swing that prompts some scouts to speculate that he can become a 20-25 HR hitter at the major league level. He has shown the ability to take a walk and work deep into counts, but his K rate is too high (69 K in 66 games) for someone with his average power numbers. Defensively, Vasquez has below average speed, but his sure hands and strong accurate arm mitigate errors and should allow for him to stay at the position throughout his development.
2009 Projection: Vasquez should get another shot at Quad Cities and should put up better numbers. Monitor the power progress and also his ability to mitigate his K totals. If he doesn't, he will see a precipitous drop in his batting average numbers. The Redbirds have slick fielding Pete Kozma tabbed as their SS of the future which could mean that Vasquez may need to move to 3B down the road. His arm and good instincts would make him a good fit, but the power would need to progress to a more acceptable level in order to ensure his long term viability at that position.
Key Niko Vasquez Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Bowman Sterling
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1499
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra TOTC Auto #/494
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Posted on 05 March 2009
H/W: 6-2 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 3/11/88
The 20 year old Dominican struggled mightily at full season Low-A Great Lakes hitting just .178 with 1 HR and 16 RBI in 185 AB. The Dodgers promptly sent him back down to short season Ogden where he acclimated himself much better, batting .267 with 12 HR 50 RBI and 20 doubles in 247 AB. Baez has prolific power that emanates from his smooth right handed swing and accelerated bat speed. He profiles as an agile and sure handed defensive player, though his defensive numbers took a large step back after his demotion (20 errors in 196 chances). Baez has a howitzer for an arm, but still struggles to make accurate throws. The main cause for his early season struggles at the plate is due almost exclusively to his raw plate discipline. Baez walked 17 times while whiffing 45 times and his discipline declined after his demotion (18 BB/69 K). There are some good tools that the Dodgers have to work with in this youngster and their history of refining raw international talents lends optimism to Baez's future going forward. However, there is a great deal of work that needs to be done to propel this young player to a more noteworthy status as as top prospect.
2009 Projection: Pedro will give Great Lakes another try this season in hopes that he has a more patient and disciplined approach at the plate. If he is able to work counts more effectively, Baez should be able to make some significants strides this season. This will be important for him as the Dodgers have a couple of other fine 3B prospects (Josh Bell, Austin Gallagher, and even Blake DeWitt) that will compete for the right to play the hot corner at Chavez Ravine in future seasons.
Key Pedro Baez Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
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Posted on 02 March 2009
H/W: 5-11 175 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/16/89
Chatwood dominated hitters in the Arizona Rookie League last season pitching to a 1-2 record with a 3.08 ERA and 48 K's in just 38 innings. Hitters mustered a paltry .195 BA against him and he was able to induce 2.35 GO/FO. As dominant as he was, his control was a major concern as Chatwood walked 4 or more batters in 7 of his 11 starts. An electric 92-94 MPH fastball thrown from a high arm angle allows for him to keep a good downard plane on the ball, making it heavier to hit. Complimenting his heater is a big breaking curveball that has all the makings of a strikeout pitch as Tyler is already able to command it and use good arm speed to deceive hitters. His changeup is a potential third pitch, but it is far away from the other ones. Mechanically, Chatwood has good arm action, but needs to continue to use his legs to drive more of his velocity. This will help him avoid injury and, perhaps add a tick or two to the velocity of his fastball.
2009 Projection: Full season Low-A Cedar Rapids is the next stop for the Chatwood express. Expect him to carry forward the high GO/FO rate, but a repeat of 2.35 is highly unlikely. That would mean that the control numbers would need to drastically improve in order for Chatwood to avoid experiencing some major struggles in his development. The evolution of the changeup will be a key for his success in sticking as a starting pitcher. He has a small frame and two MLB plus pitches. If things don't work out for him as a starter, he could be a good option as a late inning reliever down the road.
Key Tyler Chatwood Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Razor Signature Series #/1499
- 2008 Playoff Prime Cuts Auto #/187
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
- 2008 Donruss Threads By The Letter Patch Auto #/240
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/257
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Posted on 02 March 2009
H/W: 6-5 205 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 8/7/86
The White Sox were elated to see the lanky Longhorn fall to them in the 5th round of the 2008 draft. Immediately after signing, Danks was sent to full season Low-A Kanapolis where he batted .325 with 2 HR 7 RBI and 10 runs scored in 10 games. He continued to impress during his brief stint in the Arizona Fall League hitting .302 with a HR 7 RBI and 3 SB in 18 games. Long and lean, Danks has excellent athleticism and speed that serves him well in CF and on the bases. Coming out of high school, Danks was projected to develop into a power hitter, but that skill never manifested itself during his time with the University of Texas. Instead, he employs a short, quick stroke from the left side which produces hits to the gaps and the occasional long ball. Danks allows for the ball to travel deep into the strike zone which gives him a little more time to see a pitch. As a result, his plate discipline is quite advanced and he feels comfortable working deep into counts. There is quite a bit of projectibility left in his frame and with some adjustments to his swing, he could become more of a power hitter in the future.
2009 Projection: Danks' build and overall game is almost identical to Cincinnati Reds prospect and fellow Longhorn Drew Stubbs. The White Sox will probably send him to High-A Winston-Salem for the start of the '09 season and if things go well, a move to AA Birmingham is by no means out of the question. Watch to see how Danks' game evolves this season. He is a player that could develop as a tall, athletic top of the order player a la Dexter Fowler or he could tap into his power potential and become more of a mid-lineup player that hits 20+ HR per season. Either way, Jordan has an exciting batch of skills that should continue to bloom over the next couple of seasons as he works his way to meet up with his brother, John, in Chicago.
Key Jordan Danks Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/254
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto #/354
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1499
- 2008 UD Team USA Jersey Auto
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
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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
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Posted on 26 February 2009
H/W: 5-11 180 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 5/24/87
The speedy U of Miami alum had a power outbreak in 2008 belting 13 HR with the Hurricanes prior to being drafted in the 3rd round by the Padres. He continued his hot hitting at short season Eugene hitting .285 with 6 HR 29 RBI 7 SB and 43 runs scored in 47 games. Tekotte has excellent lead off hitter skills. He grinds out at bats for walks (27 BB/45 K) and runs exceptionally well on the basepaths. His sweeping lefthanded swing can hit well for pull power while lining balls hard to the gaps and down lines for XBH. Defensively, Tekotte has the range and arm to be a solid CF. Tekotte is a scrappy player who gets the most out of his skills and strives to refine every aspect of his game.
2009 Projection: Low-A Fort Wayne will be Tekotte's likely destination come April. The San Diego Padres organization has made a concerted effort to draft and develop gritty, high baseball IQ players like Tekotte over the past couple of seasons (Kellen Kulbacki, Jaff Decker, Eric Sogard, etc...). Blake fits right in with them and his enhanced abilty to play defense in CF may differentiate him somewhat from the rest of the crowd. The main challenge for Tekotte is to limit his strikeout totals and keep his on base percentage high. He has a tendency to allow his swing to get too long at times, opening up holes that more advanced pitchers could exploit. His work ethic and coachability should help him address his struggles in a positive manner and diminish the possibility of him experiencing any prolonged developmental lapses.
Key Blake Tekotte Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/194
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Auto
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
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Posted on 21 February 2009
H/W: 5-11 150 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 4/22/88
The son of 19 year MLB veteran Tom Gordon got off to a blazing start to his professional career, hitting .331 with 2 HR 27 RBI 18 SB and 45 runs scored in 60 games. World class speed is Gordon's best weapon, as his 6.35 time in the 60 yard dash makes him the fastest player in the L.A. Dodgers organization. Gordon slashes line drives through holes and down lines which, combined with his advanced bunting skills and plate discipline, makes him a game changing, top of the order hitter. Gordon's excellent speed allows for him to cover a wide range on the left side of the infield and his strong arm allows for him to make throws from deep in the hole. Gordon is built like his father, which means that he should never become a big power hitter, but there is some projectibilty in his sinewy frame for more XBH power to develop. The upside for Gordon to be an impact player is far from being reached. With his bloodlines, athleticism, and considerable makeup, Devaris is one of the more intriguing prospects to watch in 2009.
