Welcome Back: Crops on the Farm Summer Prospect List
by Finnerty.Fan on Aug 9, 2009 11:28 PM CDT
72 comments
http://crops.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/08/top-ten-rangers-prospects-summer-edition.html
I'm back! Sorry for the writing delay, but I had a family member pass and I was forced out of town for a few weeks. Sometimes losing a loved one makes everything else seem small and trivial. I just lost a part of me and I couldn't find the spark to get up off the couch and back into the game.
I've been working on this prospect list for some time, and Ive been second guessing myself. I made several mistakes in thinking when I first started writing. I really only have box scores to go by, but I do try to read everything available in order to form solid conclusions. Feel free to disagree, but there are some of the readers out there, specifically on Lone Star Ball, that seem to think they know more because of seniority or clique mentality. Listen, if you want to debate baseball, let's do it. If you want to snipe at me to make yourself feel better, I suggest you take a good look in the mirror and come to the realization that you don't know **** and that you are actually taking the time to attack someone on a baseball message board. I suggest you grow and dick and learn how to use it. Whew, sorry. Let's get to the list (I didn't include current prospects on the mlb roster).
1. Justin Smoak: He's a smasher that is finally starting to smash in AAA. He is the 1B of the future and perhaps a player that will make multiple all-star teams in the future.
2. Martin Perez: Not many pitchers have the hype of Perez. The 18 year old with the Santana comp and the mid 90s fastball is standing at the door of stardom. I think he pitches in the majors in 2010. Call it a Finn feeling.
3. Blake Beavan: Look, I get it that he doesn't strike many guys out. So? Why does a guy have to have high strikeout totals in order to get respect. Beavan is a 20 year old in Double A and is more than holding his own. Give me a break. Beavan has the size and the stuff to be a major league starter. He is going to be very, very good.
4. Matt Purke: I know he hasn't signed, but damn. This kid has star written all over his left arm. Mid 90s fastball with a good breaking ball and a feel for pitching. When he signs, Purke could be one of the better young arms in the minors. I think Nolan will sign Purke and he will climb thru the system like Feliz did in 2008.
5. Wilmer Font: I continue to read that Font has a very special fastball. Considering his size, his age, and his fastball, Font sounds like a pitcher that should be considered a top prospect. I haven't read much about his breaking ball, but if his fastball is as good as they say, he might not need any breaking ball.
6. Mitch Moreland: He's a little too old for his league but I like his stats. He looks like a guy that can hit for serious power and a high average. Double trouble. I read that his glove isn't great in the outfield, but he can battle Smoak and Davis for playing time at 1B and at DH. Moreland will be wearing a Rangers uniform in 2010.
7. Engel Beltre: Tools. Tools. Tools. All I read about are Beltre's tools. I get it. He's talented. His numbers suggest a player that is wayyyyy over his head in Bakersfield. I struggled on where to rank Beltre. Honestly, the Rangers system doesn't look as good as it once did. With guys like Holland, Hunter, Feliz, and Borbon in the majors, and guys like Purke and Scheppers yet to sign, the system as a whole looks average. I love the guys like Smoak, Perez, and Beavan, but after them, the crops don't look quite as promising. Oh well. Anyway, Beltre goes here because of his ridiculous talent. I'll give him one more year to get it together. If he sucks next year it might be his final chance.
8. Tanner Scheppers: I loved this draft pick, but now I'm worried that he wont sign. I read that he wants to play in Japan. Bummer. If he does sign, Scheppers could jump straight to the majors. He is ridiculously talented and could be an ace. Big if on the signing front.
9. Omar Poveda: One of my favorite pitchers. He has great size and great stuff. He is still quite young and should develop into a major leaguer very soon. He has the potential to shoot up this list next season. Of course he could be in Arlington, so hopefully he wont be on next year's list.
10. Michael Main: Former first round pick that developed a lupus like virus that sapped his season. His numbers looked terrible this season. Let's hope it was lupus related and not pitching related. Being a former first round pick buys you some time to shine, but his wndow is closing very fast. If Main doesn't rebound next season he will be joining Beltre on the bus off the farm.
-Jimmy
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Sorry about your loss
Welcome back Fin. We missed you. What are your thoughts on Moscoso now?
It is a great thing to know the season for speech and the season for silence.
