Posted on 07 April 2009
H/W: 6-2 185 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 8/1/85
Considered to be the centerpiece to the now ill-advised Erik Bedard trade, Adam Jones gave Orioles fans a glimpse of the immense talent that he possesses. Jones batted .270 with 9 HR 57 RBI 10 SB and 61 runs scored for the O's last season and solidified the outfield defense with his excellent range and arm strength in centerfield. Jones has sinewy strength and excellent bat speed that should transform into 20-25 HR power in the very near future. His speed is also top notch, although, he has historically not fully used it as a weapon on the basepaths. The major question mark at this time is directly related to his discipline at the plate. Last season, Jones had a dismal 23 BB/108 K ratio and had trouble with handling offspeed pitches. This spring has brought forth some positive signs in his development as he has batted .350 with 3 HR 5 RBI 7 SB and a 3 BB/10 K ratio in 19 games.
2009 Projection: Adam Jones is primed for better numbers this season from behind the plate and his high SB totals in the spring shows that he intends to be more aggressive on the basepaths as well. The BB/K ratio is the key component to his overall offensive success. By boosting his walk rate and diminishing his K rate a little bit, Jones can threaten to cross the .300 threshold. Brian Roberts is Baltimore's leadoff hitter, but Jones should make a dangerous #2 hitter in that solid Oriole lineup. With excellent pitching prospects down on the farm and a young offense to build around, the Camden Yard boys should be a rising threat in the A.L. East within the next couple of seasons.
Key Adam Jones Baseball Cards:
- 2003 Upper Deck Prospect Premieres
- 2006 Bowman Heritage
- 2006 Upper Deck Update SP
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Posted on 06 April 2009
H/W: 6-4 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 4/4/87
The Florida Marlins opted for a more cautious approach in developing their immensely talented outfielder than his previous employer, the Detroit Tigers. Cameron Maybin spent virtually the entire 2008 season at AA Carolina hitting .277 with 13 HR 49 RBI 21 SB and 73 runs scored in 108 games. His solid play earned him a September callup where he went 16-32 with 9 runs scored and 4 SB. Maybin's physical attributes are off the charts. He can put on a show in batting practice, launching 500 ft. HR's and has foot speed that rivals anyone in minor league baseball. Defensively, Maybin has the speed of a center fielder and the cannon arm of a right fielder. He made some strides with his plate discipline last season, earning 63 walks, but his 132 strikeouts were too high given his mediocre power numbers. Maybin has not quite figured out how to consistently translate his pregame power into game time production as he often opts to slap balls to the opposite field or beat out groundballs with his fleet feet. The Marlins are not too concerned at this time with that and do believe that the 22 year old will eventually become the 30-30 player that scouts have tabbed him to be.
2009 Projection: Strong spring numbers (.317 1 HR 7 RBI 15 runs scored) have earned him the starting nod in CF on opening day. The Marlins would like Maybin to continue to develop his top of the order skills, working counts and making consistent contact, rather than focusing on the power element of his game. He and 3B Emiliano Bonifacio should both get some time atop Florida's potent lineup. Keep an eye on his plate discipline as the season progresses, if he can continue to draw walks and limit his strikeout totals, he should gradually nudge Bonifacio out of the leadoff spot for good.
Key Cameron Maybin Baseball Cards:
- 2006 Bowman Prospects Auto
- 2006 Bowman Chrome
- 2006 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2006 Bowman Heritage Auto
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft
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Posted on 05 April 2009
H/W: 6-6 235 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 3/22/85
The Red Sox used Masterson as both a starter and reliever last season and he performed admirably in both roles. In 36 outings, the tall righthander went 6-5 with a 3.16 ERA and 40 BB/68 K in 88 IP. The San Diego State alum features a heavy 92-94 MPH fastball that he throws from a 3/4 arm slot with a great deal of leverage. In addition to his fastball, he has a promising slider that has good lateral movement, but sometimes gets left up in the zone when he drops his arm slot. His changeup has some promise to be effective too, but it lags behind his other two offerings. Hitters have a difficult time generating much pop off of his fastball, but his slider is still hittable and his command numbers will need to improve. The presence of Jonathan Papelbon at the end of Boston's bullpen may eventually push Masterson into the rotation. Whether he is throwing every 5th day or every other day, he is a highly valued piece to the future prosperity of the Red Sox.
2009 Projection: The acquisitions of Brad Penny and John Smoltz has relegated Masterson to the 7th or 8th inning job once again. His control has been excellent this spring as he has walked just two hitters in 12.2 IP. Keep an eye on this as the major league season goes on. His ability to command the strike zone should allow for him to use his sinker much more effectively as an out pitch. Also monitor the health of Boston's rotation. If one of their horses goes down, Masterson will be the first name called to step into a rotation spot. Once he gets in, he may be too good to supplant.
Key Justin Masterson Baseball Cards:
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Finest RC Redemption #6
- 2008 Stadium Club Auto
- 2008 Topps Red Hot Rookie
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Posted on 30 March 2009
H/W: 6-3 190 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 8/16/84
It's been a tumultuous, up and down ride for Boston's former #1 ranked prospect. Buchholz entered the 2008 season as a front runner for the A.L. Rookie of the Year award only to struggle with his control going 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA and 41 BB/72 K in 76 IP. Following the '08 season, the Red Sox sent Clay to get some extra work in the Arizona Fall League and he responded fairly well with a 3.86 ERA in 21 IP, but still struggled with his control (9 BB/17 K). This spring has been a different story. Buchholz has been simply dominant over 20 IP allowing just one run while putting up a sterling 3 BB/15 K ratio. There is no doubt that his stuff is electric. A mid-90's fastball, mid-70's changeup and big 12-6 curveball all rank as MLB-plus pitches and his slider has shown promise as well. Clay struggled last season establishing his fastball early in counts and fell in love with his off speed pitches too much. As a result, he forced himself into a bunch of fastball counts and when failing to locate them down in the zone, became quite hittable. There is plenty of reasons, though, to believe that the 24 year old righty will straighten things out and give Fenway's faithful reason to believe that the pitcher they saw dazzle the world on September 1, 2007 was, and is, the real deal.
2009 Projection: Despite his spring numbers, Clay is headed for Pawtucket to start the 2009 season. He has nothing left to prove there, but the offseason additions of Brad Penny and John Smoltz currently serve as impediments to his progress. There has been some conjecture around the league that a trade may occur bringing Texas Rangers starting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Boston. That move was scrapped when the Red Sox signed Josh Bard. Now that Bard has been released and Jason Varitek's backups George Kottaras and Dusty Brown are far from surefire major leaguers, there is a chance that talks will resume. A change of scenery may be just what the Texas native needs. Keep an eye on the trade rumors and also the health of the Red Sox rotation. John Smoltz is on the shelf until at least May and both Brad Penny and Josh Beckett missed time last season with injuries. Buchholz will pitch in the major leagues in 2009, it's just a question of when and where.
Key Clay Buchholz Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2005 Bowman Sterling
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Topps Chrome Auto
- 2008 Stadium Club Auto
- 2008 Topps Heritage
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Posted on 25 March 2009
H/W: 5-11 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 4/24/86
Shipped over from the Diamondbacks in the Dan Haren trade, Cunningham is precisely the type of player that A's GM Billy Beane loves. He pounded pitching at both AA Midland and AAA Sacramento to the tune of a .329 BA with 17 HR 66 RBI 15 SB and 86 runs scored. He recorded another 80 AB with Oakland, hitting .250 with a HR and 14 RBI. With excellent hand-eye coordination and a compact right handed swing, Aaron generates decent pop that should produce 10-15 HR per season at the major league level. His speed is above average and he uses it savvily in the outfield and on the basepaths, where he should average double digit stolen base numbers. Cunningham has shown solid plate discipline throughout his minor league career, though these numbers have eroded somewhat as he has advanced. At 23 years old, there is not too much room for further projection in Cunningham's game, though he has given enough reason to believe that he can be a fairly productive regular at the major league level.
2009 Projection: The trade for Matt Holliday has muddied the waters in Oakland's outfield scenerio. Aaron has had a solid showing this spring and has earned some serious consideration for a major role in either RF or CF. So have, however, Travis Buck, Ryan Sweeney, Rajai Davis, and Chris Denorfia. Being the youngest of this crop, it seems quite likely that Cunningham will be ticketed for AAA at the start of the '09 season, where he will stay until room is made for him by way of injury, non-performance, or trade. Cunningham has some upside as a future MLB regular, but the odds of him becoming one of those "lost in the shuffle" guys increases with every minor league AB.
Key Aaron Cunningham Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2007 Bowman Heritage
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Auto
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Auto
- 2009 Topps
- 2009 UD Spectrum Auto
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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 25 March 2009
H/W: 6-2 150 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 1/27/91
The Braves plunked down $850 K to sign the Colombian flame thrower as a 16 year old. Last season, Julio Teheran pitched at short season Low-A Danville earning a 1-2 record with a 6.60 ERA and 4 BB/17 K in 15 IP. Though he showed himself to be quite hittable in the early going (.301 BAA), Julio exhibited good control and induced groundball outs at a 1.27/FO rate. Teheran already has a fastball that sits comfortably between 93-95 MPH, though he can reach back and bump it up to 97 MPH. Complimenting his fastball is a low 80's changeup with deceptive fade and a powerful curveball that has a late bite to it. Scouts have marveled at how smooth and quick his arm action is, though he needs to clean up some of the mechanics in his delivery. His body has considerable projectibility and needs to build bulk and stamina to handle the rigors of a full season workload.
2009 Projection: Teheran should get his first taste of full season action at Low-A Rome. Compared to Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, Teheran is tabbed to move quickly through the system and, if all goes well, could reach High-A Myrtle Beach by the end of this season. It will be interesting to see if he can keep his control numbers and GO/FO ratio up with Rome. If so, the South Atlantic League tends to favor pitchers which could bode very well for Julio's numbers. The Braves are stocked with an assortment of fine young arms from both sides of the mound, but Teheran's rivals that of Tommy Hanson's as Atlanta's best.
Key Julio Teheran Baseball Cards:
- 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects
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Posted on 21 March 2009
H/W: 6-2 220 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 5/10/86
It seems as if the former 2004 3rd rounder has been toiling in the Seattle Mariners farm system forever, but the fact remains that Tuiasosopo will be just 22 years old on opening day. A former top quarterback recruit at the University of Washington, Tuiasosopo is athletic and very strong. He began his career as a raw project and has slowly begun to develop his skills. He is remarkably agile in the field and should be an above average defensive 3B. His bat is showing signs of life as well. Until recently, he had worked on being a better contact hitter, allowing balls to travel deeper into the zone before inside-outing them to the opposite field, but he showed an increase in power production over the second half of the '08 season at AAA Tacoma and has drove the ball with authority during his spring training outings this season. Plate discipline continues to be an issue that Matt needs to refine. Last season he walked 49 times while striking out 120 times between Tacoma and Seattle. His work ethic and makeup, however, continue to be catalysts that fuel his rapid improvement and when blended with his strength and athleticism, they should propel him to much greater accomplishments in the years to come.
2009 Projection: Tui has opened some eyes within the organization this spring. The M's are at a crossroads as Adrian Beltre's impending free agency and near certain departure from the team looms large. There is talent at the lower levels in the form of Jharmidy DeJesus, Mario Martinez and, perhaps, Carlos Triunfel, but there is no one other than Matt Tuiasosopo to fill Beltre's shoes for the next couple of seasons. This is a big year for Matt to make the developmental jump from prospect to major league player. Beltre's presence in the middle of the M's lineup and his Gold Glove at the hot corner should force Tuiasosopo back to Tacoma for more everyday work. Watch the power numbers and plate discipline. If Tui can continue his hot hitting, a mid-season trade of Beltre will become a greater reality.
Key Matt Tuiasosopo Baseball Cards:
- 2004 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2004 Bowman Sterling Bat/Auto
- 2004 Topps Chrome Update
- 2004 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/473
- 2004 SP Prospects Auto #/600
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Posted on 21 March 2009
H/W: 6-5 195 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 10/19/84
The transition from outfielder to pitcher has been a successful one for this former 2002 draft and follow pick. McDonald compiled a 7-4 record with a 3.26 ERA and 141 K's in 141 IP between AA Jacksonville and AAA Las Vegas before making his MLB debut. While his fastball sits at a respectable 89-92 MPH, it is the quality of his offspeed pitches that have determined his success. His curveball has 11-5 break and trails only Clayton Kershaw's as the best in the Dodgers organization, and his changeup has excellent late fade and deception. He has a good idea of how to pitch, locating his fastball well and altering his velocity with clean mechanics and consistent arm speed. One area of concern is his tendency to be a flyball pitcher. Last season, McDonald forced just 0.65 GO/FO and surrendered 15 HR. His good control helped to keep runners off of base, but he will have to continue to work on commanding his fastball down in the strike zone going forward.
2009 Projection: McDonald was impressive in the post season as a reliever for the Dodgers, and there is a good chance that he will be back in that role for the 2009 season. If the Dodgers opt to go with Jeff Weaver in that role, McDonald will be back in AAA to gather more innings and experience as a starter. Ultimately, his ceiling is as a mid-rotation starter (likely a #3 or 4) who can throw 150-180 innings each season and win 12-15 games. With the Dodgers' depth and options, both young and old, it may be difficult for him to fulfill that role with this organization.
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Posted on 18 March 2009
H/W: 6-1 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/21/83
It was a tale of two seasons for the former Texas Longhorn. Teagarden was truly terrible during his minor league stops at AA Frisco and AAA Oklahoma City, hitting just .211 with 9 HR 22 RBI and 82 K's in 73 games. This performance was good enough to earn him a shot with the Rangers and he responded by tearing the cover off of the ball, hitting .319 with 6 HR 17 RBI and 5 doubles in just 47 AB. Teagarden has widely been recognized as a top-tier defensive catcher with good pop from the right side, He has excellent leadership skills and has made good progress in calling games behind the dish. His plate discipline has waned from its 2007 levels, but he is an intelligent hitter who has the ability to work deep into counts and recognize offspeed pitches. Injuries are a nagging concern for Taylor. He had Tommy John surgery following his '06 season at Texas and missed some time in '08 with shoulder soreness. Aside from those concerns, Teagarden is a throwback catcher with the defensive skills and powerful bat that is an asset to any organization.
2009 Projection: Teagarden looks to be the backup to Jarrod Saltalamacchia this season. There were some murmurs during the offseason that either Teagarden or Salty would be sent to the Red Sox in a deal, but nothing materialized. This is something worth watching, however, as both Taylor and Jarrod are too talented to be backup backstops. Teagarden continues to drive the ball well this spring, but his ability to maintain a good batting average is a mild concern. The Rangers did not make the necessary additions to their pitching staff to become a serious postseason contender this season, but if they can stay in contention in the A.L. West, either Saltalamacchia, Teagarden or slugging savant Max Ramirez could be included in a deal at some point this season.
Key Taylor Teagarden Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Signs of the Future Auto
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2008 Donruss Threads Auto #/475
- 2008 Topps Red Hot Rookie Redemption #18
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Posted on 11 March 2009
H/W: 5-10 180 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 8/24/83
Brett Gardner got a chance to prove that he was ready to step into the role of leadoff hitter for the Yankees during a 42 game audition. Unfortunately for Gardner, it didn't go very well. He struggled mightily, hitting a paltry .228 with 0 HR 16 RBI and 13 SB in 127 AB. This came on the heels of an immensely successful AAA campaign where he hit .296 with 37 SB and 11 triples in 94 games. Gardner has game changing speed and could steal 40-50 bases per season at the major league level. He is an immensely disciplined hitter who plays at full tilt at the plate and in the field. His power production has been marginal throughout his career as he is more content to slap balls through holes and in gaps for extra bases, but his early returns during spring training has already resulted in 3 HR in just 7 games. Defensively, his excellent speed makes him a very good CF, though his arm is more appropriate in LF. Gardner has all the makings of a solid top of the order hitter but, as expected, the competition in Yankee Stadium is unrelenting. Gardner currently has the inside track at the starting spot and he should perform much at a much better clip than last year's numbers.
2009 Projection: Brett will be in the opening day lineup for the Yankees and has all the makings of a fan favorite. Melky Caberera has all but exhausted his opportunities to start, but his presence, as well as the anticipation for top prospect Austin Jackson, should provide consistent pressure on Gardner to perform. The power uptick he has demonstrated this spring has been a pleasant surprise, but his power ceiling should be in the 8-12 HR range. Keep an eye out for his first MLB autos, as they will likely be quite popular. Until then, his 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft cards are the best (and most valuable) cards on the market.
