Weakly pickup samples (2006)
~~ Week ending September 3 ~~
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Josh Fields, Chicago White Sox – Fields, 23, is a solid line driver
hitter (.305-19-70 at AAA Charlotte) but we’d like to see him hit for more
power. He could get some playing time if Joe Crede’s back continues to act up
again. Grade B-
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2004 |
Class-A |
256 |
36 |
7 |
39 |
0 |
.285 |
.333 |
|
2005 |
AA |
477 |
76 |
16 |
79 |
7 |
.252 |
.341 |
Esteban German, Kansas City Royals – German, who is batting .322 in
just 205 at-bats, will play full time replacing Mark Teahen. “We’ve got to
figure it out about German,” Buddy Bell said. “He’ll play almost every day now.
The thing is, if we have nine solid guys, we know he can help us.” German, 28,
is a natural second baseman, but he has been a utility man this year. He will
play third base against right-handers but could get time in left field against
lefties. He missed most of last season with injuries. Grade B
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2003 |
AAA |
467 |
86 |
3 |
51 |
32 |
.306 |
.379 |
|
2004 |
AAA |
231 |
33 |
2 |
29 |
18 |
.329 |
.380 |
|
2004 |
Athletics |
60 |
9 |
0 |
7 |
2 |
.250 |
.297 |
NATIONAL
LEAGUE
Jeff Baker, Colorado Rockies – Baker, who hit .305-20-108, will get a
long look. Drafted as a third baseman, he was moved to the outfield but has had
trouble staying healthy. He will play right field and also work out at first
base and third base with the idea he could play left field at some point next
season, too. He has good bat speed and power potential. He hit .211 in 38 at
bats with the Rockies last year. Grade B-
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2004 |
AA |
91 |
10 |
4 |
20 |
1 |
.297 |
.343 |
|
2005 |
AAA |
228 |
40 |
10 |
41 |
3 |
.303 |
.348 |
Chris Iannetta, Colorado Rockies – Iannetta, an excellent defensive
backstop, should get most of the starts with Yorvit Torrealba out for the
season. He is a decent enough hotter with some power but needs more experience
versus breaking stuff. He batted .336-14-48 combined at two minor league stops
this year. Grade B-
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2005 |
Class-A |
261 |
51 |
11 |
58 |
1 |
.276 |
.381 |
|
2005 |
AA |
60 |
7 |
2 |
11 |
0 |
.233 |
.329 |
Hong-Chih Kuo,
Los Angeles Dodgers – Kuo, 25, will make a start this week. The
left-hander is back from a pair of TJ surgeries and is throwing in the
mid-to-high 90s again. He needs polish on his slider and control but keep an
eye on him. He could be a closer or setup man one day. He went 4-3, 3.06 in
nine starts with AAA Las Vegas and is 0-4, 5.34 with LA. All of his 32 major
league appearances have come in relief, but he changed roles at Vegas six weeks
ago and pitched well in nine starts. "We feel good about his stuff,"
Grady Little said. "I think he'll be fine." Grade B-
|
|
|
W |
S |
INN |
K |
ERA |
WHIP |
|
2005 |
Class-A |
1 |
3 |
26 |
42 |
2.08 |
1.50 |
|
2005 |
AA |
0 |
0 |
28 |
44 |
1.91 |
1.18 |
Miguel Montero. Arizona Diamondbacks – Montero’s quick development
has led to speculation that either Johnny Estrada or Chris Snyder will be moved
in the off-season. "That's something we're going to evaluate at the end of
the year and whether or not we feel Montero is ready," Bob Melvin said.
"There's a lot of variables that play into it. I can't comment on it right
now. I don't know where it's going to go." Montero, 23, would get some
occasional starts and might be paired with certain pitchers for evaluation
purposes. His defense is adequate but he needs to prove he can hit major league
pitching. He batted a combined .286-17-75 in two minor league stops this year.