--Seneca
Thanks
Great numbers. I liked him in his major league stint. I’m still not sold on his durability. I just think he is a bullpen arm at best, but I sure hope he proves to be more. AS I mentioned before, I dont think his size is an asset. I’m just not sure.
by Finnerty.Fan on Aug 9, 2009 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions
kinda tough on
mikey main, no? i think he still has 2 or 3 yrs before we declare him a bust.
Sorry to hear you lost a family member...
your ability to analyze prospects still sucks though.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I must go grow a dick.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
I put a bunch of Miracle Grow on mine
All I got was a chemical burn.
Remember Red, hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.
by WyoRanger on Aug 11, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Shouldn't have spent 20 minutes rubbing it in.. :-)
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Yawn.
This shit again?
Nice job on playing to the sympathies of an unfriendly audience before proceeding with your bit, I guess.
Thanks for posting
I’m glad you took the time to make an insignificant contribution. Your time is valuable, Bondick. Dont waste it on me.
by Finnerty.Fan on Aug 10, 2009 12:57 AM CDT up reply actions
LOL
No Fin – thank you for proving me right. :-)
by JimBonnick84 on Aug 10, 2009 4:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Captain Wonderful
approves of this list.
Remember to retire Fin's number, Mark.
Beavan and Poveda ahead of Kiker
Ballsy, to say the least.
Also, isn’t Moreland age-appropriate for the Texas league? IIRC, average age there is around 22 or 23.
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
smeh, I was off
Average and median age in the Texas League is 24.7 per Lucas, and Mitch turns 24 in September.
Still age-appropriate for his league though, not old for it.
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
by Keynes on Aug 10, 2009 3:45 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Median vs average
Is the Texas league really perfectly symmetrically distributed?
I’d expect the median age to be less than the average age..
Just nitpicking.
I thought it was odd, too
but it comes from Scott Lucas, and given that JD himself was cross-checking with Lucas on Newberg Night, I buy it.
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
by Keynes on Aug 11, 2009 2:38 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Of course,
there’s a guy there now who’s gonna make that average age drop a bit…
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
by Keynes on Aug 11, 2009 2:39 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
No way Perez pitches for the Rangers next year.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
There's a very real chance he'll be ready to.
He could handle Frisco right now, imo.
I think saying he’d be ready to get his feet wet via the ‘pen next September isn’t out of the range of possibility.
Whether they’d actually not be pussies and call him up, though…. that’s a whole ’nother issue.
With the fortypacolypse being nigh, I could see them not wanting to call up anyone not due for fortying that Winter.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 10, 2009 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions
No.
I think he 100% could handle that, but I think they’ll keep him with his friends like Wilmer and Boscan and start him off in Bakersfield.
I get the feeling that the org likes to keep groups together, especially when it comes to super young latin teenagers who are obviously friends like Wilmer and Martin are. I have no concrete proof of this, of course. Just a feeling.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 10, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions
50 bucks says Perez is a RoughRider by August 11th...
Of this year…dear God
"Support the Dutch Oven"
by RangerFloppy on Aug 11, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It stands to reason with the looming 40pacolypse(great term D.A.Tron)
that they may slow the promotional schedule down. Out of need, the F.O. has needed to move the prospects quickly (plus some of the fuckers just insisted on moving up by their awesomeness). I don’t see that as the case for the next few years(fingers crossed). Unless Martin forces all of his Bakersfield victims to get tatoos of his name on their ass, he probably doesn’t see Frisco until at least July. To that end, anyone know if the Rangers are going to continue their affliation with Bakersfield?
Your 2009 Snow Monkey Ambassador
couldn't you see all 3
in Frisco by June?
by blueballlefty on Aug 10, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Based on Dirks scouting report on Font
I doubt he sees Frisco next year.
Boscan possibly by June, like ive been saying I think Perez starts in Frisco, but Font sounds like he has alot of work to do before being ready to hit the upper levels of the minors.
Plus I believe Font is rule 5 eligible after next season so keeping as low in the minors as possible may be to our advantage by decreasing the likelihood of someone grabbing him if we decide to leave him exposed.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I know a lot of things can happen in a year
But I can’t see ANY scenario where Font is left unprotected.
by BrentTaylor21 on Aug 10, 2009 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I can see it happening easily
I hope it doesn’t happen obviously but it very easily could
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I'm certainly not trying to pick a fight here
But is there anyone else who thinks we could “very easily” leave Font exposed after next season? I would think his ceiling alone guarantees him a very extended look. I’m very aware of the impending 40pocalypse, but this is an organization that protected Willie Eyre and John Bannister last winter.
by BrentTaylor21 on Aug 11, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
There is absolutely no way we leave Font open to be picked in the Rule V
0%
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
Really?
