Posted by Jeremy on October 29, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | 
Yesterday’s games saw Atlanta Braves 1B prospect Freddie Freeman continue his hot streak with three more hits. Oakland A’s prospects Corey Brown and Jemile Weeks had nice outings as Brown rapped three more RBI’s and Weeks doubled twice and drove in two runs. San Diego Padres prospect Lance Zawadzki put a black mark on Aaron Crow’s professional debut by taking him deep, though Crow looked pretty sharp allowing just two runs on three hits in his four innings.
In Mesa, Andrew Cashner logged four no-hit innings, walking two and striking out four for his first win of the season. Boston Red Sox SS/P prospect Casey Kelly had his best day with the bat, doubling, tripling and driving in four runs.
Today’s top prospect is the hands down best player in Arizona this fall, Grant Desme. The A’s slugger remarkably tallied two more HR’s to raise his league leading total to 10. Desme is now just four behind Brandon Wood’s AFL record and his .469 BA and 22 RBI leads the league right now. Desme quietly had a big season for the A’s at Low-A Kane County and High-A Stockton, hitting .288 with 31 HR 89 RBI 40 SB and 98 runs scored. Desme’s biggest culpability right now is his contact issues as he struck out 148 time in 131 games. To date, Desme has fanned 14 times in 12 games, but his eight walks and 23 hits in that span makes his aggressive approach at the plate tolerable, if not encouraging. Desme doesn’t have any first year cards right now, but when they do arrive (‘09 Bowman Draft?) they should command a solid market right out of the gate.
AFL Player of the Day—GRANT DESME
Other Notable AFL Performances:
Mesa Solar Sox 12
- Bryan Petersen—2-5 HR(2) 2 RBI 2R
- Starlin Castro—2-5 RBI 2R
- Hank Conger—2-4 2B R RBI BB
- David Cooper—2-4 RBI R
- Casey Kelly—2-4 2B 3B 4 RBI R BB
- Josh Vitters—2-5 RBI R
- Andrew Cashner—4 IP 0H 2 BB 4K W (1-2)
Scottsdale Scorpions 5
- Brandon Crawford—2-4 HR(1) RBI
- William Susdorf—1-2 HR(2) 2 RBI 2 BB
- Buster Posey—1-3 2R BB
Phoenix Desert Dogs 11
- Grant Desme—3-4 2 HR(1) 4 RBI 4R BB
- Brandon Waring—3-5 3B RBI 2R
- Corey Brown—2-5 3 RBI
- Jemile Weeks—3-3 2 2B 2 RBI R
Peoria Javelinas 6
- Trayvon Robinson—2-5 RBI R
- Casper Wells—1-4 HR(3) 3 RBI
- Justin Sellers—3-4 2B R
- Jordan Danks—1-3 R RBI BB
Peoria Saguaros 9
- Lance Zawadzki—2-4 HR(1) 2 RBI 2R BB
- Jon Gaston—1-5 3B R 2 RBI
- Yonder Alonso—2-4 2R 2 RBI
- Freddie Freeman—3-4 2B R RBI BB
- Brandon Hicks—2-4 3B RBI BB
- Steven Garrison—3 IP 3H 2 BB K W (1-1)
Surprise Rafters 0
- Reese Havens—2-4
- Aaron Crow—4 IP 3H 2 ER BB 2K L (0-1)
Tags: aaron crow, autographed cards, baseball prospects, Bowman Chrome, bowman chrome draft, bowman sterling, brandon crawford, brandon hicks, brandon waring, bryan petersen, buster posey, casey kelly, corey brown, david cooper, ebay, freddie freeman, grant desme, hank conger, jemile weeks, jordan danks, lance zawadzki, minor league prospects, rookie cards, starlin castro, yonder alonso
Posted by Jeremy on October 21, 2009 under Minor League Ball today |
Yesterday’s AFL results are littered with four hit performances from the likes of Bryan Petersen, Starlin Castro, Jon Lucroy, and Carlos Rivero, not to mention HR’s by Grant Desme (#3), Brad Emaus, Chris Parmelee, Matt Dominguez, and Russ Mitchell (#3). Today’s top performer is L.A. Dodgers OF prospect Andrew Lambo. The 21 year old blasted his second HR of the fall as part of a three hit day, driving in four runs and scoring three times. The former 2007 4th round pick has had a scalding start to his AFL campaign, hitting .478 with 2 HR 9 RBI and 6 runs scored in his six outings. The Dodgers are by no means extending Ramirez’s contract beyond the 2010 season and will be in hoc for a significant portion of his deferred contract for several seasons beyond ‘10. Lambo is not quite ready for a starting OF role with the Dodgers yet, but his start to the AFL season looks like it could catapult him into a significant role in the latter months of next season. Lambo, at his peak, has the same offensive capabilities of current Dodgers RF and first time All-Star Andre Ethier. The market for Lambo’s 2008 Bowman Chrome autos is pretty undervalued right now as many of them can be fetched for $6-8 each and refractors (#/500) for about $10 a pop. Given his upside as future 25-30 HR guy, this seems to be an excellent opportunity to snag a few at single digit prices.
