Triple-A Iowa (Pacific Coast League; 9-9)
With Felix Pie and Rocky Cherry now in the big
leagues, we’re left with little to talk about. The two best offensive
prospects on the team, third baseman
second baseman Eric Patterson (.239/.300/.261) are both struggling early
in the season, not that there is an immediate opportunity awaiting them in the
bigs, anyway. The I-Cubs most impressive pitcher has been Carlos Marmol,
who still has a power arm and is showing much-improved control this year with
24 strikeouts and just four walks in 16.1 innings.
Double-A Tennessee (Southern League; 9-7)
Another frustrating year for first baseman Brian Dopirak,
who took 30+ at-bats to hit his first home run of the year, and then got hurt
again. Jake Fox (.321/.339/.518) has built on his Florida State League breakout season in 2006, but he’s no longer catching, which limits hilong term future. The team’s best hitter has been Josh Kroeger (.365/.389/.500), but the former Arizona prospect is now no more than an organizational player. While the pitching staff has been solid overall with a team ERA of 3.62, top prospect Donald Veal has struggled in three outings,
with a 9.00 ERA and 13 walks in 12 innings. Righthander Sean Gallagher
is living up to expectations with a 3.12 ERA in three starts with 17 whiffs in
17.1 innings. The big surprise so far has been 2005 third-round pick
Holliman
High-A Daytona (Florida State League; 9-8)
A prospect-free lineup other than 2006 first-round pick
Colvin
but like older brother Jeremy, Mark doesn’t offer much in the ways of power or
patience, so he needs to hit .300+ to be valuable. Instead, he’s hitting
.243/.263/.243. All eyes have been on Jeff Samardzija after his gigantic contract. The good news is a 2.40 ERA in three starts, the bad news is a grand total of four strikeouts in 15 innings. He’s still a project and worth nowhere near what he got. After finishing among the Midwest League leaders in wins, ERA and strikeouts last year,
for the same in ’07, with a 2.14 ERA in four starts, as well as 17 strikeouts
in 21 innings with just 13 hits allowed. He’s a sinker/slider guy who’s yet to
wow scouts.
Low-A Peoria (Midwest League; 9-7)
2005 first-round pick Mark Pawelek made two
appearances, gave up four runs in four innings and got send back to extended
spring training, sounding off plenty of alarms, as his stuff has gone
considerably backwards since being drafted. Third baseman
Dominican catcher
runs while showing plus defensive skills.
Triple-A Louisville (International League; 8-9)
While other elite pitchers at Triple-A have shown at least
flashes of greatness, we’re still waiting on Homer Bailey to do so. The
1.76 ERA is sparkling to be sure, but the 11/8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 15.1
innings is hardly inspiring. More disappointing has been Joey Votto.
All but handed the first base job in 2008 when
contract is up, Votto is batting just .172/.329/.293 – so at least he’s drawing
walks. The most pleasant surprise has been lefty Phil Dumatrait, as the
2000 first-round pick by the Red Sox has a 0.38 ERA in four starts, giving up
just 12 hits in 23.2 innings.
Double-A Chattanooga (Southern League; 7-11)
The offense is stagnant, batting a composite .231/.304/.333,
as nobody on the team has an OPS over .800. Shortstop Paul Janish
(.269/.380/.358) is doing what he does best – reaching base and playing
outstanding defense. The best starter on the team is former University of Texas dropout Sam Lecure, who has a 1.93 ERA and more than a strikeout per
inning in three starts. Sleeper alert goes to reliever Calvin Medlock.
He’s about as big as Dustin Pedroia, but he’s got a solid fastball and a
plus changeup. Since giving up two runs on five hits in his season debut,
Medlock has fired 9.2 shutout innings, allowing two hits and punching out 14.
High-A Sarasota (Florida State League; 13-4)
So far so good for uber-prospect Jay Bruce, who is
batting .343/.400/.597, although he has struck out 19 times in 67 at-bats.
Outfielder
with a .200 batting average and 16 strikeouts in 50 at-bats. The team’s best
hitter has been first baseman
his name remains much better than his prospect status. The organization’s most
interesting rotation has gotten mediocre results from Johnny Cueto,
Gardner
Low-A Dayton (Midwest League; 12-2)
There’s some breakouts going on in Dayton among position player prospects.
2006 first-round pick Drew Stubbs is silencing critics so far
by batting .350/.400/.483 with a greatly reduced strikeout rate (13 in 60 at-bats).