What if we promote both Smoak and Perez during 2010 and sign Scheppers to a ML deal before the 2010 season. Thats three guys who are 2011 or later going on the 40 man roster.
Then the possibility of our 1st round draft pick getting a ML deal. That could make 4 guys.
Add in what if Font struggles next year in High A. If Dirks scouting report is correct and he blatantly tips his secondary pitches he could get hammered. He’ll be 20 in May of next year so while still young he isn’t THAT young anymore. If he would have to redo High A after next season I see a very good chance we leave him exposed especially if some other pieces rise up.
For instance, what if Beavan breaks out and forces his way onto the big club? Corey Young has been talked about as a fast riser who could impact our bullpen. Both those guys are 2011 guys as well.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Given how young some of our fast-moving pitching prospects are..
We may need a new term to replace “breaks out”….
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
A few things
1.It is highly unlikely that Font is left unprotected. He is a legit top tier prospect in the making.
2. Font doesnt tip his secondary pitches anymore than the average 19 year old in full-season ball. In fact, his change-up has been quite effective this season and the reason has been his ability to throw it off his fastball. His curve has been improving as well. He is still somewhat raw, yes, but you cant look at a few starts in Low A and assume he isnt going to make improvements as he develops. I wouldnt worry about him getting hammered in High A until he starts getting hammered in High A. Even then I wouldnt worry too much about it. Every player develops at a different pace.
3. He will pitch the majority of the ’10 season at age 20. That is still considered very young.
4. Why are you worried about this again?
Im not really worried
I think he will develop enough to make this a non-issue or we will trade away some guys to make room.
However I am only going off Dirks latest report from his first hand experience the other day and it was not glowing regarding his secondary stuff. If an average fan or even a little leaguer can guess which pitch is coming based on differences in his delivery then guys in the Cal League (age 22-23 approximately) most certainly will be able to also.
My theory is if he is still having problems it would be best to keep him as low as possible in the minors to minimize the risk of him getting picked should you decide to leave him exposed. Its alot harder for an organization to pick someone if they have had minimal success at High A and no AA time than a guy who does have AA experience.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Font
Based on first hand conversations with scouts, writers that I trust, and my own eyes, Font’s secondary arsenal has improved a great deal this season. I was just discussing that with Jason Cole. He made a really good point saying that you cant really appreciate how much those pitches have improved if you didnt see the one-pitch/no command Font of the last few seasons. Of course, that one pitch was pretty damn impressive.
As was mentioned, Font is still somewhat raw and will no doubt have games where that rawness is obvious to most spectators. However, speculating that Font will struggle in High A based on one fan report suggesting he tips his pitches, is a little far-fetched, in my opinion.
But
a blogger on LSB said it so it must be true…
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
"you're fuckin out" (Kenny Powers)
Hello Win Column!!!
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Aug 11, 2009 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I think I overplayed the rawness part and didn't talk up the beastliness of his fastball.
The velocity wasn’t where I expected, but boy does he throw the thing easily and it has some serious heaviness to it. It moves. No one could even think about squaring up on it. He should be dubbed Wilmer of the Weak Contact.
And, like I said, his curveball flashed plus at times, but it was pretty doughy at other times, too, and he really was showing it with the difference in his delivery speed.
But I saw him for all of one start on one particular day in the early part of August.
The kid is really, really talented and there’s absolutely no way he goes unprotected in the Rule 5 unless something catastrophic happens.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 11, 2009 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Agree
His curveball and changeup were both impressive to me, given where they were in ‘07 and ’08, when I saw him in Hickory last month. If he is consistently tipping his pitches, the league likely would’ve picked up on it by now—he has been dominant since the beginning of July.
Serious question for you here JCole
Or any of our minor league gurus here really
How much video do Low A guys watch of upcoming opponents pitchers? Cole says that if he was consistently tipping his pitches the league would likely have caught up to it by now but since the beginning of July, Font hasn’t faced the same team more than once. In fact in his last 10 outtings he has faced 9 different opponents. The only similar one was back on June 15th and his last outting August 6th.
