April 2011
OMG: Atlanta Braves
Only two more of these to go…
Take a look at the Braves’ Top 10 prospects. Now, here’s OMG (One More Guy) from their system:
Edward Salcedo, 3B: With a renewed commitment to finding players internationally, Salcedo was a big acquisition in 2010 out of the Dominican Republic, getting the largest bonus the club has ever given to an international signing.
Edward Salcedo is playing third for the Rome Braves.
After 74 at-bats in the Dominican Summer League, the Braves pushed Salcedo, sending him all the way to full-season Rome. It was clearly too much, too soon as he hit .197/.239/.295 in 54 games there, striking out 56 times in 193 at-bats. He also made 28 errors as a shortstop.
But there’s still a lot to like about the 19-year-old infielder. He’s got terrific bat speed that should generate plenty of power in the future. Despite the high error total, he actually has strong defensive tools, particularly his arm. Signed as a shortstop, there’s been a question about whether he could stay there.
That point might be moot as he’s playing on the same team (Rome Braves again) with 2010 draftee Matt Lipka. Lipka’s playing shortstop and Salcedo has moved over to third. That might be the best place for him as he fills out. If his bat progresses as hoped, he’ll hit enough for the position, too.
Top 50 Update No. 1
Hello all. Before I finish off the last couple OMGs (One More Guys) — just Braves and Blue Jays left, if I’m not mistaken — I want to introduce what I hope will be a new Monday feature: The Top 50 update.
By now, I hope, you’re familiar with our Top 50 Prospects list and how it breaks down. Now it’s time to see how they’re all doing so far.
Yes, I know the sample size is very small, especially since the Minor League season started just last Thursday. Tha t’s why I hope to make this a weekly post with updated stats, along with a Top 50 Player and Pitcher of the Week. So, without further ado…
Top 50 Player of the Week: No. 46 Brett Jackson
The Cubs outfielder has begun his season with Double-A Tennessee with a bang, going 7-for-17 in his first four games. That’s included a triple, a homer, six RBIs and a pair of stolen bases. He’s hit in all four games, three of them of the multi-hit variety. If he keeps that 1.230 OPS up, a trip to Triple-A Iowa can’t be too far off.
Top 50 Pitcher of the week: No. 19 Zach Britton
The Orioles’ young left-hander certainly doesn’t seem overwhelmed by being in the big leagues, does he? His MajorLeague debut came in Tampa on April 3 was a win, when he gave up one run over six innings. His second start, against the red-hot Rangers, handed Texas its first (and only) loss of the season: 7 2/3 more strong innings, no earned runs allowed. Six walks isn’t like him, but chalk that up to being a little jacked up about being in the Majors.
Here’s how the entire Top 50 has fared statistically so far this season:
| Player, Team | Pos | Level | Stats |
| 1. Mike Trout, LAA | OF | AA | .214/.313/.429, 4 G, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 3-for-14 |
| 2. Jeremy Hellickson, TB | RHP | MLB | 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, 4.76 ERA, .261 BAA |
| 3. Bryce Harper, WAS | OF | A | .267/.353/.267, 4 G, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 4-for-15 |
| 4. Domonic Brown, PHI | OF | MLB | DL |
| 5. Dustin Ackley, SEA | 2B | AAA | .188/.316/.188, 4 G, 1 SB, 3-for-16 |
| 6. Aroldis Chapman, CIN | LHP | MLB | 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 0.00 ERA, .154 BAA |
| 7. Mike Moustakas, KC | 3B | AAA | .211/.250/.368, 4 G, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4-for-19 |
| 8. Eric Hosmer, KC | 1B | AAA | .444/.500.500, 4 G, 2 RBI, 8-for-18 |
| 9. Jesus Montero, NYY | C | AAA | .400/.400/.600, 3 G, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 6-for-15 |
| 10. Julio Teheran, ATL | RHP | AAA | 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1.59 ERA, .118 BAA |
| 11. Desmond Jennings, TB | OF | AAA | .353/.476/.529, 4 G, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 SB, 6-for-17 |
