Posted on 16 December 2008
H/W: 5-11 175 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/10/86
The Pirates #1 prospect had another solid season in '08 batting .283 with 9 HR 50 RBI 34 SB and 75 runs scored at AAA-Indianapolis. It came as a surprise to everyone, including McCutchen, that he was not called up to the big league club in September. In addition to his outstanding athleticism, Andrew showed a marked improvement in his plate discipline, as testified by his 68 BB/87 K ratio. McCutchen has all of the tools to be an all-star centerfielder for years to come, yet the Bucs continue to stall his progress. Perhaps this has something to do with some questions about McCutchen's maturity, he is a supremely confident individual who plays the game with swagger and aggressiveness. This has often led to lapses in judgement on the basepaths and inconsistencies at the plate. Others feel that McCutchen's delayed MLB debut is purely a maneuver by the Pirates to delay the start of his arbitration eligibility clock.
2009 Projection: Rumor has it that both McCutchen and 3B prospect Neil Walker will begin the season back at Indianapolis to start the '09 season. The Bucs are quite pleased with the progress of current CF Nate McClouth, and are interested in seeing what last year's acquisition Brandon Moss has to offer. McCutchen has a history of taking very well to new challenges and it seems very reasonable to expect that he will come into spring training ready to force his way into the opening day lineup. Watch his power numbers as last season's showing was a little disappointing for someone with his quick bat and wiry strength. If he can bump up to the 15-20 HR range, McCutchen could develop into an elite leadoff hitter by 2010.
Key Andrew McCutchen Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2005 Bowman Sterling Jersey/Auto
- 2005 Bowman Heritage Auto
- 2005 Topps Chrome Update Auto
- 2006 Bowman Originals Auto (various serial #'s)
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
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Posted on 02 December 2008
H/W: 6-2 195 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 8/11/86
2008 was a downer year for the Cards' top prospect. After bombarding AA pitching in '07, Rasmus was expected to continue the hot streak at AAA Memphis for a short while before patrolling CF at Busch Stadium. None of that happened, however, as Rasmus battled an early season slump and was plagued by injuries to his groin and knee. Rasmus struggled to hit .252 with 12 HR 38 RBI and 15 SB in 96 games. When healthy, Rasmus is one of the brightest 5-tool talents in all of baseball. His left handed swing generates easy power to all fields as he seemingly hits every ball with authority. Rasmus can play any OF position with Gold Glove capability and his speed translates to 20-30 SB potential at the big league level.
Rasmus' injuries are of concern, though his sprained knee was a Grade 1 sprain that did not need surgery. Additionally, Rasmus is a very streaky player who has a history of getting off to slow starts in the early part of the season. The Cardinals would like to see him develop a more consistent approach to his game. Tony LaRussa had a chance this last September to bring Rasmus up for his MLB debut and he responded by saying "He hasn't earned it" Reading between the lines, this may be an indicator that Colby has some "between the ears" developing to do before becoming the centerpiece of the Cardinals' talented 2009 OF.
2009 Projection: Spring training will be a key indicator on the immediate future of Rasmus. If he can perform well, he may not need to go back to Memphis to start the season. Though current CF Skip Schumaker had a solid '08 season, Rasmus is the future. Expect LaRussa to make him earn it this spring. Keep an eye on Colby's health and his early season stats (especially his BB/K ratio). When Rasmus comes up, whether it be April or later, he is a prime N.L. Rookie of the Year candidate.
Key Colby Rasmus Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto
- 2005 Bowman Sterling Jersey/Auto
- 2005 Topps Chrome Update
- 2005 Bowman Heritage
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Auto
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Posted on 22 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 210 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 4/1/85
Murphy was a well-travelled man this season playing at four different levels including a highly successful debut with the New York Mets. Murphy batted .313 with 2 HR 17 RBI and 24 runs scored in 49 games. After the regular season, Murphy then went to the Arizona Fall League where he tore the cover off of the ball, hitting nearly .400 with 2 HR 18 RBI and 13 BB/7 K's. Murphy has a silky-smooth stroke from the left side that generates 15-20 HR power while hitting for a high batting average. Murphy has very good plate discipline and he doesn't strike out often. Defensively, Murphy has a strong arm, but his footwork and range may limit him to 1B or a corner OF spot at the major league level. Murphy has been playing 2B in Arizona as an experiment, but his lack of range may not allow him to stick at that position.
