Minor observations

by FTLOTC on Jul 18, 2009 9:41 AM CDT

There are no legitimate position player prospects at AA or AAA. The only promising starting pitchers at these levels are Jay Jackson (8.19 K/9, 3.72 BB/9, 0.60 HR/9 in 75 IP at AA) and Andrew Cashner (7.44 K/9, 3.23 BB/9, 0.16 HR/9 in 55.2 IP between high-A/AA).

Starlin Castro is not exactly mashing, but is more than holding his own at high-A (.306/.337/.405) while being young for the level. Any word on his defense at SS?

While Vitters can hit, does his horrendous plate disciple (2.4 BB%) bring back memories of failed/failing prospects like Ryan Harvey, Brian Dopirak, and Tyler Colvin to anyone else?

Chris Carpenter (low-A/high-A) is looking like his Cardinals synonym (8.13 K/9, 3.81 BB/9, 0.50 HR/9 in 81 IP).

Tony Campana (low-A/high-A), while not a high-profile prospect, is fast (44SB/9CS).

Hak-Ju Lee will be 18 through the end of the season and is off to a good start at low-A (.327/.396/.429, 11SB/3CS, 98 AB)

2009 first-round signee Brett Jackson is off to a solid start at low-A, as well (.289/.448/.400, 45AB).

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Whats your thesis?

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jul 18, 2009 9:48 AM CDT reply actions

what say you?

I don’t understand this post?

This is the 3rd or 4th of this type in the last week. Perhaps you could have looked at recent history.

You didn’t say anything that hasn’t been discussed previously.

by socalbob on Jul 18, 2009 9:52 AM CDT reply actions

What about Darwin Barney and Steve Clevenger

Barney’s not exactly tearing it up at Iowa, but he has made it to AAA in his second full year out of college. He seems to have adjusted to wood bats quite a bit, given his solid stats at AA. Not an outstanding prospect, but I still have to think he has the potential to be a little better fielder and little worse hitter than Ryan Theriot.

Clevenger has a chance to be a high-average, good-fielding catcher with little power; a platoon starter in the majors.

You have to look beyond their stats with their current team.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by cubzfan on Jul 18, 2009 9:53 AM CDT reply actions

Barney/Clevenger

First, I definitely agree with the last point, particularly since both of these guys were called up late, and you have to give them some time to adjust.

I don’t know if people would call Clevenger a plus defensive player, but rather a consistent defensive player. He’s a good contact bat, and I’m hoping that some of that power in AA this year was real. I think his best case is still as a backup backstop that maybe subs at first once in awhile. There is a shot, though, that he could be a borderline starter.

I think Barney’s the hardworking type. I think he could probably by Theriot-ish offensively as well. Ryan was in the right spot at the right time. I think Darwin is going to need the right opportunity to start in the bigs as well, but I think he can probably fill in a backup MI role.

by toonsterwu on Jul 18, 2009 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Last time I checked, Castro had 25 errors at the all-star break

…not exactly an encouraging stat.

by bluekoolaide on Jul 18, 2009 10:07 AM CDT reply actions

From scouting reports, it sounds like he does a very good job with the difficult plays, but can have issues when it comes to routine plays. I’m guessing that’s something he can handle with more coaching and reps.

by Outshined_One on Jul 18, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Jeter

How many did Jeter make his 1st full yr ?

by Slamdog on Jul 18, 2009 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions

in 1996

his first full year, Jeter made 22 errors in 157 games. The year after that, he had 18, the year after that, 9, which is the fewest errors he’s ever had in a year, and he played under 150 games that year. He averages about 14 a season.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2009 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions

And, errors by a young SS aren't the best measure of his defensive value.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jul 20, 2009 6:39 AM CDT up reply actions

This post would have been better as a comment under the minor league wrap.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jul 18, 2009 10:37 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

it's a little too early to write off Colvin

by thehat34 on Jul 18, 2009 2:52 PM CDT reply actions

is it?

I guess I’m not completely writing him off yet. I started the year off with some hope, but he’s sporting a .252/.291/.468 line at AA in 139 AB’s. If you are saying whether or not I’ve completely written Colvin off, then the answer is no. But it’s not far from it. Furthermore, sure, he’s streaky and may get going to skew the numbers a bit, but I feel like he’s going to be, in a best case scenario, a Josh Kroeger type in that, he needs a few years to find the balance between discipline and instinct (Kroeger was a former top prospect coming up in Arizona).

by toonsterwu on Jul 18, 2009 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I think they said the same thing

When they talked about Soto, Hoffpauir, Marmol, Theriot, Fontenot, Wells, etc.

Not all All-Stars, but they are all contributing greatly to the team.

by IllinoisCubs on Jul 18, 2009 3:28 PM CDT reply actions

Good to have a discussion thread going

It’s nice to have a post to discuss the minor leagues once in awhile. Was trying to get a post done but got busy. Real quick, I will say this on AA/AAA – it is thin, but Welington Castillo’s glove has by most accounts, improved, and that’s what’s going to get him to the bigs. Steve Clevenger has the makings of a solid backup backstop if you don’t need a plus glove guy. Other than that, though, yes, it is pretty much slim pickings. It’s to be expected for AAA, where Hendry’s track record has shown a tendency to stock with fringe big leaguers.

Castro’s defensive potential is fine, but the consistency isn’t there. The scoutting reports on Vitters discipline is fine as well. Are both of those things going to develop? Here’s hoping, but there is no certainty to it. I don’t think you can read anything into Brett Jackson’s numbers until at least Daytona. I expect him to reach Daytona at some point in 2010. Actually, I think he might skip Peoria (finish Boise/start 2010 in Daytona). I guess I’m pleased enough in the early going, particularly with the walks.

Anyhow, if this thread is around, I’ll try to use it tomorrow or sometime thereafter to post my mid-season minor league thoughts/updated rankings and so forth.

by toonsterwu on Jul 18, 2009 7:19 PM CDT reply actions

Very interesting night on the mound

Jay Jackson starting at Tennessee – I was all set to be bold and slap him as the top prospect in the system. I really was … it isn’t a knock on Vitters, but I have some concerns, and Jackson has TOR potential and is still developing. Then he started showing some control problems in his last few outings, including tonight. Here’s hoping it’s simply a midseason slump, or a workload issue, and not a bigger concern.

Chris Carpenter at Daytona – 5 strong innings so far. The walks still bother, but right now, he’s clearly my 5th best prospect. I still have some concerns, and I’m not willing to classify this season as a breakout just yet, because his profile meant he should’ve dominated Peoria (college arm, plus breaking ball).

Chris Archer at Peoria – It’ll be interesting to see how his 2nd half goes. I believe it was O_O that noted this, but you have to take his numbers there with a grain of salt because he’s been at that level. That said, the potential has always been there, so here’s hoping he puts it together. My hunch is that he’ll stay all year at Peoria. Like Jackson/Carpenter, there are some control issues, and his are probably bigger than the other two.

by toonsterwu on Jul 18, 2009 7:35 PM CDT reply actions

side note/question

Stacking my midseason prospect list – was curious if there was a number people wanted me to go to … BA does 10 for free (30 if you buy), BP does 11, Sickels does 20 (and change), AzPhil did 15. I’ve got 90% of the guys loosely ordered, but seriously, no need to go to player number 89. I’m thinking 20-30, gonna try and hammer it out in the next day or so. As always, and I’ve typed this plenty of times, rankings are simply meant for discussion, when I get around to it.

by toonsterwu on Jul 18, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions