Posted on 18 May 2009
H/W: 6-4 210 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 5/9/86
The Padres continued to add to their treasure trove of highly disciplined collegiate hitters by selecting this University of Kentucky alum in the 3rd round of the '08 draft. Carroll has a power hitter's build but is more of a gap to gap hitter whose power should top out at 15-20 HR per season. After adding 20 lbs. of muscle to his long frame, Carroll had an immensely successful senior season with the Wildcats that saw him hit .419 with 19 HR 83 RBI and 69 runs scored. Carroll then signed quickly with the Padres and then split time his time between short season Eugene and Low-A Fort Wayne, hitting .278 with 8 HR 47 RBI and 46 runs scored in 64 games. Carroll employs a disciplined approach at the plate, working deep into counts, drawing walks or driving balls in all parts of the strike zone. Defense was a concern area prior to Carroll's senior season as he was profiled to be a below average first baseman, but he seems to have added some athleticism with his gain in strength and has shown an aptitude to play either corner OF position as well as 1B.
2009 Projection: Carroll's start to the '09 season has been excellent as he is hitting .320 with 20 RBI 9 SB and 9 doubles through his first 29 games. Additionally, he has earned a respectable 22 BB/20 K ratio and has become Fort Wayne's #3 hitter in the lineup. At 22 years old, he is a bit old for this level and, given his early success, it seems that a promotion to High-A Lake Elsinore will happen at some point this season. One thing to take notice of is his lack of power output to date. Prior to his senior season, several scouts were concerned that it would not manifest itself at the wooden bat level and those concerns seem to be coming to fruition at this point. Keep an eye on these numbers as the season progresses. It is difficult to ascertain at this time where Carroll fits into the organization's plans. With so many talented outfielders like Kellen Kulbacki, Jaff Decker, Cedric Hunter, Luis Durango, Chad Huffman, Blake Tekotte and Yefri Carvajal, Carroll has considerable obstacles to overcome in order to win a shot at a full time position with the Padres. Assuredly, there will be some maneuvering done in the future as the team looks to pursue some pitching within the next season or two. Each transaction involving members of the fore-mentioned parties will be effective in shuffling the organization's depth chart and future plans.
Key Sawyer Carrol Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/543
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/699
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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 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: 6-1 170 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/5/89
The native New Englander managed a solid showing after signing with the Red Sox, batting .305 with 9 RBI 14 SB and 15 runs scored in 27 games at Boston's GCL Rookie League Affiliate. He struggled considerably after a brief promotion to Low-A Lowell, going 3-35 with 11 K's. Gibson has an intriguing set of tools that offer considerable upside. He is athletically gifted and can adequately play a variety of infield positions as well as the outfield. Once a top-tier pitcher in high school, Gibson has a strong arm that profiles best at SS or 3B. He has been clocked at 6.4 seconds in the 60 yard dash and he uses his speed well in the field as well as the basepaths (16 for 16 in SB attempts). Gibson has a lively, athletic body that could develop more power potential as he matures and he has already shown a disciplined approach at the plate, earning a respectable 20 BB/29 K ratio in 41 pro games. The Red Sox are flush with talented young middle infield and outfield talents and it is hard to say exactly where Gibson will someday fit in. His versatility and overall athleticism, however, makes him one to watch in the ensuing seasons as a high upside sleeper.
2009 Projection: The Red Sox have no need to rush Derrik's development, which makes it quite likely that he will spend time at extended spring training before heading to Lowell again in June. Expect Gibson to fare better this go around, putting up good speed and plate discipline numbers. The XBH power will be an interesting factor to monitor. There is promise for his frame to build more strength to drive the ball with greater authority, but it is far from being a foregone conclusion. If he can exhibit better power numbers (i.e. 10-12 HR per season) he should be able to ascend quickly on this list and enter himself in the same conversation of other fine SS/3B prospects within Boston's fruitful system.
Key Derrik Gibson Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1499
- 2008 Razor Exclusive 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 21 February 2009
H/W: 6-2 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 5/15/87
Adams' numbers experienced a slight dip in 2008, but the Yankees liked the Virginia alum enough to select him in the 3rd round. Adams performed decently at short season Low-A Staten Island, hitting .257 with 4 HR 31 RBI and 45 runs scored. Adams is a hard nosed and intelligent player who makes the most of his average tools on both offense and defense. He didn't hit for much power in college, yet his thick frame and the fact that Virginia's home park is one of the toughest hitters park in Division-I baseball gives optimism that more should come. Adams is a savvy and agressive baserunner who is always looking to take extra bases to get himself into scoring position. He showed advanced plate discipline having earned a respectible 32 BB/57 K last season. The rub on players like Adams is that his lack of projectivity or standout tools limits his potential ceiling. He will work tirelessly to scratch his way to Yankee Stadium, but he will always have to look over his shoulder to fend off younger, more talented prospects.
2009 Projection: Adams should move to full season Low-A Charleston to start the season. Given his collegiate polish, there is a good chance that a promotion to Tampa will also be in the cards. Keep an eye out for the power progression. He has the potential to bang out 12-18 HR per season once he becomes more aggressive with balls inner part of the plate. Also, keep tabs on his K rate this year. He is a patient hitter, but sometimes this can serve as a detriment as pitchers will exploit them with fastballs early in the count and breaking pitches with two strikes. The Yankees organization is quite thin throughout their middle infield and the swirling trade rumors involving current 2B Robinson Cano should bode well for Adams' future opportunities.
Key David Adams Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
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Posted on 14 February 2009
H/W: 5-11 185 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 6/24/89
The Rangers' 2nd round pick signed just before the deadline in August and has yet to throw a single professional pitch. Ross features a 92 MPH fastball that has lively movement and sharp control. His slider and changeup show some promise as well, but they are still in their developmental stages. Though small in stature, Ross is a big time competitor who employs a bulldog mentality each time he takes the mound. Ross is quite athletic and agile on the mound, but his smallish size could affect his stamina as a starter. Going forward, he needs to establish better command and movement from his two offspeed pitches and put on 10-15 lbs. of muscle in order to remain a starter.
2009 Projection: The Rangers have the luxury of taking their time with Robbie as their system is loaded with high upside arms. With that in mind, it seems most suitable for Ross to start the season at extended spring training before heading to short season Spokane in June. Texas is bubbling with young southpaws (Derek Holland, Neil Ramirez, Martin Perez, Kasey Kiker). Ross has time to develop, but the challenge to distinguish himself from the group is a daunting one. Watch to see how deep into starts he goes and how well he controls the strike zone at the lower levels. If he struggles to command his off speed stuff, he may find himself becoming a reliever down the line.
Key Robbie Ross Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1499
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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 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
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Posted on 11 January 2009
H/W: 6-4 215 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 6/27/87
The A's decided to address their bullpen depth with the selection of this Pepperdine alum in the 7th round of the '08 draft. The bulk of his professional work was done this past fall in the Hawaiian Winter League where he punched out 18 hitters in just under 10 IP. Hunter has an explosive fastball that sits between 92-95 with good movement. His curveball is a slurvy offering that that does not yet have the tightness and command to be much more than a "show me" pitch at this stage. Hunter has a max effort delivery which, when mixed with his imposing mound presence, can be intimidating to hitters. On the downside, he has struggled with establishing command of his breaking ball and his lack of a good third pitch causes him to become over-reliant on his fastball. The potential is there for Hunter to become a top-flight late inning reliever and, given the A's success rate in scouting and developing young arms, it seems fair to think that he has a bright future ahead of him.
2009 Projection: Hunter should get his first look at full season ball this year at Low-A Kane County. Pay attention to see how the A's decide to use him. He has the build and bulk to be a starting pitcher, but his stuff and mechanics of his delivery seems more fit for a reliever role. Command will be a key issue to watch for Hunter, as his BB/K ratio and GO/FO ratio will speak volumes about his ability to work effectively down in the strike zone. The A's have some good late inning arms in their system already with the likes of Hunter, Henry Rodriguez, Craig Italiano, and others. The first to establish a good feel for the role of closer will become the system's frontrunner to eventually replace Brad Ziegler.
Key Brett Hunter Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Razor Signature Series #/1499
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Posted on 09 January 2009
H/W: 6-5 210 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/9/89
Some prognosticators felt that Melville was the top prep pitcher available in the 2008 draft, however, high bonus demands and a seemingly rock solid commitment to North Carolina helped to drop the young righthander to the 4th round where the Royals happily shelled out $1.25 million for his services. Melville has two plus pitches, a fastball that ranges between 91-93 MPH and a knuckle-curve that, at times is outstanding. With his long, broad frame, Melville should become stronger and add velocity to his fastball. Melville is a confident player who pitches with poise, though he struggles with the command of his off speed pitches at times.
