Rookies, 2002 (3)                                                                                              Rookies 2002 Page Four

 
01 March, 2002

The fight for right in CIN includes a trio of promising prospects.  John Fay, The Cincinnati Enquirer :

" ... When asked who will be the surprise of 2002 for the Reds, general manager Jim Bowden says: “The right fielder.” Whom that right fielder will be is one of the mysteries of this spring training. The Reds promise to give Juan Encarnacion, Ruben Mateo, Austin Kearns and Wily Mo Pena equal shots ... Bowden won't even handicap the race. “We're completely open-minded,” he said. “Of the four, which ones become stars? Do they all become stars? It all depends on how quickly they make adjustments on what they have to work on. It's going to very, very interesting to watch.” 

" ... Pena, 20, signed an unprecedented five-year, $3.7 million contract with the New York Yankees in 1999. The Reds acquired him in March for third baseman Drew Henson and outfielder Michael Coleman. “He has superstar potential,” Naehring said. “He could hit between 50 and 60 homers runs and steal 40 bases,” Bowden said. Pena is the most unpolished of the four candidates. He's also the most powerfully built at 6 feet 3, 215 pounds. He has a .249 career average in the minors and has struck out in more than a third of his at-bats. But he had 26 home runs and 113 RBI at Class A Dayton last season. “He's got a great attitude,” Naehring said. “He comes to play every day. He has one simple thing he has to do: Make adjustments to the baseball. He has to cut down his strikeouts. Do we think he can do that? Yes.” The plan is to start Pena at Double A and Kearns at Triple A. But the Reds won't hold either back if one is the best right fielder in camp. “If they're ready, so be it,” Bowden said."

03 March, 2002

Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun, on Brandon Lyon, a favourite of pitching coach Mark Connor :

" ...  Lyon is fully prepared and qualified to assume his spot among the Blue Jays' five starting pitchers for the 2002 season. For Lyon, exceeding, not meeting expectations, always has been his way of doing things. His promotion last August raised a number of eyebrows because he didn't even have two years experience in the minors ...  But for Connor, it's Lyon's ability to outsmart a hitter that sets him apart. "We (the coaching staff) talk about him a lot. You don't come across guys who are as mature as he is. Not only the maturity but, from a pitching standpoint, the feel he has. People talk about feel all the time, but this kid has feel. He has an uncanny knack of knowing what the hitter is looking for and then not throwing that. It's hard to teach." 

04 March, 2002

A couple of Canadian kids worth checking out.  Two big lefties, both expected to be 1st round picks in the June draft.

Jeff Francis, 6-5, 200 pounds, is a 20-year-old junior at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.  Adam Loewen, 6-6, 210 pounds, is a 17-year-old high school student at Fraser Valley Christian High in Surrey.

Francis is 2-0 so far this season with UBC.  He's started just two games, working 9 innings allowing 5 hits and a walk while fanning 11.

Baseball America picked Francis for it's pre-season All-American team.  No wonder.

Last season, Francis was named to the NAIA All-American squad after going 12-3, 0.92. He fanned 118 and allowed just 15 walks in 98 innings.  He was the Player of the Year and Top Prospect in the Alaska League last summer going 7-1, 1.20 for the Anchorage Bucs.  He followed his six shutouts in college ball with another half dozen in Alaska.  His best was yet to come.  Suiting up with the Anchorage Glacier Pilots, Francis was the tournament MVP at the National Baseball Congress World Series as he pitched 14 shutout innings to lead the Pilots to the title. 

Among other things, Loewen tossed a no-hitter for the Canadian junior team last summer in the Dominican Republic.  He fanned 16 and walked two (picking off both base runners).  He was 2-1, 0.82 for Team Canada.  On his local Babe Ruth club, the Whalley Chiefs, Loewen pitched 70 innings compiling a 2.51 ERA with 123 strikeouts.

06 March, 2002

 Jim Callis, Baseball America, on Jamal Strong SEA :

" ... In terms of ceiling he's only the sixth-best center fielder in the organization. That's amazing, but that's the truth with Ichiro (he could play center if needed), Mike Cameron, Chris Snelling, Shin-Soo Choo and Kenny Kelly also on hand. And while Strong is a safer bet than the less-advanced Choo and has a stronger track record than Kelly, he's probably going to be forced to play left field if he starts for Seattle ...  My guess is that he may get caught in limbo between Triple-A and the majors down the road, or he'll get traded. That may seem like nitpicking, but it's hard to limit the list to 100 prospects. Strong is one of my favorite minor league players, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he does in Double-A this year. If I were running a team and needed a leadoff man, I'd be calling Pat Gillick about Strong."

John Sickels, ESPN, on Jimmy Gobble KC :

" ... He is one of the better southpaw prospects in the game; if he pitched for the Yankees or Dodgers rather than the Royals, more people would have heard of him. He's a year away and needs Double-A/Triple-A time, but he is a solid long-term property as young pitchers go. His fastball is decent, he throws strikes with his breaking stuff, and he's been healthy since signing in 1999."

Mike Mitchell, MLBProspect, on Casey Kotchman ANA :

" ... He's that good. That's all we can say. His swing is a natural power stroke, and his defense at first base in advanced. He could be in the Majors by late 2003."

11 March, 2002

Moving on to the best prospects for 2003.  David Cameron, Strike Three, takes an early look at the guys who may top the lists next year :

" ...  its hard not to imagine Mark Prior being number one on this list next year. I ranked him number four this year and he hasn't thrown a professional pitch ...  Cubs have enough pitching depth that he can split the year between AA and AAA before making his major-league debut in September. Expect numbers similar to what Beckett put up last year."

" ... Mark Teixeira ... got little chance of making an impact this year, with the corners firmly entrenched with Blalock and Palmeiro. The man they call T-Rex should start the year in AA. He may struggle at first, but I don't doubt he'll have a solid season after converting to the wood bat."

" ... Jake Peavy is a bit of a risk, because there's a decent chance he'll earn a rotation spot after the All-Star break ... he's worth waiting for."

" ... I am really high on Justin Morneau. He was overmatched in his first exposure to AA at the end of the season, but I have little doubt he'll hit  ... He's next year's Carlos Pena."

" ... Gabe Gross ... a tremendous pro debut after signing, holding his own in AA after tearing up Dunedin. He could probably help the Blue Jays this year, but their glut of outfielders will allow them to be patient with the former Auburn star."

Mike Mitchell, MLBProspect, reviewing some of his prospect ratings :

14 March, 2002

Say it aint' so ... Ryan Anderson lost for another season. John Hickey, SEA Post-Intelligencer :

" ... For the second consecutive year, promising young left-hander Ryan Anderson of the Mariners has been lost for the season with a torn labrum. He will have to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder again, the Mariners said Wednesday after an MRI exam revealed the tear in his left shoulder. It was just one year and one week ago that Anderson had surgery to repair his labrum.

...   continuing pain prevented him from throwing in a game and led to the second MRI. “It’s bad,” manager Lou Piniella said after the Mariners’ exhibition game. “We were hoping to get him pitching. It’s a shame. It really is. You don’t like to see that happen.” ...  Trainer Rick Griffin said Anderson probably had a different labrum tear than the one that was repaired surgically on March 6, 2001. “It’s the same injury, but it appears to be in a different spot,” Griffin said. Because Anderson, 22, was having some pain this spring, he did not pitch in any spring games, instead throwing on the side off a mound in workouts. He was pain-free when pitching on flat ground, but developed pain while throwing off a mound."

Anup Sinha, TeamOneBaseball, has a look at a couple of young SPs, Casey Fossum BOS and Dewon Brazelton TB :

" ... has a hyper delivery, with a rock in back which helps to generate momentum. Because of that effort and his slight frame, I could see how the Red Sox might be concerned with his long-term durability. I could also see how his velocity might waver from one outing to the next, over the course of a season."