Key Brett Gardner Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Bowman Sterling
- 2008 Topps Heritage
- 2008 Topps Chrome Update
- 2008 eTopps
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Posted on 11 March 2009
H/W: 6-4 220 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/29/86
The former 2007 1st rounder had a solid season at AA Midland going 9-6 with a 3.51 ERA and 120 K's in 136 IP. The biggest asset in James Simmons' skill set is his impeccable command. Simmons surrendered just 32 bases on balls last season and allowed just 37 walks in 270 IP during his career at UC Riverside. James' best pitch is his low 90's fastball, which he locates well in all quadrants of the strike zone. He also has a slider, curve and change that are less effective offerings. Simmons tends to pitch to contact quite often and doesn't have dominant enough stuff to put away hitters at times. AA hitters batted .282 against Simmons last year and he induced a less than desirable GO/FO ratio of 0.92. The Athletics are keeping him as a starter right now, but his lack of a breaking pitch and ability to add velocity as a reliever may eventually shift him to the bullpen.
2009 Projection: Simmons is slated to pitch at AAA Sacramento this year with a possibility of earning some MLB innings at some point later in the summer. The A's are flush with better arms in their system (Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, Vin Mazzaro, Michel Inoa, Gio Gonzalez) than Simmons', yet he could wriggle his way into the back end of the rotation as soon as next season. The PCL is a difficult place for pitchers, especially flyball pitchers. Watch to see if James can employ better movement on his offspeed pitches and induce more ground ball outs. If he can, he should be able to progress as a starter, and if he doesn't he may find himself eventually relegated to the role of middle reliever.
Key James Simmons Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2007 Donruss Elite Auto #/624
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Posted on 10 March 2009
H/W: 6-0 180 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 8/19/85
It took a while, but the M's finally signed their 1st round selection from the 2008 draft, Pitcher Joshua Fields. Last season, Fields made a strong case to the baseball world that he was the most dominant closer in college baseball earning 18 saves and striking out 63 hitters in just 37.1 IP for the Georgia Bulldogs en route to a trip to the College World Series. Fields has two dominating pitches, a 94-96 MPH heater and a devastating 12-6 curveball that could be the best in all of baseball very soon. Fields has the demeanor of a closer, he attacks hitters with his plus stuff and works quickly. He is loose-limbed and shows the durability to throw on back to back days. While his curve is nearly unhittable, his fastball is too straight and Fields has shown an inability to command it lower in the strike zone. Against the quick bats of the American League, this could be a major problem late in games, increasing his proneness to give up the gofer ball. Aside from that fact, Fields was widely regarded as the top closer in the '08 draft and one that is close to being MLB ready. In an organization like Seattle's that is welcome news.
2009 Projection: Don't be surprised to see the M's push Fields quickly. He could start at High-A High Desert or AA West Tennessee, but wherever he is, he is sure to move quickly. Last year, Fields averaged an insane 15.3 K's per 9 innings. While that trend is surely going to diminish somewhat, he should be able to average more than one per inning at each of his minor league stops. Watch the walk totals though, as Fields has been unable to average less than 5 walks per 9 innings in either of his collegiate seasons. Surrendering walks and being a flyball pitcher could prove disastrous down the road for this otherwise bright young closer. The M's don't have a surefire closer at this time as J.J. Putz now pitches on the East Coast. If no one steps forward this season, there could be a chance for Fields to do so at the end of the 2009 season.
Key Joshua Fields Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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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 06 March 2009
H/W: 6-1 200 lb. B/T: S/R DOB: 8/16/82
The understated Angels infielder continued to put up excellent numbers at AAA Salt Lake City, hitting .335 with 15 HR 88 RBI 45 doubles and 92 runs scored. Sandoval has a line drive bat that produces gap power and high rates of contact. He has decent speed, but ran a lot less last season than in years past. Defensively, Sandoval is quite versatile spending time at 1B, 2B, 3B and even the OF last season. He is sure handed and plays with a great deal of intelligence. He is not flashy, but he can adequately fill a variety of roles. The rub on Sandoval is his age, at 26 years old, he is rapidly losing status as a prospect and needs to step into an MLB role sometime soon.
2009 Projection: Spring training will be a critical time for Sandoval to wriggle his way onto the Angels' 25 man roster. He has demonstrated all he needs to at the minor league level and, at 26 years old, is entering the prime productive years of his career. Monitor his progress this spring as well as rumblings within the Angels organization as to the 2009 role for Sandoval. He has the makings of a highly productive utility player who can admirably fill a variety of roles and is ready to produce right away. He should get more of a chance at some point in 2009.
