From overrated to underrated?

Wilin Rosario, C, Rockies (AFL: Scottsdale)
Yesterday's stats:3-for-4, 2 HR (3), 3 R, 3 RBI, SB

After a breakout year in the Pioneer League in 2008, Rosario hit just .266/.297/.404 at High-A Modesto this season, but there are plenty of mitigating factors, as he was one of the youngest players in the league at the toughest position and constantly beset by injuries. He clearly found a grove towards the end of the season, batting .319/.365/.507 after the break, and now he's swinging the bat well in Arizona. Ignore the overall numbers; he's still an outstanding catching prospect.

More convincing than ever

Andrew Cashner, RHP, Cubs (AFL: Mesa)
Yesterday's stats: 4 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

After giving up three runs over two innings in his first start for the Solar Sox, Cashner has given up just one in his last three—a span of 11 2/3 innings. The 2008 first-round pick has been sitting at 93-97 mph with his fastball, to go with his plus to plus-plus slider and, arguably more importantly, he's been throwing a ton of strikes, including 35 of 49 pitches on Thursday. The debates as to his future being a reliever or starter still goes on, but more and more are ending up on the side of the latter.

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Hitting a wall

Mark Rogers, RHP, Brewers (AFL: Peoria Javelinas)
Yesterday's stats: 0.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Rogers was such a nice story this year. After missing all of 2007 and 2008 with a variety of shoulder problems and surgeries, he pitched every five days in short stints for High-A Brevard County, putting up a 1.67 ERA with more than a strikeout per inning. Even more promising was that the fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft was getting up to the mid-90s with his fastball. While he pitched just 64 2/3 innings, he stayed healthy, and one wondered what he could do once the reigns were loosened a bit. The Arizona Fall League has been a disaster however, as Rogers now sports a 17.61 ERA in six appearances, and even more concerning is the fact that he's clearly tired, sitting at just 90-92 mph while his control has abandoned him. If 70 innings is too much for his ravaged arm, that's not a good thing.

Rolling into 2010

Alcides Escobar, SS, Brewers (VEN: Lara)
Yesterday's stats: 3-for-4, R, 2 RBI, SB

After batting .304/.333/.368 during the final six weeks of the regular season in the big leagues, Escobar seems lined up to assume everyday shortstop duties for the Brewers in 2010, and he's still hitting back home in Venezuela. Of course, nearly any kind of offense from him is gravy, as his defense is so spectacular, but the real story here might end up being what the Brewers end up doing . . . or getting for J.J. Hardy.

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Jack of all trades

Marcus Lemon, IF/OF, Rangers (AFL: Surprise)
Yesterday's stats:4-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI

Marcus Lemon isn't going to make anyone's prospect list, nor should he, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a future. After splitting time between second base and shortstop at Double-A Frisco during the regular season, Lemon is now adding center field to his resume in Arizona, while batting .313/.371/.469 in 10 games. As a left-handed batter with a good approach, gifted with the kind of fundamentals one expects from the son of big leaguer, and theoretically possessing the ability to play five positions, he'll get there.

He reminds me of someone, and not necessarily in a good way

Wilkin Ramirez, OF, Tigers (DOM: Licey)
Yesterday's stats: 2-for-4, RBI

Ramirez is a difficult player to evaluate. Always one of the toolsier players in Detroit system, he's made significant progress in translating those tools to skills. In the last two years, he's slugged 36 home runs and stolen 60 bases, but there's still the hack-tastic approach keeping him back. The Tigers don't really have a spot for him and, if anything, he's reminiscent of another toolsy Dominican who once roamed the Detroit outfield: Juan Encarnacion.

An opportunity to rant

Chris Marrero, 1B, Nationals (AFL: Phoenix)
Yesterday's stats: 2-for-6

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