Hot Prospect Profile: Jason Knapp

Posted by Jeremy on April 23, 2009 under Hot Prospect Profile | Be the First to Comment

Jason Knapp—Philadelphia Phillies RHP

H/W:  6-5  215 lb.     B/T:  R/R     DOB:  8/31/90

What I wrote for Hot-Prospects.net on December 19, 2008…

With a 2nd round pick and $590 K signing bonus, the Philadelphia Phillies were able to lure this tall right hander away from a scholarship at North Carolina.  Knapp paid immediate dividends going 3-1 with the Phillies GCL affiliate with a 2.61 ERA and 12 BB/38 K in 31 IP.   Armed with a fastball that sits between 94-97 MPH, Knapp has clean mechanics and a strong, projectible frame that should serve him well as a inning-eating starter.  Scouts rave at his ability to use his leverage to throw the ball on a downhill plane, making his fastball heavier to hit.  While he has a good feel for his offspeed pitches, there is still much room for refining and building arm strength to make them more effective.  Knapp has shown early on that he can locate his fastball as he allowed just 1 HR in the Gulf Coast League last season.  He is not afraid to go after hitters and has a good competitive demeanor on the mound.

2009 Projection: While he performed good enough to earn a full season nod at full season Low-A Lakewood, the World Champs may decide to hold Knapp back at their extended spring training camp to work more on his off speed pitches before sending him to short season Williamsport.  If Knapp earns the nod to full season ball, keep a close eye on his performances.  Knapp is an under the radar pitching prospect that has the body and stuff at a young age to be a frontline starter down the road.

2009 UPDATE:

Despite the two tough luck losses, Knapp has been as dominant as any pitcher in the minor leagues to this point.  In his first outing of the season, Knapp struck out 10 hitters in 5.2 innings allowing just two runs.  His outing on April 21st, though, was truly magnificent as he surrendered just one hit over seven scoreless innings punching out 14 hitters and walking just one.  My earlier projection holds true but now there is reason to believe that Knapp may become a fast track pitcher who jumps to the High-A ranks at some point this season. 

CURRENT EBAY MARKET:

• Knapp has two autographed cards in the 2008 sets.  His Bowman Sterling autos and Donruss Elite Extra autos (#/999) sell for $8-10 each which, surprisingly, is at roughly the same rates that they were going for at the time that these sets were released. 

BUY OR SELL: 

• Duh, BUY!  This guy has the size, stuff, and early performance numbers to rapidly become one of baseball’s top RHP prospects. 

Key Jason Knapp Baseball Cards:

• 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/999
• 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
• 2008 Bowman Sterling Auto

4/23 AAA and AA Minor League Reports

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AAA Report

Matt LaPorta continues to sting the ball with three more hits and two runs scored and Andrew McCutchen’s early struggles seem to be well behind him as he grabbed another two hits.  Clay Buchholz threw five quality innings showing no ill effects from his hamstring soreness and Daniel Bard locked the door with three K’s in the ninth.  In the PCL, Max Ramirez hit his first HR and Brad Snyder blasted two.  The Cardinals’ Jess Todd saved his third game of the season striking out three of the four batters he faced. 

Today’s top AAA prospect is Carlos Gonzalez.  Gonzo got off to a slow start this season with a terrible spring and gathering just two hits in his first 11 regular season at bats, but yesterday’s double, triple and six RBI’s has him well on his way back to a shot at Colorado’s everyday lineup.

AAA Prospect of the Day—CARLOS GONZALEZ

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Adam Rosales—4-5 2B R RBI
• Wes Hodges—1-4 2B 2R 3 RBI
• Matt LaPorta—3-5 2R
• Andrew McCutchen—2-6 3B RBI R
• Brian Duglach—2-4 2 HR(3) 2 RBI 2R
• Brad Snyder—2-4 2 HR(4) 5 RBI 2R
• Carlos Gonzalez—2-5 2B 3B 2R 6 RBI BB
• Eric Young Jr.—2-6 2B R 2 SB(9)
• Chris Coughlan—2-5 2B 2 RBI SB(4)
• Chris Lubanski—2-5 2B R 2 BB SB(4)
• Julio Borbon—2-5 R 2B BB
• Max Ramirez—2-5 HR(1) 2 RBI

Pitching:

• Clay Buchholz—5 IP 3H 2 Er 2 BB 2K
• Daniel Bard—IP 3K
• Wade Davis—5 IP 3H 2 ER 3 BB 2K W(1-0)
• Daniel McCutchen—5 IP 5H ER 4 BB 7K W(1-1)
• Jess Todd—1.1 IP 3K SV(3)

AA Report

The Southern League had the night off, but there was enough action in the other leagues to satisfy our prospecting appetites.  Lars Anderson hit his second HR of the season and Brad Emaus hit his first.  Todd Frazier and Zack Cozart drove in two runs apiece and Desmond Jennings hit his second HR in as many days.