AFL Player of the Day—ANDREW LAMBO
Other AFL Performances
Peoria Javelinas 14
- Lorenzo Cain—2-6 2B R 2 RBI
- Jordan Danks—1-4 2B 2R RBI 2 BB
- Scott Sizemore—1-3 2R 3 BB
- Andrew Lambo—3-6 HR(2) 4 RBI 3R
- Russ Mitchell–1-2 HR(3) 2 RBI BB
- Jon Lucroy—4-4 HR(1) RBI 3R BB
- Zach Braddock—2 IP H 3K
Mesa Solar Sox 10
- Bryan Petersen—4-5 2B 3R
- Starlin Castro—4-5 2R RBI
- Ryan Kalish—3-4 2B 3R 2 RBI BB SB(1)
- Chris Parmelee—1-4 HR(1) 2 RBI
- Matt Dominguez—2-5 2B HR(1) RBI
Peoria Saguaros 11
- Chris Heisey—3-4 2b 2R 3 RBI BB
- Brandon Hicks—2-2 2B 2R 2 BB SB(1)
- Cedric Hunter—2-5 2B R RBI
- Carlos Rivero—4-5 2 2B 2 RBI R
- Jose Vallejo—2-45 2R SB(1)
Phoenix Desert Dogs 8
- Matt Angle—3-5 2B R RBI
- David Espinosa—2-5 R RBI
- Chris Marrero—2-5 2B RBI R
- Grant Desme—2-5 HR(3) 3 RBI
- Brad Emaus—1-5 HR(1) 2 RBI
Scottdale Scorpions 7
- Jose Tabata—3-5 2 3B 2 RBI 2R
- Brandon Crawford—1-3 2B R 2 BB
- William Susdorf—2-3 2R RBI SB(1)
- Hector Gomez—2-4 2B R 2 RBI
Surprise Rafters 3
- Ike Davis—2-4 2 2B R
- Jeff Bianchi—1-4 2B 2 RBI
Tags: andrew lambo, Arizona Fall League Daily Report, arizona prospects, autographed cards, autographed rc, bowman autos, Bowman Chrome, bowman chrome draft, brad emaus, brandon crawford, brandon hicks, bryan petersen, carlos rivero, Cedric Hunter, chris heisey, chris marrero, chris parmelee, ebay, grant desme, hector gomez, ike davis, jon lucroy, jordan danks, jose tabata, jose vallejo, lorenzo cain, matt dominguez, Minor League Baseball, minor league prospects, mlb prospects, ryan kalish, scott sizemore, sportcard investments, sportscards, starlin castro, zach braddock
Posted by Jeremy on October 15, 2009 under Minor League Ball today |
Yesterday’s league action did not conjure the offensive fireworks that Tuesday’s action did, but there were a few fine performances to note. Dustin Ackley had two hits in his first action as a pro, scoring once. Ike Davis added two more RBI to up his league leading total to 8. Trayvon Robinson tripled, scored and drove in a run, walking twice and stealing two bases. Domonic Brown doubled twice and drove in a run while new Arizona Diamondbacks OF prospect Cole Gillespie went 3-3 with two walks and a stolen base.
Today’s top award goes to unheralded Florida Marlins OF prospect Bryan Petersen, who collected three hits including his first AFL HR and two doubles. Petersen’s numbers, on the surface, were solid but not standout (.297 7 HR 49 RBI 13 SB 64 runs in 121 games). Oddly, areas that he excelled in in 2008 (23 HR 23 SB) diminished somewhat this past season, but his plate discipline (50 BB/66 K) and batting average experienced significant improvements. All told, Petersen is a 23 year old player with a limited upside and enough athleticism and polish to be a solid contributor to a franchise. The Marlins, however, are a team that is flush with more talented OF’s which could relegate Petersen to an eventual 4th outfielder role with the club. He also remains someone who could draw some interest by other clubs as an inclusion in a trade, though the Marlins tend to be an organization that trades for prospects instead of shipping them out. Until the situation changes, Petersen’s 2008 autos should continue to languish in the $3-5 range.