| 12. Kyle Drabek, TOR | RHP | MLB | 13 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 7 BB, 12 K, 1.38 ERA, .163 BAA |
| 13. Michael Pineda, SEA | RHP | MLB | 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 4.50 ERA, .227 BAA |
| 14. Mike Montgomery, KC | LHP | AAA | 5 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 9.00 ERA, .316 BAA |
| 15. Jacob Turner, DET | RHP | AA | 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 0.00 ERA, .100 BAA |
| 16. Wil Myers, KC | OF | AA | .333/.400/.389, 1 RBI, 1 SB, 6-for-18 |
| 17. Freddie Freeman, ATL | 1B | MLB | .188/.257/.219, 10 G, 2 RBI, 7-for-32 |
| 18. Jameson Taillon, PIT | RHP | Extended | Has not pitched |
| 19. Zach Britton, BAL | LHP | MLB | 13.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 8 K, 0.66 ERA, .159 BAA |
| 20. Shelby Miller, STL | RHP | A Adv | 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER 1 BB, 9 K, 0.00 ERA, .211 BAA |
| 21. Mike Minor, ATL | LHP | MLB | 4.1 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 10.38 ERA, .389 BAA |
| 22. Casey Kelly, SD | RHP | AA | 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 6.23 ERA, .313 BAA |
| 23. Martin Perez, TEX | LHP | AA | 3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 6.00 ERA, .385 BAA |
| 24. Manny Machado, BAL | SS | A | .364/.588/.636, 4 G, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 4-for-11 (2B, 3B) |
| 25. Chris Sale, CWS | LHP | MLB | 5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 5.06 ERA, .304 BAA |
| 26. Brandon Belt, SF | 1B | MLB | .161/.257/.290, 9 G, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 SB, 5-for-31 |
| 27. Matt Moore, TB | LHP | AA | 5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 1.80 ERA, .118 BAA |
| 28. Brett Lawrie, TOR | 3B | AAA | .375/.474/.625, 4 G, 6-for-16 (2 2B, 1 3B) |
| 29. Jarrod Parker, ARI | RHP | AA | Has not pitched |
| 30. Jonathan Singleton, PHI | OF | A Adv | .333/.474/.333, 4 G, 5-for-15 |
| 31. Jordan Lyles, HOU | RHP | AAA | 4 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 6.75 ERA, .438 BAA |
| 32. Gary Sanchez, NYY | C | A | .250/.294/.563, 4 G, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 4-for-16 |
| 33. Tyler Matzek, COL | LHP | A Adv | 3 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 18.00 ERA, .357 BAA |
| 34. John Lamb, KC | LHP | AA | 3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 6.00 ERA, .333 BAA |
| 35. Manny Banuelos, NYY | LHP | AA | Has not pitched |
| 36. Lonnie Chisenhall, CLE | 3B | AAA | .211/.286/.526, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4-for-19 |
| 37. Jake Odorizzi, KC | RHP | A Adv | 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 2.25 ERA, .250 BAA |
| 38. Nick Franklin, SEA | SS | A Adv | .000/.000/.000, 2 G, 0-for-7 |
| 39. Aaron Hicks, MIN | OF | A Adv | .400/.526/.600, 4 G, 6-for-15, 1 2B, 1 3B |
| 40. Kyle Gibson, MIN | RHP | AAA | 3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 9.00 ERA, .438 BAA |
| 41. Wilin Rosario, COL | C | AA | .300/.364/.700, 4 G, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3-for-10 |
| 42. Jose Iglesias, BOS | SS | AAA | .429/.429/.429, 2 G, 3-for-7 |
| 43. Tanner Scheppers, TEX | RHP | AAA | Has not pitched |
| 44. Dee Gordon, LAD | SS | AAA | .286/.333/.429, 4 G, 3 RBI, 3 SB, 4-for-14 |
| 45. Devin Mesoraco, CIN | C | AAA | .286/.333/.786, 4 G, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 4-for-14 |
| 46. Brett Jackson, CHI | OF | AA | .412/.524/.706, 4 G, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 SB, 7-for-17 |
| 47. Chris Archer, TB | RHP | AA | 4 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 2.25 ERA, .353 BAA |
| 48. J.P. Arencibia, TOR | C | MLB | .368/.429/1.000, 5 G, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7-for-19 |
| 49. Yonder Alonso, CIN | 1B | AAA | .188/.235/.188, 4 G, 3-for-16 |
| 50. Christian Friedrich, COL | LHP | AA | 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1.80 ERA, .158 BAA |
OMG: New York Yankees
At long last, the Yankees’ Top 10 prospects list. And here’s OMG (One More Guy) from their system.