He could be in Sarasota by mid-season. Building on his surprising debut is
shortstop Chris Valaika, who still hasn’t struggled in pro ball. Currently batting .411/.443/.571 in 14 games, he now sports a
career batting average of .338, and like Stubbs, could move quickly in preparation
for a 2008 campaign beginning in Double-A. Bryan Smith spent
some time yesterday praising
numbers at .294/.390/.392, outstanding fundamentals, top of the order makeup,
and scouting reports that wonder what to make of an undersized right-handed
hitter with limited secondary skills. Even more fun on the mound as
Gonzalez
up to some gaudy scouting reports has given up just two runs in 17.1 innings.
Reds sleeper alert No. 2 goes to righty Daryl Thompson. Acquired
from the Nats in last-year’s Kearns/Lopez deal, Washington liked Thompson’s
stuff, but had trouble keeping him healthy. He’s 100% now and has given up
one run in 17 innings with 13 strikeouts and just one walk.
Triple-A Round Rock (Pacific Coast League; 9-10)
Following a remarkable spring training, outfielder
Pence
.342/.405/.579 overall. He’s still on pace to show up once the Craig Biggio
death march to 3,000 ends. Fellow outfielder Josh Anderson is still
very fast, and has proven to have just enough offensive skills to be a decent
bench outfielder. Expected to be one of the team’s strong points, the rotation
has been a let down so far, with only
up to expectations so far. While he’s not striking out hitters at last year’s
ridiculous pace, reliever Paul Estrada has 12 whiffs in 10.2 innings and should get a look-see at some point during the year.
Double-A Corpus Christi (Texas League; 6-11)
At some point, we have to give
as at least a decent prospect, even if he is small, 24 years old and limited
to second base. Entering the season with career averages of .313/.379/.420,
Ash is off to a .345/.410/.455 start and has struck out just twice in 55
at-bats. Catcher
skills to get there, and it’s not like the incumbent provides an immense
roadblock. On the mound, southpaw Troy Patton (2.88
ERA) still has yet to dominate at Double-A, with just 14 strikeouts in 25
innings. After a breakout campaign last year, righty
been roughed up for 14 hits and eights runs in a pair of starts, as his
don’t-throw-hard-but-throw-strikes strategy has seemingly hit its logical wall.
High-A Salem (Carolina League; 8-7)
It’s a lineup filled with could-have-beens as Eli Iorg
(.271/.327/.333) is older and unproductive,
shortstop
make his outstanding glove work worth a darn. Even better prospects like
catcher
least speedy outfielder
start. 2006 second-round pick
2.16 ERA in three starts and a WHIP under one. The Astros think they have
something in righty
just nine hits and one earned run in 20 innings.
Low-A Lexington (South Atlantic League; 8-10)
First-round pick Max Sapp got a mulligan for his disappointing
pro debut as he was in over his head in the New York-Penn League, but after
getting out of the gate at .129/.349/.161, concerns are being raised. Last
year’s fourth-round pick, corner infielder
more impressive at .328/.373/.525 while showing the rare combination of power
and contact skills. Scouts like righty
peripherals (eights hits and 15 strikeouts in 12.2 innings) are much better
than his 5.68 ERA.
Triple-A Nashville (Pacific Coast League; 12-6)
Memo to Brewers: You want a shot at running away with the NL
Central crown? Get Yovani Gallardo into the rotation and Ryan Braun
into the lineup – now. Early panic struck in Brewer Nation when the former surrendered
four runs over five innings in his season debut, but one scout in attendance
still gave him a glowing review, citing some bad defensive breaks. Since then,
more has been going his way, as in his last three outings he’s allowed just
seven hits in 18 innings with 26 strikeouts. As for Braun, he’s hitting a
measly .338/.423/.765, and more importantly to team brass, has committed just
one error. Remember
despite doing almost nothing since, with his .326/.370/.581 line possibly being
a bit of too little, too late.
opportunity with 9.1 shutout innings of relief.
Double-A Huntsville (Southern League; 8-8)
Like Nelson, catcher
former prospect than anything else, but his bizarre .364/.511/.515 line,
bolstered by 11 walks in 33 at-bats gives some room for optimism. Always
promising yet always injured, lefty Manny Parra has been outstanding in
three starts, striking out 21 and walking just four in 18.1 innings. Former
big leaguer Grant Balfour, trying to work his way back, has stated his
case strongly with 19 strikeouts in 9.1 innings. Also in the bullpen, sleeper
candidate
innings.
