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August 9, 2006
Scott Baker - has struggled
mightily for Minnesota, posting a 3-7 record with an ERA approaching 7. Has
given up 90 hits in 63 innings. Needs to miss more bats, and is looking like a
#3 or #4 starter for the future.
Yuniesky Betancourt - having a fine year, hitting .299 with decent
extra-base power. Good glove man who should easily replace Angel Berroa as the
Bees SS of the future.
Michael Bourn - recently called up to the Phillies, Bourn is a speedy
leadoff type with little power or hitting ability. His ceiling is as an Otis
Nixon type of guy, which can certainly be useful.
Shin-Shoo Choo - good hitter with power/speed combo and strong arm.
Profiles best as outfield corner, but needs to hit lefties better to escape the
platoon role. But definite promise as a future regular.
Jason Hirsh - has completely dominated AAA, and has nothing left to prove
there. Just called up to Houston, and should probably finish year in their
rotation. Has good FB/SL/CU, although none is an awesome pitch. With his
large frame, he might turn into an innings-eating workhorse type, like Jon
Garland.
Tadahito Iguchi - having a solid sophomore season, hitting .282 with 12
homers. Due to his age, its entirely likely that this is the best we are going
to see from him, although his numbers make him slightly better than league
average 2B.
Ian Kinsler - on and off the DL much for Texas, but has impressed when
healthy. Hitting .302 with good power and speed in limited time. Boston
will have an interesting choice to make this offseason, in determining whether
Kinsler or Iguchi is the 2B of their immediate future. If I had to guess, I'd
say its Kinsler.
Jon Lester - young lefty has shown flashes of brilliance early on for Red
Sox. Has very good movement on fastball and challenges hitters. Shows bulldog
mentality on mound, and stuff is quite good. Profiles as #2 starter, and I
suspect he'll make more than a few All-Star teams before he's done.
Brandon McCarthy - has done pretty much everything he can out of White
Sox bullpen, with a sub 4 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Simply needs opportunity to start
and then should settle nicely into a middle of the rotation spot. He kinda
reminds me of a good Bronson Arroyo.
Seth McClung - has completely bombed in the past for Tampa Bay. Sent
down, moved to the bullpen in Durham, where his fastball picked up 3-5 MPH and
he began blowing guys away. I don't think he's going to become another Eric
Gagne, but I suspect that he can find a nice career in the bullpen.
Hayden Penn - showed flashes for the Orioles last year as a 21 year old;
has been on the DL most of this year with arm problems. Assuming he regains his
health, Penn looks like a solid back of the rotaton guy for the future. Monitor
health closely, though.
Cory Sullivan - holding his own in Colorado, hitting .268 with 19 doubles
and 8 triples. Only 7 SBs, though, and combined with his low walk rate and high
strikeout rate, mean he doesn't look like a classic CF/leadoff guy. I think
he'll eventually fall into a 4th/5th OFer role and bat off the bench.
- written by
Mike Sorochen | |
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