The Royals have done a great job stocking their farm system with elite talent over the last couple of years. By signing Tim Melville they have added yet another talented young prospect into the mix. Melville has the potential to be a frontline starter at some point down the road for his new, and rapidly improving, franchise.
2009 Projection: The Royals will likely send Melville to extended spring training before designating him to short season Idaho Falls. Pay attention to whether or not Melville is able to dominate hitters at the lower levels. He should be able to rack up a good number of K's, but his ability to control the strike zone with his off speed pitches will ultimately determine how quickly he progresses through the Royals system. The Royals have a growing number of intriguing arms in their system and, while Melville is a bit behind the rest of them, he may end up being the best of the bunch.
Key Tim Melville Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/699
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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Posted on 03 January 2009
H/W: 6-5 250 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 5/12/87
The Cardinals selected the Ole Miss hurler with the supplemental 1st round pick they received for losing Troy Percival to free agency. Lynn did not disappoint, going 1-0 with a 0.96 ERA and a sterling 4 BB/22 K ratio in 18.2 IP at short season Batvia before being shut down in August after a couple of good starts at Low-A Quad Cities. Lynn has a big, durable frame that should be able to handle a heavy work load. Featuring three average major league pitches, Lynn is not particularly overpowering, but he controls the strike zone with great proficiency and is a fiery competitor on the mound. Some scouts are concerned about Lynn's robust build, noting that conditioning will be a key for him. Additionally, despite his solid debut, Lynn does not have dominant stuff which will make it difficult for him to replicate his success against more advanced hitters.
2009 Projection: Lynn should be ready for the 2009 season and likely will start the '09 season at High-A Palm Beach with, barring any setbacks, a promotion to AA Springfield will likely happen shortly thereafter. The main thing to watch for with Lynn is his continued ability to put hitters away. This would be most visible in his batting average against (BAA) and his K/9 IP. Ultimately, he should be a durable mid-rotation starter who eats up innings and wins 10-15 games per season.
Key Lance Lynn Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/570
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
- 2008 Bowman Sterling Auto
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Posted on 31 December 2008
H/W: 6-1 180 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 4/3/90
The Nationals have taken big strides over the last couple of seasons in stocking their once desolate farm system with toolsy, high upside prep athletes. Destin Hood turned down a full scholarship to play wide receiver for the University of Alabama to play baseball for the Nats. Hood was solid in his 25 game stretch at the Nationals' GCL affiliate hitting .256 with 13 RBI 5 SB and 18 runs scored. A gifted athlete, Destin has tremendous raw power that he exhibits in batting practice but has not found a way to replicate in games. Naturally, as a football star, Hood has top notch speed, but he is still unrefined as a baserunner. Defensively, Hood has the ability to play CF, though he has been used as a LF as a pro. Hood is an unpolished gem who is a long way from reaching his ceiling as a professional. How his career takes shape is, indeed a big question that will only be answered over time.
2009 Projection: Hood didn't get much of a taste of short season ball, which makes it a probability that he will work in extended spring training before joining either Washington's GCL team again or rookie league Vermont. There is a high level of uncertainty in evaluating Hood's future. He is strong enough to be a middle of the lineup hitter, but also has the speed to be an above average basestealer. Keep an eye on all of his numbers this year. A high amount of doubles is indicative of power to come. Of course, the other big thing to watch with high-upside, raw athletes is the BB/K ratio. Last season's 8 BB/19 K's was decent, but too small a sample size to get a true bearing on his plate discipline. This season should give a better look at where Hood is at and where he could eventually be.
Key Destin Hood Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/699
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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Posted on 29 December 2008
H/W: 6-3 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 6/6/89
For the 5th consecutive season, the Dodgers drafted a high school pitcher in the first round. Martin was a spectacular two way player at Stephens County High School in Georgia garnering interest as a pitcher and 3B prospect. Equipped with a 92-95 MPH fastball and a hard low 80's curveball, Ethan wowed scouts in a late spring start, elevating him from an intriguing two-way player to an elite prep pitching prospect. Martin also is working on a splitter that has nasty downward movement and could be a strikeout pitch down the road. In addition to his stuff, Martin is a gritty competitor on the mound who also has good poise and a high baseball IQ. The biggest question marks in Martin's game right now stem from his lack of experience. He has the physical stuff and internal aptitude to be a frontline pitcher at the big league level, but it remains to be seen if he can translate his projectibility into productivity.
2009 Projection: Martin has yet to pitch a professional inning which means that he will almost surely toil at extended spring training before heading to either the Dodgers' GCL affiliate or to rookie level Ogden in June. Like many young power pitchers, control will be the key thing to watch out of Martin. If he can keep his BB/K ratio down, he should be able to punch out enough hitters to raise many eyebrows. The Dodgers have a high aptitude when it comes to evalutating and developing young pitching talent. Martin's ceiling is just as high as the Chris Withrows and Chad Billingsleys of drafts past.
Key Ethan Martin Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/699
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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Posted on 29 December 2008
H/W: 6-1 195 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 10/20/86
The Mets took the University of South Carolina shortstop with the 22nd pick in the '08 draft after he had a breakout season with the Gamecocks hitting .359 with 18 HR 57 RBI and 76 runs scored in just 63 games. Havens has a strong athletic body and excellent bat speed that drives the ball to the gaps with enough power to hit 12-18 HR at the big league level. In college, Havens demonstrated spectacular plate discipline (58 BB/44 K), but his brief stint with short season Brooklyn rendered less positive results (11 BB/ 27 K in 23 games). Defensively, Havens has good instincts, soft hands, and a strong enough arm to play 3B, which may come in handy as his below average foot speed limits his range and may force Reese to find a new infield position down the road.
2009 Projection: Havens will start the '09 season at Low-A Savannah with a move to High-A St. Lucie quite likely if he finds success in the early going. Havens needs to rediscover his plate discipline that he displayed last season at USC. If he can boost his BB/K ratio and keep his SLG% above .450, Havens should find himself on the fast track to New York. Also, the Mets are loaded with top-flight talents on the left side of the infield but, aside from Greg Veloz, there are not real 2B talents. Don't be surprised if the Mets decide to shift Havens over there in the future.
2008 Key Reese Havens Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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Posted on 25 December 2008
H/W: 6-2 170 lb. B/T: S/R DOB: 10/2/89
The Twins' 1st round pick had an immensely successful debut with Minnesota's GCL affiliate hitting .318 with 4 HR 27 RBI 12 SB and 32 runs scored in just 45 games. Hicks has incredible athleticism and tools galore with above average power potential from both sides of the plate, top rate speed, and an arm that fired mid-90's fastballs as a high school pitcher. To the surprise of many MLB scouts, Hicks demonstrated advanced skills in plate discipline (28 BB/32 K) and base stealing savvy (12 SB in 14 attempts), once thought to be weaknesses in his game. Hicks has the ability to run down any ball in the OF gaps, though he still needs to work on taking more precise routes. The Twins couldn't be happier with the early returns from Hicks and the biggest challenge for him will be to replicate these numbers over a full season.
2009 Projection: Aaron has certainly earned a trip to full season Low-A Beloit. Watch to see if Hicks can continue to put up sterling BB/K ratios while increasing his power output. With Ben Revere excelling as the Twins' future CF, it will be important for Hicks to boost his power production to an acceptable level to be a RF. Of course, there is always the possibility the Minnesota would develop Hicks as their future CF, moving Revere over to LF. Either way, Hicks has the projectible strength and athleticism to hit 15-20 HR with a high average at the MLB level. Twins fans rejoice!
Key Aaron Hicks Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/699
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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Posted on 25 December 2008
H/W: 5-9 180 lb. B/T: S/R DOB: 1/26/87
In selecting this Miami Hurricane, the Oakland A's bucked their customary trend of drafting Moneyball-type players. Jemile, the younger brother of Milwaukee Brewer 2B Rickie Weeks, is a speedy, top of the lineup hitter with a slender frame and little pop. Weeks demonstrated his collegiate polish in his pro debut by hitting .297 with 1 HR 8 RBI 6 SB and a 19 BB/18 K ratio. Profiled orginally as a 2B, Jemile's skill set is more appropriate for CF where his stellar speed can be utilized and his stiff infield mechanics will not be exploited. Some scouts are concerned about Weeks' lack of strength, thinking that it will hamper his power output and, perhaps, make him more susceptible to injuries down the road. The A's, though, are excited about the potential for Weeks to become the top of the lineup catalyst that has eluded them in years past.
2009 Projection: Given that Weeks was jettisoned to full season Low-A Kane County after signing, he should continue to be challenged by the A's organization by beginning the '09 season with High-A Stockton in the California League. The biggest things to watch for out of Weeks is his ability to produce a high batting average, lots of runs scored and stolen bases this next season. If he can continue to work counts with the same effectiveness that he did at Kane County and increase his power output to 10-15 HR this season, Weeks should move very quickly through Oakland's system.
Key Jemile Weeks Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/699
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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