" ... I was not in position to use the radar gun, but Brazelton appeared to be in the 92-94 MPH range and his curveball was really breaking. The curve is his missing ingredient to becoming a front-line major league pitcher, so the Rays have to be encouraged."

15 March, 2002

A couple of names to tuck away for the June draft. 

Canadian Lefty SP Adam Loewen is among BA's picks for its preseason High School All-American team :

" ... Loewen is also a legitimate prospect as an outfielder, with a graceful swing that evokes memories of John Olerud’s two-way days in the Pacific Northwest. But from 60 feet, 6 inches is where Loewen will do his work in the future. His fastball touches 95 and features late movement; his curveball, changeup and control are rated as major league average now."

BJ Upton got the nod at shortstop :

" ... A wiry-strong athlete, Upton projects to hit for more power as he matures. He’s also a plus runner. In the field, he demonstrates graceful actions with above-average range to both sides. His arm has been called one of the best in the country. "There might be others who throw the ball with more velocity from shortstop," one scout said, "but nobody can match Upton’s ability to throw from any angle, anywhere, with as much accuracy." (Josh Boyd, Baseball America)

Boyd also had some snippets on a couple of ANA prospects in his tour of ST :

" ... Casey Kotchman ... Kotchman’s pure stroke has evoked comparisons to sweet-swinging lefties like Rafael Palmeiro, Todd Helton and Will Clark. He keeps his hands back and stays inside the ball, with excellent bat speed and a classic Will Clark-like finish. He has good pop to right field but uses the whole field like a veteran hitter."

" ... Bobby Jenks ... Jenks, who reportedly hit 101 mph in his second spring outing, blew away the Padres with a 1-2-3 inning, pumping nothing but heat at 93-98 mph. In three innings, Jenks has allowed one hit and fanned four."

16 March, 2002

David Cameron, Strike Three, on his first spring look at Chris Snelling SEA :

" ... Considering the biggest knock on Snelling so far has been his "tools" and not his performance, seeing him flash major-league arm strength and speed was encouraging. We already knew he could hit, and he did nothing to dissuade me of that. He hit everything hard and with terrific bat speed. He really whips the bat through the zone and gets around on fastballs, while having the discipline to lay off most breaking pitches. He didn’t do anything poorly on Sunday, and he’s been opening eyes in camp. There’s very little question that he is positioning himself for a run at the Mariners left-field job in 2003."

At TeamOneBaseball, Jeff Spelman also has a look at Snelling :

" ... Snelling has one of the best hitting strokes in all of the minor leagues. He waits to the last minute, trusting his quick hands, and then just explodes straight to the ball. No wasted motion. Just a pure attack of the baseball. If you want to compare Snelling to anyone, try a young Tony Gwynn ... The 20-year old Australian should start the season at AA San Antonio, along with many of the other top Mariners prospects. Don't be surprised to see him in Seattle late in the year or challenging for a Big League job next year in Spring Training."

21 March, 2002

John Sickels, ESPN, on Freddy Sanchez BOS :

" ... An 11th-round pick in 2000 out of Oklahoma City University, Sanchez owns a .320 career average in 177 minor-league contests, including a .326 mark in 44 games of Double-A last year. He does not have much power, hitting just four homers in his career, and his walk rates are marginal. But Sanchez doesn't strike out much, and has proven he can hit for average and hit doubles. He should at least be a .280+ hitter in the Show, possibly much more than that. His defense is fine; he has shortstop range and soft hands, but his arm is pretty weak, making him a better fit at second base ... looks like a decent player to me, possibly a very good one if expectations are kept reasonable."

22 March, 2002

Merle Fields, ATL Rookie Report, on ATL shortstop Kelly Johnson :

" ...   last season at Macon, Johnson made the Braves proud as he was named the most exciting player in the South Atlantic League, the top power prospect in the league, and the best overall hitting prospect in the league ... hit .289 with 23 homers in 415 at-bats and drew 71 bases on balls (2nd in the Braves system) and was second in the league with a .404 on base percentage. The 20-year-old has deceptive speed (25 stolen bases in 124 games) and good baseball instincts on the base paths. He is slated to stay at short this season, starting at Myrtle Beach, but his long term position will not be at short. Johnson committed 45 errors last year, which was the third highest total in all of minor league baseball. He has a plus arm but could get a little wild. Johnson will likely end up at third base or possibly one of the outfield corners. Either way, Atlanta will find a place for this hard-hitting youngster, who has 30 - 40 home run potential."

24 March, 2002

Scott Zilmer, TeamOneBaseball, on SF's Jesse Foppert :

" ... I’m most excited about Jesse Foppert’s current blend of attributes, past mound workload and most importantly, his future prospects as a frontline right hander. Foppert spent most of his collegiate career hitting rather than pitching but the Giants saw his arm stroke and snatched him up in the 2nd round. Foppert proceeded to light up the Northwest League ...  Foppert’s mechanics and arm stroke were as smooth if not smoother than the last time I saw him and he breezed through his three hitters, catching Dave Justice looking with a slider on the outer portion of the plate to end the inning. Foppert’s arm looked extremely fresh and he’ll likely start 2002 at either Hagerstown or San Jose."

28 March, 2002

Even Baseball Weekly has jumped on the Jeff Francis bandwagon. Dana Heiss Grodin :

" ... the never-drafted Francis remained so obscure beyond the small-college NAIA during last season that Thunderbirds coach Terry McKaig struggled for months to land his pitcher on a summer team in the prestigious wood-bat Alaska Baseball League. Ultimately, Francis made it to Alaska, and he lost his anonymity for good by going 7-1 with a 1.29 ERA and six shutouts for the Anchorage Bucs against some of the best hitters in NCAA Division I. Then he put an exclamation point on his star-making effort with 14 more shutout innings at the National Baseball Congress World Series. His team, the Alaska champion Glacier Pilots, won the championship and Francis was named World Series MVP and hailed as a top pro prospect."

29 March, 2002

Josh Boyd, Baseball America on HOU catcher John Buck :

" ...  looks like he's on the verge of a breakthrough season. He hit .275-22-73 last year at low Class A Michigan, and he'll handle the Round Rock staff this year after back-to-back seasons in low Class A, thanks to the Astros' lack of a high Class A affiliate. Buck added more muscle in the offseason and could hit 30 home runs in the Texas League. He threw out the two runners who tried to steal on him yesterday, and pitchers say his intelligence behind the plate makes him a joy to throw to."

12 April, 2002

John Sickels, ESPN, on Miguel Cabrera (now a 3B) FLO :

" ... The concern for Cabrera at shortstop was that he'd grow too big for the position. His speed and range were below average, so the move to third makes sense. He can really use his strong arm there ...  It is the development of his bat that bears close watching. He has tremendous raw power, and started to tap into that last year, hitting seven homers and 19 doubles in 110 games. This year he has two homers and two doubles already. Also promising is his strike zone judgment. He is not a wild swinger, but he does need to show more patience after drawing 37 walks in 462 plate appearances last year. This year he already has six walks in 35 plate appearances. If he keeps that up, his numbers will increase dramatically across the board ... .I ranked him as the No. 29 prospect in baseball in my book this year. Right now he's in the Top 20, and if he continues to improve he'll be in the Top 10 by the end of the year."

21 April, 2002

Jim Callis, Baseball America, with his Top 10 position players, minors :

1. Joe Mauer, c, Twins; 2. Mark Teixeira, 3b, Rangers; 3. Angel Berroa, ss, Royals; 4. Brandon Phillips, ss, Expos; 5. Joe Borchard, of, White Sox; 6. Drew Henson, 3b, Yankees; 7. Wilson Betemit, ss, Braves; 8. Josh Hamilton, of, Devil Rays; 9. Hee Seop Choi, 1b, Cubs; 10. Casey Kotchman, 1b, Angels

22 April, 2002

John Sickels, ESPN on Adam Dunn, Joe Borchard :

" ... Dunn has established himself as a home-run force to be reckoned with. It is scary to consider how good he can be given a normal development curve. I wouldn't worry about the fact that he's hit just one homer so far in 2002. His strike zone judgment is intact (12 walks in 55 at-bats), and as long as that remains steady, he'll be fine.

