Posted on 15 November 2008
H/W: 5-11 245 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 2/2/88
Travis Snider was as well traveled as any prospect this season, playing at four different stops during the 2008 season. The icing on the cake was his impressive September showing with the Toronto Blue Jays in which he hit .301 with 2 HR and 13 RBI in 24 games.
Snider's 5-11 245 lb. body is a power producing machine that has drives balls out of any part of the ballpark with ease. His bat speed and strength are eye popping and his competitive makeup is spectacular. As a defender, Snider is deceptively athletic and his strong arm will play well in RF. Like many young power hitters, Snider strikes out in bunches (154 times this season) though his plate discipline is improving as he sees more professional pitching. Snider's bulk may be a concern as he ages. He is physically maxed out and his athleticism may wane as he ages. Snider will need to keep refining his approach at the plate to avoid becoming a one-dimensional slugger like Matt Stairs or Rob Deer.
2009 Projection: Snider should find himself in Toronto's starting lineup on opening day as the team's LF. Many would project Snider to be one of the leading pre-season candidates for A.L. Rookie of the Year, which could provide added pressure on him to perform early. If Snider can steer clear of an early season slump he could put up some award winning numbers. Snider has a legitimate shot at putting up Evan Longoria type numbers, which could cause his already popular 2007 Bowman Sterling autographs to experience substantial growth.
Key Travis Snider Baseball Cards:
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Travis Snider
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Travis Snider Auto
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Posted on 15 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 210 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 3/19/88
The Dodgers just couldn't wait to usher in the Clayton Kershaw era as they promoted him from AA Jacksonville to make his major league debut on May 25th. Kershaw, just two months removed from his 20th birthday was outstanding, pitching 6 innings and allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 7. Kershaw struggled with his control this season walking 52 in 107 IP, but he seemed to get better as the season progressed, winning 5 of his last 7 decisions. Kershaw's stuff is nothing short of legendary. He features a 95-97 MPH fastball and his curveball may be one of baseball's best...ever. Kershaw is a tough competitor and has a top notch Read the full story
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Posted on 15 November 2008
H/W: 6-4 245 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 1/24/86
Flowers had a solid season at High-A Myrtle Beach hitting .288 with 17 HR 88 RBI and a league-high 98 walks. Flowers has a massive frame that should produce 25-30 HR power at the major league level. If he sticks as a catcher, this would make him an All-Star, though it is quite possible that he will have to move to a corner infield position as Brian McCann is firmly entrenched as the leader of the Braves' battery. Flowers has enough athleticism to make the move to 1B or 3B and the move may be better for him in the long run as he has already had a knee surgery. One caveat to Flowers' game is his 50 game suspension for the use of PED's that he served at the beginning of the '07 season. Flowers, for his part, admitted to the mistake saying that he used bad judgment as a member of Chipola CC's baseball team. Braves officials seem to be satisfied with the progress that Flowers has made since the suspension.
2009 Projection: Flowers has absolutely hammered Arizona Fall League pitching to the tune of a .385 BA with a league leading 10 HR 18 RBI and 20 runs scored. Expect his '09 debut to be with AAA Gwinnett and, if he can continue to replicate his promising numbers, a trip to Atlanta is imminent. Flowers' first year autographs in the 2008 Donruss Threads set are immensely popular and should continue as he blossoms into a major league slugger.
Key Tyler Flowers Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Threads Auto #/999
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Posted on 15 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 190 lb. B/T: L/L DOB:1/22/85
Cousins spent the first part of the season battling injuries at High-A Jupiter. When he returned to action, he hit well (.304 9 HR 29 RBI 11 SB in 194 AB) before earning a late season promotion to Carolina where he hit .264 with a HR and 9 RBI. Cousins has a 5-tool skill set with a smooth left-handed swing that produces above average power, and his speed is well above average, though he is still learning how to read pitchers Cousins has great range and above average arm strength that could serve him well in either CF or RF. Moving forward, Cousins still needs Read the full story
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Posted on 15 November 2008
H/W: 5-7 195 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/11/85
Salome paced the Southern League this season with a .360 BA as he racked up 132 hits in just 98 games. The Brewers slugger exhibited solid power numbers as well, clubbing 13 HR 83 RBI and smacking 30 doubles. He is a converted catcher whose compact 5-7 200 lb. build evokes comparisons to future HOF'er Ivan Rodriguez. Salome is offensively ready to take over Milwaukee's battery yet his skills behind the plate are a bit raw. Salome has above average athleticism and a rocket arm but his receiving skills and accuracy are still quite raw.
