MLB Prospect Watch

Nationals Acquire Rodriguez, Brown in Trade

In exchange for outfielder Josh Willingham, the Washington Nationals have acquired pitching prospect Henry Rodriguez and outfield prospect Corey Brown from the Oakland A's, reports Baseball America.  Both players could contribute to the Nationals as soon as 2011.

Rodriguez is a 23-year-old, hard-throwing right-hander who was used as a closer in Triple-A and should compete in a spot in the Nationals bullpen this season.  He fanned 31 batters in 21.2 IP in the Pacific Coast League last season.  Brown is a 25-year-old outfielder who hits from the left side and can play all three outfield positions.  He has displayed impressive power and speed throughout his minor league career but has always had issues making consistent contact.  He should compete for a spot in the Nationals outfield for next season.

 

 

 

Baseball America Hot Sheet

Baseball America has released their weekly Hot Sheet (which they do every Friday) and there are some of the same names as there were last week.  This week's prospects recognized for their efforts include:

• Lars Anderson
• Simon Castro
• Starlin Castro
• Jarred Cosart
• Wilmer Flores
• Grant Green
• Jay Jackson
• Andrew Lambo
• Jordan Lyles
• Eduardo Nunez
• Jake Odorizzi
• Dennis Raben
• Wilking Rodriguez
• Tony Sanchez
• Jerry Sands
• Justin Smoak
• Stephen Strasburg
• Trayce Thompson
• Josh Vitters

Unfortunately, there has to be a bad part of the list each week, and this week's members are Hector Rondon, Corey Brown, Matt Sweeney and Eric Arnett.

Best and Worst from 5/7

BEST

• Bill Rowell (BAL) - 2-3, HR, SB, batting .302
• Xavier Avery (BAL) - 3-4, 2 R, 2 3B, SB, batting .259
• Alex Buchholz (CIN) - 2-3, 3 RBI, HR, batting .257
• Cale Iorg (DET) - 2-3, 2 HR, batting .198
• Corey Brown (OAK) - 3-5, 4 RBI, 2B, 2 HR, batting .435
• Alex Liddi (SEA) - 3-4, 2B, HR, SB, 2 RBI, batting .380
• Brett Wallace (STL) - 3-5, batting .283
• Jarrod Parker (ARI) - 6 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 6 K/0 BB, 4.35 ERA
• Troy Patton (BAL) - 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K/1 BB, 0.95 ERA
• Chris Tillman (BAL) - 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 6 K/1 BB, 2.52 ERA
• Jay Jackson (CHC) - 7 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 10 K/1 BB, 4.94 ERA
• Will Inman (SD) - 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 5 K/1 BB, 3.38 ERA
• Mat Latos (SD) - 5 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K/2 BB, 0.00 ERA
• Blake Beavan (TEX) - 9 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 5 K/1 BB, 5.73 ERA

WORST

• Jeff Locke (ATL) - 5 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 2 K/1 BB, 3.77 ERA
• Phillip Humber (MIN) - 3 2/3 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 4 K/2 BB, 5.06 ERA
• Carlos Carrasco (PHI) - 5 1/3 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 3 K/1 BB, 5.46 ERA
• David Price (TB) - 4 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 0 K/5 BB, 4.74 ERA

Picks 56-60

60) Brandon Hamilton – DET

• Hamilton had immediate success in the Gulf Coast League in 2007 after being      drafted, then went back and dominated it in a repeat of the league at the      start of 2008. A promotion to Low-A ball brought about the inconsistency that scouts had seen from Hamilton in high school, as he walked 28 batters in 32 1/3 IP, after having walked 25 in 59 IP in the GCL. His control was never impeccable, but was good enough to get by given the quality of his stuff. His wildness in the Midwest League led to an 0-5 record and a 5.01 ERA. Look for the Tigers to send Hamilton, who will turn 20 this Christmas, back to Low-A ball to see if he can regain his consistency, before promoting him to the Florida State League.

59) Corey Brown – OAK

• It was not surprising to see the A’s go with an experienced college hitter with good plate discipline, and so far, Brown is showing everyone why that’s a      good strategy. Through a year and a half, Brown has put up a .869 OPS and has played strong enough defense to remain in centerfield. One red flag is his plate discipline, which came in as one of his strengths, but has deteriorated      proportionately as he moves up a level – he walked in 14.6 % of his at-bats in short-season ball, 11.9 % of his Midwest League AB’s (Low-A) and 7.9 % of his California League AB’s (High-A). He demonstrates good power for the      centerfield profile (30 HR’s in 2008), but strikes out a lot (249 K’s in 724 AB’s – 34 % of the time), so he will need to keep up his ability to get on base in order to maintain his value. It remains to be seen whether the A’s will have him start 2009 in the California League again or bump him up to Double-A.

58) Jonathan Bachanov – LAA

• Has yet to throw a professional pitch as he recovers from Tommy John Surgery.

57) Mitchell Canham – SD

• Canham’s story has been well documented, having overcome family problems in the past, and also having his rapping abilities featured during his time in the College World Series with Oregon State. From a baseball standpoint his leadership and hitting abilities are his best tools, as demonstrated by his .816 OPS in his first full season. He showed good plate discipline, gap power, and even stole 13 of 14 bases. Unfortunately, he threw out only 18.6 % of base stealers and allowed 21 passed balls, reaffirming the questions about his defense that were with him in the draft. His bat is good, but he really needs to      remain at catcher to retain his value as a major leaguer. Look for the Padres to continue to work with him behind the plate in hopes that he at least becomes adequate enough to get his bat in the lineup.

56) Trystan Magnuson – TOR

• A reliever who features two pitches, the Blue Jays naturally tried to make Magnuson a starter in his first taste of pro ball in 2008. The 6’8” Canadian from the University of Louisville demonstrated why he had pitched in the Cardinals’ bullpen his senior year, going 0-9 with a 5.40 ERA, walking 35 and striking out 49 in 81 2/3 innings. He was projected as having the potential to become a set-up man when he was drafted, and it appears his career might be headed back to that destination.