Arbert Jimenez

[scaffolds]

One of the least known of the Red Sox prospects is Arbert Jimenez. Jimenez is a 19 yrs Dominican and a LHP. Jimenez is listed by the Sox as 6-0 145, but he is closer to 160- 165, still small by ML standards, but Jimenez has a low 90's fastball and good off speed pitches. In 2006 while pitching in DSL Jimenez had the lowest ERA in the league in 14 G 11 as a starter in 54 1/3 IP 40 H (1 HR) 8 R 3 ER 10 BB 50 K 208 Ave and a 0.99 ERA, but as a starter was even better in 43 1/3 IP 30 H 10 BB 40K 199 Ave and a .082 ERA. From the DSL to the ML is a long run but Jimenez who just turn 19 yrs and will be pitching at the GCL in the 2007, by season ends should among the Sox top prospects.

[jacksonianmarch]

the thing about the DSL is that it has a serious disparity in talent. You have 16yr olds there as well as players over 20. Pitchers are typically dominant. If a pitcher does well in the DSL, then it bodes well for his future. But typically his first season in the GCL will tell better.

This kids thin frame, left handedness and youth bodes well for him. He'll likely fill out with mid 90s speed. His BB totals are very solid, but at the same time, it is a very free swinging league. From all reports, he is going to the GCL this yr. It will be telling. Right now he isnt a top 40 (sox prospects only have top 40s, not top 50s). If he has a good GCL, expect to see his name in the 30-40 range. If in 08, he has a strong A/A+ season, he'll crack top ten. Sounds very promising, but yes it is early.

[scaffolds]

Jackson; its true there is a big difference between a 16 yrs and a 20 yrs, however if you go roster by roster you won't find too many 16 yrs on the DSL, you will find some 17 yrs, but mostly its betwwee 18-20. I don't have Jimenez on my top Sox top 50 prospect going in to Spring training, but I won't be surprised if Jimenez is on the Sox top 30 prospects or better at the end of the baseball season.

[jacksonianmarch]

first yr in the GCL is big. What I love about scout.com is that they have the top 50 as well as scouting reports mixed in for the DSL kids. I know on the yankee end, they have about 4-5 guys in the DSL who are set to go to the GCL this yr. It is nice to see the new wave of international kids mixing in with the new draft picks.

[scaffolds]

If the scout.com Sox list is as good as was last year isn't very accurate, they had a bunch of non prospects organization types on that list. In my opinion there should be a fairly large group my should be playing in the GCL in 2007 beside Jimenez, you have Angel Beltre and Moises Tejada, but you also have the followings;

Jose Alvarez LHP
Yamaico Navarro 2b/SS
Ricardo Burgos 2B
Pedro Perez RHP
Pedro Rodriguez RHP
Victor Galde RHP
Armando Zerpa LHP
Victor Zerrano inf

[jacksonianmarch]

I'll keep an eye out for Jimenez and C&P his scouting report if he shows up on scout.com. Okay?

[jacksonianmarch]

scaffolds, the sox top 50 is a bit behind. They focused on doing a "where are they now" piece on their 2006 top 50 and decided on rising or falling stock. They have just started their top 50.

The #50 is Jordan Craft. They will show 49 tomorrow.

The Yankees sites are at #26 as they didnt do a "where are you now"

[jacksonianmarch]

#49 is Jose Capellan- lefty soft tosser who had more success as a reliever than starter in the GCL last yr.

[scaffolds]

Thank You, Its that what they said about Capellan, because he isn't a flame thrower, but his fast ball sits around 88-91 not bad at all for a LHP and he projects more as a starter than as a reliever, again their scouting report isn't very accurate.

[jacksonianmarch]

Thank You, Its that what they said about Capellan, because he isn't a flame thrower, but his fast ball sits around 88-91 not bad at all for a LHP and he projects more as a starter than as a reliever, again their scouting report isn't very accurate.
here is the scouting report.