Grade C+
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2005 |
Class-A |
355 |
73 |
24 |
82 |
1 |
.349 |
.403 |
|
2005 |
AA |
108 |
13 |
2 |
13 |
1 |
.250 |
.311 |
Scott Moore, Chicago Cubs – Moore, 22, plays third base and some
first base and will get opportunities at both positions 1-2 times a week. The
left-handed hitter batted .276 with 28 doubles, 22 home runs and 75 RBI in 132
games with AA West Tenn. “He's a very intense young man,” Dusty Baker said. “He
loves to play and comes to play. He's been working out some at first base,
though he's mostly a third baseman. I think he has a bright future.” Grade C+
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2004 |
Low-A |
391 |
52 |
14 |
56 |
2 |
.223 |
.322 |
|
2005 |
Class-A |
466 |
77 |
20 |
82 |
22 |
.281 |
.358 |
Jae-Kuk Ryu, Chicago Cubs – Ryu, 23, went 8-8 with a 3.23 ERA in 139
innings for AAA Iowa. He has good stuff and could win a couple of games if he
maintains command, especially of his slider. All of Kuo's 32 major league
appearances have come in relief, but he changed roles at triple A six weeks ago
and pitched well in nine starts. "We feel good about his stuff,"
Grady Little said. "I think he'll be fine." Rebuilding teams should
take a flier. Grade B
|
|
|
W |
S |
INN |
K |
ERA |
WHIP |
|
2004 |
AA |
1 |
0 |
18 |
19 |
2.95 |
1.78 |
|
2005 |
AA |
11 |
0 |
170 |
133 |
3.34 |
1.19 |
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2005 |
AA |
266 |
47 |
6 |
35 |
12 |
.278 |
.381 |
|
2005 |
AAA. |
236 |
42 |
6 |
26 |
5 |
.263 |
.349 |
Jonathan Sanchez, San Francisco Giants – A top prospect, Sanchez
could join the rotation after his quality spot start this week (3-0 with a 1.42
ERA so far). He throws in the low-90s with a solid curve and change and good
command. He posted a 3.80 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings at AAA
Fresno this year. Grade B+ for the future.
|
|
|
W |
S |
INN |
K |
ERA |
WHIP |
|
2005 |
Class-A |
5 |
0 |
126 |
166 |
4.08 |
1.28 |
~~ Week ending September 3 ~~
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Scott
Baker, Minnesota Twins – Baker, 24, was recalled to join the rotation. He
was 5-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 12 starts for AAA Rochester. He was 2-5 with a 6.06
ERA in nine starts for the Twins earlier this season. He is not overpowering
but has decent stuff and good commend. Grade B-
|
|
|
W |
S |
INN |
K |
ERA |
WHIP |
|
2005 |
AAA |
5 |
0 |
135 |
107 |
3.01 |
1.11 |
|
2005 |
Mariners |
3 |
0 |
54 |
32 |
3.35 |
1.16 |
Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers – Buck Showalter said Cruz, 26, would play
more frequently to see if he can be a starter next year. "We traded for
him and brought him up here before the trade deadline because we believe in
him," Jon Daniels said. "We don't see him as a platoon player."
He’s a good defensive player and has improved his plate discipline so there is
a good chance he’ll succeed. He was hitting .302-20-73-17 with a .379 OBP for
AAA Nashville. He has power and speed and could be the starting right fielder
next year with a good spring. Grade B
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2005 |
AA |
248 |
45 |
16 |
54 |
10 |
.306 |
.388 |
|
2005 |
AAA |
208 |
33 |
11 |
27 |
9 |
.268 |
.382 |
Kevin Kouzmanoff, Cleveland Indians – Kouzmanoff, 25, had a great
year batting for .389-15-55 AA Akron and for .357-7-20 AAA Buffalo. He is a
legitimate line drive hitter and adequate defender. Rebuilding teams will want
to take a flier on him. Grade B
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2004 |
Low-A |
473 |
74 |
16 |
87 |
5 |
.330 |
.394 |
|
2005 |