Keiper's Pit

How can Baez's OBS be lower than his batting average?

 

Does say, getting tagged out on an attempted double or triple not count as an on-base whatever?

Sacrifices count against the OBP and not the BA.

 

God it is depressing how many of the hopes lie in the shoulders and elbows of two 20 somethings. Is there a bigger boom or bust minor league system out there right now than the Phils?

 

Edit: Forgot about your boy Carlos Ruiz. At least one other bright spot going on.

What Pinjockey said is correct. Baez had a sacrifice hit, and that counts against his OBP. It's rare but it happens.

 

Let me note a few prospects out of the top 10.

 

12. Edgar Garcia, SP

 

Garcia's just 18 years old. He more than held his own at the Gulf Coast League last year. His age makes him a very interesting prospect. Garcia will pitch at Batavia this year, so it'll be late June before he kicks off his season.

 

13. Chris Roberson, OF

 

Roberson's a similar player to Shane Victorino, but older and not as good.

 

14. Shane Victorino, OF

 

How Victorino's rated below Roberson I have no clue. Roberson has a one in ten chance of outplaying Victorino over the course of his career. Victorino's made it and he could start for an MLB team in center.

 

15. Eude Brito, SP

 

Brito looks good at times, but his ratios are not very impressive. Oddly, he performed better as a starter last year. He really should be groomed as a reliever though, because he's no more than a AAA starter. At 27, he's as good as he is going to get.

 

18. Carlos Ruiz, C

 

Making a statement is when you get sent down to AAA and respond by hitting .382 with six home runs in your first 19 games. Ruiz's defense is a plus. He's topped out at 27, but he's good enough for the show. Whether he's a starter or backup is up in the air.

 

30. Yoel Hernandez, RP

 

Last year I had to watch this fat bag named Franklin Perez walk in and blow save after save in Scranton. Hernandez has six saves and a 1.74 ERA, very encouraging early on. He could be MLB material, but if not at least I can breate a little easier watching AAA games.

 

The Red Barons are now 15-7. They've won 11 of their last 12 games.

Since I did the blog, Michael Bourn has raised his batting average over 50 points. He is now hitting .286.

The Twins need more positional prospects. They middle infield blows monkey ass. The corner outfielders are weak.

Given the way this season is going, are the Phils going to be the first team in the history (assumption, but pretty safe assumption) of BA's Prospect book to have pitchers in the first 15 slots next season?

 

I am assuming Ruiz is going to pass the number of ABs allowed this season given how much Manuel is using him in this stretch.

 

I can't see how their first 20 picks in the draft this year can be on anything but hitters (not of the Greg "he can do everything but actually hit a baseball" Golson variety)

Given the way this season is going, are the Phils going to be the first team in the history (assumption, but pretty safe assumption) of BA's Prospect book to have pitchers in the first 15 slots next season?

 

I am assuming Ruiz is going to pass the number of ABs allowed this season given how much Manuel is using him in this stretch.

 

I can't see how their first 20 picks in the draft this year can be on anything but hitters (not of the Greg "he can do everything but actually hit a baseball" Golson variety)

To address the last point first, if there are pitchers available you need to take them. If you need hitting prospects, trade the pitchers for them. It's not a serious concern right now because Ryan Howard's with us until 2011, Utley until 2009 (at least), Jimmy Rollins is here through 2010 (with a reasonable option for '11), Burrell's signed through 2008, and Abreu until 2007 (with an option for '08).

 

Golson's got to show some semblance of baseball ability to remain a prospect. He wouldn't make my top ten right now in the organization. I do think there are some hitting prospects in the organization though, and I'll produce a revised prospect list soon.

To expand. There are six position players I would put on the organization's prospect list. Michael Bourn, Carlos Ruiz, Bradley Harman, Jason Jaramillo, Chris Roberson, and Mike Costanzo. Ruiz is going to be at least an MLB quality backup, ditto for Roberson. Jaramillo skipped a level and his primary asset is his defense. Harman's glove is very good and I think he just suffered a slow start. Costanzo's on the cusp and I have my doubts. That's the kind of evaluation that makes a 15th prospect.

 

Michael Bourn? He could be a Willy Taveras type player in the majors, lots of infield hits. He's possibly the best defensive outfielder in the minors. At the very least, his skills translates into a very good 4th/5th outfielder.

 

Right outside those guys is Michael Durant. BA rated him 17th in the organization. He's starting in extended Spring Training, and I can't knock him down until he plays poorly.

In your opinion, 50 odd games into the season have Mathieson and/or Carrasco overtaken Gio for the top prospect slot? Not really a knock on Gio as his numbers appear to be holding up well, but Mathieson (leads minors in IP and Ks) and Carrasco (great numbers at 19) have been killing it.

In your opinion, 50 odd games into the season have Mathieson and/or Carrasco overtaken Gio for the top prospect slot? Not really a knock on Gio as his numbers appear to be holding up well, but Mathieson (leads minors in IP and Ks) and Carrasco (great numbers at 19) have been killing it.

Gonzalez has struck out 69 batters in 59 innings. As long as he's performing well, and remember he's still just 20, he's got the top spot.

Al, if you have time next weekend try and catch the New Britian/Reading game when Matt Garza starts for New Britian.

Al, if you have time next weekend try and catch the New Britian/Reading game when Matt Garza starts for New Britian.

I'd love to but my schedule doesn't really allow me to chase prospects. I did get to see some of Rochester's prospects a few weeks ago. Thank god they finally came to their senses and called up Bartlett.

What are your midseason thoughts on the farm? Pitching still seems to be solid. Gio has hit a couple bumps (HR prone), but his K rate is still holding up showing promise. Carrasco is still holding his own which is good to see (T-4th in Ks, 4th youngest pitcher in Sally league).

 

Still not much hitting to be seen. Bourn has gotten off to a hot start in Scranton and might be the good Juan Pierre as opposed to a Tavares/bad Juan Pierre level player. Slayden has shown something, but being 24 (in 2 weeks) in A ball he needs to be fast tracked if he is going to really be worth watching. Would I be wrong in not putting Baez, Constanzo and Golson in my future Phillies jerseys wish list at this point?

 

Also, I did not realize how much younger Edgar Garcia was compared to his league. He is currently the youngest pitcher in the league and only two guys are within a year of his birthdate. If he holds his own that is a real good sign.

What are your midseason thoughts on the farm? Pitching still seems to be solid. Gio has hit a couple bumps (HR prone), but his K rate is still holding up showing promise. Carrasco is still holding his own which is good to see (T-4th in Ks, 4th youngest pitcher in Sally league).

 

Still not much hitting to be seen. Bourn has gotten off to a hot start in Scranton and might be the good Juan Pierre as opposed to a Tavares/bad Juan Pierre level player. Slayden has shown something, but being 24 (in 2 weeks) in A ball he needs to be fast tracked if he is going to really be worth watching. Would I be wrong in not putting Baez, Constanzo and Golson in my future Phillies jerseys wish list at this point?

 

Also, I did not realize how much younger Edgar Garcia was compared to his league. He is currently the youngest pitcher in the league and only two guys are within a year of his birthdate. If he holds his own that is a real good sign.

I'll have more to add later. Bourn's an incredibly exciting player, both offensively and defensively. Slayden's a non-prospect, IMO. Josh Kroeger's a month younger and three levels higher. Who's the better prospect? Baez and Costanzo have no apparent MLB future. Golson COULD become something yet. He's got some pop and speed and he's still just 19. He's got lots of room to improve.

 

As for Edgar Garcia, early returns are very encouraging but we still need more playing time to judge.