Editor’s Note: Diehard Magazine is in the midst of its second annual countdown of the top 50 prospects in the Red Sox chain today. Check here daily for the latest in-depth scouting report! And subscribe to our print magazine in order to learn even more on the top 50. Today: Prospect no. 49, pitcher Jose Capellan. (FREE PREVIEW OF PREMIUM AND MAGAZINE CONTENT)

As the third-youngest pitcher on the Diehard Top 50 list—and the pitcher with the least amount of experience with the Red Sox’ American-based affiliates—it’s a bit early to project where Jose Capellan will end up, particularly since he split last season between the rotation and the bullpen with the short-season Gulf Coast League Red Sox.

But the Sox like what they’ve seen so far out of the southpaw. Much like his fellow young left-hander Felix Doubront, Capellan makes up for average velocity with a versatile arsenal and an uncommon maturity and presence on the mound.

“He’s got a good mix of pitches,” Sox farm director Mike Hazen said. “A good changeup. He throws strikes.”

For the short-term, Capellan’s home appears to be the rotation, though he fared far better in relief last season for the GCL Sox. He made six starts in the GCL, during which he posted a 4.68 ERA and allowed opposing batters to hit .263 against him. He lasted more than four innings just once and gave up three runs or more three times, but even though his statistics were not overly impressive, the peripherals reflected his ability: He struck out 23 and walked just six in 25 innings as a starter.

Capellan made four of his final five appearances out of the bullpen and thrived as a long reliever. He earned a win in each of those four appearances, during which he allowed just two earned runs on 14 hits in 19 innings and struck out 20 while walking just one. Eight of the hits he allowed came in one four-inning appearance Aug. 15. Overall as a reliever, Capellan posted a 0.77 ERA, allowed opposing batters to hit just .198 against him and posted a strikeout-to-walk ratio of more than 8-to-1 (25 strikeouts, three walks).

Now the task for Capellan and the Sox is to figure out a way to translate that dominance to a starting role. Clearly, with three five-inning stints under his belt as a reliever—as opposed to only one as a starter—Capellan has enough stuff and durability to face a lineup more than once. He’ll get that chance this year.

“It’s tough [with] someone that young to really say ‘Hey, this is what this guy is,’” Hazen said. “But I think he’s going to have a chance to make a rotation spot at some point during [the 2007 season].”


DIEHARD 2007 TOP 50 PROSPECTS
50.) Jordan Craft, P
49.) Jose Capellan, P

[jacksonianmarch]

Thank You, Its that what they said about Capellan, because he isn't a flame thrower, but his fast ball sits around 88-91 not bad at all for a LHP and he projects more as a starter than as a reliever, again their scouting report isn't very accurate.

The SR thinks he should be a starter at some point. They found it interesting that he threw well in 5 inning relief stints rather than 4 inning starts. He is still a long way away, but he certainly projects better as a starter with his stuff. He doesnt have reliever stuff per scouting report.

[scaffolds]

I have Capellan ranked at #27. A LHP with decent stuff that can throw strikes and have good off speed pitches will have a future in the ML, but again he is only 20 yrs and will start the season in Greenville which its ways off.

[scaffolds]

Another young LHP who will be in the GCL in 2007 is Venezuelan Jose Alvarez. Alvarez who is 17 yrs (won't be 18 yrs until May) the youngest Sox pitching prospect who will play in the states in 2007 and 5-11 165 also had a outstanding season in the DSL in 2006 where he was in 15 G 8 GS 1.90 ERA 61 2/3 IP 46 H (1 HR) 13 ER 19 BB 64 K 205 ave. Alvarez has a fastball in the 87-88 area and advance feel for breaking pitches.

[jacksonianmarch]

I have Capellan ranked at #27. A LHP with decent stuff that can throw strikes and have good off speed pitches will have a future in the ML, but again he is only 20 yrs and will start the season in Greenville which its ways off.

yeah, that is why I like scout.com. They take into account ceiling and proximity to the majors. In the past, I got excited about players way too early. Guys with "can't miss" talent who couldnt get GCL players out. This kid has potential, but he has to do something in the GCL that makes him stand out.