Borchard broke his right foot in spring training, and is currently on the shelf ... .Foot injuries are problematic; sometimes they are no big deal, but other times they can mess up a hitter's balance and stride at the plate, especially if he tries to come back too early and play in pain.

We need to see how Borchard adjusts to Triple-A pitching in any event. He fanned 158 times in Double-A last year. The strikeouts don't worry me too much, since he also draws walks. But he doesn't draw as many as Dunn does, plus he is 23 years old, rather than Dunn's 22; the extra year does give Dunn a real advantage over Borchard."

25 April, 2002

Jim Callis, Baseball America, on Drew Henson :

" ... I still believe a healthy Henson can be somewhere between a Scott Rolen and a Mike Schmidt. His tools are that good, and he has shown plate discipline in spurts in the past. He’s still just 22 and he looked great in the Arizona Fall League after he got healthy last year. But I do agree that he does have to start delivering more. If Henson doesn’t take some major steps forward this season, I’ll move him well down my list."

07 May, 2002

Lee Scheide, San Antonio Express-News on Rafael Soriano SEA :

" ... The pitch just sounds angry, an accelerated buzzing akin to a quick rip of fabric, blasting a hole not only in the air but a batter's psyche, as well. Only the bravest tend to dig in against Missions right-hander Rafael Soriano, as each coil of his body has the potential of unleashing another 95 mph fireball, pea, heater, aspirin, etc. Add in an ever-improving slider, a changeup and sometimes a split-fingered fastball, and you'll see why the converted outfielder might be on a fast track to Seattle. "My expectations are for him to pitch in the big leagues at some point this year," Missions manager Dave Brundage said. "I don't think that he's that far away; experience is the one thing he is lacking. "He's a confident young man who believes in himself. He pitches with an attitude that a guy his age and his experience usually doesn't have."

08 May, 2002

Josh Goldfine, SportsTicker, on Chad Tracy ARZ :

" ... Tracy signed shortly after the draft. After 10 games in short-season ball, he blistered the low Class A Midwest League to the tune of a .340 average in 54 games to warrant Arizona's skipping him over the high Class A level to start the 2002 season. "We thought his bat and approach would not let him fail," explained Arizona Scouting Director Mike Rizzo of the decision to start Tracy at Class AA this season. So far, the move looks like a good one. Tracy spent the winter working out at East Carolina, and it has paid off thus far. He is tied for third in the league with 21 RBI in 29 games and leads the league with a .463 on-base percentage. "He uses the whole field and takes pitches as well as anyone I've ever seen," added Rizzo. "He's well ahead of schedule. He's a pleasant surprise." "He's a monster at the plate," said one source with the El Paso club. "We had Lyle Overbay in here a year ago, and Tracy looks even better. He's clearly the best hitter in this league. He just hits balls hard." Tracy has been solid at the hot corner as well, where he has committed just three errors this season."

Josh Boyd, Baseball America, on Bobby Jenks ANA :

" ... here are the reasons I like Jenks as a prospect, and why every scout I've talked to about him believes in him First is the velocity. But more importantly, his velocity is easy. For those of you who haven't seen him throw, you might expect a big guy with a maximum-effort delivery. Jenks is anything but. His arm works well and he has a clean delivery. Of course, there's still the matter of learning to repeat the delivery consistently and maintain a consistent arm slot. The reason scouts believe he'll achieve that is because he makes it look easy and there are no uncorrectable mechanical flaws. Jenks also shows the ability to spin his breaking ball, and at times it's a true power curveball—a plus major league pitch. Again it comes down to repeating the motion, working ahead in the count and trusting his stuff. Jenks also shows a feel for his changeup, which he only recently has developed. When he struggles, it's because he's falling behind in the count and throwing his fastball right down the middle. He's still young and he has matured a great deal since being drafted."

11 May, 2002

John Sickels, ESPN, on Joe Thurston LA :

" ... I worry that he is too aggressive at the plate, swinging at pitches outside the strike zone more often than he should. He has doubles power, but we have to take some air out of his numbers due to PCL and Las Vegas stat inflation. If they stuck him in the major leagues right now, he'd likely hit .250-.270, with some doubles and the occasional homer, but his on-base percentage would be pretty low. At age 22, there is no particular need to rush him. A full year of Triple-A is in order, but he should challenge for a job next season. Coaches really love his hustle, and that will help him."

12 May, 2002

With the draft coming up June 4th, Baseball America has begun extensive coverage ... the early line has the two Canadian kids, Francis and Loewen, still projected as first rounders.  Jim Molony, MLB.com, has a feature on one of the guys likely to go near the top -- high school lefty Scott Kazmir :

" ... Kazmir's fastball tops out at 97 miles per hour and is consistently in the 94-95 range ... Against Cypress Springs, Kazmir continued to dominate, striking out 19 in the seven-inning, 7-0 shutout and allowing only one hit, an infield single. A week earlier Kazmir had fanned 14 in another one-hitter. "He has such a free and easy motion and the ball just takes off," said Kazmir's coach Brent McDonald. "I saw Josh Beckett (at Spring High) three years ago and this is how Beckett was throwing then. Just dominating the other team. He just lets it fly and there's no stress or a lot of extra effort put into his throw. He's a natural."  ...  every scout who was questioned during Kazmir's latest game admitted privately they were of the opinion that the pitcher was a rock-solid high first-round pick. "I don't think there's much question he's a top five (pick)," San Diego scout Jimmy Dreyer said. "He's got a great arm, good control and a smooth motion. I think he'll go very high."

Cory Schwartz, MLB.com, on a couple of the pre-season top rookie picks :

" ... Juan Cruz, Cubs Cruz has been an unqualified disappointment so far and is in serious danger of losing his rotation spot to phenom Mark Prior. Cruz is winless in his first seven starts, with 26 walks allowed and a 1.61 WHIP in 36 innings, and his 3.25 ERA is very deceptive, as he's allowed 10 unearned runs. He's been unable to work deep into games, averaging just over five innings per start, as his poor command has caused him to require an arduous 18.56 pitches per inning. There are indeed some positive signs for Cruz, as he's notched 26 whiffs and allowed only two homers, but a trip to the minors is in his near future."

" ... Nick Johnson, Yankees Outside of Blalock, Johnson has been the biggest disappointment of any rookie this season. He's hitting only .204 through his first 32 games, with four homers and 11 RBIs, and is currently in the throes of a 5-for-38 slump. Worse yet, Johnson has displayed none of the plate discipline that marked his impressive minor league career, striking out 29 times in 103 at-bats and drawing only nine walks for a paltry .305 on-base percentage. Johnson's name has started to percolate in trade rumors, but for the moment, at least, the Yankees appear committed to Johnson and his future. Until he starts to take control of the strike zone, though, he'll continue to struggle.

20 May, 2002

John Sickels, ESPN, on Seth McClung :

" ... I like McClung quite a bit; the C+ grade I gave him in my book was too low. He should have ranked as a B- on the basis of his 2.79 ERA and 165/53 K/BB mark last year in the South Atlantic League. Given his sharp early numbers this year, he's at least a Grade B prospect now, and if he pitches well in Double-A (he was promoted late last week), he would likely end up as a B+ by the end of the year, and somewhere in the Top 50. McClung has a 92-95 mph fastball. His curveball has improved and is now a plus pitch at times. His command is much better than it was earlier in his career, and he has enough stuff to dominate when he's on his game. He can also be intimidating (especially for a right-hander) given his 6-6, 235-pound frame. Seth is Tampa Bay's best pitching prospect, but I want to see how he holds up in Double-A. He should be a rotation candidate by 2004, and he has ace potential."