L.A. Dodgers OF prospect Jamie Hoffmann is today’s top prospect.  The 24 year old has excellent size and speed that should translate soon into a potential 20 HR/20 SB talent.  Yesterday, Hoffmann went 2-5 with a grand slam HR, his second, five RBI and a walk.  His only first year cards can be found in the 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects set and are trading for 25-50 each.  Given that there are extreme talents in L.A.’s outfield right now, Hoffmann will likely need a change of scenery in order to have a productive major league career.

AA Player of the Day—JAMIE HOFFMANN

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Lars Anderson—1-3 HR(2) RBI
• Jorge Jimenez—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Matt Moses—2-4 HR(2) 3 RBI
• Brad Emaus—1-4 HR(1) RBI
• Zack Cozart—3-4 3R 2B 2 RBI BB SB(1)
• Todd Frazier—2-4 2B 2 RBI BB
• Chris Heisey—2-4 3R 2B 3B BB SB(6)
• Jamie Hoffmann—1-2 GS HR(2) 5 RBI BB
• Bryan Peterson—2-4 2B 2 RBI SB(4)
• Ezequiel Carrera—2-4 2B 2R RBI BB
• Yunesky Sanchez—3-5 3R 3B 2 RBI SB(1)
• Ricardo Sosa—3-4 2B 2R
• Orlando Mercado—3-4 2B 2B 4 RBI 2R
• Desmond Jennings—1-3 HR(4) RBI BB
• Rhyne Hughes—1-3 HR(4) RBI BB

Pitching:

• Hector Rondon—5 IP 4H BB 2K W(3-0)
• Joe Savery—6 IP 5H 4 ER 2 BB 6K (2-3 2R 2B)
• George Kontos—5 IP 2H 2 ER 4 BB 7K
• Dylan Owen—5.2 IP 5H 3 ER 2 BB 6K
• Kyle McCullough—7 IP 5H 2 ER 2K W(2-1)

PPR Contest Update

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The masses have spoken and for that I am most appreciative.  Each person that took the time to respond will be receiving a little something for their efforts…stay tuned for an email.

The winning contribution came from Justin who wrote:

Hey, I’m an avid reader of your site and thought I would give my feedback.

The consensus from those of you who commented is that the daily reports are quite popular and helpful in your prospecting endeavors.  I love bringing them to you, but the time spent researching, compiling and formatting all the data is enormous.  As a result, I am often unable to take time to write up individual prospect analyses, product reviews, or study the eBay market.  I want to provide all of that for you! 

So, I have decided to streamline the minor league reports to cover a few less prospects and I won’t separate them into a league by league format like I have done in the past.  Rather, I will likely lump them together level by level (i.e. AAA, AA, High A, Low A).  Hopefully this will cut some time from the formatting end of things without cutting too much of the quality of the reports.

Additionally, it seems that you want more market analysis from me.  I did this during the season last year in the minor league reports and it was quite popular with the handful of readers I had back then

Yesterday Porter’s Prospect Report crossed the 100,000 hit mark in about 10 months time.  I feel extremely blessed that you have decided to check out this blog and feel energized by the support you’ve shown. 

SHAMELESS PLUG:  One area that you can continue to show your support is through the eBay links that I post for current auctions.  As an eBay affiliate, I receive a small commission for each item purchased through the links on this page.  If you are thinking of buying something on eBay, please consider doing so through one of the links.  It doesn’t cost you anything and it doesn’t even have to be the item that is listed.

I am working dilligently to continue my skills as a sports card writer and the better my earnings are, the easier it is to persuade my wife to allow me to do this day in and day out.  In all truth, she has been very supportive….and patient.

Thank you again for making the last 10 months an absolute joy.  I see big things on the horizon for this site and for the industry as a whole.  I look forward to continuing the journey with you!

Jeremy

4/23 High-A Minor League Report

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CALIFORNIA LEAGUE

Brandon Crawford, Alex Liddi, and Matt Spencer all hit their fourth HR’s of the season and Madison Bumgarner allowed just one run over five innings to go a perfect 3-0 for the 2009 season.  Chris Withrow punched out 10 over just five innings but lost to today’s player of the day Chris Hicks. 

