AZBlue

Nice story of David Harriott: http://www.baseballagent.com.au/Players_News_Pages/Harriott.htm

If the Red Sox had a chance to make a major trade that would help the team, which player in the top 10 of Scaffolds' list would you give up if the other team said, "Pick one of these 10 to complete the trade"? For me, the choice would be very easy (Pedroia). I think that nine of the top 10 and Lars Anderson are the prospects with the most upside in the organization. I base that on potential, not past performance. Soto and Phillips are on the cusp in that catagory.

Scaffolds, thanks for pointing out that I incorrectly copied Pichardo's name twice.

Scaffolds, there are six (five?) players on the Dominican roster who are 16 years old. Are any of them projected to be outstanding prospects? Second baseman, Wilfredo Pichardo (D), Third baseman, Wilfredo Pichardo (D), (same player as above?) Pitcher, Manuel Rivera LHP (D), Pitcher, Anthony Alvarado RHP (V), Pitcher Stormy Pimental RHP (V) and Pitcher Ernesto Reyes LHP (D). .

Baseball America chat with Daniel Bard (non-premium): http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/262624.html Featuring an effortless delivery to go with one of the best arms in the draft, Bard received a $1.55 million signing bonus after teaming with fellow first-round pick Andrew Miller to form the best one-two punch in college baseball. Unlike Hansen and Miller, Bard won't make his big league debut in the year he was drafted, but it shouldn't be long before he calls Fenway Park home. *** BA: Have the Red Sox indicated whether they project you as a starter or as a reliever, and do you feel you're better suited for either role? DB: It's come up a bit, and based on those conversations I'll be a starter to begin my career. I think there are certain things that point to each being a good role for me. I have three or four pitches, and can hold my velocity deep into games, so that points to being a starter. On the other hand, I know I could be effective attacking hitters with my best two pitches for one inning. I like starting, but could see myself succeeding either way. BA: What do you consider your two best pitches? DB: My fastball, always. Next to that, it's either my slider or changeup, depending on how I feel. I kind of go back and forth on that, day-to-day. I relied more on my slider at UNC, because a lot of college hitters struggle with a good breaking ball. Here it will be more important to have a good change. The fastball is still my number one. BA: How would you describe your fastball, including velocity? DB: Here in Fort Myers, I've been between 96 and 98 (mph). They said I hit 100 in my last outing, which was kind of nice to hear. I throw a two-seamer, too, which is about two or three miles an hour slower than my four-seamer. It has pretty good sink to it most of the time. BA: What about your secondary pitches? DB: I only threw one breaking ball in college, around 80-82 (mph), but I've split that into two pitches. Now I'm throwing a hard curve, around 78-79, and a cut fastball/slider around 86-89. I also throw a changeup that's usually about 88 and tails away from lefthanded hitters. When I have a good one, I'll get hitters to roll over on it and get easy outs.

Jacksonianmarch, I suggest that you do some additional research on Bard. He has a two-seam and four-seam fastball, a curve, an excellent (but inconsistent) slider and a change (circle). In the one game that you probably saw him pitch, his fastballs were so effective that the pitching coach called almost exclusively fastballs during the last five innings that Bard was on the mound. Scaffolds' assessment is shared by most baseball people.

Andy Yount was the Texas pitching prospect with a maturity and alcohol problem that led to a severed tendon in his pitching hand.

Scaffolds, I agree with all of the players on your list, but I have far fewer doubts about Moss becoming a good contributor at the major league level than any of the others.

Every scout who has watched both Hanley Ramirez and Dustin Pedroia play would laugh at that comparison.

Have you seen Pedroia play? He is an average to below average second baseman. A cheap, average player can be important for financial reasons, but "key to the future of the club"?!

Scaff, is there any chance that Puerto Rico will again produce a large number of major league prospects? Are the best players moving to the U.S.? Why has the drop off in talent been so great?

Any word on why the Red Sox and Zona parted company? Zona has had a lot of high draft picks.

Jaymie Bane is Eddie Bane's son. He and his dad put on a pitching clinic for my Little League team. Jaymie can pitch with either hand. He is a very nice young man.

From today's Globe...[i don't have enough posts to be permitted to link this.] Scaffolds, what do you think of the international hires and assignments? "In the organization’s International Baseball Operation, Eddie Romero has been promoted to the position of Coordinator, Latin America Operations. Romero joined the Red Sox last winter as Assistant, Professional and International Scouting. Boston has hired Jose Zapata as the new manager of its Dominican Summer League team. Zapata has been with the Florida Marlins since 2002, serving as the organization’s Dominican Summer League manager the last four seasons. He previously was with the Montreal Expos organization. Nelson Paulino, who has managed Boston’s DSL team for four years, will serve as the bench coach for the team. The Red Sox also hired Ricardo Petit to scout in Venezuela."

Scaf, thanks for your assessment of several of the top players in the system. I'm excited about Bard. I don't remember seeing a pitcher with his velocity who has such an easy motion.

In the Arizona Fall League, each major league organization can place one player who has not yet reached AA. This season, the Red Sox chose not to take advantage of that exception. The Sox also must take into consideration the players that other organizations seek to place on these co-operative rosters. If each of the other teams placing players on the Javelinas have middle infield prospects who need to play most of the time and the Red Sox have a fringe prospect (Natale) who needs to work on defense, Natale would probably be a "taxi squad" player who would play on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Scaffolds, I agree that Pedroia is a major league player, but I see him as a so-so second baseman for a small market team. I would rather see a better athlete at second for the Sox. I prefer the following prospects on your list to Pedroia. I am in general agreement with your list, but I think Bard should be fourth and that Aaron Bates might be 8-10 spots better than 32 (below Lars Anderson): 6 - Edgar Martinez RHP 7 - Daniel Bard RHP 8 - Felix Doubront LHP 9 - Bryson Cox RHP 10- George Kattaras C 12- Justin Masterson RHP 16- Brandon Moss RF 17- Ryan Phillips LHP 19- Kris Johnson LHP 20- Caleb Clay RHP 21- Carlos Fernandez OF 22- Lars Anderson 1B 23- Mark Wagner C

Scaffolds, if Pedroia were in another organization and you were making decisions for the Red Sox, wouldn't you decline an offer to trade Pedroia to the Sox in exchange for any of the players below him on your list through number 23?