Key Freddy Sandoval Baseball Cards:
- 2004 SP Prospects Auto #/400
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2009 Topps
- 2009 Upper Deck
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Posted on 05 February 2009
H/W: 5-10 180 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 5/22/86
The former 2nd round pick out of Arizona State did all that he could to evoke comparisons to fellow Sun Devil alum Dustin Pedroia. In his first full professional season, Sogard batted .308 with 10 HR 87 RBI 16 SB and 97 runs scored. Built like a fire hydrant, Sogard is a high energy dirt magnet whose average skill set is greatly enhanced by his invigorating passion to win. Sogard has good offensive tools as his left handed swing is quick and surprisingly powerful. He is a clutch hitter with elite plate discipline (79 BB/63 K) and a knack for driving in runs. Sogard has average speed, but his high baseball I.Q. makes him a weapon on the basepaths and helps to put him in the right place to make plays defensively. Players like Sogard have a way of grinding out productive and prolonged MLB careers. Whether or not he becomes a star in the same vernacular as his Fenway counterpart remains to be seen and is worth a second look.
2009 Projection: Sogard will play at AA San Antonio in 2009. If Matt Antonelli can stick with San Diego there is reason to believe that Eric can jump to AAA Portland at some point. The main thing that Sogard needs to work on is his defense. His .973 fielding % in '08 was about 15-20 points lower than the Padres would like to see from him. Ultimately, his offensive potential trumps Antonelli's and the odds are that Sogard will be 2B in San Diego within the next two years.
Key Eric Sogard Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/500
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Posted on 17 January 2009
H/W: 6-2 210 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 11/26/85
The former Oklahoma State star had a power packed '08 season hitting .266 with 30 HR 83 RBI 16 SB and 78 runs scored between Low-A Kane County and High-A Stockton. Brown is a stupendous athlete with awesome raw power and blazing speed on both the basepaths and in the outfield. His left-handed swing has considerable leverage and loft that can drive the ball out to any part of the ballpark. He is a solid CF with good instincts and range, but his cannon-like arm strength profiles better in RF. The chief liability in Brown's game right now is his dearth of discipline at the plate. Last season, Corey struck out a whopping 168 times in 134 games played. His struggles continued this fall in the Hawaiian Winter League where he accumulated another 33 in 28 games. Brown does get his fair share of walks (58 in '08) but his overagressiveness and pull-happy mentality will eat him alive at higher levels if he doesn't improve. The A's, though, are quite high on this young slugger and are willing to be patient with a player of Brown's high upside and 5-tool abilities.
2009 Projection: Brown should begin the '08 season with AA Midland, which should prove to be a make or break challenge for the 23 year old. Last season's tour of Kane County and Stockton afforded Corey the ability to play in hitter friendly environments against less experienced pitching. He will not have the same luxuries this year. Watch his BB/K ratio and batting average carefully. If he struggles early on, the A's may pop him back down to Stockton for some more work. There is a lot to like in Brown. He has the potential to be a 30 HR 20 SB guy at the major league level, but, if he doesn't change his approach at the plate, the specter of the strikeout threatens to relegate him to the Rob Deer and Pete Incaviglia annals of baseball lore.
Key Corey Brown Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/500
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Posted on 20 December 2008
H/W: 6-6 270 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/11/86
AA proved to be no match for the Padres' young behemoth as he batted .325 with 20 HR 107 RBI and 75 runs scored at San Antonio. Despite his size, Blanks is a complete hitter who hits well to all fields, but, to this point, has only displayed power to his pull side. Unlike many young power-hitting prospects, he doesn't strike out too often and consistently makes hard contact. As a 1st baseman, Blanks has demonstrated soft hands and surprising agility which should play well in the future. Blanks has worked dilligently to reduce his weight from over 300 lb. to his current weight of 270, which should help reduce the risk of nagging injuries while increasing his flexibility. The size and strength is there for Kyle to be a 30-40 HR hitter at the MLB level, but he needs to develop more loft to the opposite field and greater hand speed to get around on pitches thrown to the inner half of the plate.
2009 Projection: After a decent but not spectacular performance in the Arizona Fall League, Blanks should get some at bats in spring training before being shuttled to AAA Portland to start the season. Current Padres' 1B Adrian Gonzalez is signed through the 2010 season, though the rebuilding Padres may deem him expendable for the right price, especially if Blanks' power takes a step forward this season. Blanks will likely play most of the 2009 season at AAA, with a MLB call up likely in August or September.
Key Kyle Blanks Baseball Cards:
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2006 Bowman Prospects Auto
- 2007 Bowman Prospects Auto
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H/W: 6-2 185 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 8/1/85
