Tuesday, July 08, 2008

INDIANS SAY BYE-BYE TO C.C.




Bold move by two franchises heading in opposite directions this season. The Indians look to reload for next year and acquire a potential power bat in Matt LaPorta. They get some other prospects who will not contribute for another couple of years at least. The Brewers look to maneuver into the playoffs this year by playing rent-a-stud. LaPorta was blocked in their organization anyway. Adding C.C. to their staff gives them and imposing top of the starting rotation. They are 3 1/2 back of the Cubs, C.C. could make up that difference with his arm and the added treat may be to see him bat every fifth day. As he demonstrated in L.A., Sabathia can hit.

As for the Giants, it continues to look like a variation of "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain". We have "Lincecum, Sanchez and Cain and pray for two days of rain". The Gigantes do continue to add to the bullpen from the minors with RHP Sergio Romo and RHP Osiros Matos called up last week from Fresno and Connecticut respectively. Both should help set-up Brian Wilson and may allow the team to give Alex Hinshaw some spot starts down the road. The team has to continue to see how these guys can do, both are in the 24-25 year old range where prospects begin to turn into suspects.

The Yankees fans may not be on the ledge yet, but it appears as if the window is opening a bit. The fans are distracted somewhat by Giambi's "made for porn" mustache and the daily A-Rod soap opera, but this team has not shown any indication that it has what it takes to make the playoffs and we're into July already.

Here's hoping that the Rays don't regret making that cost-saving "let's send Longoria down to the minors" to open the season gambit. Their record before and after his call-up will be analyzed a bit closer if they miss the playoffs by a game or two. That's a move the old ownership would have made and you can argue now how intelligent it was from a pure economic standpoint, but it could come back on them from a PR standpoint ("same old Rays") down the road. It may be fans using the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, but that's never stopped anyone from crushing management before has it?
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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
  • 4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
  • 10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
  • 12. Seth Corry 6-2 195 LHP Highly regard HS pick. Was mentioned as possible chip in high profile trades.
  • 13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
  • 14. Garett Cave 6-4, 200 RHP He misses a lot of bats and at times, the plate. 13 K/9 an 5 B/9. Wild thing.

2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects

  • 1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
  • 2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
  • 3. C.J. Abrams 6-2, 180 SS Blessed Trinity HS (GA) High-ceiling athlete. 70 speed with plus arm. Hitting needs to develop as he matures. Alabama commit.
  • 4. Reece Hinds 6-4, 210 SS Niceville HS (FL) Power bat, committed to LSU. Plus arm, solid enough bat to move to 3B down the road. 98MPH arm.
  • 5. Daniel Espino 6-3, 200 RHP Georgia Premier Academy (GA) LSU commit. Touches 98 on FB with wipe out SL.

2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

  • 1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
  • 2. Shea Langliers C Baylor Excelent throw and catch skills with good pop time. Quick bat, uses all fields approach with some pop.
  • 3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
  • 4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
  • 5. Nick Lodolo LHP TCU Tall LHP, 95MPH FB and solid breaking stuff.