21 May, 2002

Kenny Baugh DET, still no timetable for his return :

" ... Right-hander Kenny Baugh, the Tigers' top pick last June, doesn't need surgery on his pitching shoulder, farm director Greg Smith said Sunday. Baugh, who hasn't pitched this season, has undergone several tests lately. Last week he was examined by famed orthopedist James Andrews. "Every report is that every test is negative, which is good," Smith said. The club hasn't decided how much more rest Baugh will need before he resumes pitching in the minors."  (John Lowe, Detroit Free-Press)

Good news for Rafael Soriano owners :

" ... Soriano will be inserted into the starting rotation this week. It's not a temporary move, Piniella said. Soriano, a starter since being converted from outfielder to pitcher in the minor leagues in 1999, will start either Thursday against Tampa Bay or Saturday against Baltimore ...  either Halama or Baldwin would likely be moved out of the rotation to make room for Soriano. "I've got a five-hour plane ride to think it over," Piniella said. "I want to look at the matchups, see how things project out. "This isn't going to be a one-shot deal. We're going to give this kid a chance to pitch." Soriano earned his chance with two relief appearances in which he allowed two hits, no runs and no walks while striking out six. "I've started everywhere," Soriano said. "So I like it that I'm getting a chance." Piniella likes it that Soriano seems unintimidated. "He's aggressive; he throws strikes," the manager said. "He's a competitor." He also throws fastballs in the mid-90s range, which all managers like. (John Hickey, Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

22 May, 2002

John Sickels, ESPN, on two CLE SP prospects -- Brian Tallet and Billy Traber :

" ... This pair of finesse lefties at Double-A Akron could see action later this year for the Indians. Tallet is slightly more advanced and is pitching better overall right now (3-0, 1.74 in seven starts), but Traber (acquired in the Roberto Alomar trade) has gotten attention with his 6-0 start. Both pitchers work with fair fastballs, though Tallet has a little more juice. Both know how to change speeds and throw strikes. Both have college experience (Tallet went to LSU, Traber to Loyola Marymount). Both project as solid No. 3 starters on the major-league level."

23 May, 2002

Josh Goldfine, SportsTicker, on Todd Linden SF :

" ... Linden, a supplemental first-rounder in last June's draft out of LSU, started his professional career in Double-A. That's quite a jump, considering that most players -- even those who played at top colleges -- begin in Class A ball. But, Linden has been nothing short of terrific thus far for Shreveport in the Texas League. The 21-year-old is tied for fifth among all minor leagues with a .380 average and ranks among the league leaders in several offensive categories. Linden has terrific speed (8 SB, 1 CS) and gets on base, as evidenced by his league-high .457 on-base percentage."

Goldfine on a rising OAK star :

" ... It has been a tough season for the A's, both in the big leagues and down below. But, there was a bright spot with the recent promotion of left-hander John Rheinecker from Class A Visalia to Double-A Midland. Rheinecker, a supplemental first-rounder from last June's draft (for losing right-hander Kevin Appier to the Mets), had gone 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA in Class A ball. The 22-year-old, who went undrafted after his junior season at Southwest Missouri State but jumped onto draft boards by developing a potent slider last spring, pitched eight shutout innings in his first Double-A start on Monday. Once Mark Prior makes his big-league debut for the Cubs on Wednesday, Rheinecker's 69 strikeouts will be tops among all minor-league pitchers."

24 May, 2002

Jim Callis, Baseball America, on whether one of the probable top picks in the June draft, Bryan Bullington , has the stuff of an ace :

" ... That depends somewhat on whether you mean a true No. 1 starter, or simply the ace of the team which drafts him. I think the latter is a no-brainer—the Pirates look like they'll take Bullington No. 1—and he definitely has the ingredients to fit the classic definition. He has the stuff: a lively 92-94 mph that reaches 96 and a hard slider, though he'll have to refine a changeup. His command, makeup and size (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) are assets as well, and Bullington should shoot through the minors fairly quickly."

29 May, 2002

Josh Boyd, Baseball America, on Jesse Foppert SF :

" ... A 6-foot-6, 210-pound athletic righthander, Foppert didn't begin pitching until 2000 in the wood-bat Shenandoah Valley League. A prospect as a first baseman, Foppert really emerged for scouts when he showed tremendous aptitude on the mound. He has the look of a polished pitcher with smooth, easy mechanics and command of a diverse repertoire. His fastball sits in the low-90s and he compliments it with a good darting slider and changeup. He dominated the short-season Northwest League in his pro debut last summer going 8-1, 1.93 in 14 starts. He fanned 88 in 70 innings and surrendered just 35 hits. The more-experienced Texas Leaguers haven't found hitting Foppert any easier, as they have managed a meager .184 average in 43 innings"

04 June, 2002

John Sickels, ESPN, on the possible future at 3B in PHI ... Chase Utley, Travis Chapman :

" ... Utley is hitting .276 with a .512 slugging percentage for Triple-A Scranton. These are much better numbers than he posted last year in Class A (.257, .422), and he's improved despite skipping a level. A second baseman before this year, he's made 14 errors in 53 games at third base, and will likely need the rest of the season to fully adjust to the position. Chapman is hitting .361 with a .560 slugging percentage at Double-A Reading. He hit .307 the year before at Clearwater, but is showing more power this year. His strike zone judgment is excellent. Chapman has more experience at third base than Utley does, and has a lower error rate, but is not considered to have as much raw athletic ability.

Chapman is sixth months older than Utley (both are 23 right now), and before this year he was not considered a hot prospect, being a 17th-round pick out of Mississippi State in '00. Utley, on the other hand, was a first-rounder that same year, from UCLA. Utley gets a lot more press, and is more highly-regarded by the Phillies, but if Chapman keeps hitting like this, that could change."

David Cameron, StrikeThree, on Kris Honel, CHA :

" ... Honel is one of four top pitching prospects I've seen in the last week. He's been the most impressive as well. He throws a low 90s fastball and mixes it with a big-league curve. He threw a pair of outstanding changeups, but didn't work it in as more than a spot pitch. There's certainly major-league talent there, and it was obvious why he was a first round pick."

05 June, 2002

Josh Goldfine, SportsTicker, on Oliver Perez SD :

" ... The 6-3, 160-pound lefthander started this season back in Class A, but his return to the California League lasted just nine starts (3-3, 1.85 ERA, 48 2/3 IP, 66 SO) before he was promoted to Class AA Mobile late last month. All Perez has done is fan 25 batters in his first 18 innings with Mobile, held opposing hitters just a .167 average and compiled a stingy 1.50 ERA ... Perez is every bit the equal of his rotation-mates Peavy and Cyr. He has topped out at 97 miles per hour with his fastball, which usually sits in the 92-93 mph range. Perez's slider and changeup are also effective. "He's a hard thrower with a good slider and changeup," said Mobile manager Craig Colbert. "He's very aggressive in the strike zone. He's not afraid to throw strikes, and he's going to come at anyone." Perez has struggled a bit with his control, as his 35 walks rank among the highest total of any pitcher in the minors. But, with his electric stuff and power arm, Perez is still one of the biggest surprises of the season's first half."

06 June, 2002

John Sickels, ESPN, on Tuesday's draft :

" ... Bryan Bullington ... fastball peaks at 96 mph, though 91-94 is his usual range. His slider is very good, and he has enough pitching aptitude to improve his changeup. Scouts like his work ethic and mound demeanor. Statistically, his 139/18 K/BB ratio for Ball State implies that he should have little trouble with the low minors once he signs; he could reach Double-A very quickly. Bullington does not project as a true ace, but few scouts doubt that he'll be a successful major-league pitcher, assuming good health of course."

" ...  B.J. Upton ...  One of the best overall athletes available this year, Upton is also a polished baseball player, drawing comparisons to a young Derek Jeter. His glove is superb: his arm, range, and hands all rate as above-average to excellent. He should have no trouble playing shortstop in pro ball. While Upton hit over .600 in high school this year, some people are uncertain about how much power he'll show with wood against professional competition."

" ... Adam Loewen ... features remarkably good mechanics for a tall young hurler. His fastball ranges between 88 and 94 mph. His curveball is already professional caliber, devastating to left-handed hitters, and he throws it for strikes. His changeup is "good enough" right now, and should get better with more experience. Many scouts considered him, not Gruler, to be the best high school arm available this year."

Josh Goldfine, SportsTicker, on Mike Wood OAK :

" ... has always drawn comparisons to Tim Hudson, with his terrific split-fingered fastball, just average velocity and unique ability to get hitters out. Wood, 22, was a Civil Engineering major who walked on at the University of North Florida as an infielder in 1999 and moved to the mound for the next season, where he went 8-4 and issued just 10 walks in 101 innings to help the school to the Division II World Series. He became the team's closer, set a school record with 16 saves and was drafted in the 10th round last June. After he debuted with a solid performance at two Class A stops last summer, Wood posted a SO/BB ratio of 50/6 for Class A Modesto and was promoted to Class AA Midland after seven starts. Wood is 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his first five starts in Class AA. The 6-3, 180-pound righthander owns a career SO/BB ratio of 138/30 in 154 innings."

10 June, 2002

Bobby Jenks ANA, a maturity problem. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times :

" ... The Angels, fed up with what they consider repeated acts of immaturity by pitching prodigy Bobby Jenks, kicked him off their double-A Arkansas team. General Manager Bill Stoneman said Jenks would be demoted to an undetermined lower-level team and did not rule out sending him to rookie ball, the lowest rung in the minors. Jenks, 21, armed with a 100-mph fastball and ranked as the Angels' top pitching prospect, was 3-6 with a 4.66 earned-run average at Arkansas. "This has nothing to do with performance," Stoneman said. "We expect players to conduct themselves in a way that puts them on a path to the major leagues. We want him to get back on track."

14 June, 2002

Bob Pacitti, TCPalm.com on Jose Reyes NYN :

" ... "I said last year if he stays healthy he will be playing in the big leagues soon," Mets manager Ken Oberkfell said. "He's a switch hitter with power from both sides, runs well, a great defensive player, hits for average and has as good an arm as I've ever seen at shortstop." Oberkfell isn't alone in his assessment of the 19-year-old baseball whiz. In just his second year of professional baseball Reyes was tabbed a can't-miss prospect by New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine during spring training. The rest of the Mets organization is just as high on the native of the Dominican Republic. "This kid knows how to play the game," Oberkfell said. "He's only 19 and I've seen him make adjustments from pitch to pitch and that's amazing." Reyes' hitting statistics speak loudly as they're documented on paper, but his defensive skills are on an equal par if not better. He leads the Florida State League in putouts and assists as well as total chances. He leads the league in stolen bases with 31 and his nearest competitor is teammate Ronald Acuna who has 22. He leads the league in triples with nine and also has six home runs and 35 RBIs."

15 June, 2002

Jim Callis, Baseball America, on Jose Reyes NYN, better than Betemit, behind Phillips :

" ... Reyes is showing that his .307-5-48, 30-steal performance in the low Class A South Atlantic League last year was no fluke. He's a switch-hitter who can run, he's improving his on-base ability and he's a flashy and reliable fielder. Unless his age gets revised, he's one of the top 25 or 30 prospects in baseball ...  When I wrote our Prospect Showdown feature earlier this year, several scouts told me they projected Brandon Phillips as a second baseman. But the Expos continue to play him at shortstop and he's having a huge year in Double-A. I wish Phillips walked a bit more, but it's hard to argue with his .327 average, .380 on-base percentage and .506 slugging percentage. I'd also take Kansas City's Angel Berroa over Reyes at this point, because Berroa is more advanced, but I have moved Reyes ahead of Atlanta's Wilson Betemit."

17 June, 2002

John Sickels, ESPN, on Rafael Soriano SEA :

" ... Promoting Soriano directly to Seattle from Double-A sounded risky to me, but he's done very well so far for the Mariners, posting a 3.60 ERA. Anyone who has seen him pitch can attest to his nasty stuff, as well as his mound presence and fluid delivery. Can he keep it up? In 30 innings, he's allowed just 18 hits. He's fanned 21 while walking eight. The biggest warning sign in his statistical record is six homers allowed; he really needs to keep people off base if he's going to be giving up a tater per game, but so far he's been able to do that. If he stays healthy, Soriano has a good chance to post Freddy Garcia-like numbers down the road."

21 June, 2002

Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld, on Victor Martinez, catcher, CLE :

" ...  .316, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 36/29 K/BB, 2 SB in 225 AB for Double-A Akron Martinez is hitting very well again this year and could be ready to challenge Einar Diaz for starting catcher duties in mid-2003. He’s not likely to perform as well in the majors as he has in the minors, but he’ll be an upgrade over Diaz offensively without being a liability defensively."

" ... Dave Krynzel - OF Brewers ... becoming a legit prospect this year. A first-round pick in 2000 ...  sent him back to High Desert this year. It was certainly the right move. Krynzel is currently hitting .259 with 7 HR, 23 RBI, 67/49 K/BB and 19 SB in 239 AB. While he is batting 25 points less than he did last year, both his OBP and his SLG are up about 70 points. Krynzel has all the tools. Now that the performance is there, he’s someone to take seriously as a prospect ... He’s not going to be a true star, but he will probably have a lot of fantasy value."

" ... Casey Kotchman - 1B Angels ...  a solid first-base prospect. He has the chance to be something more ... He was 20-for-37 with a pair of Rookie ball teams before a wrist injury ended his 2001 season. He’s had no problems bouncing back this year. He’s currently batting .285 with 3 HR, 29 RBI, 27/38 K/BB and 2 SB in 214 AB for Single-A Cedar Rapids. Kotchman is just 19, so there is no reason to be concerned about his low homer total this year. He does have 22 doubles. As he reaches ages 21 and 22, those doubles will start turning into homers. Kotchman already has terrific plate discipline ... defense at first base is first-rate ... may look like a Mark Grace now, but he has some Todd Helton in him ...  By this time next year, he could be one of the top 10 or 20 prospects in baseball."

23 June, 2002

Josh Goldfine, SportsTicker, on Michael Cuddyer MIN :

" ... Cuddyer is doing everything to prove to the big league club that he can play -- whether that ends up being in Minnesota or someplace else ...  more than holding his own at the plate in his first Triple-A season. Last year, he set a Double-A New Britain franchise record with 30 home runs -- all while playing his home games in one of the minors' best pitchers parks. This year, the now 22-year-old Cuddyer is hitting .335 with 17 homers -- second-best in the Pacific Coast League -- and 40 RBI. His .661 slugging percentage leads the league. His nine homers and 23 RBI this month ranks tops in the minor leagues through Thursday."

Kevin Winter, SportsTicker, on Dontrelle Willis FLO :

" ...  already owns the longest scoreless innings streak in the minor this season. He wants more. Willis pitched 29 2/3 straight innings without allowing a run from April 25-May 18. He is now in the midst of a 22-inning scoreless stretch that began on May 29 ...  6-2 on the season and was leading the league with a 1.36 ERA at the All-Star break. Willis, who was acquired by the Marlins this spring in the deal that sent pitchers Matt Clement and Antonio Alfonseca to the Cubs this spring, started the All-Star Game for the West squad and pitched a scoreless first inning."

John Sickels, ESPN, on Khalil Greene SD :

" ... There are two main concerns about Greene. Some question how much power he'll show with a wooden bat. He'll hit for average and his strike zone judgment is good, but despite the 27 homers he hit this year, not everyone thinks he'll hit for more than gap power in the pros. The other concern is his defense. He's reliable, but despite his penchant for the spectacular play, some scouts don't think he'll have enough range to play shortstop long-term. That's not a unanimous concern, though if it does turn into a problem, he'll be shifted to second base."