Salome was suspended for the first 50 games of the 2007 season for using PED's, though, the Brewers are quite confident that this incident is behind him and the risk of it reoccurring is low.
2009 Projection: Salome should begin at AAA Nashville and await a mid to late season call up. Salome needs to develop defensively in order to push Jason Kendall out of a job. At just 23 years old, the Brewers do not need to rush him, but his bat is just too good and may push the issue soon. Salome has just one major card to date, the 2004 Bowman Chrome Draft. This card can see considerable demand if he wins a roster spot in Milwaukee.
Key Angel Salome Baseball Cards:
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Posted on 15 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 215 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 8/25/87
Morrison made big strides with his plate approach this season hitting .332 with 13 HR 72 RBI and 38 doubles at High-A Jupiter. While his longball totals were nearly cut in half from last season, his walk and strikeout rates both improved. Morrison's employs a smooth left hand swing that can drive the ball to all parts of the ballpark prompting many baseball officials to believe that he can be a .300 hitter with 30+ HR power at the major league level. Morrison is an Read the full story
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-4 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/4/84
In 2008 Drew Stubbs took some strides in putting his critics to rest. Stubbs began slowly at High A Sarasota where he hit .261 with 5 HR 38 RBI and 27 SB in 86 games. Stubbs then was promoted to AA Chattanooga and AAA Louisville where he combined to hit .305 with 2 HR 19 RBI and 6 SB in 45 games. Stubbs still strikes out too much (123 times in 131 games) given his low power numbers, but his walk rate remains strong boosting his OBP to .371 this season. Defensively, he has the skills to be a Read the full story
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 175 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 11/20/87
Bucardo struggled a bit this season in his repeat performance at short season Salem-Keizer. Bucardo went 6-7 with a 4.57 ERA and 40 K's in 67 IP. Burcardo proved to be quite hittable allowing a .357 BAA. Bucardo has decent stuff, a 90-92 MPH fastball with heavy sink and a solid slider and change that needs polish. Bucardo has decent control and his sinker effectively induces ground ball outs. Read the full story
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 190 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 8/11/88
Lambo was quite impressive in his first full season showing off the sweet swing and power potential that made him a top flight draft pick. Lambo is an effective run producer who has a good feel for hitting that should render a high average and 25-30 HR per season at the big league level. Defensively, Lambo is a decent fielder who uses good instincts and routes to negate his below average speed. Some feel that he may be better suited for 1B as his frame fills out more and speed decreases. One area of his game that Lambo needs to Read the full story
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-0 180 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 3/29/89
Oliveras was a 9th round selection in the 2007 draft out of Puerto Rico's baseball acadamy. The Reds are excited about his bat though it is early to tell just what it will produce at higher levels. From initial scouting, Oliveras has a line drive producing left-handed swing that could projectibly produce 15-20 HR power as he matures. Oliveras has average speed and profiles as a solid defensive LF. The Reds will likely take their time with Alexis, as his plate discipline and power are currently very raw and will take a long time to develop. Though he is projectible, he is far from a sure fire top prospect. Keep an discerning eye on his development.
2009 Projection: Oliveras will likely begin the '09 season at extended spring training with a short season stint at Billings likely. The plate discipline has to develop in order for Oliveras to progress. This season should give a better view of just what to expect out of him in the future.
