45) Justin Jackson - TOR
- So far in his short pro career, Jackson has proven the Blue Jays right with his glove, but wrong with his bat. Overlook his 26 errors in 2008, scouts love his polish at shortstop ans his arm strength. At the plate, he has demonstrated gap power (26 2B, 6 3B in 121 games in Low-A), but unfortunately, also an uncanny ability for striking out. He showed an ability to take a walk (62 BB) but struck out 154 times, leading to a .238 BA, but an almost respectable .340 OBP. If he can refine his hitting to the point where he can put a few more balls in play and use his speed, he will become an effective enough hitter to be a major league shortstop. Expect him to move up to High-A Dunedin in 2009 after having spent all of 2008 in the Midwest League.
44) Neil Ramirez - TEX
- The results thus far have been good for the Rangers and their pick of prep righty Ramirez, if only he can stay healthy. Ramirez missed some time during his senior year of high school, battled injuries early in 2008 and then ended his season early when he broke his hand slamming it in a door. In between, however, Ramirez looked like the real deal. In 44 IP in the Northwest League, he struckout 52 batters and gave up only 25 hits. He did walk 29 batters though. The Rangers hope better control will come with more experience. There should be no lingering effects from his broken hand since he has had the entire off-season to recover. The Rangers would like to increase Ramirez's workload and see if he can make a full season's worth of starts. Look for that to happen at Low-A Clinton.
43) Jackson Williams - SF
- When the Giants drafted Williams with the 43rd overall pick, they did so knowing his reputation as one of the best defensive catcher in the draft, but also his reputation of being a lightweight with the bat. At this point, calling Williams a lightweight is an insult to lightweight boxers everywhere. Over the course of 442 ABs between 3 levels in 2007 and 2008, Williams has hit .213 and has only 25 extra-base hits. He has also struck out over 20 % of the time he stepped to the plate. It appears even his ceiling of being an average hitter is now out of reach. His defensive performance has been as strong as expected, with Williams throwing out 44% of base stealers, but if he never hits, he profiles as a career backup catcher at best, and even that will require some improvement at the plate. The real question is was it worth a Supplemental 1st round pick on a player who had the possibility of never being able to hit at the major league level, regardless of his skills as a catcher?
42) Eddie Kunz - NYM
- You've likely heard of Kunz for a number of reasons. He was a major part of the Oregon State bullpen that helped the Beaver's win the 2006 NCAA College World Series. He plays for an organization based in New York. And he's already made it to the major leagues. While his 2 2/3 innings with the Mets were less than what he had hoped (13.50 ERA), Kunz will likely be a significant part of the Mets 2009 bullpen after having been on the same fast track that many college relievers are put on upon reaching the minor leagues. Kunz's career minor league ERA of 3.95 is unspectacular at best, but the majority of his playing time came this season in Double-A, where he was the closer for the Binghamton Mets where he had 27 saves and a 2.79 ERA. Kunz surrendered only 1 homerun in 66 minor league innings. With the injury to Billy Wagner, the Mets are in the market for a closer during this off-season. If they don't shell out the big bucks for Francisco Rodriguez or manage to woo Brian Fuentes to New York, look for Kunz to make a push at the closer's role in Spring Training.
41) Sean Doolittle - OAK
- Any doubts about Doolittle's power potential coming out of the University of Virginia (and there were many) were verified during his brief appearance in 2007 (4 HR's in 239 AB's), but were then shot down by his 2008 performance (25 2B, 18 HR, .560 SLG) in the hitter friendly California League. How much of his power surge can be attributed to playing in a hitter's haven remains to be seen, but after his 86 game outburst to start 2008, he was bumped up to the Texas League, and reverted back to his power-less days (4 HR's in 201 AB's). Playing primarily 1B, Doolittle will have to show he has power outside of the California League in order to have any value in Oakland. He does demonstrate good plate discipline, so he can can be effective without hitting homeruns, but slugging over .400 would be a nice start. Expect him to head back to Double-A to start 2009.