2009 Projection: The superb numbers that Gordon put up at Ogden earns him a promotion to Low-A Great Lakes to start the season. Ogden has served as a hitter friendly environment for several years and many a player has suffered markedly poorer numbers in seasons following. Gordon should buck that trend. His exceptional hand-eye coordination and blazing speed makes him averse to prolonged slumps. Watch the XBH numbers this season. Gordon will never be a double digit HR hitter, but his ability to drive more balls into the gaps will allow for him to get into scoring position more often. Also, expect the SB numbers to rise dramatically this season to be at or near the top of all of MILB in 2009. Gordon has the potential to be one of the best leadoff hitters in all of the minor leagues in '09 and beyond.
Key Devaris Strange-Gordon Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
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Posted on 21 February 2009
H/W: 5-11 240 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 3/10/89
The White Sox outbid both the Yankees and Red Sox for the services of the 19 year old Cuban Native Dayan Viciedo. Viciedo was a 17 year old when he joined the Cuban national team and his blend of jaw dropping power and the ability to hit for a high batting average prompted Chicago to offer him a 4-year $11 million Major League deal. Viciedo is reported to have much more offensive upside than fellow Cuban defector and White Sox infielder Alexei Ramirez. Viciedo is built like a bull and, despite his size, is more athletic than expected. However, his weight is a major concern as he first reported to the White Sox at nearly 270 lb. There are questions about how his size will affect his ability to play MLB quality defense at the hot corner. He will be given a long look at spring training by Guillen, who is a stickler for good defense on his clubs.
2009 Projection: The clock is ticking on Viciedo's freshly signed contract, which means that the White Sox are firm believers in his ability to rapidly acclimate himself to MLB baseball. Chicago currently has Josh Fields in the fold as their starting 3B, but his inability to fulfill the promise and accolades levied upon him in the earlier stages of his career could diminish opportunities if his struggles to hit MLB pitching continues. Viciedo will get a long look this spring and the possibility of him breaking camp with the White Sox is a distinct possibility. Last season Alexei Ramirez broke camp with the big club without ever playing a minor league game. Viciedo has the same potential, but nearly 8 years Ramirez's junior, it seems more likely that he will get some seasoning at the minor league level.
Key Dayan Viciedo Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Playoff Contenders SP Auto
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Posted on 10 February 2009
H/W: 6-1 185 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/25/89
Pittsburgh Pirates GM Neal Huntington has to be extremely pleased with the early returns from this 17th round selection. Jarek Cunningham torched GCL pitching for a .316 BA with 5 HR 22 RBI and 11 doubles in just 43 games. Cunningham has a strong body frame that quite likely is not done growing. His swing is fluid with a trajectory that will produce a lot of flyballs. His arm strength at shortstop is above average, but he struggles with his footwork at times which leads to inaccurate throws at times. As of now, his range at shortstop is acceptible, but there is some concern that he will grow out of the shortstop position and be forced to move to third base in the future. Cunningham showed solid patience for someone his age, but he seems to have a looping swing that has some holes that could be exploited by more advanced pitchers. He hasn't had strikeout problems yet, but it could happen down the line. Cunningham is one to watch this next season as a sleeper prospect in '09, especially if he can stay at shortstop.
2009 Projection: The challenges of full season competition awaits Cunningham as he should be heading to Low-A Hickory. There are two big challenges for Cunningham to address this season. First, he must shorten his swing while still hitting the ball with authority. Watch the BB/K ratio and, of course, his XBH totals. Second, Jarek must be able to stick at SS. The Pirates already have two power hitting 3B prospects in Neil Walker and top '08 pick Pedro Alvarez. There are several shortstops scattered throughout the organization (Brian Bixler, Brian Friday, Chase D'Arnaud, Jordy Mercer), but Cunningham has more offensive upside than any of them. A strong showing with both the bat and the glove this season should separate him from the rest of the bunch.
Key Jarek Cunningham Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/719
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
- 2008
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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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H/W: 5-7 145 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 6/18/89