Sickels on Kirk Saarloos HOU :

" ... It's not that Saarloos throws that hard. His fastball has average velocity, though it does have good movement. He gets people out because he knows how to pitch. Both his slider and his changeup are excellent, and when everything is working, he is extremely difficult to hit ...  He got knocked around in his first start for the Astros, not something unexpected given his rapid advance. He should adjust eventually, provided he retains his confidence. Statistically, there is nothing in Saarloos' record that is not positive. From a subjective perspective, more and more scouts think he has what it takes to be a very fine major-league pitcher, though they'll always be a tinge of skepticism (until he actually succeeds) due to his mediocre heater."

26 June, 2002

Josh Boyd, BA, with a feature on Justin Huber NYN :

" ... He spent a lot of his time this spring picking the brains of coaches and some of the Mets’ more experienced receivers like Mike Piazza, Vance Wilson and Jason Phillips. "What stuck out most about him was his ability to want to learn," Wilson said. "He understands what has to happen to make it. I’ve been in the big leagues for two years, and he’s the first young kid I’ve been around like that. I’ve seen people change and turn into that, but he’s got a good head on his shoulders. That’s what makes him a can’t-miss prospect."

28 June, 2002

Merle Fields, Braves Minors, on some of the ATL prospects at Macon, SAL :

" ... Third baseman Andy Marte was considered an excellent sign when he inked a contract at age 16 out of the Dominican. Marte, only 18 now, is tied for second in the league with 11 home runs, has 15 doubles and is 3rd in the league with 51 RBI's. He has maintained an average around .270 for the season's first half. Scouts talk about the sound the ball makes off the bat when Marte hits and the soft hands and plus arm he owns at the hot corner. He has struck out 61 times in 61 games, but he has also walked 28 times, which is the second highest total in the Braves' system. Watch Marte...he could be a very special talent."

Matthew Pouliot, Rotoworld,  on Jose Reyes NYN :

" ...  My biggest miss in the offseason Top 100 Prospects list was leaving off Jose Reyes ..  That’s not going to be a problem when I update the Top 100 Prospects at the All-Star break ... What he’s done this year has earned him a spot as one of the elite prospects in the minors ... .At this point, the only question seems to be whether Reyes will be a star or a Jimmy Rollins-type player. Given his improved plate discipline and his emerging power, I’m betting on the former. Defensively, he’ll be well above average. Offensively, he might be Derek Jeter. As a 19-year-old, he’s already a better player than Rey Ordonez. By this time next year, he could claim the shortstop job."

30 June, 2002

David Cameron, Strike Three, on Corey Hart, now 3B, MIL :

" ...  20-year-old slugger who has switched from first base to third while playing for High Desert in the California League. The Brewers made the move after drafting Prince Fielder, which gave them quite a logjam at first base but no real answers to their third-base problem. Hart's overall numbers are quite impressive, especially his power. However, High Desert is one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the minors, ranking 12 percent above the California League average in run scoring. Hart's road numbers bear out the advantage he's had from his home park. His batting average at home is a robust .380, but falls to .246 when he leaves the friendly confines. Hart's power, however, appears legitimate, as he's actually slugging extra-base hits at nearly the same ratio on the road as he is at home. His plate discipline has also been better while in the pitcher's parks, which is actually pretty common. Hitters tend to be more aggressive in places where they know they have a better chance to get a hit. Overall, Hart's numbers show him to be a promising slugger who needs to make more consistent contact and draw a few more walks. If he can finish the season strong and improve his numbers on the road, the Brewers will have good reason to be enthusiastic about sending him to AA for 2003."

03 July, 2002

Kevin Winter, SportsTicker, on Jose Reyes NYN :

" ... He came out of the shoot like a house on fire," said Binghamton Mets manager Howie Freiling. "He's the best prospect in the league and one of the top two or three players that I've ever coached." At 6-0, 160 pounds, Reyes has exceptional range in the field, which is considered by many to be his forte. He has soft hands and a plus arm, the one area of improvement that many project for Reyes. During the 2001 season, Reyes committed just 18 errors and led all South Atlantic League shortstops with a .964 fielding percentage. He will probably add upper body strength as he gets older, which will not only help him develop a stronger arm, but will also help him develop a little more pop to his bat. If he can add some muscle, the speedster has the potential to find the gaps in opposing defenses, resulting in more extra-bases. "He has all the tools and he can flat out fly," Freiling said. "There's not one specific thing that jumps out at me. The entire package jumps out at me. He is a natural baseball player."

07 July, 2002

Josh Goldfine, SportsTicker, on Victor Diaz LA :

" ...  third baseman Victor Diaz was selected recently to represent the World Team at this Sunday's Future's Game in Milwaukee, and with good reason. Diaz may be one of the most anonymous top prospects in the game. He attended Grayson County (Texas) Junior College and was a draft-and-follow selection from the 2000 draft. Last summer, Diaz won the Gulf Coast League batting title with a .354 average while also leading the league in total bases (104), slugging (.533), hits (69), extra-base hits (27) and doubles (22). He has moved from second base to the hot corner for this season, his first full year as a pro. Diaz has made the transition to the full-season league with no problem, at least offensively. The 20-year-old ranks second in the South Atlantic League with a .358 average (courtesy of his hitting an even .400 in June). His 112 hits lead the league with ease, and Diaz also tops the circuit with his 26 doubles. He also ranks among the league leaders in on-base percentage (.416), slugging percentage (.530) and extra-base hits (36). Diaz reminds some of a young Vladimir Guerrero in that he can hit practically any pitch and hit it hard. Diaz is still learning to play third base, but his work ethic with regard to improving his defense has been called into question."

08 July, 2002

Jayson Stark, ESPN, on Brandon Phillips CLE :

" ...  Here are some of the terms used to describe the Indians' 21-year-old shortstop of the future by the general managers and scouts gathered behind home plate Sunday: "An absolute stud," said one GM. "We love him." "Has a chance to be a Paul Molitor-type player," said one AL executive. "We tried to deal for him," said an AL scout. "And we were told he was off limits. Untouchable." "Runs. Hits. Makes plays. Plays his butt off," said another scout. So it didn't really matter that all Phillips did in the Futures Game was take a four-pitch walk (and eventually score the USA's only run in a 5-1 loss to the World team Sunday). The baseball universe knows what he is and who he is. Now it's just the rest of the continent that's catching up ... But where once he was blocked by Orlando Cabrera, now he's blocked by Omar Vizquel -- unless Vizquel agrees to relinquish his right to veto any deals. So Phillips will be doing some bopping around the infield, playing some second and some third base, as he did in the Fall League, in case that's where his future lies. "I think he could be a hell of a second baseman," said one scout Sunday. "He can really go get the ball in either direction. He'd have a shortstop arm playing second, but hey, you've gotta turn that double play." "Learning those other positions, that can only be a plus," Phillips said. "I like second. I like third. But shortstop -- that's my position."

09 July, 2002

Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld, on some future bets :

" ... Dewon Brazelton - RHP Devil Rays - The third overall pick in last year’s draft, Brazelton is arguably the American League’s top pitching prospect. He has been very good in Double-A this year (1-5, 3.10 ERA, 71 H, 73/43 K/BB in 90 IP for Orlando), but probably not quite excellent enough to force his way into the Tampa Bay rotation for the second half of the year. He will get the chance to compete for a spot next spring. Even if he misses out, he’ll probably get his opportunity in May or June."

" ... Joe Crede - 3B White Sox - Crede should be starting at third base for the White Sox right now. Since he isn’t, it makes me wonder if he has any future at all with the team, but I do think that once the White Sox fall out of contention (and they will unless they make some real changes), they’ll have to turn to Crede at third and return Royce Clayton to the bench. Crede is batting .306 with 19 HR and 54 RBI for Triple-A Charlotte. He’s not going to put up those kind of numbers in the majors, but expect him to be a $13-$14 player in 2003."

