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

Jeff Salazar, Colorado Rockies – Salazar, 25, was recalled to get a look in center field. "His year won't jump out at you, but he finished strong," the manager said. "We want to see if he is similar or different from Cory (Sullivan)." Salazar hit .265-9-39-12 at AAA Colorado Springs. He’s probably more of a fourth outfielder than a starter. Grade C+

 

 

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