Posted by Jeremy on July 27, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | 
Joaquin Arias had a stellar spring training with the Rangers but found himself as a late March cut as the Rangers were dead set on giving Elvis Andrus the starting SS job with Omar Vizquel playing the role of seasoned mentor. Arias has been hot as of late, hitting .319 with 3 of his 4 HR and 12 of his 46 RBI over the last 10 games. He’s got excellent speed (16/18 SB) and has committed only six errors this season. At 24 years old, he’s the perfect candidate for a rebuilding team with a vacancy at SS (Mariners anyone?) His MLB audition last season was solid as he hit .291 in 32 games with 4 SB and 10 XBH. I would love to see him packaged as an extra piece in a deal to another franchise as it is always a shame to see talented players mired in deep systems lose precious years of MLB experience biding their time at the minor league levels. Watch to see if he is packaged in a deal at the deadline and then pick up one of his several autos for less than $5. His first year cards are autographs in the Bowman Chrome and Bowman’s Best sets. Each can be had for $3-4 each.
Brandon Snyder is a name that we haven’t mentioned much since his promotion to AAA as he has struggled with the new challenge. However, his 3-4 showing yesterday in which he doubled and scored two runs is an indicator that he may be starting to get on his feet. He has hit safely in six of his last seven games but still has not found the plate discipline that he displayed at AA Bowie. This is a prime time to buy low once again as he has settled back into the $3-5 ranks with his various autos. Keep tabs on his next 10 games, if he continues to hit the ball well and can balance the BB/K scale a bit more, he could find himself in Camden Yards come September.
Today’s top performer is a repeat offender. Tacoma’s Adam Moore hit his 9th HR of the season, driving in five runs and scoring twice in the Rainier’s 14-9 rout of the hapless Las Vegas Stars. Moore is the M’s most polished and well rounded receiver as Jeff Clement is no longer a viable catching prospect and Rob Johnson is a good catch/no hit backup. The spectre of former GM Bill Bavasi will cast a two year blight on the current catching situation at Safeco as Kenji Johjima’s $24 M extension remains one of the club’s worst maneuvers this side of Carlos Silva’s 4 year $42 M sentence. Johjima’s high price forces the club to endure his menail production while inhibiting opportunities to get a full feel for what they have in Moore. His 2008 autos are still solid bargains at $4-6 each and his ‘09 Bowman Chrome autos can be snagged at similar prices. He’s probably a year away from earning significant MLB service time, but he immediately becomes Seattle’s best catcher when he arrives.
AAA Player of the Day—ADAM MOORE
Other Notable Performances
Hitting:
- Andy Marte—1-2 HR(18) RBI 2R 2 BB
- Chris Johnson—1-3 HR(6) RBI
- Yorandy Ramirez—3-4 2 SB(9)
- Mike Baxter—1-3 2B 2R RBI BB
- Chris Petit—2-4 2R
- Sean Rodriguez—2-2 2R RBI 2 BB (Game 1)…..2-3 2B R (Game 2)
- Travis Snider—2-5 HR(6) RBI
- Jeff Clement—2-5 2 RBI R
- Adam Moore—2-4 HR(9) 5 RBI 2R BB
- Chris Heisey—3-5 R
- Drew Stubbs—1-5 HR(3) RBI
- Chris Valaika—1-3 2B 2 RBI
- Joaquin Arias—3-4 HR(4) 3 RBI 3R 3B BB
- Chris Davis—2-4 R 2 RBI
- Jose Vallejo—2-4 2B 3B 3 RBI R
- Brandon Snyder—3-4 2B 2R
- Matt Joyce—2-3 2 2b 2 RBI R
- Rhyne Hughes—3-4 HR(22) 2 RBI 2B
- Jason Pridie—4-7 2B RBI R SB(21)
- David Winfree—2-5 R 2 RBI 3B
- Alejandro De Aza—3-5 2B HR(6) RBI 3R
- Jai Miller—1-4 HR(8) RBI
- Buster Posey—0-0 2R 4 BB
- Ramiro Pena—3-3 HR(2) 2 RBI BB
- Wilkin Ramirez—2-5 2B 2R RBI
- Brent Clevlen—3-5 HR(11) 3 RBI 2B 2R
Tags: AAA baseball, adam moore, baseball cards, Bowman Chrome, bowman sterling, brandon snyder, buster posey, chris davis, chris heisey, chris johnson, chris valaika, david winfree, drew stubbs, ebay, ebay bargains, jeff clement, joaquin arias, jose vallejo, major league baseball, Minor League Baseball, rhyne hughes, rookie cards, sean rodriguez, sports cards investments, sportscards, travis snider, wilkin ramirez
Posted by Jeremy on July 21, 2009 under Minor League Ball today |
Minnesota Twins OF prospect David Winfree is a name that makes our run down of daily performances quite often, but he is oft overlooked amidst the prospecting ranks. Yesterday the former 2003 draftee launched his 13th HR of the season as part of a three hit day and drove in two runs. The Twins are still in contention for a post season bid and have a good deal of depth in their current OF situation, however, the 23 year old Winfree is someone to keep an eye on as a sleeper for future consideration. At 6-3 230 lb. Winfree has as much power potential as anyone in the Twins’ system not named Angel Morales. This season, Winfree is batting .274 with 13 HR 48 RBI and 22 doubles. He has good athleticism and a strong arm that plays well in right field. His positive strides made last year in plate discipline (41 BB/85 K) have gone by the wayside this year (15 BB/65 K), and he will need to shore that up in order to tack down a future big league job. The Twins have some good depth in their outfield right now, but no one seems to have distinguished themselves as franchise fixtures. Michael Cuddyer is signed through 2010, but his contract ($8.5M in ‘10) puts him at the center of several trade rumors. The Twins are in need of an upgrade on the left side of their infield and there have been some rumors that Braves SS Yunel Escobar could be had for either Cuddyer or Denard Span. Over the long term, I don’t see Winfree having a sustainable future with the Twins as trio of Ben Revere, Aaron Hicks, and Angel Morales are a couple years away from making their impact on the major leagues, but there could just be a window for Winfree to get a shot to make his major league debut when the rosters expand in September.
Houston Astros former 1st round southpaw turned outfielder Brian Bogusevic has had a decent season, but not to the level that I envisioned this past offseason. After going 3-5 with a HR and three RBI yesterday, the former Tulane Wave is hitting .280 with 6 HR 44 RBI 11 SB and 44 runs scored. There is still quite a bit to like in Bogusevic’s game. At 6-3 215 lb., he is big, strong and has exceptional athleticism that allows for him to play at an above average CF with a cannon for an arm. He’s shown better plate discipline in the past, but his 37 BB/80 K ratio this season is not particularly alarming. At 25 years old, Bogusevic is primed to make his major league debut soon, but the fact that the Astros are in contention will delay that a bit. Houston’s GM Ed Wade has given the indication that the Astros will utilize a wait and hold strategy as the deadline approaches. They are not interested in selling off some of their high priced talent (Carlos Lee, Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada) for much needed organizational depth. Conversely, they are reluctant to dip into their farm system in order to add a piece or two. I see the ‘Stros sliding out of the race as St. Louis and Milwaukee make the Central a two team race. The best thing that Boguesvic can do over the next month is tighten up his BB/K ratio and continue to drive the ball with XBH authority. The more he can do that, the better his MLB opportunities will be going forward.
Today’s top prospect from the AAA ranks is Arizona Diamondbacks catching prospect John Hester. Yesterday, the 25 year old backstop belted HR’s number five and six, driving in three runs and scoring three times. Hester is a 2006 13th round draftee of the D’backs who played sporadically at Stanford but has progressed steadily through Arizona’s farm system. This season the 6-4 215 lb. Hester is hitting .313 for the Reno Aces with 6 HR 40 RBI 25 doubles and 10 stolen bases. Defensively, Hester has drawn accolades from current Diamonbacks manager and former catcher A.J. Hinch as being the best at blocking balls in the dirt and shows above average aptitude at calling games, mobility and arm strength.
The organization’s depth at catcher is underwhelming. Current Arizona starter Miguel Montero is enjoying his best season as a pro, but has still underdelivered since his promising minor league career. Hester has been likened to K.C. backstop John Buck, but I think that he has a better bat than him. Expect Hester to catch some Dan Haren and Brandon Webb pitches at some point this season and, perhaps, beyond that.
AAA Player of the Day—JOHN HESTER
Other Notable Performances
Hitting:
- Rhyne Hughes—2-4 HR(21) RBI 2B
- Steven Pearce—2-5 HR(13) 2 RBI
- Drew Stubbs—2-4 2B R BB SB(36)
- Chris Valaika—1-2 HR(5) RBI 2 BB
- Matt LaPorta—2-3 2 RBI 2B 2R BB
- Wes Hodges—2-4 R RBI
- Jason Pridie—4-5 R 5 RBI SB(20)
- David Winfree—3-5 HR(13) 2 RBI 2B
- Hernan Iribarren—3-5 2B 2R RBI
- Alcides Escobar—2-5 R RBI
- Tyler Greene—1-3 HR(5) RBI 2R 2 BB
- Brian Bogusevic—3-5 HR(6) 3 RBI
- Tommy Manzella—1-4 HR(6) 2 RBI BB
- Yorandy Ramirez—1-1 HR(10) 3 RBI
- J.P. Arencibia—2-4 HR(10) 2 RBI
- Kila Ka’aihue—3-5 2B 3R 3 RBI
- Michael Saunders—2-3 2B R
- Chad Huffman—2-5 2 2B RBI
- John Hester—2 HR(6) 3 RBI 3R BB
- Buster Posey—3-5 2B
Pitching:
- Dan McCutchen—6 IP 6H Er BB 6K W (9-5)
- James Simmons—5 IP 6H Er 2 BB 4K W (5-5)
Tags: alcides escobar, autographed cards, Bowman Chrome, bowman chrome draft, brian bogusevic, buster posey, chad huffman, chris valaika, david winfree, drew stubbs, ebay, j.p. arencibia, james simmons, jason pridie, john hester, kila kaaihue, major league prospects, matt lapora, micheal saunders, minor league prospects, rhyne hughes, rookie autos, rookie cards, sportscards, wes hodges, yorandy ramirez