AFL Player of the Day—BRYAN PETERSEN
Other League Action:
Phoenix Desert Dogs 4
- Jemile Weeks—2-5 2B R RBI SB(1)
- Chris Marrero—2-4 2B RBI BB
- Brandon Waring—1-5 HR(1) RBI
Mesa Solar Sox 2
- Bryan Petersen—3-5 HR(1) RBI 2 2B
- Josh Vitters—3-4 2B
- Michael Stanton—2-4 SB(2)
- David Cooper—1-4 2B RBI
- Mike McCardell—2 IP H 4K
Scottsdale Scorpions 3
- Domonic Brown—2-5 2 2B RBI
- Cole Gillespie—3-3 RBI 2 BB SB(1)
- Donald Veal—2 IP 3K
Peoria Saguaros 1
- Jason Heyward—1-4 2B R
- Matt McBride—2-3 3B RBI BB
- Josh Rodriguez—2-4 2B
Surprise Rafters 6
- Ruben Tejeda—2-5 2R RBI
- Mike Moustakas—1-4 2B R RBI
- Austin Romine—3-4 RBI
- Ike Davis—1-3 2 RBI
- Trey Henley—2-3 RBI R BB
Peoria Javelinas 4
- Trayvon Robinson—1-3 3R R RBI 2 BB 2 SB(2)
- C.J. Retherford—1-4 3B RBI R
- Taylor Green—1-2 2 BB
- Dustin Ackley—2-4 R
Tags: Arizona Fall League Daily Report, autographed memorabilia, bomwan chrome draft, Bowman Chrome, bowman sterling, brandon waring, bryan petersen, chris marrero, cole gillespie, david cooper, domonic brown, dustin ackley, ebay, ike davis, jemile weeks, justin heyward, major league prospects, mike moustakas, mike stanton, Minor League Baseball, minor league prospects, rookie cards, sportscards, sportscards investments, trayvon robinson
Posted by Jeremy on August 12, 2009 under Minor League Ball today |
Yesterday’s scoreboard was limited almost exclusively to the Eastern League so today’s breakdown may be a little thin. Carlos Santana came a homerun away from hitting for the cycle, driving in his 83rd and 84th runs of the season. Santana has hit full stride this season after a July that saw him hit .311 with 8 HR and 29 RBI. For the season, the Indians’ young receiver is hitting .288 with 20 HR 84 RBI 25 doubles and 74 runs scored. Like last year, the plate discipline continues to be one of Santana’s strong suits as his 71 BB/68 K has helped to push his OBP to .410 this year. Santana is a guy who can hit at the major league level right now and probably will do so very soon. The trade of Victor Martinez has opened the door wide open for Carlos and there is not much that either Kelly Shoppach or Lou Marson can do to hold him back. Currently, Santana’s 2008 Bowman Sterling autos sell for $22-25 each and his Razor Metal autos command about $9-12 each. Santana ranks amongst Matt Wieters and Buster Posey as one of baseball’s elite young catchers. If he can secure a spot in Cleveland’s opening day lineup next year, he should be one of the early AL ROY favorites.
Today’s top prospect is Florida Marlins top prospect Michael Stanton. Yesterday, Stanton hit his 24th HR on the season as part of a three hit, three RBI day. The 19 year old has struggled during the month of August hitting just .227 during his first 11 games. This isn’t too big of a surprise. The Marlins are moving him quickly through their system and the plate discipline has had trouble catching up. After posting promising BB/K numbers (28/45) at High-A, Stanton has not been able to replicate that success at the AA level as he has walked 21 times and has 72 strikeouts in 56 games. The power has carried forward though and I think the plate discipline will emerge as Stanton gathers more experience. The eBay market for Stanton’s various 2008 autos has remained solid throughout this season with his heavily traded Bowman Chrome autos selling at $32-35 each, but his Razor autos (#/1199) have slipped to single digits in value. I think that Stanton should stay in AA for the remainder of the season and will benefit greatly from playing in an offseason league. He’ll be just 20 years old on opening day next year and should start the season in AAA before earning a much heralded callup at some point next season. Watch to see if the market cools during the offseason and pounce on some of his autos.
AA Player of the Day—MICHAEL STANTON
Other Notable Performances
Hitting:
- Carlos Santana—3-5 2B 3B 2 RBI R
- Carlos Rivero—2-3 R RBI BB
- Brandon Crawford—2-4 2 2B RBI
- Mike Mooney—2-4 2B 3B 2R
- Brennan Boesch—1-4 HR(25) RBI
- Casper Wells—2-4 2B R
- Erik Lis—2-4 2B HR(15) 2 RBI
- Brad Emaus—1-4 HR(9) RBI 2R BB
- Josh Bell—3-6 2B R
- Luis Exposito—3-4 RBI
- Gorkys Hernandez—3-6 3R RBI
- Shelby Ford—2-5 2R 2 RBI
- Pedro Alvarez—3-4 2B R 2 RBI BB
- Steve Lerud—3-5 2B R
- Austin Krum—2-4 2B 2R BB SB(9)
- Edaurdo Nunez—3-5 R RBI 2 SB(16)
- Michael Stanton—3-5 HR(24) 3 RBI 2R
- Logan Morrison—3-4 2B 2 RBI R BB
- Bryan Peterson—2-4 3R BB
Pitching:
- Michael Crotta—5.2 IP 6H 2 UER BB 4K W (6-6)
- Eric Niesen—6 IP 5H 2 ER 2 BB 8K
- Michael Stutes—6 IP 7H ER 2 BB 6K
Tags: autographed cards, baseball card prospecting, baseball cards, brad emaus, brandon crawford, brennan boesch, bryan petersen, carlos rivero, carlos santana, ebay, eric niesen, josh bell, logan morrison, luis exposito, major league prospects, michael stanton, michael stutes, Minor League Baseball, minor league prospects, pedro alvarez, prospecting, rookie cards
