PEBA Minor League Organizational Reports: Part 4
PEBA Minor League Organizational Reports: Part 4
Wednesday, August 7, 2009
EDITOR’S NOTE – This is the final part of the series. The previous parts can be found here: Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3
Organizational Rank – Nineteenth
Average Rank – 16.61
Strengths – Starting pitching
Weaknesses – Catcher, first base, second base, depth
Top Hitting Prospect: Dennis Stewart – 2008 draft, round 3, pick 11, 59th overall.
Hit very well in his first season at pro ball last year, batting .333 with a .382 OBP in 279 at-bats, but for some inexplicable reason is repeating the level as a 23-year-old where he has a real advantage against the generally much younger competition. Stewart’s limited range make him a better fit at a corner outfield spot, as does his lack of speed. He also may only hit for moderate power, making him project as nothing more than a run-of-the-mill corner outfielder at best. Needs to move up a level to be better evaluated against more appropriate competition.
Spotlight On: Brandon Collins – 2007 inaugural draft, round 52, pick 14, 1238th overall.
In his third year at AA, “The Beast” is batting .297 with a .416 OBP and is finally starting to show some power, having hit 13 home runs so far this season. Will work pitchers and draw his share of walks, but will also rack up the strikeouts as well. Has good power to the gaps and some moderate home run power, but it remains to be seen if he has the ability to maintain a decent batting average as he climbs the ladder. His skills at first base would be rather good, but at third base his lack of range combines with a slightly above average arm to make him an average player at best at the hot corner. Scouts like his makeup, but needs to move up a level to be properly evaluated.
Newcomer Spotlight: Chris Greene – 2009 draft, round 11, pick 18, 258th overall.
Nothing to get terribly excited about in his college numbers, but has batted .317 in very limited playing time in his first season of pro ball. Probably needs to repeat the level and get more playing time, but numbers like that merit a deeper look. Scouts think he might have just a bit of power but doubt he has much plate discipline or will ever hit for average.
Top Pitching Prospect: Roberto Rodríguez – Signed as a minor league free agent, 1-28-2007.
After 2.5 seasons of solid numbers at the A level, Rodríguez is finally getting a shot at the AA level, where he is 5-1, 2.25 in his first 8 starts. More importantly, he has begun really racking up the punch outs: 77 in 56 innings of work. Can hit 94 on the gun, possesses a 5-pitch arsenal and has shown the ability to pitch smartly. He is beginning to look like a solid front of the rotation candidate sometime in the very near future.
Spotlight On: Bryan Hanson – 2007 draft, round 1, pick 14.
Big right-hander who throws in the low 90s, Hanson had some misadventures at A-ball in 2007, as the first round pick was overmatched at the level. He rebounded nicely at short season ball in 2008 and has returned to A-ball in 2009, where he pitching much better in his second shot at the level, going 8-4, 2.12 in 15 starts. We are really starting to see a jump in the strikeout rate as well. Presently scouts as a back end of the rotation type starter, but the recent numbers suggest he could be more than that.
Newcomer Spotlight: Tokimasa Daisen – 2009 draft, round 4, pick 18, 90th overall.
Soft-tossing right-hander with limited endurance, Daisen's K:BB ratio at the college level made him worth a look, especially in what was considered a weak draft for pitching. Has been decent but nothing special so far at short season ball: 3-3, 3.47 in 10 starts. Should have decent control but nothing else really to get excited about here. He could someday be a mop-up man/emergency starter at the PEBA level, but hard to project him as much more than that.
Palm Springs Summary – The Codgers have the luxury of being able to sign top dollar free agents, and have a knack for plugging their holes through key trades at the trading deadline. It is a formula that has worked to keep the Codgers in contention so far, but as they continue to trade away their young talent and draft picks, the farm system slides deeper into the abyss. At some point this may come back to haunt Palm Springs.
Organizational Rank – Twentieth
Average Rank – 16.71
Strengths – Infield, but that is average at best
Weaknesses – Pitching, depth, age, talent level
Top Hitting Prospect: Will George – 2007 draft, round 1, pick 17 by the Tempe Knights. Traded to San Antonio Calzones of Laredo, 11-2-2008 along with C Brock Brett, 2B Miguel Angel González, a 1st round draft pick and a 4th round draft pick in exchange for 1B Octávio Pexego, SS Charles Randall, SP Jeff Fish, MR Ichiyo Sekiguchi and SS Chet Davis. Traded to Omaha Cyclones, 12-17-2008 along with C Lorenzo Vega in exchange for SP Norris Moncreiff and SP Kisho Ageda.