2009 Projection: Murphy showed enough in his stint with the Mets to earn thorough consideration for a spot in their lineup. The knock on Murphy is that his power production is not enough to play 1B or a corner OF spot. If Murphy can stick at 2B, his value increases considerably as he will be one of the better hitting 2B in the N.L. However, expect Murphy to make the move to 1B or OF. Regardless, he will be a solid #2 or #6 hitter for some years to come.
Key Daniel Murphy Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2007 Bowman Heritage
- 2008 Finest Redemption
- 2008 E-Topps
- 2008 Topps Red Hot Rookie Redemption
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Posted on 21 November 2008
H/W: 6-4 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 4/4/87
From an initial glance at Maybin's 2008 totals, one would surmise that the Marlins' #1 prospect had a decent but not stellar showing. Playing nearly the entire season at AA Carolina, Maybin hit .277 with 13 HR 49 RBI and 21 SB. These numbers were sufficient enough to allow Maybin the opportunity to play an octet of September games where he blistered the ball, batting .500 with 2 RBI and 4 SB in 32 AB. Maybin is one of the most athletic prospects in baseball with a wiry strong frame that should develop plus power while keeping his plus-plus speed. Maybin has gradually improved his walk rates earning 63 last season. Defensively, Maybin can has the range, glove, and arm to be an impact player at any position. The biggest downside in his game right now is his high strikeout rates. Last season, Maybin punched out 132 times in 116 games. Much of this is due to being culpable to off-speed pitches and more polished MLB pitchers will exploit this heavily until he can make the proper adjustments. Also, Maybin's raw power (he's hit 500 ft. HR's) has yet to translate into gaudy power statistics. Some critics feel that he beats too many balls into the ground and doesn't effectively utilize the strength that he has to authoritatively drive the ball. Given that he will be just 22 at the start of the '09 season, he has ample time to develop this aspect of his game. All told, Maybin is one of the most intriguing and athletic prospects in baseball and the comparisons to great outfielders like Torii Hunter and Andre Dawson may come to fruition before Maybin reaches his full potential.
2009 Projection: Maybin's Marlins debut prompted the recent exodus of Josh Willingham. Maybin will be given every opportunity to lose the starting CF job this spring and few will think that he will not be there come opening day. Keep an eye on his BB/K rate through spring training as well as his extra base hits. If he struggles in these areas, the Fish may well send him to AAA for a brief fine tuning. Rest assured, his days as a minor leaguer are extremely limited, if not gone entirely. Maybin is a top 2009 N.L. R.O.Y. candidate.
Key Cameron Maybin Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome AFLAC Redemption
- 2006 Bowman Prospects Auto
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2006 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2006 Bowman Heritage Auto
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Auto
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Posted on 21 November 2008
H/W: 6-6 225 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 8/26/85
You would be hard pressed to find a prospect that had a better 2008 season than David Price. Price made his debut after missing the first month of the season with elbow soreness. When he returned, Price rocketed through three levels of the Tampa Bay Rays system winning his first 11 decisions before losing in his debut at AAA Durham. Price then earned a September call up where he was dominant in 14 innings, holding hitters to a .176 BA. Price's dominance continued during the playoffs where Rays manager Joe Madden used him strictly in relief. Price pitched 5 games during the post season going 1-0 with a championship clinching save in Game 7 against the Boston Red Sox.
Price has a wicked mid-90's fastball that he throws with a three-quarters arm slot that is difficult for left handed hitters to pick up. His slider is a plus-plus strikeouts pitch that has a wide sweeping break similar to Randy Johnson's. Price also has a third plus pitch, a changeup that has a heavy fade late in the strike zone. In addition to his arsenal of top notch pitches, Price is a tough competitor with good makeup and a real feel for pitching. He adds and subtracts velocities to his pitches effectively. One area of work for Price will be to become more consistent with locating his pitches, especially his fastball. Price struggled a bit with his control at AAA and at times during the playoffs, though with his considerable talent, this should not be a long term concern.
2009 Projection: Price is a shoe-in for a spot in the middle of Tampa Bay's 2009 rotation. He will almost certainly be one of the front runners for the A.L. Rookie of the Year. The Rays should be vying for another post season berth and Price's contributions in that talented young rotation will be integral. Expect the values of his 2007 Bowman Sterling and Donruss Elite Extra autographs to remain strong throughout the season.