The Astros right hander tossed five innings of scoreless ball, allowing just five hits while striking out nine.  Hicks, 21, is now 2-1 on the season with a 3.07 ERA and 18 K’s in 14.2 IP.  Used almost exclusively as a reliever last season, Hicks has proven to be quite adept at forcing groundball outs this season (2.57/FO) and has exhibited good control.  At 6-4 205 lb., he appears to have a nice durable frame capable of handling a steady workload.

California League Player of the Day—CHRIS HICKS

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Alex Liddi—3-4 HR(4) 3 RBI 2B
• James McOwen—3-5 2R SB(1)
• Joe Dunigan—4-4 HR(3) 2 RBI 2B
• Kuo Hui Lo—2-4 HR(1) RBI 3B 2R
• Matt Spencer—3-4 2B HR(4) RBI 3R BB
• Jermaine Mitchell—2-4 HR(1) RBI
• Brandon Crawford—1-4 HR(4) 2 RBI
• Buster Posey—2-4 R RBI
• Roger Kieschnick—1-3 HR(2) 2 RBI
• Engel Beltre—1-4 2B 2R RBI BB SB(5)
• Mitch Moreland—1-4 HR(2) RBI 2 BB 2R
• Mauro Gomez—3-6 HR(3) 6 RBI 2B
• Collin Cowgill—2-5 R SB(3)
• Scott Vanslyke—4-5 2B 3B 2R

Pitching:

• Nathan Adcock—6 IP 4H BB 4K W(2-1)
• Madison Bumgarner—5 IP 5H ER 5K W(3-0)
• Chris Withrow—5 IP 3H Er 2 BB 10 K L(1-1)
• Chris Hicks—5 IP 5H 2 BB 9K W(2-1)

CAROLINA LEAGUE

Jason Place continues to make positive strides in his development as he hit his second HR and drove in three runs.  Teammate Chi-Hsien Chiang had nice back to back outings combining to go 4-7 with a HR, three RBI and three runs scored.  Jordan Danks had three hits, driving in two and scoring twice.

Today’s player of the day in the Carolina League is Cleveland Indians 3B prospect Lonnie Chisenhall.  For the second straight day, Chisenhall homered and drove in five runs.  The Indians’ 2008 first round selection has an eight game hitting streak and is beginning to demonstrate the promising power potential and plate discipline that made him a top draft choice last June.

Carolina League Player of the Day—LONNIE CHISENHALL

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Jason Place—2-4 HR(2) 3 RBI BB 2B 2R
• Chih-Hsien Chiang—2-4 HR(1) 3 RBI BB 2R (Game 1)…2-3 R (Game 2)
• Kris Negron—2-4 R RBI SB(2)
• Clint Robinson—2-3 2 HR(2) 2 RBI BB 2R (Game 1)…1-4 HR(3) RBI (Game 2)
• David Lough—3-4 2 RBI
• Lonnie Chisenhall—2-5 GS HR(2) 5 RBI 2B BB
• Cord Phelps—2-4 2B BB R
• Freddie Freeman—2-5 2B 2R
• Michael Fisher—3-4 2R BB
• Jordan Danks—3-4 2 RBI 2R BB SB(3)
• Brent Morel—2-4 R BB SB(5)

Pitching:

• Ronal Uviedo—5 IP 2H 5K
• Zack Britton—5 IP 4H ER 2 BB 4K

FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE

Matt Dominguez and Michael Stanton combined to go 4-7 with four runs and three walks.  Osvaldo Martinez, Alex Buchholz, Eric Thames and Reid Fronk each pounded out three hits and Shawn O’Malley had four hits and three runs scored. 

Today’s FSL top player is Jupiter Hammerheads pitcher Kyle Winters.  One day after his 22nd birthday, the ‘05 fifth rounder tossed seven two-hit innings walking one and striking out two.  Winters has allowed just one run in his first 19 innings of 2009 (0.47 ERA)  He is a control pitcher who gets a lot of groundball outs and has made some improvements, thusfar, in controlling the strike zone.