High-A Brevard County (Florida State League; 8-8)
Repeating at High-A, slick-fielding shortstop
Escobar
average, but unfortunately, that’s also his slugging percentage. Top 10
prospects Lorenzo Cain (.192/.236/.192), Mat Gamel (.262/.314/.323)
and Cole Gillespie (.237/.324/.407) are also off to slow starts, with the
offense has been carried by 2006 draftee Chris Errecart (.391/.426/.500).
On the mound,
categorizations by allowing one earned run over 16.2 innings with 22
strikeouts.
Low-A West Virginia (South Atlantic League; 12-3)
After leading the Sally League in stolen bases last year, outfielder
Ford
11 stolen bases. Also running wild with eight stolen bases is the well-regarded
and aptly named
nearly as impressive with the bat (.271/.328/.373). Righthander
Braddock
Ten Pack.
Triple-A Indianapolis (International League; 10-6)
With Ronny Paulino doing nothing at the big league
level, catcher Ryan Doumit could be on the verge of another opportunity thanks to a .426/.517/.702 batting line that includes 15 RBIs in 14 games. Center fielder
draft pick who’s trying to come back from surgery. The good news is that 2003
number one overall pick Bryan Bullington has looked pretty good, though his ERA 1.52 doesn’t line up well with his 13/10 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 23.2 innings. The bad news is that the window of opportunity is nearly closed for Sean Burnett (4.35 ERA with six strikeouts in 20.2 innings) and
Van Benschoten
Double-A Altoona (Eastern League; 7-7)
After a miserable start, top prospect
his last five games. Catcher-turned-third baseman Neil Walker is
batting .314, but without power or patience, his triple-slash line is a far
less impressive .314/.333/.431. Given nearly $2 million in the offseason as a
Cuban import,
High-A Lynchburg (Carolina League; 6-7)
First baseman Steven Pearce (.265/.351/.653) continues his bashing ways with five home runs in 49 at-bats, but he’s 24 and in High A, and needs a more appropriate test of his skills. After driving in 100+ runs last year, outfielder
.216/.255/.373. From the “Remember Me?” files comes former Baltimore first-round pick
(5.79). The Pirates hoped reliever
Low-A Hickory (South Atlantic League; 7-8)
After a lost 2006 season, ultra-athletic
he’s 24 and needs to get going. Another polished college product, local hero
Jim Negrych (he rewrote the record book at Pitt) is hitting .326/.392/.442
against much younger competition. Sleeper alert goes to the more age-appropriate Jamie Romak. Acquired from the Braves in the Adam LaRoche deal, Romak’s big time raw power has been on display early on, as he leads the team with four bombs while batting .313/.433/.646. Just a warning however – those averages are going to be hard to maintain with his strikeout rate (18 in 48 at-bats). With a team ERA of 5.99, the pitching staff has been as bad as the offense has been good. A pair of high 2006 draftees, lefty
Triple-A Memphis (Pacific Coast League; 9-10)
Outfielder (that’s right, outfielder) Rick Ankiel has
a strange batting line of .235/.280/.588, which tells you everything you need
to know about him as a hitter – very raw, massive power. There’s little else
to talk about in lineup filled with has been and retreads. Former top prospect
Chris Narveson‘s remarkable comeback from shoulder surgery and years of
ineffectiveness could end with a big league look soon after a recent five-hit
complete game. After nearly making the big league squad out of spring
training, reliever Dennis Dove (4.50 ERA) is scuffling a bit.
Double-A Springfield (Texas League; 5-9)
The Cardinals rushed a pair of very young players to
Double-A, and while top prospect Colby Rasmus (.211/.297/.386) is struggling,
Bryan Anderson (.316/.366/.553) is beginning to establish himself as one
of the better catching prospects around. Joining Rasmus in the struggling
department is 2006 draftee
first-round pick Tyler Greene (.191/.255/.340), as the shortstop looks
incapable of hitting anything other than Midwest League pitching. On the
mound, lefty
High-A Palm Beach (Florida State League; 9-7)
After an impressive pro debut, first baseman Mark Hamilton (.147/.194/.294), while outfielder
a bad, bad idea. 2006 first-round pick Adam Ottavino (2.75 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 19.2 innings) has been impressive, while last June’s
third-rounder,
Low-A Quad Cities (Midwest League; 9-9)
It’s a weak lineup on a talent level, as the best prospect
on the team, outfielder
more tools than talent. He at least shows a good approach. The best
statistical performer is catcher
Low A but also entering his eighth pro year. The pitching staff also offers
little to get excited about, although 2006 second-round pick
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