Key David Price Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft David Price
- 2007 Bowman Sterling David Price Auto
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra David Price Auto #/500
- 2008 Bowman Chrome David Price Auto
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Posted on 21 November 2008
H/W: 6-4 210 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/12/83
O's fans got a dose of what Reimold can do when fully healthy. Reimold battered AA pitching this season to the tune of a .284 25 HR 84 RBI 87 runs scored. Reimold has a power hitters frame at 6-4 210 lb. that is deceptively athletic. His right-handed swing generates easy power to all fields and he controls the strike zone effectively, earning 62 BB this season. Reimold's success has continued in the Arizona Fall League where he started slowly but has come back to hit .273 with 4 HR and 18 RBI in 24 games. Defensively, he has good range and a cannon arm built for RF. The main detractor to Reimold's success has been his proneness to injury, though his healthy '08 season is cause for optimism. Additionally, due to his advanced age, Nolan will have added pressure to make a positive MLB impact earlier than many younger prospects. Failure to do so may relegate him to the dreaded role of 4th outfielder or, even worse, AAAA player.
2009 Projection: Expect Reimold to get plenty of AB's in spring training with an outside shot of earning a spot on the O's opening day rosters. More likely, Reimold will start 2009 at AAA with a promotion to Baltimore happening soon. Watch to see how well Reimold plays this spring. If he hits well, there is a shot that he could find his way onto the roster in a possible platoon position with O's LF Luke Scott. A future outfield of Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Reimold should give Orioles fans ample reasons to be excited about their team's future.
2009 Update: Reimold has been on a hot streak ever since he showed up to spring training this year. After belting four HR during his two week stint in the Grapefruit League, Nolan made his way to AAA Norfolk where he scorched International League pitching to the tune of a .349 BA with 9 HR 27 RBI and 6 SB in just over 100 AB. Reimold earned his promotion to Baltimore on May 14th and has promptly blasted 4 HR and 9 RBI in his first 13 games. Reimold's solid plate discipline and 30 HR power potential has effectively pushed the underachieving Felix Pie out of a job. Expect Nolan to get the bulk of the playing time in LF and all signs point to him making a major push towards becoming the 2009 A.L. Rookie of the Year.
Key Nolan Reimold Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2005 Bowman Sterling
- 2005 Bowman Heritage
- 2006 Bowman Originals Auto (#'s vary)
- 2007 Bowman Heritage Auto
- 2008 Donruss Threads Diamond Kings Auto #/500
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Posted on 20 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 215 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/8/85
Donaldson was a throw-in by the Cubs in the Rich Harden trade, but the move to Oakland proved to be a renaissance as Josh hit .330 with 9 HR and 39 RBI in 47 games following the trade. Donaldson is the kind of polished, Moneyball-type college draftee that the A's love. He works counts effectively, but is aggressive with pitches in the strike zone, especially on the inner half of the plate. Defensively, Donaldson was a catcher in the Chicago Cubs system, though he almost exclusively playing 1B and DH in the Arizona Fall League. Donaldson played 3B at the University of Auburn, which indicates that he has the potential to be a solid fielding 1B at the major league level.
2009 Projection: This upcoming season will be an important one for Donaldson. He will almost certainly begin at AA Midland as will Stockton slugger Chris Carter (39 HR in '08). Watch to see where the A's decide to play each one of them throughout the season. This will speak volumes about what the future plans are for each one of these guys. If Donaldson can continue to be the hitter his was in the second half of the season rather than the first half, his 2007 Donruss Elite Extra autographs will be solid bargain buys.
Key Josh Donaldson Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/500
- 2007 Tri Star Auto
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Posted on 18 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 8/27/89
Vitters played almost exclusively at short season Boise and demonstrated why he was worthy of the $3.2 million bonus that the Chicago Cubs paid him. Vitters hit .328 with 5 HR 37 RBI and 25 doubles in 61 games. Vitters is an elite young hitter with his bat grading at a 70 on the popular 20-80 scouting scale for both hitting for average and hitting for power. His bat speed and hand-eye coordination is extremely high and he has shown an advanced ability for hitting the ball with power to all fields. Vitters should develop much greater HR totals soon as testified by his high number of doubles last season. His already strong frame projects to add more bulk as he matures. Josh is an aggressive hitter who doesn't strike out too often, and walks even less (once every 20 AB). Much of this can be due to Vitters' young age and developing knowledge of the strike zone and, optimistically, this number will improve in the upcoming seasons.
Defensively, Vitters is a work in progress. He has a strong arm and good hands, but his .915 fielding percentage shows that he is still quite raw at the hot corner. Vitters may find himself moving to 1B as he ages if he continues to struggle, though the Cubs are quite pleased with Vitters' work and determination to improve his defensive skills. Regardless of where he ends up, it will be his bat that will make Vitters a special player within the next three years.