Florida State League Player of the Day—KYLE WINTERS

 
Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Matt Dominguez—2-4 2B 3R BB
• Michael Stanton—2-3 R RBI 2 BB
• Osvaldo Martinez—3-4 2 3B 2R BB
• Cole Gillespie—2-2 R 2 BB SB(4)
• Austin Romine—2-4 2B 2R
• Dominic Brown—2-3 BB R SB(3)
• Kody Kaiser—2-3 BB R SB(3)
• Audy Ciraco—2-4 HR(1) 2 RBI 2B 2R
• Marwin Gonzalez—3-5 2B 2R
• Jovan Rosa—2-2 2B 2 RBI
• Eric Thames—3-4 2B 3B RBI 2R
• Jermaine Curtis—3-4 RBI
• Deibinson Romero—2-3 2R 2B RBI
• Alex Buchholz—3-5 2B 3B 2 RBI
• Reid Fronk—3-5 2B RBI
• Shawn O’Malley—4-5 2B 3B RBI 3R

Pitching:

• Kyle Winters—7 IP 2 H BB 2K W(1-0)
• Andrew Hess—5 Ip 6H 4K W(1-0)
• David Bromberg—6 IP 4H ER 2 BB 3K W(1-0)

4/23 Low-A Minor League Report

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MIDWEST LEAGUE

Young Blue Jays slugger Johermyn Chavez smacked his second HR of the season, as did Paul Cruz, Tyson Auer, and Cody Puckett.  On the mound, Steve Hensley won his third game in a row with a strong seven innings of shutout baseball. 

Today’s top player is Milwaukee Brewers big righty Cody Scarpetta.  The 20 year old was simply dominant yesterday allowing just one run on three hits in six innings while striking out 10.  The 2007 11th round pick has a 1.54 ERA and has punched out 18 in just 11.2 innings this season mixing a power curveball with his 92-94 MPH heat.

Midwest League Player of the Day—CODY SCARPETTA

 


Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Sawyer Carroll—1-3 2B 2R 3 RBI BB
• Matthew Clark—2-4 2B R 2 RBI
• Jeudy Valdez—2-4 2B RBI
• Cody Scarpetta—6 IP 3H ER 2 BB 10K
• Chris Carpenter—5 IP H 2 BB 6K
• Cody Puckett—2-4 2R HR(2) RBI
• Alfredo Marte—3-5 2B 3B 2 RBI 2R SB(1)
• Reynaldo Navarro—3-4 2 2B 3B RBI R
• Johermyn Chavez—1-2 HR(2) RBI 2 BB
• Nick Francis—3-4 HR(2) 4 RBI
• Eric Hosmer—1-3 R RBi BB
• Niko Vasquez2-4 2R
• Paul Cruz—2-3 HR(2) RBI BB
• Denny Almonte—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Danny Carroll—2-4 2R 2 SB(3)
• Tyson Auer—3-4 HR(2) RBI 2B

Pitching:

• Cody Scarpetta—6 IP 3H ER 2 BB 10K
• Chris Carpenter—5 IP H 2 BB 6K
• Trevor Harden—7 IP 5H ER BB 5K W(2-1)
• Steven Hensley—7 IP 8H 5K W(3-0)

SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Travis D’Arnaud had a big game for Lakewood, doubling twice and driving in four runs while Casey Kelly tossed another gem for the Red Sox surrendering just two hits over five innings.  Paul Gran continues to hit the ball well, doubling twice and scoring three times and both Jordan Pacheco and Gerardo Rodriguez hit their third HR’s oe the season. 

Today’s top player is Yankees CF prospect Melky Mesa.  The 21 year old hit two HR, drove in four and scored three times.  Mesa is an athletic outfielder with solid contact skills and emerging power potential.  He still needs to work on his plate discipline (1 BB/16 K), but is hitting .275 with 4 HR 10 RBI and 8 runs scored in 12 games this season.

South Atlantic League Player of the Day—MELKY MESA

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Robi Estrada—1-3 2R 2 RBI BB
• Anthony Scelfo—3-5 2 2B 3B 3 RBI R
• Melky Mesa—3-5 2 HR(4) 4 RBI 3R
• Carmen Angelini—2-6 R RBI
• Justin Greene—2-4 3B RBI BB 2R
• James Cesario—4-5 2 RBI R
• Jordan Pacheco—2-3 HR(3) RBI 2R BB
• David Christensen—1-5 3B 3 RBI SB(3)
• Paul Gran—2-4 2 2B 3R RBI
• Kyle Skipworth—1-3 2 RBI
• Travis D’Arnaud—3-4 2 2B 4 RBI R
• Gerardo Rodriguez—2-4 2R HR(3) rBI
• Wilmer Flores—2-4 R RBI

Pitching:

• Casey Kelly—5 IP 2H 4K
• Ross Seaton—5.2 IP 4H ER BB 6K W(2-1)
• Martin Perez—5 IP 3H 2 ER 2 BB 6K L(0-2)
• Jeurys Familia—6 IP 2H ER 3 BB 5K W(2-0)