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
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
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
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
Posted on 13 January 2009
H/W: 6-6 215 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 4/22/87
The A's stayed close to home to select the Oakland-born righthander in the 2nd round of the '08 draft. Ross had a so-so junior season at the University of California going 7-4 with a 4.25 ERA and 66 K's in 78 IP. After signing, Ross was sent to Low-A Kane County where he lost his only decision in 6 games, accruing a 4.66 ERA and a 5 BB/16 K ratio in 19 innings. A mid-90's fastball with heavy sink and a curvy slider are Ross' best offerings, but his changeup and curveball also show promise, especially against left-handed hitters. Ross has an imposing mound presence that is reminiscent of Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins. While he commands his pitches well, the A's would like to see his offspeed offerings develop a little more shape and depth. Also, his delivery is a bit stiff and upright which could lead to injuries over time. The A's have a good track record, however, with molding their moundsmen into top rate pitching prospects and, given a some refining, Ross has the ability to be one of their better ones.
2009 Projection: Tyson Ross should begin the '09 season at either Kane County or High-A Stockton. In his limited action, Ross was quite proficient at inducing ground ball outs (2.55 GO/FO), which will come in handy in the bandbox ballparks of the Californian League. Watch to see if the strikeout numbers go back up. Given his stuff, Ross should be able to maintain an average of one K per inning pitched. There has been some speculation that Ross could be developed as a late inning reliever if his offspeed pitches don't come around. However, his potential as a frontline starter, along with the abundance of quality pitching prospects in the A's system, should allow Ross to develop as a starter.
Key Tyson Ross Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/999
- 2008 Playoff Prime Cuts Auto #/249
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/699
Posted on 11 January 2009
H/W: 5-11 170 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 8/10/90
The Houston Astros used their 2nd round pick of the '08 draft to select this 1st team All-American OF out of Atlanta. Austin was widely regarded as the speediest player in the draft and an elite prep football player. Despite his small frame, Jay belted 15 HR and 52 RBI during his senior season. Things didn't go so well during his debut professional season at Greenville where he hit an anemic .198 with just 6 XBH and 14 SB in 24 attempts. Offensively, Austin is extremely raw with sub-par plate discipline (19 BB/69 K) and several mechanical flaws in his swing. Austin has some extreme defensive upside, as his world class speed and strong throwing arm plays well at any OF position. The Astros farm system has been ravaged in recent years by trades, losses of draft picks, and dubious draft selections. The upside for Austin is extremely high, but he will need to overcome several developmental obstacles if he wishes to separate himself from the rest of the underachieving pack.
2009 Projection: Austin, despite his slow start, will likely get a taste of Low-A ball. The Astros are hoping an offseason of hard work and good instruction will help to iron out some of the technical deficiencies in Austin's game. Don't be shocked if the Astros send him back to extended spring training if Jay struggles in the early going. Given his considerable upside, Austin will be handled with care and thoroughness. Look at the BB/K rates early on as well as the XBH. If he can make improvements in these numbers, Austin could quickly vault the glut of mediocre OF prospects (Eli Iorg, Collin DeLome, Mitch Einertson, Jordan Parraz, etc..). That, however, is by no means a foregone conclusion.
Key Jay Austin Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Playoff Prime Cuts Auto #/249
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/249
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1499
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
Posted on 31 December 2008
H/W: 6-4 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 2/13/87
Hoping to finally put to rest their bullpen woes, the Detroit Tigers selected this University of Arizona closer with the 21st pick in the '08 draft. Perry has a blazing fastball that sits between 96-98 MPH and occasionally touches 100. Complimenting that pitch is a wicked slider that ranges between 85-88 MPH and has all the makings of a strikeout pitch. Perry has the perfect demeanor for a closer as he pitches aggressively, going after hitters with his two plus plus pitches. On the downside, he has a tendency to open up early in his delivery, elevating his fastball and making him surprisingly hittable at times. He surrendered 15 hits in 11.2 IP with High-A Lakeland while walking 7 hitters. Some work on his mechanics should limit his walks and help him keep the ball down in the zone.
2009 Projection: The Tigers are in a perpetual need for bullpen help which means that Perry should move quickly. Don't be surprised to see him begin the season at AA Erie with a promotion to AAA Toledo a possibility as well. While he has the potential to be a top-flight closer, he still needs to work on tightening up his mechanics and limiting his walks and hits against him. Perry reminds some scouts of a bigger, stronger version of Brandon Morrow. If these comparisons come to fruition, the Tigers will be blessed with a very good closer for many years to come.
Key Ryan Perry Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Razor Signature Edition Auto #/699
- 2008 Playoff Prime Cuts Auto #/249
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
H/W: 5-7 145 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 6/18/89