Adam Warren will be a part of Triple-A Scranton's rotation to start 2011.
Adam Warren, RHP: Warren has largely flown under the radar, not getting the kind of attention a pitcher who makes it to Double-A in his first full season should. And he didn’t just get there, he pitched well when he was in Trenton in 2010. Last year, Warren — a 4th rounder out of the University of North Carolina in 2009 — finished third in the organization with a 2.59 ERA. He struck out 126 against just 33 walks in 135 1/3 innings.
Warren went 4-2 with a 3.15 ERA in 10 starts with Trenton following his promotion. He then pitched in two playoff games, allowing four runs in 11 IP (3.27 ERA) while walking three and striking out 18.
The 23-year-old right-hander doesn’t have the highest ceiling in the world and the Yankees do seem to have a few of these solid, yet unspectacular arms, guys who profile as No. 4 type innings-eaters. Nothing wrong with that, mind you, but not the kind of guy who wows you. Don’t get me wrong — Warren doesn’t had bad stuff, but he just doesn’t have the projection of say, a Manny Banuelos.
Still, Warren could help out the Yankees or another team in a big-league rotation in the near future. He’s making the move up to Triple-A, joining a pretty stacked staff of David Phelps, Hector Noesi, D.J. Mitchell and Andrew Brackman.’
On a side note, my old friend and colleague Lisa Winston is continuing her tradition of tracking Major League debuts over on her blog, Queen of Diamonds. She’s calling it, appropriately enough, Diamonds in the Rough. Good stuff all around
OMG: Philadelphia Phillies
In case you missed it, here’s the Top 10 Prospects for the Philadelphia Phillies. And here’s OMG (One More Guy) from their system:
Scott Mathieson, RHP: Now 27, Mathieson doesn’t fit the typical description of a prospect, but since he still has rookie eligibility, he officially counts by my standards. And his perseverance deserves some attention.
Scott Mathieson should see time in the big leagues as a reliever in 2011.
Typically, when a guy has two Tommy John surgeries, you’re not writing much of anything about him. But once a solid starting pitching prospect who was a Futures Game participant (He’s Canadian) back in 2005, he’s reinvented himself as a reliever. After being in that Futures Game in ’05, he had a big year in 2006 and made it to the big leagues. But he had his first surgery in September of that year and missed all but eight innings of the 2007 season. He didn’t pitch at all in 2008 and managed 32 1/3 IP in ’09 (Surgery No. 2 came in 2008).
In 2009, he came back as a reliever and it seemed to suit him well. Last year, he was Lehigh Valley’s closer, leading the organization, and finishing second in the International League, with 26 saves. As a reliever, he’s struck out 11.6 per nine innings. His two big-league stints in 2010 didn’t go so well, but he had a solid spring. He didn’t make the 25-man when camp broke, so you might see him closing again in Lehigh Valley, at least until he gets another shot. Considering most probably thought he was done, he’s far exceeded expectations.
Jonathan Mayo
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