Players that should be moved to their next level

by dannythegreat on Jul 20, 2008 6:59 PM EDT Comment 20 comments

Below are some players low level players who are playing very well that deserve some consideration to move up.

1. Jason Tweedy- 20th round pick in 2008- 27 G, 105 AB, .408 OBP, 865 OPS, 12 SB and 0 CS. Age 21. Seems like he has good tools and knows how to use them. Strikeouts are a concern (29 in 27 games) but he sort of makes up for it with walks (11 so far).

2. Nick Barnese-3rd round pick in 2007-34.1 IP, 1.57 ERA, 10.75 Ks/9 IP, .211 avg against, and 1.08 WHIP. 19 years old but obviously isnt challenged.

3. Elias Otero- 24 G, 19/8 K to BB ratio, .425 OBP, 1.046 OPS. 20 years old.

4. Eli Sonoqui- 27 G, 36/12 K to BB ratio, .414 OBP, .853 OPS, 20 years old, strikeouts are a little worrisome IMO.

5. Joseph Cruz-29 IP, 2.17 ERA, 10.55 K/9, 34/6 K to BB, 1.24 WHIP. Just turned 20, but has been good so far.

6. Matt Moore-25 IP, 2.84 ERA, 13.5 K/9, .194 Avg against, 1.11 WHIP. Just turned 19 years old! Someone got a scouting report on his stuff?

So I know these are all on small sample sizes. Honestly I would probally wait 1 or 2 more starts for all of the pitchers before moving them up. Of the hitters, I think Tweedy should move up first. He's already 21, about to be 22, and has shown he can hit and looks to have some speed as well. What do you guys think?

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Also, Wade Davis is dealing in AAA

Anyone else listening to his start? 3 IP, 4 k’s 1 BB, 1 hit.

by dannythegreat on Jul 20, 2008 7:02 PM EDT reply actions

Update

4 IP, 6 k’s, 2 BB’s, 1 H, 1 HBP.

The HBP was apparently close because Montoya came out to argue it. So far he seems impressive. Consistently hitting 94-95.

by dannythegreat on Jul 20, 2008 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Forgot to mention

He has only thrown like 55 pitches. The opposing pitcher has 10 k’s through 4 but 75 pitches. Either way, 10 k’s is not a good sign. Brignac has 1 and Perez has 0.

by dannythegreat on Jul 20, 2008 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Update

5 IP, 6 k’s, 2 H, 3 BB’s

Perez just saved Davis a run. He gunned out a runner trying to score from second on a base hit. 77 pitches so far. He’ll probally stay in for the 6th.

by dannythegreat on Jul 20, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Final Update

7 IP, 0 runs, 3 h, 3BB, 6 k’s

Nice debut.

by dannythegreat on Jul 20, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Good stuff.

I actually hadn’t noticed Tweedy thus far.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 20, 2008 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

RJ I got a question for you

Have you ever considered posting a top 100 prospects list? Not literally you but you as in the site. Like baseball america does. I really enjoyed the two pieces you put out in the offseason. I’m talking about the Lamar-itis and the season preview. Since there’s no need for another history book yet, why dont you guys make a top 100 or so prospect list?

by dannythegreat on Jul 20, 2008 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions

For the Rays, or overall baseball?

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 20, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Just for the Rays

I could see it now, deciding whether the #94 spot should be occupied by the 30th round pick who put up a .700 OPS in rookie ball, or the backup catcher in AA.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Jul 20, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I've seen top 50 for teams.

And don’t think I wouldn’t push for Echeverria to be on a top 100.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 20, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

He better not be higher than Nakandakare

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Jul 20, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Overall

You guys did our top 30 prospects earlier this year. It’d be interesting to see how you rate other prospects compared to baseball america and Keith Law, etc..

by dannythegreat on Jul 20, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

It's a good idea

But I’d be out of my environment.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 20, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Its just a suggestion

It would be cool to see. Ultimately its your guys decision and I understand that its ALOT of work.

by dannythegreat on Jul 20, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Moving up

One thing to keep in mind, especially for the lower level guys, is that performance shouldn’t necessarily dictate promotions. Sometimes you have a kid who’s working on something, and you want to let them work on it with one set of coaches. Other times you have to worry about whether the kid is emotionally ready for the move – some of them really are kids, and there’s a big jump in the level of personal responsibility you need to exercise as you move up the ladder. Finally, you do have to worry about whether you have the personnel to man a position if you move someone up.

As for Moore, coming out of high school he was reported to sit 89-91, touching as high as 94, with a little room to fill out, with a curve and a change. Played basketball in HS, so he has the potential to improve his stuff more now that he’s focusing on it full-time. Haven’t seen a recent scouting report though, but I remember he was somewhat of a steal in round 8; perfect game rated him as the top player in New Mexico. Honestly though, after a year of instructs, his entire repertoire might be different. Most important part is that he’s a hard-throwing lefty who seems to be able to throw strikes and strike guys out.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Jul 20, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the report

Moore seems like a major steal right now. Obviously performance alone can not dictate whether a prospect moves up. BUT seeing how we dont get to watch these guys, the only thing we can go off of is performance. So I guess I should have said, based on performance, these players should be moved up.

I wish the minor leagues had a channel and featured a game everyday so we can see the prospects play.

by dannythegreat on Jul 20, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions