MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - 8/18

• The Orioles managed to sign top draft pick Manny Machado just before the August 16th signing deadline, and after a physical, he should report to Sarasota and play in some Gulf Coast League games this season, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
• It's been a mixed season for Twins' OF prospects, as the team was forced to demote Joe Benson for a month to build his confidence enough to hit at Double-A, says Phil Miller of Baseball America, while fellow prospect Ben Revere was cementing his prospect status with another solid season until he was struck in the face by a pitch and saw his season come to an end, notes Stephanie Storm of MiLB.com.
• Andrew Lambo, who had begun to re-established his top-prospect status upon arriving in the Pirates' organization, suffered a separated shoulder this weekend, but will play through the discomfort, according to Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com.
• Nationals' prospect Destin Hood appears to be learning how to put his athleticism to good use on a baseball field, says Jim Shonerd of Baseball America.

Organizational Update - Washington Nationals

Time to get caught up...

The Nationals once barren system is now beginning to bear fruit.  For simplicity's sake here, I'll assume you already know all about Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen.

Michael Burgess - Stats

The problem with Burgess has always been consistent contact.  His second go-round in the Carolina League seems to have solved that problem for now, but Burgess is going to have to prove he can lower his strike out numbers without repeating a level.  This year's K-rate has dipped below the 20% sign, and his OPS has risen to .814 as a result, which could result in a promotion to Double-A and the next test for Burgess.

Paul Demny - Stats

Demny is repeating the Sally League largely because of his 5.14 ERA last season, but in spite of his 3.78 FIP.  The Nationals are probably thrilled with his "improvements" this season and his 2.77 ERA, despite his FIP of 3.81.  In other words, Demny is about the same pitcher he was last year, but a lot luckier.

Danny Espinosa - Stats

After a season flashing both power and patience, and the corresponding promotion to Double-A this season, Espinosa has struggled slightly against tougher competition, but no more so than a 25-point drop in his BABIP would suggest.  He's still displaying decent plate discipline and some power, so he's far from a lost cause, and may just take some time to adjust to Double-A pitching. 

Destin Hood - Stats

Hood is creeping up on his career high in games played in a season already in 2010, which signals part of the problem.  The other is his plate discipline, as his K/BB ratio through 144 career minor is 146/37.  This season's respectable .290 batting average is a product of his unsustainable .404 BABIP and 22% line drive rate, and even with a bit of good luck, his OPS still stands at just .693.

Jeff Kobernus - Stats

More was expected out of last year's second round pick than his current .235/.260/.261 line.  He's simply not displaying any power or plate discipline (26 K's against 4 BB's).  It's a surprising performance from a college draft pick, but if improvement isn't seen by the time short season ball opens up, a demotion could be in line.

Stephen Lombardozzi - Stats

The son of a former big leaguer, Lombardozzi has been the model of consistency throughout his professional career.  This season, the 2B has maintained his plate discipline while displaying slightly more extra base power, but still no home run ability.  Still, his .384 OBP alone will be enough to keep him around.

Chris Marrero - Stats

Finally in Double-A but still just 21-years-old, Marrero hasn't developed into the complete hitter the Nationals thought they were drafting in 2006, but he does have good power that plays in games.  His free-swinging tendencies may be his demise at the higher levels of the minors, but his .274/.322/.434 line this year at Harrisburg is enough to think that he may still be able to be an everyday player in the majors at some point.

Jack McGeary - Stats

McGeary has managed to get his control back to respectability after an extremely wild 2009 season, but still isn't missing quite enough bats to be truly effective.  He is also averaging less than 5 innings per start, which is due to the Nationals restrictions on him, but is also a bad sign for a pitcher in his 4th professional season, regardless of the educational commitments that made him a part-time player his first few seasons.

Derek Norris - Stats

The best prospect the Nationals have left in the minors after Strasburg and Storen's promotions, Norris has continued to display his impeccable plate discipline this season, but has seen his power zapped due to various injuries.  Even without power, his .277/.440/.369 line is impressive, even if it is only in 20 games.

Update on 2008 Draft Picks - NL East

Atlanta Braves

 

Top Picks

 

1s (40) Brett DeVall LHP

2009 Team: Rome (Low-A)

2009 Stats: 0-1, 1 GS, 3 2/3 IP, 4.91 ERA

 

2 (64) Tyler Stovall LHP

Has yet to make 2009 appearance

Went 1-1 in with 29 K’s in 20 innings and a 6.30 ERA in Gulf Coast League in 2008

 

2 (70) Zeke Spruill RHP

2009 Team: Rome (Low-A)

2009 Stats: 4-0, 4 GS, 26 1/3 IP, 2.39 ERA

 

Has continued his dominance of professional ball after a strong debut in the GCL last season.  Great stuff, but was considered raw.  Look for a mid-season promotion to be the real test.

 

3 (96) Craig Kimbrel RHP

2009 Team: Myrtle Beach (High-A)/Rome (Low-A)

2009 Stats: 10.97 in 10 relief appearances for Myrtle Beach.  Has pitched 2 scoreless innings for Rome.

 

Drafted as a reliever and being groomed as a closer, Kimbrell started in High-A after a dominant debut in 2008 (0.51 ERA with 56 K’s in 35 1/3 IP in the Appy, Sally, and Carolina Leagues).  After control issues (18 BB in 10 2/3 IP in 2009), he was demoted to Low-A Rome to get straightened out.

 

4 (130) Braeden Schlehuber C

2009 Team: Rome (Low-A)

2009 Stats: .159/.221/.222 in 63 AB’s

 

Worth Watching

 

11 (340) Richard Sullivan LHP

Has gone 4-1 with a 3.72 ERA and 27 to 5 K/BB ratio since promotion to High-A Myrtle Beach.  Batters are batting .306 off of him however.

 

26 (790) Calvin Culver OF

Has gone .333/.368/.556 in 18 AB’s for Low-A Rome.

 

Florida Marlins

 

Top Picks

 

1 (6) Kyle Skipworth C

2009 Team: Greensboro (Low-A)

2009 Stats: .191/.233/.309 in 68 AB’s

 

Marlins top pick has yet to hit as was expected.  Has shown a lack of discipline at the plate, as evidenced by his 24 to 4 K/BB ratio.  Is still very young (just turned 19) so it is way too early to judge, but early returns are concerning.

 

2 (52) Brad Hand LHP

2009 Team: Greensboro (Low-A)

2009 Stats: 1-2, 12.86 ERA in 4 starts.  17 K/16 BB in 14 IP

 

Hand looked to be one of the steals of the second round last year after posting a 2.64 ERA in 10 combined starts between the GCL and the New York-Penn League.  His 21 BB’s in 47 2/3 IP last year were a little high, but nothing like the lack of control he has displayed in 2009.  Strikeouts have increased, but hitters are hitting .355 off of him, so he must improve his fastball command.

 

3 (83) Edgar Olmos LHP

Has yet to make a 2009 appearance

Threw 1 2/3 IP in 2008, striking out 5 batters.

 

4 (118) Curtis Petersen RHP

Has yet to make a 2009 appearance

Posted a 9.64 ERA with 9 K/13 BB in 14 IP in GCL 2008

 

5 (148) Pete Andrelczyk RHP

2009 Team: Greensboro (Low-A)

2009 Stats: 0.59 ERA in 10 relief appearances with a 27 to 2 K/BB ratio in 15 1/3 IP.

 

Second go-round at Greensboro is going much better than his first, when he posted a 6.12 ERA in 2008.  Andrelczyk has recorded 3 saves for Greensboro in 2009, so the Marlins could view him as a potential late-inning reliever down the line.

 

Worth Watching

 

7 (208) Paul Gran 3B

Following up his .322/.387/.460 performance in NYP League in 2008 with a .291/.374/.384 line in Greensboro this season.  13 to 11 K/BB ratio shows a good adjustment from last season (56/23).

 

8 (238) Isaac Galloway OF

Toolsy outfielder hitting .286/.325/.442 at Greensboro.  Plate discipline is still an issue, but his 5 BB’s in 77 AB’s is already an improvement over the 4 BB’s he worked in 199 AB’s in 2008.

 

12 (358) Brandon Turner 2B

College hitter is proving that his 2008 success (.331/.372/.417) was more than a product of being more advanced than his NYP League counterparts by hitting .327/.435/.500 so far in 2009 at Greensboro.  5 to 9 K/BB ratio is also a drastic improvement over last years 30 to 9 rate.

 

15 (448) Johnny Dorn RHP

College pitcher who showed he was more advanced than his NYP League competition in 2008 (2.95 ERA in 16 starts) is continuing his success at Greensboro (Low-A).  Through 6 starts, Dorn is 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA and a 23 to 6 K/BB ratio.  Without dominant stuff, he will be challenged at higher levels, but early returns are good.

 

New York Mets

 

1 (18) Ike Davis 1B

2009 Team: St. Lucie (High-A)

2009 Stats: .300/.391/.440

 

Power has begun to come around in 2009 after going homerless in 215 AB’s in 2008.

 

1 (22) Reese Havens SS

2009 Team: St. Lucie (High-A)

2009 Stats: .284/.378/.549, 6 HR in 102 AB

 

Inconsistent and relegated to DH in 2008, the Mets second 1^st rounder has broken out as a hitter and is finally getting to play the field for St. Lucie.

 

1s (33) Brad Holt RHP UNC

2009 Team: St. Lucie (High-A)

2009 Stats: 2-1, 4.38 ERA, 25 K/8 BB in 24 2/3 IP

 

After having pitched in the ACC in college, the NYP League was no contest for Holt.  The Florida State League is proving to be more challenging, but Holt is holding his own against more advanced competition.  His numbers are skewed by a poor first outing in which he gave up 9 ER in 3 2/3 IP.

 

2 (68) Javier Rodriguez OF

Has yet to make a 2009 appearance.

Batted .193/.258/.237 in GCL in 2008.