Another former Tempe player taken highly in the draft who is prospering in a different farm system. After being “Hancocked” all the way to AAA at way too young an age by Tempe in 2008, Omaha has let George settle in at A-ball – an appropriate level for a 20-year-old ballplayer. He has responded with the first consistent production of his young career, batting .302 with a .380 OBP. Shows the ability to be a good pure hitter with very good plate discipline, but probably lacks the power one would normally look for in a corner infielder. Has mediocre skills at the hot corner that are at least partially covered up by his very strong throwing arm. A bit on the small side but has no speed. Will really need to post solid on base percentages if he going to be an asset to a team, but just may have the ability to do that.
Spotlight On: Francisco Pérez – 2008 draft, round 9, pick 13, 205th overall.
Hit .307 in his first taste of pro ball at short season in 2008. Is batting .298 at A-ball in his second season of pro ball, and is beginning to display a bit of power as well. Has enough speed to be a modest threat on the base paths. Scouts think he may develop some moderate power, and he has very good skills in the outfield. Just 19 and in his second season of pro ball, he is performing well and could still have a lot of upside yet.
Newcomer Spotlight: José Camacho – 2009 draft, round 1, pick 23.
Left-handed bat who possesses great speed and great skills in the outfield. Scouts think he will make solid contact and be difficult to strike out, making him a very good option at the top of the lineup. Struggling a bit in his first taste of pro ball, batting just .204, but has the tools to be a very good player even if he has to repeat the level.
Top Pitching Prospect: Félix Ortega – 2008 draft, round 2, pick 8, 32nd overall by the Florida Featherheads. Traded to Omaha Cyclones, 7-31-2009 along with SS Miguel Soto, CL Ben Ellis, RF Martín Martínez and $3,500,000 in exchange for SP António “Crayon” Rivera, RF Shimpei Adachi and CL António Delgado.
Traded to Omaha at the trade deadline, Ortega immediately becomes the Cyclones best pitching prospect. Unfortunately he is just 19 and still at short season, so he is about four seasons away from really being able to help the ‘Clones. Low 90s, decent endurance, needs to harness the control but scouts think that his control will be above average someday. Projects as a solid middle of the rotation guy someday, but highly unlikely that he will ever be able to carry a pitching staff.
Spotlight On: Brandon Morrison – 2008 draft, round 2, pick 13, 37th overall.
Hits 94 on the gun on occasion and is an extreme ground ball pitcher. In just his second year of pro ball at age 22, but is posting solid numbers at A-ball: 7-6, 3.10 in 19 starts. Has decent stuff but control still appears to be an issue, walking 53 in 113 innings. Weak endurance and possible control issues make him a back half of the rotation candidate at best, and has a ways to go before he gets there.
Newcomer Spotlight: Henry Courtney – 2009 draft, round 9, pick 3, 195th overall.
Was a bit of a gamble coming out of high school; had shown declining numbers there. Good size, throws in the low 90s, but a little short on the endurance. Has pitched okay at short season (3-6, 3.30, 1.21 WHIP) but is walking more than he punches out and control – or lack thereof – may always be a problem.
Omaha Summary – A few standout players like George and Camacho jump out at you, but depth in this system is severely lacking and the organization is littered with players way too old to be considered prospects. Omaha's small market makes having a frontline farm system a must, but sadly they barely rank above Tempe. Some poor trades in the recent past have really hamstrung this organization, particularly the very bad deal that brought Mathis over from Bakersfield. There is a lot of work to do here.
Organizational Rank – Twenty First
Average Rank – 17.32
Strengths – Good in the age category; that is about it
Weaknesses – Below average in almost all categories, shortstop and relief pitching stick out as the biggest eyesores
Top Hitting Prospect: Dean Bailey – 2007 draft, round 5, pick 18, 114th overall, by the Reno Tenpinners. Traded to Tempe Knights, 12-19-2008 for SP Greg Jackson.
