SF trades SP Tim Alderson to PIT for 2B Freddy Sanchez
Tim Alderson and fellow Giants prospect Madison Bumgarner were near the top of the discussion of the best 1-2 pitching combo in the minor leagues before the Giants traded him to Pittsburgh for Freddy Sanchez. Now in the Pirates organization, he immediately ranks as their top pitching prospect. Alderson features a two-seam fastball that sits between 88-92 with great movement, and a curveball that ranked as the top prep curveball in the 2007 draft. Alderson also has a changeup, and its development is the key to him becoming the frontline starter he is capable of becoming. The 6'6" 20-year old is currently holding his own in Double-A to the tune of a 6-1 record and a 3.47 ERA. Alderson will remain in Double-A and will play for the Altoona Curve in the Eastern League.
PHI trades SP Carlos Carrasco, INF Jason Donald, C Lou Marson, and SP Jason Knapp to CLE for SP Cliff Lee and OF Ben Francisco
The Indians may have raided the Phillies liquor cabinet in exchange for their former Cy Young Award Winner, but Phillies GM Ruben Amaro had the top-shelf stuff locked up somewhere else. The Phillies were forced to give up 4 of their top-10 prospects in order to get Cliff Lee, but they managed to hold on to their top pitching prospect SP Kyle Drabek, and their two top hitting prospects, OF's Michael Taylor and Dominic Brown.
The return for the Indians, however, is still very good. Carlos Carrasco was once the Phillies top pitching prospect, and can still become a top of the rotation starter for the Indians. Carrasco features a lively 91-94 mph fastball, an above-average changeup, and a curveball that will ultimately be the difference between him becoming an ace or a number 3 starter. Carrasco has had and up-and-down minor league career that has seen him battle through initial struggles at each level, only to overcome them and eventually dominate. The Phillies have pushed the 22-year old aggressively and the Indians will send Carrasco to Columbus (Triple-A), and he could see a late-season callup in Cleveland.
Jason Donald has bounced around the infield on his way through the Phillies organization, showing a capability to play both 3B and 2B, while scouts are mixed on his ability to remain at SS, his natural position. Despite his struggles at the plate in 2009 as he has battled injuries, Donald has hit at every level, showing a good eye at the plate and average to above-average power. He may be able to play shortstop in the major leagues initially, but will likely shift over to the other side of 2B or to 3B down the line. He could even end up playing a Mark Derosa-like super-utility role, and could do it in Cleveland as soon as this September. For now, Donald will join Carrasco in Columbus.
Lou Marson had a brief stint in the majors with Philadelphia earlier this year, and now joins a crowded Cleveland catching picture, with current Indians' catchers Victor Martinez and Kelly Shoppach already splitting time behind the plate, and the Indians' top prospect, catcher Carlos Santana having a great season in Double-A. Marson is no slouch as a prospect, but won't wow you either. He does nothing exceptionally well, but is solid in almost every aspect, grading out as a potential big league starter behind the plate. His best tools are his plate discipline and hitting ability, and is regarded as a good leader for a pitching staff. Marson will feel at home catching Carrasco and throwing to Donald in Columbus.
Jason Knapp could be the steal of this trade for the Indians. The Phillies stole Knapp in the 2nd round of last year's draft and snagged him with an above slot bonus. After an impressive stint in the Gulf Coast League in 2008, Knapp has dominated the Sally League in 2009. Ignore the 2-7 record and the 4.01 ERA and focus more on the 111 K's and 63 hits allowed in 85 1/3 IP to get the full picture. As with most prep pitchers in their first full year of pro ball, Knapp is still very raw. He must refine his slider and changeup in order to be effective at higher levels, but the Indians are excited about his raw stuff. Knapp will report to Lake County, also in the Sally League.
PIT trades SS Jack Wilson and SP Ian Snell to SEA for 1B Jeff Clement, INF Ronny Cedeno, and SP's Nathan Adcock, Brett Lorin, and Aaron Pribanic
Clement and Cedeno are prospect has-beens, but the Mariners also gave up a trio of potential starting pitchers in order to solidify their shortstop position. Nathan Adcock had his best full season in 2008, striking out nine and a half batters per 9 IP in the Midwest League. A 5th round pick out of high school back in 2006, Adcock has been inconsistent throughout his professional career, but the Pirates were intrigued by his mysteriously high K-rate last season after having never had a rate higher than 7.9 K/9. He will report to High-A Lynchburg.
Brett Lorin has the best chance to succeed of the Pirates new trio of pitchers. The 6'7" righty out of Cal State Long Beach has an ERA of exactly 3.00 during his professional career thus far, while striking out 148 batters in 141 innings. The biggest knock on Lorin may be that he has been old for his league at each stop, but giving up only 61 hits in 88 2/3 IP is good at any level. The Pirates have assigned Lorin to the Sally League, but look for him to be pushed aggressively if he continues to perform like this.
Aaron Pribanic was the Mariners' 3rd round selection in last year's draft, and has had a strong season in 2009 after a brief (yet rough) start in to his professional career in 2008. Pribanic sports a 3.21 ERA in 2009, but his inability to miss bats (only 54 K's in 87 IP) is worrisome for a 22-year old in the Midwest league. Pribanic will be assigned to the Sally League as well, and the Pirates have to hope he can continue to get outs on balls in play as he moves up the organizational ladder.
