Posted on 01 April 2009
H/W: 6-2 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/25/87
The former Long Beach State hurler was selected in the 3rd round of the '08 draft by the Phillies and immediately improved on his mediocre collegiate stats with an excellent showing at Low-A Lakeland where he went 3-2 with a 2.66 ERA and 7 BB/53 K in 61 IP. Worley is built solidly with a lively low-90's fastball, and a solid change and curveball show some promise as average MLB pitches, though they are still in their developmental stages. Worley was very effective at commanding his pitches down in the strike zone, resulting in a high number of ground ball outs (1.64/FO). He goes right after hitters and seems to be poised and efficient on the mound. He had some shoulder soreness during his 2007 season, but showed no signs of tiring last year despite his 170+ inning work load.
2009 Projection: Worley has shown enough polish to be promoted to High-A Clearwater for the 2009 season. The Florida State League tends to be slightly favorable to pitchers and, given his high ground ball rate, it is quite conceivable that Worley could have an immensely successful season. Keep an eye on Worley's K rate this year. He struck out about 8 hitters per 9 IP and if he can keep that rate constant or improve upon it, he could vault into the upper echelons of Philadelphia's vastly improved pitching prospect chart. Ultimately, Worley profiles to be a solid mid-rotation starting pitcher within the next three seasons.
Key Vance Worley Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Lettermen Auto Patch #/20
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/219
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Posted on 16 January 2009
H/W: 6-3 215 lb. B/T: R/L DOB: 1/8/90
The Braves used the 40th selection of the '08 draft to select this first team All-American southpaw. The Florida high schooler had a dominant season pitching to a 12-1 record with a 0.41 ERA and 140 K's in 86 IP. He continued his quality showings with the Braves' GCL affiliate allowing just one earned run in 9.2 innings. Devall has a long, projectible frame that can add more bulk as he matures. Despite his size, Brett is not overpowering, but he does have excellent command of three major league quality pitches. HIs 90-92 MPH fastball has some sink to it and he mixes it well with a straight change that has good depth. His only breaking pitch at this point is a slurvy curveball that actually should develop into more of a slider. There is a lot of promise in this pitch and many within baseball circles think that it will become an effective outpitch for him. Devall has a fluid delivery that is mechanically sound and very repeatable. This should help to keep him from having pitching-related injuries and lapses in control. There is projectibility with DeVall, but some feel that his ceiling is a bit limited due to the fact that he doesn't have ace-like stuff. Nevertheless, the Braves are adept at scouting and refining young pitching talent and the chances of Brett becoming a quality #2 or #3 starter seems to be quite bright.
2009 Projection: After a brief successful stint with the Braves' GCL affiliate, DeVall should move to full season Rome for the '09 season. The main thing to watch with DeVall is his ability to dominate hitters at this lower level. The strikeout numbers are always a prime indicator, but keep an eye on his GO/FO ratio as well. He induced 1.86 GO/FO outs in his professional debut and, if he can keep this up, it will demonstrate that he is effectively controlling other hitters. The Braves have a stable of young quality arms in their system and DeVall is assuredly one of them.
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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
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Posted on 13 January 2009
H/W: 5-10 185 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 9/29/89
It's not every day that a 2nd Team All-American prep outfielder falls into your lap in the 15th round, but with $1 million in hand, the Nationals successfully plucked the young Texan from his commitment to Tulane. Ramirez responded well in his brief GCL stint gathering 4 hits, 4 walks, and 8 RBI in just 11 AB's as he continued to put to rest the murmurs that his small stature would be exploited at higher levels. His sturdy build and sweet left-handed swing allows him to make consistently hard contact with just about every ball he swings at and he effectively utilizes the entire field from foul line to foul line. Ramirez has an advanced feel for the strike zone which should help him limit his strikeout totals and hit for a high average. Defensively, Ramirez has an average arm and good range that should allow for him to play either CF or LF at the major league level. Ramirez has decent speed, but not the impact speed that will result in high stolen base totals.
2009 Projection: Ramirez should get his first sniff of full season ball this season at Low-A Hagerstown. The challenge for J.P. will be to show that he can generate enough pop to be considered as a starting outfielder. He is close to maxed out physically which limits his upside. Ideally, he is a solid #2 hitter with 10-15 HR power and a batting average that hovers around .300. Watch his doubles totals this season, if he cracks more than 30, there is a good chance that he could produce the kind of pop that belies his size. He was able to do this as a prep player, but wooden bats seem to weed out the pretenders from the contenders.
Key J.P. Ramirez Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/719
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
- 2008 Upper Deck Team USA
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Posted on 09 January 2009
H/W: 6-2 195 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 4/27/90
The Red Sox continued their trend of luring toolsy, prep athletes away from college programs by signing them to over-slot bonuses. Westmoreland was slated to accept a scholarship from Vanderbilt before the Sox snatched him in the 5th round and offered a $1.6 million bonus.
Evoking comparisons to fellow Rhode Island native Rocco Baldelli, Ryan has a long, lean frame that exudes athleticism and projects to hit for above average power. He has fast hands and a balanced swing that provides power to the gaps. Westmoreland is an intelligent player with a good feel for the strike zone and sound plate discipline, testified by the fact that he earned a 17 BB/2 K ratio as a high school senior. Scouts who have watched him play rate his speed as being just a tick below that of current Red Sox leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury. Ryan uses his speed well on the bases and in CF where he is adept at running down balls and utilizing his plus arm strength to gun down baserunners.
There are few flaws in Westmoreland's game, but the fact that Ryan needed off season shoulder surgery is somewhat of a concern. The surgery will keep him out until June and, while the Red Sox are optimistic that he will recover fully, it is unclear at this point just how much the injury will set him back.
2009 Projection: Westmoreland has yet to get a professional AB under his belt but things look good for him to start the 2009 season with the Sox GCL affiliate. All eyes will be on Westmoreland to see if the tools carry over into professional baseball and whether the shoulder injury is a thing of the past or, worse, another comparison to the injury-riddled Rocco Baldelli.
Key Ryan Westmoreland Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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Posted on 20 December 2008
H/W: 6-1 210 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 2/12/87
The Blue Jays 2008 1st rounder had a very successful debut season excelling at three levels to the tune of a .333 BA with 5 HR 51 RBI and 29 doubles in just 69 games. His fluid, quick swing generates good loft and surprising gap power that could translate to 20-25 HR per season. Additionally, Cooper has impeccable plate discipline which should help him draw about 60-75 walks each season. While Cooper is adept with the bat, he is merely average with the glove and below average on the basepaths. The Blue Jays haven't had a first baseman this good since the days of John Olerud. Given his offensive upside, Cooper could carve out a similar career path.
2009 Projection: After excelling at three different Single-A stops, the Jays should feel comfortable about sending Cooper to AA New Hampshire for the beginning of the '09 season. Keep track of Cooper's power numbers this season as he should start to translate some of the doubles into HR's soon. Current Toronto 1B Lyle Overbay is signed through the 2010 season which should give more than enough time for the Jays' future first sacker time to develop.
Key David Cooper Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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H/W: 6-2 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/25/87