Bailey had a decent but unspectacular year at short season ball in 2008, batting .255. Traded to Tempe, he has since been “Hancocked” to AAA, way over his head for a 20-year-old. Sure, he has 35 doubles. He has also walked 11 times while striking out 106 times because he is in over his head, you incompetent putz!!! Another career on the verge of being smashed upon the rocks much like a rudderless ship upon a foggy shoreline.
Spotlight On: Jeffrey Thomas – 2009 draft, round 2, pick 7, 31st overall.
Thomas shows at least some potential to be speedy leadoff type hitter someday. Too bad he will quickly be completely destroyed by incompetence and impatience. We won't bother talking about what might have been. It just turns our stomach to know what awaits this poor soul.
Newcomer Spotlight: Ty Newell – 2009 draft, round 2, pick 14, 38th overall.
Selected out of high school in this year’s draft. Batting .212 so far at short season which, judging by the Tempe logic, means that with a base hit in his next at-bat he will be promoted to a starting job at the PEBA level as the next savior… or with an out will be summarily released, only to end up prospering in some one else's organization.
Top Pitching Prospect: Salvador Cruz – 2009 draft, round 8, pick 7, 175th overall.
He doesn't have any talent, but that 0-7, 6.21 mark at Fairbanks is symbolic of everything that is wrong with Tempe. And the fact that Cruz is the best pitching prospect in the minor league level of the Tempe organization is another indicator of just how bad things are. Most Tempe fans drank the Kool-Aid long ago. We pity Cruz, even if he does suck, and would not wish his fate upon anyone. Our theory is that you've basically screwed the pooch on your karma somehow to end up in the Tempe organization.
Spotlight On: António García – Signed as a minor league free agent by the San Antonio Calzones of Laredo, 01-06-2007. Traded to Tempe Knights 10-13-2007 along with SP Bill Taylor, DH Shunso Kichida, CF Manny Lara, MR Rafael Pérez and C Richard Carney in exchange for 1B P.J. Thomas and RF Víctor Martínez.
García showed some promise early on, as he posted a 5-6, 2.87 mark at A Drumright in 2007. Sadly he was dealt to Tempe, where the madness began. 20 starts at A Calexico, where he posted rather lackluster numbers (4-11 4.62). He was showing a nice increase in his K:BB ratio, however, showing that with a little patience there might be a gem underneath the surface. But he was rushed to AA for 5 starts, where he was completely overmatched, posting a 1-3 mark with a 1.98 WHIP. And for those uninspiring numbers, he would finish his second professional season at Tempe, making one impressive start that would actually be his undoing. That one miracle start led to Tempe starting García in the Knights rotation to start his third professional season despite the fact that he was clearly not ready. After a 5-5 mark and clearly diminishing returns, he was finally returned to AAA after 10 starts. Unfortunately it was probably much too late, as António is not even nearly a shell of his former self. He is presently at AAA and being hit like a piñata, posting a 1-6 record with a 6.17 ERA and walking 42 batters in just 58.1 innings over 11 starts.
Newcomer Spotlight: José Márquez – 2009 draft, round 14, pick 7, 319th overall.
0-8, 5.69 at short season in 11 starts. Perfect by Fairbanks standards. People for the Ethical Treatment of Athletes have started a Free José Márquez letter writing campaign.