Key Alexis Oliveras Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Threads Alexis Oliveras Gold Auto #/975
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-0 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 5/31/83
Ryan pitched exclusively in relief for AA-Huntsville going 5-5 with a 2.52 ERA and 6 saves. He proved to be more hittable this season and his control was not as sharp as it was in his two stops in 2007. Ryan is not overpowering but his 90-92 MPH fastball has good late life down in the strike zone and his hard curveball and change rate as solid average MLB pitches. The sink on Ryan's fastball effectively induces ground ball outs. This season he induced his groundball/flyball ratio of 2.96 made him very effective Read the full story
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/8/84
Donald has continued to be an under the radar, highly productive shortstop prospect. At AA Reading, Donald hit .307 with 14 HR 54 RBI and 11 SB before missing a month to play (and play well) for Team USA in Beijing. Donald has also had an impressive stint in the Arizona Fall League hitting .405 with 3 HR 13 RBI and 20 runs scored in 22 games. Donald has a high polish to his game with a compact swing that provides improving gap power and line drives to all fields. He has a good strike zone acumen which allows him to draw walks and limit strikeouts. His speed is a tick above average and he runs the bases well. Defensively, Donald has Read the full story
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 215 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/9 86
Bowden continued to ascend through Boston's farm system by pitching at three levels in '08, including his successful major league debut where he pitched 5 innings allowing 2 ER on 7 hits with 3 K's en route to his first MLB win. Bowden has three quality pitches including a low-90's fastball, big breaking curveball and fading changeup that all can be effective right now. Bowden has a solid and athletic frame that should handle a 200 inning workload easily. He is a bulldog on the mound who lives and breathes baseball. Bowden may run into Read the full story
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 195 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 7/26/86
Marson had a very successful campaign at AA Reading, hitting .314 with 5 HR and 46 RBI. Marson also was part of bronze medal-winning Team USA in the Beijing Olympics, hitting .312 in limited action. In his major league debut, Marson went 2-4 with his first major league HR 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. There is a lot to like about Marson's game. He has a short and solid line drive stroke that should produce 10-15 HR power at the MLB level while hitting for a high average. His plate discipline is very advanced for his age, testified by a respectable 68 BB/70 K ratio this season. Defensively, he has great instincts Read the full story
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Posted on 13 November 2008
H/W: 6-4 195 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 8/26/87
Halman transformed from over-matched whiff machine to a near 30/30 man in a little more than a season. Halman continued to hit well batting .268 with 19 HR 53 RBI and 23 SB before being promoted to AA West Tennessee where he hit .277 with 10 HR and 8 SB. Halman has a tremendously athletic frame that should add strength as he matures and he possesses considerable arm strength. His above average range and good defensive instincts that will play well at any OF position.
The big caveat with Halman is Read the full story
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Posted on 13 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 185 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/10/88
Colina performed pretty well to the challenge of his first full season at Low-A Wisconsin. Given his age and long lean frame, it is conceivable to expect that Colina can add strength and power numbers as he matures. Colina has average speed though he doesn't use it as well as he can on the basepaths. He has a nice line drive swing and makes good contact, though he would be best served to work on extending counts and drawing more walks. Defensively, Colina has Read the full story
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Posted on 13 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 175 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/16/86
Escobar had a huge statistical season at AA Huntsville, hitting .328 with 8 HR 76 RBI 34 SB and 95 runs scored. Escobar's 2008 HR total exceeded his cumulative total that he accrued in nearly 1,600 professional AB's. Escobar has a quick bat with increasing gap power and developing plate discipline. Escobar is lightning fast on the basepaths stealing 34 bases in 42 tries. Defensively, Escobar has above average range and a strong arm that will play very well Read the full story
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Posted on 13 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 215 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 1/1/85
LaPorta got off to a red hot start last season as the centerpiece of AA Huntsville's star-studded lineup. LaPorta belted 20 HR in just 84 games while hitting .288. LaPorta then was traded to the Cleveland Indians in the C.C. Sabathia trade where he struggled in a brief stint before playing in Beijing for the bronze medal winning U.S. Olympic Baseball Team. LaPorta has light tower power that could translate into 30-40 HR per season at the major league level. He has a keen eye at the plate and works counts well. Numerous coaches and players have given him credit for having an unparalleled work ethic as well. Defensively and athletically, LaPorta is Read the full story
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H/W: 5-11 245 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 2/2/88