[scaffolds]

Pedro Rodriguez is another of the unknown prospects who will make his debut in the states at the GCL in 2007. Like with Jimenez and Alvarez is a small pitcher at 6-0 165, but unlike them the Venezuelan is a RHP and projects as a reliever with a fastball in the 91-92 area and his breaking pitches are a work in progress, Rodriguez also had a very good DSL season with 19 G 1 GS 4 SV (which lead the team) 2-1 1.99 ERA 45 1/3 IP 38 H ( 1 HR) 9 BB 42 K 225 Ave. Rodriguez like jimenez just turned 19 yrs at the end of 2006.

[scaffolds]

I am fairly new on these pages and would like to know the interest of the readers and posters of these type of subjects ( prospects and scouting) Would appreciate a feed back.

[jacksonianmarch]

VERY interested on my end.

[jacksonianmarch]

Rodriguez is not in the top 50 yet. A good GCL yr and this kid jumps into the top 50.

[scaffolds]

Alvarez is a border line top 50, but Rodriguez while he isn't he has a lot of potential.

[scaffolds]

Well, I guess Jacksonian, Bosox and myself are the only ones interested in this topic.

[jacksonianmarch]

fine with me.

[Papelbon58]

I'm very interested in watching prospects. I have posted in this forum quite a bit.

[scaffolds]

When a top latin baseball prospect specially Dominican don't sign a pro contract at 16 yrs or not later than at 17yrs, and you're a baseball playerits because you are an ordinary prospect, unless you're a late bloomer and that's the case of Sox prospect Pedro Perez. Perez wasn't signed by the Sox out of the Dominican until he almost turned 18 yrs mainly because while he was 6-4 he barely weighted 150 pounds and his fastball only reached 80, almost a year later Pedro Perez is still 6-4 but now at 170, however his fastball now sits at 90-91. The RHP is a work in progress but had a good first year as a pro in the DSL in 2007 in 15 G 7 GS 3-3 3.47 47 IP 48 H (1 HR) 16 BB 32 K 253 Ave. Perez who projects as a reliver pitched in the 2006 Sox Florida instructional league and will pitch in the 2007 GCL.

[mar_022]

i'm also interested in these threads, i just dont feel like i have much to add. i dont post much, but i love reading these, thanks and keep it up

[scaffolds]

Ricardo Burgos isn't an elite prospect, but a prospect that can't be ignored none of the less. Burgos is just the opposite of a typical Latin prospect, which most of them are wild swingers, one of Ricardo's strengths is plate decipline and he proved in the 2006 DSL where he played full time for the first time as a pro after being an utility player his first year in 2005 in the VSL. While playing in the DSL in 2006 he led the Sox entry in hitting with an 288 ave in 184 AB 28 R 53 H 14* doubles 3 triples 4# HR 39* RBI 49* BB 42 SO 3 SB 1 CS 443* 462*. Burgos is small by ML standards at 5-9 170, but the 19 YRS left handed hitting Venezuelan second baseman has some pop on his bat and he will be showing his skills in the 2007 GCL.

* led the Sox DSL entry in 2006.
# tied for the on the Sox DSL entry in 2007.

[scaffolds]

San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic is known as the hot bed of short stop prospects and that's the home town of Sox prospect 19 yrs Yamaico Navarro. While playing in his first year in the DSL in 2006 the 5-11 170 right handed hitting Navarro opened some eyes not only with his glove, but also with his bat as he was second on hitting ave on the Sox DSL entry with a 280 Ave on 53 GP 201 AB 29 R 56 H ( 13 doubles, 5 triples and 3 HR) 37 RBI 21 BB 29 So 5 SB 3 CS .344 OBP .438 SLG. Navarro should be playing in the GCL in 2007 most likely as a second baseman not because a lack of range or arm for a short stop, but because the position will be played by elite prospect and fellow Dominican Moises Tejada who was signed last Summer.

[CrespoBlows]

I'm very interested as well. As the season draws closer, I'm sure their will be more activity in this forum.