Tempe Summary – Clueless. Inept. Asinine. Ignorant. All references to Tempe management in the Tempe press. And those were the compliments. This is an organization that has no clue as to how to run a farm system. It's almost as if an impatient, schizophrenic Mets fan has run amok in the front office. Releasing 2nd round draft picks barely a year after the draft without ever seeing what they might become. "Hancocking" players up and down between the levels without rhyme or reason. Rushing players to the majors. Endlessly trading away young talent for even less mediocre talent in bad trades to the point where there is virtually nothing left. Trading away draft picks in a desperate attempt to win at the PEBA level, while being severely delusional about the level of talent at their disposal. The biggest issues facing the Knights are not one of market size or money, but rather impatience and poor management. Instead of building a farm system, they have wrecked theirs faster than a F5 tornado implodes a barn. Markus Hancock became a double-edged sword for the Knights. Yes, he prospered at the PEBA level with very little development. He was the one-in-a-million pitcher who could go almost straight to the PEBA and have success. Unfortunately, the Knights are now deluded into thinking any player can go straight to the PEBA level without taking the time to properly develop them for 3 to 5 years. And they will probably go through a million players until they get another Hancock. Sadly, it seems as if that is what they are trying to do, as the carnage of broken careers at the hands of the Tempe Knights organization now exceeds Dusty Baker’s Trail of Broken Arms. There is no solution to this problem. Until Tempe develops a realistic plan – with the term “realistic” meaning a plan not based on best case "pie in the sky" scenarios, but one grounded in the harsh realities of developing players over time – this will be a train wreck of a farm system. Tempe only achieved a ranking of 21st due to the fact that we used strictly statistical criteria in our rankings. If we had used subjective criteria, such as mismanagement, impatience, etc., Tempe would have ranked dead last by a large margin. Think Secretariat at the Belmont type margin.
Organizational Rank – Twenty Second
Average Rank – 18.96
Strengths – Second base
Weaknesses – Every category except second base
Top Hitting Prospect: Mario Salinas – 2007 draft, round 1, pick 17.
If this is your top hitting prospect, things are looking bleak. Salinas does a lot of things okay, but nothing spectacular. Slightly above average defense, slightly above average speed, maybe some modest power someday, might hit enough to be a marginal player. A lot of work in front of Reno.
Spotlight On: Félix García – Signed as a minor league free agent, 6-22-2009.
Picked off the scrap heap by Reno, and so far is batting .354 in limited at-bats. Has some skill behind the plate but doesn't project to be anything more than a career minor leaguer. Has a strong work ethic, and if he could keep hitting he might be worth hanging on to for a while in the hope that he turns into something, but don't hold your breath waiting.
Newcomer Spotlight: Jeffrey Matthews –2009 draft, round 1, pick 11.
A solid hitter with good speed who has a chance to be a real threat in the upper part of a batting order, the first rounder tore up short season ball, batting .324 in 36 games before making the jump to A-ball. Has hit .300 with a .403 OBP in 17 games, showing good plate discipline at the advanced level. Continued success could have this first round selection on the fast track to Reno.
Top Pitching Prospect: Nelson Martínez – 2007 draft, round 2, pick 18, 42nd overall.
Tall right-hander who throws in the low 90s finally seems to have turned a corner, posting his first real consistent success (and at the AA level, no less). 7-1, 3.80 in 83 innings pitched so far, but for some reason seems to be bouncing back and forth to the bullpen when he should be settled into a rotation somewhere. Finally getting the K:BB ratio near respectable; continued improvement in this area might alleviate concerns that Martínez would be a complete bust.
Spotlight On: Kevin Mack – 2008 draft, round 5, pick 15, 111th overall.
Smallish, doesn't throw hard, but has succeeded in two seasons of ball in the low minors. Size leaves us doubting he will succeed at higher levels; most likely he will hit a wall when he gets to the PEBA. But that's just our opinion. Son of former Cleveland Browns running back Kevin Mack, Sr.
Newcomer Spotlight: Fred Chase – 2009 draft, round 11, pick 11, 251st overall.
Numbers declined in each year of high school ball. Doesn't throw hard, but the southpaw has had remarkable success in his first season of pro ball, pitching 31 innings without allowing a single run and saving 14 games in 21 appearances. Does not project to be a closer at higher levels, but let him enjoy his success while it lasts. His carriage will turn into a pumpkin soon enough.
Reno Summary – The new ownership in Reno has its work cut out for it. The minor league system was left in complete disarray by the previous regime, and nearly devoid of talent. It will take several years of hard work and perseverance for the Tempinners to rebuild the system.
Ensenada Cenicienta del Pacifico (A)
Organizational Rank – Twenty Third
Average Rank – 19.75
Strengths – Catching
Weaknesses – Every category except catching
Top Hitting Prospect: David Sánchez – 2007 inaugural draft, round 21, pick 15, 495th overall.
Is having a decent season in his second go-around at AAA, but scouts as being a rather lackluster player as far as supposed top hitting prospects go. Has some speed, but might not have the defensive skills to really be a quality backup outfielder at the PEBA level. Very ordinary.