 

3 (100) Kirk Nieuwenhuis OF

2009 Team: St. Lucie (High-A)

2009 Stats: .257/.342/.485

 

Nieuwenhuis is displaying more power this season then he did in 2008 when he posted a .277/.348/.396 in 285 at-bats in the NYP League.  The 25 to 9 K/BB ratio  is still concerning for a player with only moderate power.

 

4 (134) Sean Ratliff OF

2009 Team: Savannah (Low-A)

2009 Stats: .346/.381/.551

 

College hitter is experiencing quite an offensive turnaround after struggling in the NYP League last year to the tune of .229/.300/.388.

 

5 (164) Dock Doyle C

Has yet to make a 2009 appearance.

.303/.382/.389 in 175 AB in 2008 in NYP League

 

Worth Watching

 

6 (194) Josh Satin 2B

Good contact hitter who is following up his .303/.370/.503 performance in 2008 with a .352/.426/.409 performance in 2009 in the Sally League (Low-A).  Power is down, but BA and plate discipline are up, but so are K’s.

 

9 (284) Eric Beaulac RHP
31 K’s in 20 2/3 IP in Sally League brings Beaulac to 91 K in 61 2/3 IP for pro career.

 

11 (344) Jeff Kaplan RHP

College pitcher has 1.00 ERA through 4 starts in Sally league (Low-A).

13 (404) Scott Shaw RHP

Career K/BB ratio of 108 to 21 in 103 professional innings between NYP League (2008) and Florida State League (2009).

 

22 (674) Chris Schwinden RHP

0.82 ERA in 2 starts for Savannah (Low-A) after posting a 2.01 ERA in 14 appearances (8 starts) in 2008.

 

 28 (854) Jimmy Johnson LHP

Has given up 0 HR in 51 1/3 professional innings.  Has walked only 1 batter in 15 1/3 IP in 2009 for Savannah (Low-A) while striking out 17.

 

Philadelphia Phillies

 

1 (24) Anthony Hewitt SS

Has yet to make 2009 appearance.

Struggled through .197/.256/.299 line and 55 K’s in 117 GCL at-bats.

 

1s (34) Zach Collier OF

2009 Team: Lakewood (Low-A)

2009 Stats: .264/.312/.402

 

Raw speedster is 11-for-11 in SB’s in professional ball, but needs to improve on career 51 to 23 K/BB ratio if he wants to be a top of the order hitter.

 

2 (51) Anthony Gose OF

2009 Team: Lakewood (Low-A)

2009 Stats: .237/.279/.340

 

Similar player to Collier with raw tools and speed, but needs even more refinement, especially on plate discipline (career 38 to 5 K/BB ratio in 136 pro AB).

 

2 (71) Jason Knapp RHP

2009 Team: Lakewood (Low-A)

2009 Stats: 2-2, 2.73 ERA, 41 K/9 BB in 29 2/3 IP

 

Prep pitcher dominated the GCL in his pro debut, and that success has carried over into the Sally League, where hitters are batting only .180 off Knapp.

 

 3 (102) Vance Worley RHP

2009 Team: Reading (Double-A)

2009 Stats: 2-0, 2.37 ERA

 

College pitcher moved quickly during his debut in 2008, pitching in both the GCL and Sally Leagues.  Worley made the jump to Double-A in 2009 and has held his own against advanced competition.

 

3s (110) Jon Pettibone RHP

Has yet to make 2009 debut.

Threw only 1 inning in 2008.

 

4 (136) Trevor May RHP

Has yet to make 2009 debut.

3.75 ERA in 12 IP in GCL in 2008

 

Worth Watching

 

11 (346) Mike Stutes RHP

College pitcher dominated lesser competition in 2008 (7-2, 1.42, 84 K in 69 2/3 IP in 2008 between GCL and Sally League), but is following that up with an impressive start after jump to Double-A (3-0, 2.88, 24 K/8 BB in 25 IP).

 

13 (406) B.J. Rosenberg RHP

Closer prospect is continuing to demonstrate ability to get hitters to swing-and-miss with 15 K in 10 2/3 IP in Sally League in 2009 after striking out 52 in 36 IP in NYP League in 2008.

 

Washington Nationals

1 (9) Aaron Crow RHP

Did not sign

 

2 (55) Destin Hood OF

Has yet to make 2009 debut.

.256/.333/.349 in GCL in 2008.

 

 

3 (87) Danny Espinosa SS

2009 Team: Potomac Nationals (High-A)

2009 Stats: .302/.434/.547

 

Switch-hitter is displaying the power in 2009 that was the only thing lacking in his 2008 performance of .328/.476/.359.  College hitter is showing no ill-effects of jumping a level from last year, and even his plate discipline is good, with a 22 to 18 K/BB ratio.

 

4 (121) Graham Hicks LHP

Has yet to make 2009 debut.

Posted 1.80 ERA in 2 starts in 2008.

 

 

5 (151) Adrian Nieto C

Has yet to make 2009 debut.

Hit .217/.308/.348 in 2008 in GCL.