I don’t know exactly how the lowest levels of the minors work but I doubt they have the resources to spend a lot of time watching video on guys especially with the turnover rate especially on top prospects at that level. Midseason is about the time especially for positional prospects that promotions happen so the guys he faced at the start of the season have most likely moved on if they are good enough to notice differences in deliveries.
I don’t want this to sound like I am down on Font at all. But if he tips his pitches as bad as Dirk says he does then I feel as he moves up it will become more and more an issue and the more advanced guys will make him pay for it.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
No video
but every team has detailed scouting reports on the opposition. If he was tipping as bad as Dirk claims, it would have been exploited by now. That’s not the case.
I have yet to read an updated scouting report on Font that mentions pitch tipping being a legit, long-term problem. At Font’s level, every young arm will occasionally tip a secondary pitch. It just happens. It’s not really anything to worry about it at this stage of the game.
OK thanks
Again im not trying to be down on Font. The original statement was that all three of Boscan, Font, and Perez could be in Frisco by June of next year which I think is too quick. I would love nothing more than for Font to develop as much next year as he has this year. And I really don’t believe he will be exposed to the rule 5 next winter. I was merely pointing out a plausible scenario that could happen and its not a 100% lock he is protected
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
re: not a 100% lock he is protected
Allow me to retort:
No.
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Aug 11, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
re:
Font doesnt tip his secondary pitches anymore than the average 19 year old in full-season ball.
This is a really good point.
I see quite a bit of low-A baseball, living within five minutes of Boston’s low-A afffiliate, and seeing if I can spot the difference between a pitcher’s motion when he throws his various pitches is an odd facination of mine. (I’m a baseball dork… what can I say?)
You’d be surprised how few guys come out sparkling here like Martin does.
I could tell most of the time when Font was about to throw his breaking ball, but I can do that without about 50% of the guys I see at this level, and that rate is much higher amongst the non-prospects. And most pretty much all of those guys don’t have Font’s meaty mountain beast of a fastball.
Perez, I couldn’t tell. Navarez I could tell, but he sucks. Castillo, I couldn’t tell. Brigham, I could sometimes tell, but not often. Nam you could sometimes tell when he was raring back to throw a particularly big one, but you have to really be looking for it through all of the moving parts and funk in his delivery.
Of the Boston guys I’ve seen this season, only Bryan Price could I never seem to differetiate. I saw two Stolmy Pimentel starts (he’s gonna be fucking good) and could tell pretty regularly in his first, and then much less so in the second, so it’s something guys can improve on very quickly, especially if they’re “raw” coming in. I never did catch a Casey Kelly start… which makes me a sad as fuck panda. ;(
I stand by my observation that I could differentiate between the build up to the release part of his motion when he threw his CV vs his FB, but I don’t at all even a little teeny tiny bit think it’s a death knell in any way shape or form.
The arm is crazy loose and easy, and the fastball is plussy plus in terms of movement and, apparently on most days he pitches with higher velocity than I saw him at as well.
So, yah….
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 11, 2009 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions
I need to get out more it seems..
I ALWAYS have to do a double-take when someone uses the word “plussy” in a post..
That personal failing aside – thanks all for the detailed info. It helps to put the scotuing reports into eprspective when you are reminded that all these guys are learing, and they all backslide at times.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
I really am not sure
I understand the value in pushing prospects. It seems to me if you have a six year major league window for control, you’d kind of like that control window to go 24-29 or 25-30.
I don’t see as much value in doing what, say, Seattle did with ARod, and controlled him 19-24. Seems like you lose significant value with that strategy.
"I saw a soldier try to dig a foxhole with his bare hands. He didn't notice that he'd torn off all his fingernails. I got him out of there quickly; not for his sake, but for ours. Fear is poison in combat...destructive, contagious." - Band of Brothers
It's the Thad Levine doctrine
I think they need to revisit that philosophy, now they’ve established waves of viable prospects for the first time in a while. There’s no point in calling up Perez, or anyone else, until he/they’re close to polished. It’s going to be a log-jam in that rotation for a while, especially if they add a free agent.