[scaffolds]

Armando Zerpa has shown the last three years pitching in the Latin leagues two things, first off he its hard to hit and the second one its that he hasn't been able to command his pitches. In 2006 in the DSL it wasn't any different for Zerpa a 5-11 175 LHP as the 19 yrs Venezuelan allowed a 202 batting average against in 32 IP 22 H (0 HR) a 0-4 record and 3.09 ERA 23 BB 34 K 6 WP. The ERA is some what miss leading as it was in mid ones two weeks before the end of the season. Zerpa was one of only two Sox pitching prospects in the DSL that didn't allow a HR in the 2006 season. In 2005 pitching in the VSL he allowed a 214 batting average against, but he issued 26 BB in 29 IP. Zerpa projects as reliever with a 87-88 fastball, but he hides the ball well, the 2007 season at the GCL will tell a better picture of Zerpa.

[jacksonianmarch]

Armando Zerpa has shown the last three years pitching in the Latin leagues two things, first off he its hard to hit and the second one its that he hasn't been able to command his pitches. In 2006 in the DSL it wasn't any different for Zerpa a 5-11 175 LHP as the 19 yrs Venezuelan allowed a 202 batting average against in 32 IP 22 H (0 HR) a 0-4 record and 3.09 ERA 23 BB 34 K 6 WP. The ERA is some what miss leading as it was in mid ones two weeks before the end of the season. Zerpa was one of only two Sox pitching prospects in the DSL that didn't allow a HR in the 2006 season. In 2005 pitching in the VSL he allowed a 214 batting average against, but he issued 26 BB in 29 IP. Zerpa projects as reliever with a 87-88 fastball, but he hides the ball well, the 2007 season at the GCL will tell a better picture of Zerpa.

scaff, I think the kids you should focus on are the ones with cant miss talent. An 88mph lefty in the DSL currently is so far away, as most finesse pitchers go level by level and arent really given a lot of chances, like the power kids do.

[scaffolds]

I mentioned that there was a group of players that played in the DSL in 2006 that was going to play in the GCL in 2007 and i was giving info on them. Zerpa is one of them.

[jacksonianmarch]

ah, sorry bro. Didnt catch that part.

[scaffolds]

Not all of the new players who will be playing in the GCL in 2007 are latin. Australian Mitch Dening will start his profesional carreer. Dening a 18 yrs Outfielder was signed by the Sox last year, but had to finish his high Schooling before he could play as a pro, the left handed hitting Dening played as member of the Australian 18 yrs and under tournament in Cuba this past September. As the Australian right fielder Dening showed a good bat, but it also showed tha the 6-1 165 has to get stronger, with the Sox GCL entry more than likely Dening will play LF.

[scaffolds]

Like I posted in the above post not all of the new players that will be playing in the GCL in 2007 are Latin players. Willian Reddick was this June's draft Sox 17th Rd pick from Middle Georgia JC. Reddick a 19 yrs outfielder is 6-2 180 left handed hitter played only one year of JC ball and the Sox drafted him with the intension to be a draft and follow, but Reddick had an outstanding Summer which included a series against the USA college All Star team and impressed the Sox scouts so much that they decided to sign him, Reddick played CF in JC and has a quick bat and above average speed, but because the Sox GCL team will have elite prospect Angel Beltre and speedy Matt Sheely to play center field Reddick will have to share LF with Mitch Dening.

[scaffolds]

There are a few names that while they aren't new on the GCL roster but they didn't play much in 2006 and are still prospects, like;

Levy Tapia c
Ryan Colvin RHP
Luis Sumoza RF
Matt Sheely CF
Rafael Cabreja RF
Wang-Yi Lin RHP
Chih-Hsiang Huang 3B

[scaffolds]

Levy Tapia is a 2006 draft and follow who was the Sox's 38 rd pick in 2005 out of Colorado's H.S. He became an JC All American in his first and only year at Lamar JC in Colorado showing that he could hit for both average and power. Tapia who will be 20 yrs shortly after the minor leason begins is a right handed hitter and 5-10 about 200 LBS who didn't played very much in the GCL in 2006 after he signed and will return to the GCL in 2007 where he would share the catching position with top prospect Tyler Weedem. The Sox haven't gotten good results from prospects from the light air areas before so it would be interested to see what the Sox have in Tapia.