2009 Projection: Vitters will start the season at Low-A Peoria and one should think that the Cubs will move him to High-A if he continues to rake the ball. Vitters should improve his walk rate over last year's totals. Watch to see how he performs defensively at the hot corner. Vitters has the bat to be a perennial 30 HR guy at the major league level which, as a 3B, would place him amongst the elite versus being a very good 1B. Vitters is still a few years away from his Wrigley debut, but his autographed cards in the 2007 Bowman Sterling and 2008 Bowman Chrome sets are hot commodities right now.
Key Josh Vitters Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/769
- 2007 Bowman Sterling
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Auto
- 2008 Donruss Threads Gold Signature Redemption Auto #/25
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Posted on 18 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 185 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 4/8/87
Hellickson pitched at two levels including a dominant early season stint at High-A Vero Beach where he went 7-1 with a 2.00 ERA and a Greg Maddux-like 5 BB/83 K in 76.2 IP. Hellickson struggled initially at AA Montgomery losing in 4 of his first 5 outings before going on a hot streak where he struck out at least 5 hitters in each of his last 10 starts. Hellickson has a 92-94 MPH fastball and a big breaking curve ball that keeps hitters off balance. His control is the best in the Rays' system and his delivery is clean and consistent. Hellickson threw 152 innings this year which should put to rest questions about his durability. He does still need to keep his fastball down as he allowed 22 HR this year and a .292 BA against AA hitters.
2009 Projection: Hellickson will likely begin the '09 season at AA Montgomery again in hopes that he gets off to the same hot start that he did at Vero Beach last season. If all goes well, he should get a promotion to AAA. Much like fellow prospect Wade Davis, Hellickson may find himself having to wait for an oppportunity to pitch in the talented Rays rotation. When he does, Hellickson has all the makings of a #1 or #2 starter.
Key Jeremy Hellickson Baseball Cards:
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects
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Posted on 18 November 2008
H/W: 6-0 195 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 9/11/88
Moustakas was challenged this year by beginning the season at full season Low-A Burlington. The early reports were not positive for Moustakas as he struggled to hit .190 with just 1 HR and 4 RBI. His early start evoked murmurs that he was not worth the $4 million dollar price tag that the Royals signed him to and that he was an overdraft. Moustakas continued to work hard and after the all-star break, something clicked and Moustakas went on a tear hitting .321 with 13 HR 40 RBI and 46 runs scored. Moustakas has an electrifying bat that has superb power to all fields. Moustakas has a strong build and good athleticism. He has good plate discipline for a player of his young age and he cut back on his strikeouts as the season progressed. Defensively, Moustakas has a strong arm and decent range at SS, though there are suspicions that he will need to move to 3B as he fills out.
2009 Projection: Things seem to have clicked for Moustakas and it seems reasonable to expect that the Royals will be aggressive in promoting him through their system. Expect Moustakas to start at High-A Wilmington and, barring any snags, a trip to AA Witchita seems inevitable. Watch to see how Moustakas does at SS. The longer he can stay there, the more value he will have in the collecting community. The Kansas City Royals have been stockpiling talent with bats like Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Mike Aviles, Eric Hosmer, and Moustakas. Expect Kansas City to make some big steps forward in the next 2-3 seasons. That should bode well for Mike Moustakas' 2007 Donruss Elite and 2008 Bowman Chrome autos.
Key Mike Moustakas Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/999
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Auto
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Posted on 17 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 190 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 10/10/88
Martinez had a 2008 season that was strikingly similar to his 2007 season. Martinez started the year again at AA Binghamton when a hamstring injury put him on the shelf for a while. Upon his return, Martinez rehabbed at the Mets' GCL team briefly before returning to Binghamton to finish the season. From a distance, Martinez's numbers are somewhat pedestrian (.286 8 HR 43 RBI 27 BB/73 K 86 games) until you do the math and realize that he is just 19 years old. Martinez has one of the most exciting offensive ceilings in all of minor league baseball. His bat speed is special and his power ranges from foul pole to foul pole. He makes good contact and his plate discipline is improving. Martinez has average speed and he profiles better as a LF than as a CF at the major league level. He will not steal many bases, though he will not clog the bases either. One area of concern is the fact that Martinez has missed sizable chunks of time over the past two seasons due to injuries. In 2007, a wrist injury limited him to just 63 games, and this season the hamstring injury hampered his production considerably. Players who are often injured at a young age tend to have more difficulty in reaching their potential as they age. The Mets seem optimistic that this will not be a problem for Martinez.