That's why they call them business sox
You push them when you need to
If the option is to start Perez in the 2011 rotation or roll with an effective but clearly not TORP like Feldman, Hunter, etc., you definitely should stick with the more experienced guy and let Perez wait for his shot. If you’re talking about starting Perez in 2011 in your rotation over scrubs like Kris Benson or whomever, then its worth it to just let Perez get some experience under his belt. Things also change when the team isn’t in contention now or in the near future.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
40pocalypse prediction's
by the end of next season, these guys will be off the 40 some are obvious and some not so much I’ll start with the easy one’s
-Blalock
Guardado
Jennings
Arias
Vizquel
Byrd
and for the hard ones, maybe not so hard but a lil harder
-McCarthy
Eyre
Diamond
Benoit
Grilli
and now at risk but not for sure gone
-Madrigal
Mathis
Thats 13 out of 43 that I think won’t be on the 40 man by next July
by blueballlefty on Aug 10, 2009 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions
McCarthy? Grilli? Madrigal? and Mathis?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I seriously doubt Mathis
I only see McCarthy getting a couple of more chances, and I personally think a combination of his game sucking and injuries he will be gone.
Madrigal, he has never done anything at this level, maybe its personal but I have 0 confidence in the guy, I would have loved to see him get a chance to spend at least 5 months at AAA before we called him up, for a guy that has only been pitching a couple of years we have really yo-yo’d the shit out of him.
Grilli, I just don’t think we will need both him and O’Day next year and we still control O’Day
just my opinion thats all
by blueballlefty on Aug 10, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions
McCarthy is the only one I can seriously see being gone
But that won’t be until after next season when he’s out of options and has to either make the team or be DFAd. Same with Madrigal.
Im curious, 3 of those guys are straight relievers. Who do you see filling in their spots in the bullpen?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
well I believe that.......
………we will probably sign or pick up a guy like O’Day/Grilli if Grilli keeps playing like he is we won’t be able nor should we pay what he will probably get. I think guys like Poveda, Kiker, Moscoso, and hopefully Strop will be ready to step up by the end to the middle of next season to take hold of some bullpen roles to help break them in to the big leagues. I am not ready to say all of them will be there but at least two and hopefully three should be a fixture in the bullpen if ready to compete for a BOTR job. a note on Madrigal he has given up more runs in the big leagues this year than Mathis, Nippert, O’Day, Francisco, and Grilli all of which have pitched twice as many if not three times as many innings than he has. I really think that guy has been mismanaged the guy had 12IP in ’06 60 in ’07 and has been in the big leagues after pitching just over 100 innings in his career
by blueballlefty on Aug 10, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Benoit is a FA after this season
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
thus he will be off the 40 man true?
so is Grilli, Vizquel, Jennings, Guardado, and Byrd
by blueballlefty on Aug 11, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Grilli is still under team control
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Don't count on Vizquel not coming back
We still need a utility IF for next season and he’s hitting better than Vallejo in AAA while still showing that great defense of his. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him return next season. Either him or German proves himself in this limited time.
Grilli, Mathis, Madrigal, and McCarthy ain’t going anywhere anytime soon. Benoit’s contract is up at the end of this season IIRC.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
yea
alot of teams give up on toolsy 20 and 21 year olds. pretty common.
that was worth the wait Jamey, i mean Jimmy.
Free Ron Spellman!!
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Aug 10, 2009 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Im curious Fin
Where would Kiker rank in your rankings
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I'll bet he comes up a little bit short
There's one word that describes baseball - `You never know.' - Joaquin Andujar
Middle of the road
He’s a 5’10’’ lefty with an upper 80s fastball. Not much you can do with that. I think he is a LOOGY at best.
by Finnerty.Fan on Aug 11, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
6 more days on Purka-Purka
Most likely two or three more monthes for Schep.
Thanks, Uncle Bud.
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
by Keynes on Aug 11, 2009 2:44 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I wouldn't be so quick to cast Kiker's
velocity. I know he works high 80’s, low 90’s, but I remember that report- was it zywica’s?- that had him hit every number on the dial from, like 78 up to 94.
Kiker’s such a weird grab-bag. Hate the walks and the HPB’s and the meltdown innings, but he’s also leading his league in K’s while being 3 years below league average (and, strangely enough, league median as well).
I dunno, hard pressed to say he’d ceiling out as a LOOGY. I dunno that I’d marry myself to him being a starter, but you can see the CJ starter kit material there too.
Also, please stop saying nice things about our prospects. Look at what Poveda did after you showed him some love.
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
by Keynes on Aug 11, 2009 3:04 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
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