Kevin Wheeler, The Sporting News, on Jeremy Bonderman, reported to be part of the package OAK will send to DET as part of the Weaver deal :

" ... Bonderman's tools are top-notch. His fastball routinely reaches the mid-90s and he has a hard curve. Now 6-1, 210 pounds, Bonderman is 19 years old (he won't be 20 until Oct. 28), and he's already in the high Class A California League. His numbers aren't mind-blowing (4.15 ERA, 93 1/3 IP, 105 K, .228 opponents' average), but when you consider his age and the level of play they indicate the potential for stardom. He was in high school 13 months ago and now he's on the verge of Class AA. That's something special."

10 July, 2002

The Mets' Justin Huber was selcted as the Top Player in Low A-Ball by BA :

" ... Huber is rapidly emerging as the Mets’ top position prospect. A spring training dinner with Mike Piazza has paid dividends on and off the field for Huber, who borrowed a lot of Piazza’s preparation secrets as well as hitting tips. The burly 20-year-old has also earned a reputation as a manager’s dream for his work ethic and drive to improve. Huber has displayed tremendous power, putting up Piazza-like numbers in his first full season, after hitting .314-7-31 in the Rookie-level Appalachian League last year. He was leading the South Atlantic League in on-base plus slugging percentage, with an eye-catching .995, and he’s an accomplished receiver that pitchers love to work with."

Andrew Soukup, South Bend Tribune, on Aaron Heilman NYN :

" ...  Focus isn't a problem for Heilman, who has compiled a 4-4 record and a 3.82 ERA in 17 starts with Binghamton this year. Consistency is. One night, he can be virtually invincible, as he was in April when he took a no-hitter through six innings. Other times, he struggles to find the strike zone, like he did during a 27-day winless streak in June ...  But Heilman's search for consistency is just a small chink in the armor of a pitcher who has impressed the Mets with his ability to get a strikeout when he needs it the most.

Heilman, who has a team-high 97 strikeouts, has polished a wide repertoire of pitches that enabled him to set several pitching records during his four years at Notre Dame. His best pitch is a fastball clocked in the low 90s and he has a nasty slider to keep hitters off-balance. "He's been progressing well," said Kevin Morgan, the Mets' director or minor league operations. "He came in with a pretty decent arsenal and has had some success ... He has to create the consistency needed to make it to the next level."

11 July, 2002

Bob Clark, Eugene Register-Guard, on SS Khalil Greene SD :

" ...  Greene is batting .348 - with an on-base percentage of .483 - and playing like a natural at shortstop, his college position only the past two years. He is, by all measures, as good as advertised when the Padres made him the 13th player selected in the draft ... In his first six minor-league games through Monday, Greene has struck out only twice in 23 at-bats, and has generally made solid contact against a variety of pitchers. He has only one extra-base hit, a double, but Ems manager Jeff Gardner predicted "he'll hit with some power, it's hard to say how much. He definitely hits the ball hard enough to hit with power." At Clemson, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound Greene had 92 doubles for his career, second-most in NCAA history, including 30 this season when he also hit 26 homers, half of his college total. The conversion to the wood bats of pro baseball has hardly been noticeable with Greene. Others may struggle with their initiation to playing for pay, but Greene hasn't, for a fairly simple reason. "Because he's good, and not only is he good, he's got a great swing," Gardner said. "He's got a swing that works ... he takes his hands forward, gets ready early ... it doesn't matter where he plays, if he takes that approach, he's going to hit."

12 July, 2002

Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld, has the first installment of his updated Top 100 -- the top five :  Hank Blalock, Jose Reyes, Mark Teixeira, Brandon Phillips, Joe Borchard.

" ... Teixeira’s future is probably at first base, not third, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s one of the elite prospects in baseball. At the beginning of the season, it was feared that Teixeira would miss the entire year with an elbow injury. However, he was able to join Charlotte in early June and has been one of the Florida State League’s best hitters ever since. Teixeira may not get his chance until 2004, but he should be ready for the majors in mid-2003. Expect him to be an All-Star first baseman. An MVP or two could be in his future."

At #19, Rich Harden OAK :

" ... Harden hasn’t exactly come out of nowhere this season, as he did pitch very well after signing as a draft-and-follow last summer. However, no one would have expected this meteoric of a rise. Harden throws 94 mph and has one of the best sliders in the minors. He could reach the majors by this time next year, but he will have to stay ahead of some of Oakland’s other very good pitching prospects. Unlike Mike Wood, Jason Arnold and John Rheinecker, all of whom have the potential to be No. 3 starters, Harden projects as a No. 2."

16 July, 2002

Both Mark Jerkatis, Top Prospect Alert, and Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld, have begun their prospect updates.  Pouliot has revised his Top 100, with the 2nd installment Monday, while Jerkatis has the first installment of his team-by-team prospect revisions.

Jerkatis on Bobby Brownlie, #5 CHN prospect :

" ... Cubs getting Brownlie at the #21 slot has to be the biggest steal of the first round as he quite arguably was the best pitcher available. Nonetheless, his agent, Scott Boras, and nagging arm troubles during his 2002 season let him fall that far. While he remains unsigned, assuming his health problems are behind him, he could be battling for a major league rotation spot as early as late 2003."

Pouliot on Joe Mauer C MIN (#7 on the Top 100) :

" ... Mauer probably has as much chance of becoming a Hall of Famer as anyone on this list. Catching prospects do have a tendency to stall, but Mauer, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, is a special player. The 19-year-old is a terrific defensive catcher with a strong work ethic. He’s hitting for average and drawing walks with Quad City. The power will come in a year or two. Mauer probably won’t be ready until 2005. With A.J. Pierzynski around, the Twins will have no need to rush him."

Pouliot on Cliff Lee SP CLE, #71 :

" ... I like lefties with strong strikeout rates and Lee certainly qualifies. He K’d 129 in 109 2/3 IP for Single-A Jupiter last season and is doing nearly as well this year. Lee has the most upside of any of Cleveland’s young left-handers. He projects as a No. 3 starter and is an intriguing fantasy prospect."

Pouliot on Seth McClung Sp TB, #83 :

" ... throws in the mid-90s and has a devastating curveball. He made just seven starts Bakersfield before getting the chance to move up to the Eastern League. He’s been just decent for Orlando so far, but some improvement in the second half seems likely. McClung has a lot of upside as a starting pitcher, but his changeup needs a lot of work. If that pitch doesn’t come around, he could end up as a setup man or a closer."

Tom Krasovic, SD Union-Tribune, on Jake Gautreau 2B SD :

" ... diagnosed with an inflammatory disease of the large intestine that Padres general manager Kevin Towers said "can flare up and cause a lot of discomfort." Gautreau, 22, hasn't played since July 7. Towers said Gautreau, a Class A second baseman, has a form of ulcerative colitis. "He should be able to play," Towers said. "It's just that there's going to be a lot of pain sometimes. It's a disease that he's going to have for the rest of his life. But the doctors told us that the medication should be able to contain it." Towers said Gautreau will be sidelined another week or so but is expected to play again this season."

Josh Goldfine, SportsTicker, on Todd Linden SF :

" ... has had his way with Double-A Texas League pitching this season (.318, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 24 doubles). Linden, who turned 22 last month and participated in the Double-A All-Star Game  ...has enjoyed a terrific first pro season ...tied for fourth in the league in average and hits (102) and fifth with a .408 on-base percentage. His average at home (.348) is actually far better than on the road (.294). Linden has a sweet swing and can drive the ball to all fields. He had a 15-game hitting streak earlier this season, tied for the league's third-longest this year. Linden's biggest downfall this season is a clear struggle against left-handed pitching. He is batting just .231 against southpaws, as opposed to .335 versus righties. Named as the top prospect in the Cape Cod League in 2000."

