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November 5, 2007

Future Shock

Monday Ten Pack

by Kevin Goldstein

RHP Jake Arrieta, Phoenix Desert Dogs (Orioles)

Arrieta is becoming an offseason Ten Pack regular, as the Orioles keep pitching him an inning at a time, and he keeps putting up zeroes. At this point it’s gone from “nice start” to “downright impressive,” as Arrieta had his best outing yet on Saturday, striking out all three batters he faced. So far, the Orioles fifth-round pick who got first-round money has put together 12 scoreless innings over 10 appearances, while allowing just six hits and striking out 13. It’s a little too early to call him a steal, and his disappointing final college season is still in the back of people’s minds, but his timetable is on the verge of getting accelerated.

RHP Daniel Bard, Honolulu Sharks (Red Sox)

Friday’s Boston prospect rankings, like any prospect list, generated a lot of email. Most of it concerned guys who didn’t make it, like Brandon Moss or Craig Hansen, but nobody asked about Daniel Bard. Twelve months ago, that wouldn’t have been the case, because last year at this time, Bard was a highly regarded first-round pick who could touch 100 mph, although he had some issues when it came to command and secondary stuff. This year, the wheels fell off. Beginning the year at High-A and then spending the majority of the year at Low-A after a demotion, Bard finished the year with a 7.08 ERA and 78 walks in 75 innings. Using the Hawaii Winter League as an opportunity to find the magic once again, the good news is that Bard has a 0.69 ERA in 13 innings while allowing just seven hits. The bad news is that he’s walked 11. It doesn’t matter how hard you throw if you have no idea where it is going.

OF-L Kyler Burke, Honolulu Sharks (Cubs)