2010 Prospect Updates

[ORS]

Post here.

 

Anderson is, at least at the beginning of the year, making it look like he could reclaim his status. Hit is 3rd HR of the year tonight, which should bring his OPS up to around the 1.000 mark by tomorrow morning.

 

Kelly has yet to give up a run in 2 AA starts.

 

Reddick's last two games feature 3 hits, which is an improvement, all for XBH, which is a major improvement.

 

Oh, and Salem looks loaded, with Lavarnway, Rizzo, and an improved Middlebrooks and Tejeda.

[ORS]

Lavarnway is just mugging the ball to start the year. HR #4 and a BB so far tonight.

[example1]

Statistical randomness:

 

Jeremy Hazelbaker (Greenville) has 10 SB in 12 G.

[ORS]

Lars went yard.

[jacksonianmarch]

I predicted a Lars resurgence this yr. Figured that much talent couldnt slump at the same level for 2 seasons in a row

[YAZMAN]

I predicted a Lars resurgence this yr. Figured that much talent couldnt slump at the same level for 2 seasons in a row

 

When you throw enough darts one of them is bound to stick.

[ORS]

Lavarnway. Another homer with another walk. Ho hum.

[Keeper]

Move this guy to AA already!

[ORS]

Oscar Tejeda's been on fire a bit lately too. Two HR today, for four on the season, which brings his line up to .386/.390/.667.

 

Don't love that IsoD of .004, but that's some pop from a 20 y/o MIF.

[jacksonianmarch]

That is how a lot of the Dominican players come out. They dont lack the raw ability, but learning the game and advancing their approach is the biggest obstacle, IMO.

[Dipre]

That is how a lot of the Dominican players come out. They dont lack the raw ability' date=' but learning the game and advancing their approach is the biggest obstacle, IMO.[/quote']

 

Because when teaching kids to play baseball here, trainers have a very different approach than what you'd say over there in the US. Here in the DR they teach the kids "If it looks like a strike, swing and swing hard".

[jacksonianmarch]

Thats not a bad way to teach them. Hence why so many of them have such good plate coverage. They just dont see the kind of off-speed stuff that we see in the US. But they make up for it by seeing great velocity at all levels. Raw tools wise, for such a small country, the DR crushes us in terms of skill per player. It is all about honing that skill and player maturity.

[Dipre]

Thats not a bad way to teach them. Hence why so many of them have such good plate coverage. They just dont see the kind of off-speed stuff that we see in the US. But they make up for it by seeing great velocity at all levels. Raw tools wise' date=' for such a small country, the DR crushes us in terms of skill per player. It is all about honing that skill and player maturity.[/quote']

 

Actually there are a lot of advanced 16-19 kids here with filthy breaking stuff (I've always theorized that having kids throw so hard and so many breaking pitches is the reason pitchers are much less durable than they used to be, but i digress) the issue is that they teach them to sit fastball, lay off breaking pitch, which the kids usually can't throw for strikes consistently,it's an incorrect method to some extent if you ask me, but it is what it is.

[jacksonianmarch]

When I was growing up, pitchers couldnt throw breaking balls until they were 12. Now that TJS is so prevalent, I believe they have nixed that.

 

Regardless, when I have a son, I am gonna bring him up the right way.

 

FB, 2 seamer, cutter, straight change. Master those pitches first, then you can throw a breaking ball.

[Keeper]

When I was growing up, pitchers couldnt throw breaking balls until they were 12. Now that TJS is so prevalent, I believe they have nixed that.

 

Regardless, when I have a son, I am gonna bring him up the right way.

 

FB, 2 seamer, cutter, straight change. Master those pitches first, then you can throw a breaking ball.

 

I think that's a sensible way to go about it. Too often do young kids get enamored with the breaking ball.

[bsox0407]

If you want a young kid to throw a breaking ball at a young age you should teach him the art of the Knuckle curve which is throwing just by the grip you hold it and is just like throwing a cutter.

 

My Kid. 4 an 2 seamer, Knuckle Curve, cutter, and a circle- change.

[jacksonianmarch]

The whole point is to teach you kid fastball command and the utility of a straight change. By learning how to run the pitch in on a lefty or a righty, you essentially become a complete pitcher. Anyone can learn a curveball or a slider. They arent too hard and IMO are easier to locate as a get me over than most other pitches, including a fastball at times. You also need big hands to throw a knucklecurve.

[ORS]

Lars (Portland), #5

 

line: .328/.388/.672

 

Lavarnway (Salem), #6

 

line: .377/.424/.754

 

Middlebrooks (Salem), #1

 

line: .367/.433/.533

 

Good day for high talent guys in the system. I'm intrigued to see Middlebrooks start to finally put it together, albeit in a SSS. He was ticketted as very talented player when he was drafted, but never had periods of prolonged success at Lowell or Greenville. It will be interesting to see if he can keep this up.

[jacksonianmarch]

I wanted Middlebrooks when the sox got him. He has worlds of talent and could have been a pretty good pitching prospect as well. Some guys you just have to wait for.

[Chamomile]

Lars is crushing the ball so far this year. I think this is the best I can ever remember him hitting.

[Eck20and8]

Lars is crushing the ball so far this year. I think this is the best I can ever remember him hitting.

 

he is, but also encouraging to see Ryan Kalish walking in Portland like he did last year in the Sally league - 15 BBs already with an OBP pushing .400

[ORS]

Two games in a row for Middlebrooks.

[Chamomile]

he is' date=' but also encouraging to see Ryan Kalish walking in Portland like he did last year in the Sally league - 15 BBs already with an OBP pushing .400[/quote']

 

All good signs. It's ironic that the major criticism of our farm system heading into the season was that we didn't have guys in the higher minors that could help out the team any time soon. Now we've got a 22 year old 1B/DH that leads the Eastern League in HR and OPS, a 22 year old outfielder who leads the Eastern League in BB and we just signed a 23 year old catcher out of Cuba who will likely report to AA and figures to be one of the best catching prospects in baseball. It's been a very encouraging start to the season for our prospects. Our farm system's stock has risen exponentially in the last month.

[WhiskeyBreath]

Lars gets promoted to AAA.

[Chamomile]

Lars gets promoted to AAA.

 

He could be our DH by the end of the year.

[Dojji]

Lars to 1B, Youk to 3B

[redsoxrules]

Lars to 1B' date=' Youk to 3B[/quote']

 

[Spudboy]

He's only had 62 AB in Portland and he has yet do do anything in Pawtucket.

 

Let's see how he does there before projecting a major role with the Red Sox this year.

[Spudboy]

All good signs. It's ironic that the major criticism of our farm system heading into the season was that we didn't have guys in the higher minors that could help out the team any time soon. Now we've got a 22 year old 1B/DH that leads the Eastern League in HR and OPS' date=' a 22 year old outfielder who leads the Eastern League in BB and we [b']just signed a 23 year old catcher out of Cuba who will likely report to AA and figures to be[/b] one of the best catching prospects in baseball. It's been a very encouraging start to the season for our prospects. Our farm system's stock has risen exponentially in the last month.

 

What are the Seadogs going to do with 4 catchers on the Roster?

[diony]

Lars to 1B' date=' Youk to 3B[/quote']

 

Lars to SD. A-Gon to Boston.