 26 July, 2002

John Sickels, ESPN, on Cody Ross DET :

" ... Ross is a sleeper, and we should be hearing more about him over the next few months ... he is putting up intriguing power/speed numbers this year at Double-A Erie. He's hitting .289/.353./.540 through 79 games, with 15 steals to go with his 16 homers and 21 doubles. He isn't extremely patient, drawing just 26 walks so far in 328 plate appearances, but he doesn't strike out excessively, which gives him a good chance to control the strike zone at higher levels. At age 21, he has lots of development time left. His walk rate was a bit higher in A-ball than it has been in Double-A, and in the long run, I don't think plate discipline will be an insurmountable problem for him. Ross was drafted in the fourth round in 1999, out of high school in New Mexico. At 5-11, 180, he isn't a big toolsy physical monster that makes scouts sweat. But he has good athletic ability, works his tail off, and shows sound baseball instincts. I like him quite a bit."

Jim Callis, Baseball America, on Brendan Harris CHN :

" ... The 21-year-old Harris is essentially an offensive player who's pretty polished with the bat. He could make a little more contact, but he's young and he hits for average, drives the ball and draws walks. Defensively, he projects to be average at best because he lacks range. With Bobby Hill around, it's much more likely that Harris eventually will wind up at third base. He'll probably need another two years in the minors before he's ready for Chicago. It's too early to pronounce him a star and he's not in Hill's class, but Harris could produce along the lines of David Bell or Joe Randa."

27 July, 2002

Michelle Gardner, San Bernardino County Sun, on Jose Lopez SS SEA : 

" ... At 18, Lopez is the second-youngest player in the league. The lofty statistics he has put up are impressive enough. They are even more noteworthy given his age and that it is his first year playing a full minor-league season. He boasts a league-leading batting average of .330. He also is first in hits (121), tied for third in doubles (25) and tied for fourth in stolen bases (26). He has made 18 errors, but his .953 fielding percentage puts him second to only High Desert's J.J. Hardy among every day shortstops ... No player has been more consistent. Lopez has recorded at least one hit in 72 of the 86 games he has played in and has multiple hits in 38. Despite being well into the final third of the season, Lopez has yet to post consecutive 0-fer games ... . ``It's amazing how good he is for someone so young,'' said teammate Justin Leone, who plays next to Lopez on the diamond. ``I'm seven years older than he is so I can't believe some of things he does. He's destined to be in the big leagues and it probably isn't going to take him very long.''

Jack Kerwin, The Trentonian, on Jose Reyes NYN :

" ... word out of company headquarters in Queens is that the organization has no intention of rushing Reyes to the Big Apple as a late-season call-up either, especially since that would require some 40-man roster reshuffling. "There's no point to it," said Mets minor-league infield instructor Tim Teufel, a member of the organization's 1986 World Series championship team. "He has all the tools. He just needs to refine them, and he'll do that by playing in good, competitive games right here. He doesn't need to sit on the bench up there." ...   From all accounts, the only thing that would keep Reyes away from the bigs, or boot him out of them, is a lack of work ..or a serious injury. "That's it," said Teufel. "That's all I can see. I mean, you look at the kid and he can do it all. He has a lot of talent. He's young. He can run. He has every tool you can imagine, or hope for, in a player. He can hurt you in so many ways. "Sure, he has weaknesses right now. All players do. He needs to learn how to handle balls in the hole with backhand better, and then how to throw from that spot, too. He certainly has the ability to do it. He just needs to learn how. "Basically, it's just the small things he needs to work on. All the major stuff is there. He needs to stay focused, keep that game face on and put his talent to work. There's a certain mental capacity that you need to have in order to do that, and I think he's tough enough, mentally, to handle it." Said B-Mets manager Howie Freiling: "His baseball instincts are fantastic. You can't teach them. There's no timetable for when he gets up to the majors, but when he does, watch out."

28 July, 2002

Kevin Wheeler, The Sporting News, on Prince Fielder MIL :

" ... has had no trouble adjusting to professional baseball. Through 33 games in the Pioneer League, he was hitting .357 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs. He had drawn 23 walks against 25 strikeouts, posting a .478 on-base percentage and a 1.129 OPS. He seems ready for a new challenge."

Greg Ball, North County Times, on Mark Phillips SD  5.0 4 4 3 3 3, 7-7, 4.70:

" ... Phillips' inconsistency has become maddening at times to those who have watched him this season, and Saturday was no different. A win would have matched his season-best of two straight, but his downs outweighed his ups. He left after five innings having allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks. He fell apart in the second and allowed the leadoff batter to score after reaching on an error in the third, but shut the side down in order in the first and fourth, and faced the minimum numbers of batters in the fifth. Phillips took the loss and slipped to 7-7."

29 July, 2002

Kevin Wheeler, The Sporting News, on Gavin Floyd PHI :

" ... After the no-hitter, Floyd was 8-7 with a 2.88 ERA in 20 starts for Lakewood. His other numbers, however, are much more impressive: 110 strikeouts in 122 innings (8.1 per nine innings), and a .194 opponents' batting average. Floyd has the physical tools to be an ace someday. His fastball reaches 96-97 mph, he has a nice curve, and his changeup isn't half-bad for someone his age. He has had some trouble with walks (50 this season), but that's not a big concern at this point. If he can avoid a serious injury, Floyd should follow in the footsteps of Brett Myers and advance quickly after being drafted out of high school."

30 July, 2002

On Jack Cust ... a review of the pre-season reports :

BA, ranked him #4 among ARZ prospects (claimed the last spot in BA's Top 100)  " ... is a batting cage rat who wants to hit around the clock. He has uncommon strike-zone judgement and rarely chases bad pitches, especially early in the count. He looks for pitches to drive and has well-above-average power to all fields ... often swings from his heels trying to hit every ball out of sight, leading to his lofty strikeout totals."

BBHQ, #59 on the Top 100, #1 COL prospect " ... He continues to get on base and drive the baseball, but his BA has gone down with each promotion, despite hitter-friendly environments. The trade to the Rockies still doesn't clear a path for him, as his defense will never hold up in the spacious outfield in Coors Field."

BBW  " ... has big-league power but has severe defensive limitations. He isn't capable of covering Coors' ample left field and probably won't get the chance, although he could put up good numbers if traded to an American League club."

Minors First, #51 " ... His inability to improve his defense in the outfield has made Cust's stock drop each of the last two years. His offensive production is still top notch though. I have to think there are a lot of teams that would find a spot for him, but Arizona doesn't look to be one of them. 30-40 homers and 100+ walks aren't out of the question for Cust to achieve."

MLBProspect, #2 on COL " ... He has what it takes to be a perennial 30 HR/100 RBI/100 BB hitter. The one thing Cust will likely never do is hit for a high average, due to his uppercut home run swing that produces a lot of whiffs. He won't chase bad pitches though, working pitchers until he gets a pitch he likes. Cust still has room to get a little stronger, so his bat should become even more potent."

StrikeThree, #15  " ... Just put him in the lineup and smile ... Arizona was down on him because he is likely to be the worst defensive left fielder in baseball and they have a logjam at first base. However, they overlooked the fact that he's just a pure masher. In AAA this past season, he hit .278/.415/.525. He's done nothing but hit the past three years and I have no reason to believe he'll fail to do so at the major league level."

TPA #1 ARZ  " ... Arguably the minor league's premier power prospect, the 1997 1st rounder has proved all he needs to in the minors. He hits well and with astonishing power, while he strikes out way too much (nearly once every 3 ABs) he actual has good strike zone judgment that allowed him to walk over 100 times. This gives him a good OBA to go with all of that power ... I think Cust is one of those rare individuals who will post better numbers in the majors than he has in the minors when he has protection around him that the relatively weak Diamondback system hasn't been able to provide him ... He is a future 3/4/5 hitter who will hit .290+, w/100+ walks, and 40+ homeruns for many seasons."

                                                                                                                            Rookies 2002 Page Four