July 16, 2006

Chad Billingsley - pitched pretty well at AAA Las Vegas, and currently Dodgers' 5th starter.  Has had severe command issues, giving up 26 walks in 32 innings with only 18 strikeouts. He's better than that, and Dodgers will show some patience with him. Ceiling is #2 starter.

Jonathan Broxton - has found his niche as middle reliever. Possible successor to Gagne.  Averaging over a strikeout an inning.
 

Billy Butler - hitting .320 at AA with reasonably good extra base power as a
20 year old. MVP of the Futures Game. Has made the transition to the OF, and
should see time in RF for KC next year. A prime prospect.
 

Prince Fielder - hitting .270 with 17 homers for Milwaukee. Developing into a fine power hitter. Needs to work being a bit more selective, though.
 

Joel Guzman - hitting .280 with not much power at AAA Las Vegas. Got a cup of coffee a few weeks ago, but now playing OF/1B/3B. Dodgers need to figure out what to do with him. Still only 21.
 

Craig Hansen - was being stretched out at AA/AAA, but now back to the bullpen with the Sox. Hasn't pitched very well in the opportunities he's been given.  Future is unclear with the acension of Papelbon into elite closer.
 

Felix Hernandez - difficult to live up to the hype, but the fact is that he
simply hasn't been very good this year. Giving up far too many hits for someone who has the ability to miss bats. I wonder how much of it is him being lazy, and how much of it is Johjima's game calling. Still a top young talent, although no longer the best young pitcher in the game.
 

Chuck James - gritty little guy who has given a big lift to the Braves. Still
has extreme fly ball tendencies, and will give up 30+ homers in a full season
every year of his career, but makes optimum use of his stuff and challenges
hitters. Should be a solid #3 starter.
 

Casey Kotchman - awful the first month of the season, then diagnosed with
mononucleosis. Recently shut down his rehab after feeling dizzy. Will be a
wasted year for him.
 

Brandon League - good stuff, but gives up way too many hits. Might turn out to be a serviceable reliever someday, but not looking likely.
 

Dustin McGowan - sucked it up in his brief callup, has pitched better as of
late. Should receive a callup to the Toronto rotation at the next available
opening. Needs to improve his command. Even a slight improvement in his
command would make him a very good pitcher.
 

Scott Olsen - pitching great for Florida. Showing up Miguel Cabrera and
getting lectured by Joe Girardi points to potential character issues, though.
Developing into a good #2/#3 starter.
 

Alexis Rios - breakout year before contracting staph infection. Hopefully
long layoff will not retard his progress. Has made major improvement in hitting the ball in the air, leading to more home runs. Whether this improvement is real or not requires a larger sample size.
 

Ian Stewart - started off hot at AA, then went into major slump and DL stint with chronic wrist problem. Has been back for last couple of weeks, and average has climbed 40 points. Needs to show more power and plate discipline to reclaim his top prospect standing.
 

B.J. Upton - up and down year both on and off the field. D-Rays have moved him to 3B, although whether this is a permanent switch will likely be tied up to Julio Lugo's status. 37 SBs and .400 OBP still excellent, and he will be a
legit top of the order guy whenever he gets called up for good.
 

Rickie Weeks - firmly entrenched as everyday second baseman. Hitting .280
with good power and speed for a 2B. Still has problems throwing, and may need to be moved to the OF if he cannot iron this out. Premium bat, though.

 - written by Mike Sorochen

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