Spotlight On: Bruce Jackson – 2008 draft, round 3, pick 22, 70th overall.
Doesn't show any power or speed, but may be a decent contact hitter. Has a good arm from the outfield. Is hitting quite well in his second stint at short season, but at age 22 could probably stand to be advanced a level and get more properly tested.
Newcomer Spotlight: Jason Koon – 2009 draft, round 2, pick 20, 44th overall.
Speedy type who has well above average defensive skills. Scouts don't project any power – that won't be his game – but he might hit for average and have slightly above average plate discipline. He could end up near the top of a PEBA batting order eventually.
Top Pitching Prospect: Chet King – 2008 draft, round 1, pick 22.
Lanky right-hander who gets it up there in the mid 90s and has decent endurance. Just 19 and needs some work on his control, but progressing well at A-ball.
Spotlight On: Roy MacKeachan – 2007 inaugural draft, round 60, pick 10, 1426th overall.
Hits low 90s on the gun. Scouts expect him to have decent stuff but the control might be barely PEBA level. Has saved 25 games so far at AAA this season while posting a 3.28 ERA, but those 26 walks in 49 innings shows the 22-year-old still has a way to go in harnessing the control.
Newcomer Spotlight: Anthony Russell –2009 draft, round 11, pick 20, 260th overall.
One of those arms you take a chance on. Hits the mid 90s with decent stuff, but scouts doubt his control and his ability to keep the ball in the park. Has fared well at short season so far and may yet defy the scouts, allowing just 1 run in 13 innings.
New Orleans Summary – Bad drafts and trades that have sent away talent and draft picks in order to keep the Trendsetters competitive at the PEBA level have left the cupboard looking bare. It's really saying something about your minor league system when it ranks below Tempe, and what it is saying is not good.
Organizational Rank – Twenty Fourth
Average Rank – 20.25
Strengths – Starting pitching is middle of the pack
Weaknesses – Every category after starting pitching. Maulers rate dead last in 7 of 14 categories.
Top Hitting Prospect: Steve Allen – 2007 draft, round 4, pick 2, 74th overall.
Projects to be a decent enough contact hitter with reasonable plate discipline, but no power and only slightly above average speed. His numbers at the minor league level are showing some consistency in the batting average department, but the lack of power and no standout speed are real concerns. Has great defensive skills. Just 20 years old so still a lot of room for growth.
Spotlight On: Fernando Menéndez – 2008 draft, round 4, pick 5, 77th overall.
Shows some decent power potential, but is 23 years old and repeating short season. Not getting full-time playing time. Needs to be bumped a level and challenged.
Newcomer Spotlight: Willie Lloyd – 2009 draft, round 8, pick 9, 177th overall.
Doesn't scout very well, average defensively, no power, below average speed. But a .335 average in first taste of pro ball will make you take notice, even if only for a minute.
Top Pitching Prospect: Miguel García – 2008 draft, round 1, pick 5.
“Sugar Bear” throws in the upper 90s, has great control and hasn't missed a beat since making the jump to AA: 4-1, 1.38 in 7 starts, walking just 7 while striking out 43 in 52.1 innings. On the fast track to the Maulers rotation. The obvious crown jewel in what is left of the Manchester minor league organization.
Spotlight On: Christian Silverman – 2007 inaugural draft, round 85, pick 23, 2039th overall.
Throws in the low 90s, has decent stuff but control appears to be an issue, at least so far. Had good numbers in two plus season at A-ball, but is really struggling with the control since the promotion to AA earlier this season. If he could ever harness the control he could become middle of the bullpen material, but it is already obvious that he will need to repeat the AA level.
Newcomer Spotlight: Sergio López – 2009 draft, round 9, pick 9, 201st overall.
Soft-tossing right-hander, projects to have decent control someday and the ability to get ground balls, but not much else going for him. Has been used in a starter’s role mostly out of desperation, but doesn't have the endurance to work from the rotation. 4-2, 3.86 so far at short season.
Manchester Summary – An amazing turnaround at the PEBA level for Manchester, but in the process they have strip-mined their farm system to the bone. With draft picks traded away already for next year, it appears that it will be quite some time before the Maulers farm system rebounds, if ever.