2009 Projection: Martinez has wreaked havoc on pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League and has stayed healthy throughout. Expect the Mets to give F-Mart a long look this spring to assess where he is at in his development. It is doubtful that he will serve a third stint at Binghamton, so an April debut at AAA New Orleans seems in order. Keep an eye on Martinez's health this spring. If he can avoid injuries and prolonged slumps, it is very likely that he will get some late season AB's in a Mets uniform. That could only prove to be beneficial for many of his 2007 Bowman autographs.
Key Fernando Martinez Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Fernando Martinez Auto
- 2007 Bowman's Best Fernando Martinez Auto
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Fernando Martinez Auto
- 2007 Bowman Heritage Fernando Martinez
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Posted on 17 November 2008
H/W: 6-5 230 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 6/24/86
Calamitous, injury riddled, disappointing; these are just a few words that could describe Phil Hughes' anticipated foray into Yankee lore. Hughes was miserable in April compiling a 0-4 record with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.18 WHIP in 22 IP. Hughes then missed a considerable amount of the season recovering from a stress fracture in his rib. After a lengthy minor league rehab, Hughes returned to the Yankees and pitched well in a couple of September outings and his Arizona Fall League season, while it has had its ups and downs, has shown that Hughes is once again healthy. Hughes still has dynamite stuff His fastball can still hit 95 MPH and his curveball, slider and change are all potentially solid pitches. Some time and patience will be needed for the 22 year old hurler to regain his confidence and refine his control.
2009 Projection: Expect the Yankees to be cautious in bringing Hughes back. Given that he has thrown in the Arizona Fall League, it would make sense for Hughes to start the season at AA or AAA. The Yankees will be addressing the holes in their starting rotation with high priced free agent acquisitions, which should allow for Hughes to slowly work his way back into the New York spotlight. Skeptical and risk averse collectors have shied away from Hughes' various '04 rookie cards, but the market for his Bowman Chrome Draft and Donruss Elite Extra autographs could heat up again after a few successful outings.
Key Phil Hughes Baseball Cards:
- 2004 Bowman Chrome Draft Phil Hughes Auto
- 2004 Donruss Elite Extra Phil Hughes Auto #/1,485
- 2004 SP Prospects Phil Hughes Auto #/400
- 2004 Topps Chrome Update Phil Hughes
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Posted on 16 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 190 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/19/87
Brewer struggled mightily out of the '08 gate even though he was repeating at West Virginia. Regardless, the Brew Crew promoted him to High-A Brevard County where he performed better, especially after the All-Star break. Brewer has an exciting blend of tools including athleticism, speed, and power potential that ranks well above average. His long and lean frame indicates that he can develop 15-20 HR power as he matures, and his speed will allow for him to steal 30-40 bags each year. The fly in Brewer's ointment revolves around his rawness at the plate. True, he cut his strikeouts back from 170 in '07 to 111 last season and his walk rate remained the same but he needs to continue to increase his competence in working counts and making contact with off speed pitches as he progresses.
2009 Projection: There is good reason to think that his power will develop based on the 30 doubles he smacked in pitcher-friendly leagues last season. Look for Milwaukee to have Brewer repeat at Brevard County to start the season, with a trip to Huntsville being a distinct mid to late season possibility. The Brewers have J.J. Hardy manning the helm at shortstop for the next few seasons which should be more than enough time for Brewer to develop into a Brewer. Keep a close eye on his BB/K ratio and also to see if he can increase his SLG%. Brewer's skill set and ceiling is similar to that of Tampa Bay Rays star B.J. Upton. If he can refine his skills, his 2008 Donruss Threads autographs will be a worthwhile investment.
Key Brent Brewer Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2008 Donruss Threads Gold Auto #/470
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Posted on 15 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 210 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 1/5/86
Arencibia is another fast track Blue Jays slugger who had an immensely successful '08 campaign with a .298 27 HR 105 RBI line that included 36 doubles between High-A Dunedin and AA New Hampshire. Arencibia is a powerfully built, aggressive hitter who has big time home run power to all fields. He is also a very good defender with a strong arm and solid mobility behind the dish. The big caveat in Arencibia's game is his Read the full story
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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: 6-4 245 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: 6-2 215 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: 6-2 175 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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Paste the HTML code into your webpage Popularity: 10% [?]
H/W: 5-11 175 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/10/86
