Austin Jackson

I am going to delve into some of those on the Top 50 Prospect list who may make an impact in the next two years with their clubs. Centerfielder Austin Jackson (38^th), now of the Detroit Tigers, is expected to be the starting centerfielder and leadoff hitter on Opening Day. I had the pleasure of watching AJax play the last two plus years and he is a five-tool player, though the power hasn’t quite come yet. I have seen him make Superman-type catches against the wall in center and come up clutch at the plate (he was named Eastern League Playoffs MVP in 2008). The biggest knock on AJax is his strikeout totals-well over 100 a season (123 in 2009 with Triple-A Scranton). Personally I feel he should be higher on this list, especially since he is closer to the majors than many ahead of him and should make an immediate impact with the Tigers.

Jesus Montero

Two catchers who are intriguing are the NY Yankees Jesus Montero (19^th) and the Cleveland Indians Carlos Santana (11^th). Both were legitimate candidates for Minor League Player of the Year and both are currently their MLB team’s top prospect.

Montero, who is just 20 years old, missed a few months due to a broken finger and only played a few games in winter ball in his home country of Venezuela. Despite his young age, Montero can hit and hit right now in the big leagues. He participated in the Future’s Game in 2008 and 2009. The only thing holding him back is his defense, though it has gotten better. Jorge Posada is nearing his end and 2011 could be a battle of homegrown youngsters Francisco Cervelli and Montero for the starting job. Only problem is, the Yankees have four catchers in their top ten prospects.

Carlos Santana at the Future's Game

Santana, who joined the Indians organization via the Casey Blake deal, has done nothing but hit. Like Montero, Santana could hit now in the big leagues but his defense lags a bit behind. Unlike Montero, he is a switch-hitter with light-tower power. I have seen both play and believe that Santana is closer to being ready than Montero. Santana is also in a better situation as the Indians are in a bit of a rebuilding mode. The Indians traded for Philadelphia’s top catching prospect Lou Marson in the Cliff Lee deal last July, so he should keep the spot warm until Santana’s arrival. It may not come until September due to wrist surgery that may set him back a bit in 2010. During the announcement of the prospect list, John Hart stated that once Santana arrives in the big leagues, he will be an All-Star as he is better than former Indians converted catcher Victor Martinez.

Desmond Jennings

Desmond Jennings (6^th) of the Tampa Bay Rays split time in 2009 between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham, hitting a combined .318 with 31 doubles, 10 triples, 11 homeruns, 62 RBIs, 52 stolen bases (to just 7 caught stealing) and 67 walks to just 67 strikeouts in 132 games. Many feel that Jennings will force centerfielder BJ Upton to right field because Jennings is that good. With the Rays being money-conscious, Jennings’ development may lead to a trade of Upton sometime this summer.

Tags:

Austin Jackson, Carlos Santana, Desmond Jennings, Jesus Montero, Top prospects

Jason Heyward

MLB.com and MLB Network announced their Top 50 Prospects list. There is always a debate whenever any type of top anything list comes out, so let the debate begin. Should Atlanta’s Jason Heyward (an outfielder) be number one? He was Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year and is considered to have a slim shot at making the 2010 team. Should Washington’s Stephen Strasburg (pitcher) have been number one instead of two? I am not sure he should have been that high because he has not thrown a pitch in the minor leagues yet (just in the Arizona Fall League), though his talent (and the excitement level) seems to be immeasurable.

I thought some guys were ranked a little low, especially a few who made it to the big leagues in 2009 for more than a September call-up. First would be Texas Rangers fireballer Neftali Feliz (7^th).  Feliz dazzled out of the bullpen (1-0 with a 1.74 ERA in 31 innings with 2 saves and 39 strikeouts). During the announcement, it was stated that his ranking was lower because it is unclear whether Feliz would continue coming out of the bullpen or return to the starting role (as he did in the minors). Baltimore Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz (5^th) made his major league debut in 2009 even though it was his first year in professional baseball. He had a few rough starts, but he should learn from it. Many believe he does not have “ace stuff” but he has the mentality to compete as an ace. Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Alcides Escobar (12^th) is expected to be the starter on Opening Day because of the offseason trade of JJ Hardy and how well Escobar played in his 2009 call-up (.304 average in 38 games with 11 RBIs). The Tampa Bay Rays called up starting pitcher Wade Davis (13^th), who pitched very well in his debut (2-2 with a 3.72 ERA in 6 starts with 36 strikeouts). Davis is an innings-eater and he has a bulldog mentality, which will probably equate to a strong MLB career.

Catcher Buster Posey (4^th) may have dropped a little on the list with the SF Giants re-signing starter Bengie Molina. Three other players who made their MLB debuts in 2009 were very low on the list. Infielder-turned-outfielder Juan Francisco of the Cincinnati Reds (48^th), outfielder Michael Brantley of the Cleveland Indians (46^th), and pitcher Jhoulys Chacin of the Colorado Rockies (44^th). Chacin struggled a bit with his control (11 walks in 11 innings out of the bullpen). Francisco has been playing well in winter ball (.302 in 46 games with 11 doubles, 11 homeruns, and 42 RBIs). Brantley had a great September and could make All-Star centerfielder Grady Sizemore expendable (.313 average in 28 games with 11 RBIs and a .358 on-base percentage).

The following is the entire list. This list is never absolute as 2009 National League Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan of the Florida Marlins was not on the list prior to the 2009 season. I’d like to hear who you think will be a sleeper in 2010 and who should be higher (or even lower) on this list.

1 Jason Heyward ATL

2 Stephen Strasburg WAS

3 Mike Stanton FLA

4 Buster Posey SF

5 Brian Matusz BAL

6 Desmond Jennings TB

7 Neftali Feliz TEX

8 Pedro Alvarez PIT

9 Justin Smoak TEX

10 Madison Bumgarner SF

11 Carlos Santana CLE

12 Alcides Escobar MIL

13 Wade Davis TB

14 Domonic Brown PHI

15 Dustin Ackley SEA

16 Brett Wallace TOR

17 Kyle Drabek TOR

18 Martin Perez TEX

19 Jesus Montero NYY

20 Jeremy Hellickson TB

21 Jarrod Parker ARI

22 Starlin Castro CHI

23 Christian Friedrich COL

24 Tim Beckham TB

25 Logan Morrison FLA

26 Brett Lawrie MIL

27 Ryan Westmoreland BOS

28 Casey Kelly BOS

29 Aaron Hicks MIN

30 Yonder Alonso CIN

31 Jason Castro HOU

32 Mike Moustakas KC

33 Wil Myers KC

34 Julio Teheran ATL

35 Michael Taylor OAK

36 Dee Gordon LAD

37 Chris Carter OAK

38 Austin Jackson DET

39 Tanner Scheppers TEX

40 Drew Storen WAS

41 Aaron Crow KC

42 Jacob Turner DET

43 Mike Montgomery KC

44 Jhoulys Chacin COL

45 Jose Iglesias BOS

46 Michael Brantley CLE

47 Phillippe Aumont PHI

48 Juan Francisco CIN

49 Ethan Martin LAD

50 Jaff Decker SD

Tags:

Alcides Escobar, Brian Matusz, Buster Posey, Jason Heyward, Jhoulys Chacin, Juan Francisco, Michael Brantley, Neftali Feliz, Stephen Strasburg, Top prospects, Wade Davis

In the Dominican, the championship series was heating up as Escogido, who was facing elimination, tied the best-of-nine championship series with Gigantes up at 4-4. This game had a dramatic ending as infielder Argenis Reyes doubled and scored the winning run in the 11^th inning to give Escogido a 4-3 walk-off win. Gigantes had taken the lead in the top of the ninth, only to see Escogido tie it in the bottom of the inning. Infielder Wilson Betemit hit his second solo homerun of the game in the ninth inning off of Santiago Casilla to give Gigantes the short-lived lead. DH Brayan Pena (Royals) added two hits for Escogido. This tie in the series forced a decisive Finals game with a trip to the Caribbean Series in Venezuela on the line.

Francisco Liriano

With the series all tied up in the Dominican Winter League championship, Escogido sent Minnesota Twins lefty Francisco Liriano to the mound. Liriano dominated, going five shutout innings allowing just one hit while striking out ten. This is just the dominant performance the Twins are hoping for in the 2010 season. Liriano improved to 3-1 with a 0.49 ERA in seven playoff games (37 innings) while striking out 47. Outfielder Wladimir Balentien (Reds) hit a solo homerun in Escogido’s three-run second inning. Infielder Joaquin Arias (Rangers) went 2-for-4 with an RBI single. Alex Valdez (A’s) drove in two runs and scored a run in the ninth inning, providing the necessary insurance for reliever Casilla, who threw a scoreless ninth inning for the save. Escogido won their first Dominican championship since 1992 (and 14^th overall) and move onto the Caribbean Series to represent the Dominican Republic.

In Puerto Rico, Mayaguez took a commanding 3-0 series lead over Caguas. However this game wouldn’t end until fourteen innings were complete. Jesus Feliciano (Mets) went 4-for-6 with an RBI triple and a run scored while Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) had an RBI single in the 3-2 win. Bobby Cramer went 6.1 innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out four. Caguas came back to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning off of closer Fernando Cabrera. Benigno Cepeda went three no-hit innings for Mayaguez in extra innings. Saul Rivera threw four shutout innings allowing one hit while striking out four in extra innings for Caguas. Cesar Nicolas and Aaron Bates (Reds Sox) contributed two hits each in the loss.

Alex Cora with the Red Sox

Caguas held off elimination by handing Mayaguez a 9-2 loss. Carlos Rivera doubled twice and drove in three runs. Infielder Alex Cora (Mets) drove in two runs and Adrian Ortiz homered. Bates and Nicolas also contributed two hits a piece. Willie Collazo went seven innings allowing four hits and an earned run for the win.

Game 5 of the Mexican Pacific League finals went to Hermosillo by way of a rout, 9-0. Edgar Gonzalez tossed a complete game five-hit shutout over Mazatlan. He walked two and struck out five. Veteran Karim Garcia had a three-run homerun and Luis A. Garcia added a two-run homerun while scoring three times (and he had three hits). Leftfielder Nelson Teilon went 3-for-4 and catcher Geronimo Gil went 2-for-3. Shortstop Reid Brignac (Rays) had two of Mazatlan’s five hits in the loss.

Tags:

Alex Cora, Argenis Reyes, Bobby Cramer, Dominican Winter League, Edgar Gonzalez, Escogido, Francisco Liriano, Jesus Feliciano, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Winter League, Randy Ruiz, Willie Collazo

Last week, Ben Sheets worked out at the University of Louisiana at Monroe in front of a bunch of MLB scouts and team officials. After his throwing session, Sheets said that he hoped the scouts thought he threw well because he felt good and healthy. Sheets fired off an array of fastballs and off-speed pitches. After the session, scouts were heard saying he “looked like Ben Sheets”. High compliments for a guy that used to be one of the more dominating pitchers in the National League but has been plagued by injuries the last few season and he missed all of last year. The former Milwaukee Brewers ace was rumored to have had a deal last offseason with the Texas Rangers but an elbow injury (and subsequent surgery) negated the deal.

Ben Sheets with Milwaukee

Sheets would be considered a high-risk, high reward player. There is a high risk in signing him due to all of his injuries, but a high reward signing if he pitches healthy. I had been thinking he would sign a deal similar to the one signed by Brad Penny last year with the Boston Red Sox. The deal would be incentive-laden based on how many starts he makes and innings pitched. There were a few teams interested in Sheets but the shock came with the team who signed him and how much money Sheets would receive.

The young, cash-strapped Oakland A’s swooped in and signed Sheets to a $10 million one year contract with incentives. Both shocked me. The A’s spent money last offseason, with none of the moves panning out, so I am sure they could trade Sheets at midseason if they are out of the playoff race. The money is a ton for a guy who missed all of 2009 and only made 25 or more starts once in four years from 2005-2008 (2008 but he missed the playoffs due to injury). I could see an incentive-laden deal totaling that amount, but a straight up contract for that much is insane. Veteran infielder Ronnie Belliard just re-signed with the LA Dodgers for just $825,000 and veteran pitcher Jose Contreras just signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for $1.5 million. When Sheets is healthy he is one of the best, but the signing is very risky for that much money.

Sheets is excited to join the young A’s rotation and to help mentor them. He will join a rotation that will have the likes of Justin Duchscherer, Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Dallas Braden, Vin Mazzaro, and Gio Gonzalez. “They’ve got some good arms in here, and they can only develop further,” Sheets said. “I think I can come in and help out and just talk about some of the things I’ve been through. Vice versa, these guys are going to help me because they’ve been in this league before.”

“Our rotation is just getting better and better it seems,” Anderson said. “It’s great having these veterans in there knowing that they can help us younger guys with bits of information here and there. You can pick their brain a little bit, and hopefully they can help us any way they can.”

Tags:

Ben Sheets, Brett Anderson, Oakland A's

Chris Roberson with Ottawa

Mazatlan took a 2-1 series lead over Hermosillo in their Game 3 8-7 victory. Veteran Ruben Rivera continued to hit and hit for power as he homered and drove in three runs. Rivera’s homerun was the game winner, as he hit a two-run blast off of Mexican League veteran pitcher Jose Vargas in the top of the ninth inning. Outfielder Jon Weber also continues to hit, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Both teams had ten hits. Close to 13,000 fans turned out in Hermosillo.

Hermosillo tied the championship series up at 2-2 over Mazatlan in Game 4. Outfielder Chris Roberson fell a triple short of the cycle, going 4-for-5 with a homerun, two runs scored, and four RBIs. Mexican League veterans, catcher Geronimo Gil and shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval both went 2-for-4. Left-hander Juan Oramas went 6.1 innings allowing just two hits while striking out six. He allowed just one run in the win despite walking six batters. In the loss, Rivera hit another homerun, one of Mazatlan’s four hits. Over 13,000 fans were in attendance for Game 4.

Randy Ruiz

Game 1 of the Puerto Rican Winter League finals got underway and it took extra innings to declare a winner. Mayaguez won 7-6 over Caguas in ten innings. Andres Torres hit a game-tying two-run triple in the ninth inning for Mayaguez off of losing pitcher Joe Torres. First baseman Donny Leon and Angel Sanchez both collected three hits in the win. DH Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) collected two doubles and scored two runs. In the loss, outfielder Eddy Martinez-Esteve (Giants) collected two doubles and an RBI. Also for Caguas, second baseman Jose Castro and DH Cesar Nicolas went 3-for-4. Veteran pitcher Mike Maroth started for Mayaguez, going 4.1 innings allowing seven hits, four walks, and three runs, while striking out three.

Game 2 was also a one run game that went to Mayaguez. Ruiz was the offensive hero as he went 2-for-3 with two doubles while he drove in all five of the team’s runs. In the 5-4 loss, Edgardo Baez had a three- run homerun. Winning pitcher Juan Padilla went 5.2 innings allowing five hits and three runs while striking out three, as he gave up Baez’ homerun. Veteran infielder Alex Cora went 2-for-3 and catcher Raul Casanova went 2-for-4 in the loss.

In the Venezuelan Winter League finals, Magallanes took a 3-2 series lead over Caracas to come within one win of the title and a trip to the Caribbean Series. Shortstop Elvis Andrus (Rangers) went 3-for-4 with a homerun and two runs scored in the 3-0 win. First baseman Yurendell de Caster continues hit hot-hitting as he went 2-for-4. Raul Valdes continued his playoff dominance as he went seven innings allowing just two hits and no runs while striking out four. Jean Machi and Francisco Rodriguez (who got the save) combined to go two one-hit innings in relief of Valdes. Veteran Ramon Ortiz went 5.1 innings allowing four hits and two runs while striking out five in the loss. Over 20,000 fans were in attendance.

Tags:

Chris Roberson, Eddy Martinez-Esteve, Elvis Andrus, Jon Weber, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Winter League, Ramon Ortiz, Randy Ruiz, Raul Valdes, Ruben Rivera, Venezuelan Winter League