AL 2006 Prospects

From the Red Sox

I'd put other prospects on here, but I'm most familiar with the Sox system:

Papelbon is definitely the best bet to contribute this year.

Dustin Pedroia should also be in the majors at least part, if not all, of 2006. Watch his spring training to get an idea as to how quickly he will contribute

Craig Hansen is the "closer of the future." I'm not sure if he'll break camp with the Sox or not (I'd say even money), but he should be with the club before the year is out and definitely contributing heavily next year. He won't hit 150 IP as a reliever, obviously.

Jon Lester should be up with the ML club by mid-season, and in the rotation in 2007 full time.

Andy Marte, if he isn't traded, will likely get a mid-season call-up, and would probably be their starting 3B by 2007 (even with Mike Lowell's presence)

"People think it must be fun to be a super genious, but they don't know how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world." - Calvin

by RVachon on Jan 5, 2006 3:47 PM EST reply actions

I know the most about the A's

So here's who i'd say:

Daric Barton will probably get a callup this year and has a chance at making the A's club out of spring training next year, but it's defintely not a sure fire thing.

Two relievers: I think Jairo Garcia can break out. If he does, he'll be up in Oakland in a jiffy. If not, he'll be somewhere else (trade bait). Also, Shane Komine is a sleeper to make the A's out of spring training this year. If the rumored three way deal between Oakland, LA, and Boston goes through (A's giving up possibly Ducscherer) or if Oakland trades Sarloos for Craig Wilson (heard on the radio), then the A's could use another Duke type, who is versatile and good. Komine could be the guy.

If Dan Meyer can have a good season ( or even a good second half) he'll make the A's club out of ST (with Barry's 99 percent departure) he'll have a rotation spot most likely assured.

A's don't have any impact guys at upper levels excluding Jairo and Meyer, who both have their own seperate problems.

by ohad @ Minor League Ball on Jan 5, 2006 4:21 PM EST reply actions

from Fantasy perspecitve

Presuming this not keeper league Barton is bad bet this year as he needs AB's and barring an injury to Swish or DJ he has not shot.

http://oaklandprospects.blogspot.com/

by novaoakland on Jan 5, 2006 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

The Twins

Liriano will be a contributor this year.

Boof Bonser should be a Reliever/Swingman when they dispose of Kyle Lohse

Pat Neshek should be a great bullpen contribitor if the Twins decide to let go of some of thier surplus of relievers or he gets flipped to another team.

Matt Moses may be ready to compete for the 3b job in 2007 if everything breaks right.

Glen Perkins and Denard Span should be competeing for roles with the 2007 club.

by Terry Ryan Jr on Jan 5, 2006 4:52 PM EST reply actions

What about Scott Baker?

Just curious - is there very little chance he breaks camp with the big club?

by marc w @ Minor League Ball on Jan 5, 2006 7:26 PM EST up reply actions

Au contraire

He is the 5th starter for now.

by limozeen on Jan 5, 2006 7:55 PM EST up reply actions

Baker

I think Baker is the fifth starter in the minds of fans. But I think he is really just one pitcher in the mix for spring training. Guerrier and Liriano would be the other two main candidates, but there are others that could be surprises including Perkins.

by TT @ Minor League Ball on Jan 5, 2006 9:11 PM EST up reply actions

Top prospects?

As a Twins close follower, I wouldn't mention any of these guys for 2006 except Liriano. The rest won't have MLB impact. They (only Bonser/Neshek really) may help the Twins somewhat, but I really doubt that. Moses, Perkins, and Span, while good Twins prospects, are unlikely to help for quite a while, and they certainly aren't likely to be viewed as better than average until at least 2009 if all goes right.

That being said, the crush of Twins pitchers will soon hit, and there's bound to be one or more who will be very hot prospects come 07/08.

by tmelander on Jan 6, 2006 1:21 AM EST up reply actions

royals

huber has a decent chance to get some PT this year, despite the mientkiewicz signing, if either (a) sweeney gets hurt again - and are you betting against it? or (b) eyechart ballhog gets hurt / sucks enough even to be obvious to KC management (what that means is unclear).

butler and gordon should advance depending on how they hit in the minors + the above two factors + huber's performance + teahen's performance. i think either could be ready very fast, and both should be knocking on the door by spring 07.

by wily mo on Jan 5, 2006 5:17 PM EST reply actions

The Indians...

Hello mark 21,

Ryan Garko (if he's still here): But he should be ready to contribute in a major way by 2007 at the latest.

Jeremy Sowers - if he has his health, he should definitely be ready to pitch 150 IP by 2007; probably will get some time this year, even if it's only in September.

Fausto Carmona - even more advanced than Sowers, as he's already handled AAA. However, there's no rotation spot for him, but if any of the starters falter or get injured, either he or Jason Davis are likely to get the first call-up. He should definitely contribute by 2007.

Andrew Brown (probably won't hit 150 IP, since he'll pitch in relief, but may be a name you want to keep an eye out for a later pick) - definitely should be ready to contribute by 2007; it wouldn't surprise if he makes an impact in the Indians' bullpen sometime in 2006.

Ryan Mulhern - he likely starts AAA in 2006; with natural progression, he should be ready to go by 2007, at the latest.

Franklin Gutierrez - he's made progress at AAA in 2005. With another year at AAA in 2006, he should be ready to go by 2007, at the latest.

Ben Francisco - likely starting AAA in 2006; if he progresses at a natural rate, he should probably be ready to go by 2007 as well.

Rafael Perez - made good progress at AA in 2005; probably will start at AAA in 2006. He's already 24, so I think they will move him as quickly as possible. He could be a starter, though he also could be a reliever as well. With natural progression, he should be ready by 2007.

Other possibilities (but not as likely as the ones above):

Adam Miller - I doubt the Indians rush him, but if he progresses at a fast pace as he's supposedly healthy now, he could be with the Indians in 2007, possibly for the long-term.

Edward Mujica - may start again at AA in 2006 since he was only there for a month or two and he's only 21 I believe, but could start at AAA in 2006 as well. He's a reliever, so he would be a name you would consider for a later pick, but I think there is about a 33%-50% chance he could be ready by 2007, especially if he is promoted to AAA in the first half of 2006.

Kevin Kouzmanoff - just starting AA, but is already 24, so the Indians may push him if he does well; has arguably a better, more consistent bat than the guy ahead of him, Pat Osborn, who's projected to be more of a utility guy.

Dan Denham - will start at AAA in 2006 - but he has a tendency to take 2 years at each level, so I don't know if he'll be ready to contribute by 2007; if he handles AAA quicker, he could be ready by 2007.

Jake Dittler - may start at AAA in 2006 as well, though he was a little erratic at AA in 2005; if he makes natural progression, he could be ready by 2007 as well, though I think they will take it slowly with him, as he has had a few injury problems as well that have slowed his development. Plus, he's only 22-23, so he still has time to fully develop.

Stephen Head - will probably start at AA in 2006; depending on how quickly he progresses through AA, there's an outside chance he could be ready to go by 2007, but more likely the 2nd half of 2007 or 2008.

Trevor Crowe - depends on how quickly they move him - he'll either start at High-A or AA; has an outside chance of starting in 2007, but more likely 2nd half of 2007 or 2008.

I hope this is helpful for you - let me know if you have any more questions.

Take care and have a great day! :-)

by indiansfan on Jan 5, 2006 5:20 PM EST reply actions

re

indiansfan,

I was wondering when you think Brad Snyder will take over RF.

I think he seems to have Paul O'Neal-type potential.

Do you think he won't make the majors, get traded from the Indians, or did you just forget him?

by mckeeno on Jan 5, 2006 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

I also noticed...

...you omitted Michael Aubrey. Is he done? or, just what happened to him? I remember he was one of the higher rated Indian prospects in the spring of '04.

"...look for low and away...but watch out for in your ear."

by mark21 on Jan 5, 2006 6:48 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry, I forgot about Snyder!

Hello mckeeno and mark21,

Sorry, I totally forgot about Brad Snyder; I knew there was someone I forgot - it was Ryan Mulhern, but I thought there was another player I was forgetting. My bad. :-)

Actually, there's also Nate Panther too, who probably starts in AA or perhaps AAA to begin 2006; he may be ready by 2007 also.

Regarding Snyder, my preference would be to start him off at AA only because his BB/K rate wasn't that good - I don't know if he's ready for AAA yet.

If he makes AAA by around the mid-season of 2006, there's a chance (33% to 50%) that he could be ready by 2007, but I have a feeling he won't be ready (or the Indians won't expect him to be ready) until mid-2007 to the beginning of 2008.

Again, sorry I forgot him - I think he has good potential, but I don't think he should be rushed as his BB/K rate could use some work. If his BB/K rate was better at AA, I'd be more confident in his ability to be ready by the beginning of 2007, but I'd say mid-2007 to early 2008 before he's ready to conntribute.

mark21 - regarding Michael Aubrey, I still have hope for him, but from what I've heard, he supposedly has a chronic back problem, which could limit or even ruin his career. If the Indians could find a way to alleviate or cure his back problem, I think he could be ready by mid-2007 to early 2008. I think early 2007 would push him too quickly because he's missed significant time the last few years and he hadn't quite mastered AA yet (partly because he hadn't played there long enough to get adjusted to the level.)

I hope this info. helps; thanks again for reminding me about Snyder.

Take care and have a great day! :-)

by indiansfan on Jan 5, 2006 8:48 PM EST up reply actions

I like

...Tony Sipp.

I'm no close Indians observer, but I suspect that he's got something and, if left in the pen, could move surprisingly fast.

by Brett Perryman on Jan 6, 2006 1:01 AM EST up reply actions

Good point! :-)

Hello zywica, welcome if you're new! :-)

Good point - I didn't think about Sipp, probably because he's down at High A and I didn't give much thought to the High A roster outside of Miller (because of his projectability) and Kouzmanoff (because he probably would have been at AA last year without the wrist or shoulder injury he suffered just before he was to be promoted.)

I could see Sipp possibly being ready for the beginning of 2007 as a reliever, though I think mid-2007 to early 2008 is more likely, only because he would only get a half-season of AA and half-season of AAA in for him to be ready for early 2007. It's possible, but I don't think the Indians will move him that quickly unless he absolutely dominates AA; even then, I think he wouldn't be ready until mid-2007.

Good point though - I like Sipp as a prospect - I hear he's likelier to be a reliever, though I wonder if he could be a good #3 or even perhaps a #2 starter if he was given enough time to develop. I don't know how developed he is with a third pitch, so I don't know the chances of that happening, but I'd certainly give him the chance if the possibility existed.

Nevertheless, if he turns into a dominant LH reliever, I'd certainly be very happy with that as well.

Again, welcome zywica; please post as often as you like! :-)

Take care and have a great weekend! :-)

by indiansfan on Jan 6, 2006 2:35 AM EST up reply actions

Delmon Young

Be careful with him until you see what the D-rays actually do. At present he is very much blocked.

Gomes, Badelli, Crawford, Huff,
and even Upton to consider as a DH I just do not see him getting a shot.

http://oaklandprospects.blogspot.com/

by novaoakland on Jan 5, 2006 5:49 PM EST reply actions

Delmon

Thanks for the heads up...everything I've read this year indicates that if he doesn't make the team out of ST, he'll probably be up by June and then will be in RF for the next few years. They'll have Baldelli in CF and Crawford in LF with Gomes going to DH full-time. But, you're right, with the Rays track record, anything's possible.

"...look for low and away...but watch out for in your ear."

by mark21 on Jan 5, 2006 6:06 PM EST up reply actions

Just a concern

I mean the guy can rake if given a chance but if I am D-rays and I have no intention of competing before 2008 I screw him and continue to delay the arb clock.

http://oaklandprospects.blogspot.com/

by novaoakland on Jan 5, 2006 7:52 PM EST up reply actions

and

gathright if he's not dealt

by SoCalSoxFan on Jan 6, 2006 2:03 AM EST up reply actions

Delmon

One way or the other, he has a guaranteed spot by 2007, and that's part of what he was asking. He's a much safer bet to be a regular by opening day 2007 than half the guys listed here.

Other Rays rooks who may make an impact in 2006 / 2007:

Jason Hammel
Wes Bankston (who IMO has an outside shot of landing an opening day spot this year if he mashes in S/T and they don't sign a righty to platoon with Travis Lee)
Upton and Orvella (if they count....Upton may not this year still, but barring an injury, he should still be up for good by September).
Shinji Mori (if he signs and Baez is traded, he could be the closer in 2006 while Orvella continues to stretch out his arm)

A few other rookies might get callups this year (Chris Seddon, Brian Henderson, Jamie Shields), but I don't see them making positive fantasy impacts for a while. Seddon looks like middle reliever material, Henderson is a loogy, and nobody seems to have confidence that Shields' stuff will stand up to major leaguers, even if he can dominate the AFL and Southern League.

by Brickhaus on Jan 6, 2006 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

more on Delmon

Gomes, Badelli, Crawford, Huff,
and even Upton to consider as a DH I just do not see him getting a shot.

I agree with the next post on this. Huff (if not traded...stupid Devil Rays!) will likely play 1B with Gomes at DH, Upton at SS (they're probably going to deal Lugo), Crawford and Baldelli in the OF, and Gathright possibly if he's not dealt. They also still have Hollins.

"When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen." (Hemingway)

by jmoultz on Jan 5, 2006 7:34 PM EST reply actions

No logjam for Young

I see nothing standing in his way. All will adjust positions, etc. when he is ready, which will be soon, IMO. Crawford and Baldelli will be great OF complements. Huff, if he stays, will be a good hitting 1B. Upton will try to prove defense while Young already proves he belongs. Gomes is a good DH or trade bait prior to 2007 (hey, Twins!).

Dukes, Gaithright, etc. make me laugh. Sure, I guess, keep and start Gaithright if they must for whatever reason...but not at the expense of Young. Crawford and Baldelli should effect at least one minnow/leech between them.

by tmelander on Jan 6, 2006 1:29 AM EST up reply actions

No logjam for Young

I agree with you. Nothing is in the way of Young playing this season. The million dollar question is when? Unless Young makes a mockery of spring training he will at least start at AAA. This will do two things: one is to delay his service time. The other is to show case Gaithwright,Huff, and Gomes for potential trades for pitching and/or prospects. The only disagreement is Dukes.Dukes has a chance to be an impact player. He is performing well with respect to age and level of competition and has the best tools in the Rays system. His big question is anger management. There have been badboys that have played baseball that have put up great numbers.One thing is for sure I wouldn't tell Dukes that he is a joke to his face.

by slugggo on Jan 6, 2006 10:56 PM EST up reply actions

Dukes

Won't smell the major league roster until 2007, and they're not going to be able to trade him either if he doesn't answer his maturity questions in a positive way. If his production really stands out, Rocco might become trade bait, but even that's unlikely because he's the closest thing TB has to a fan favorite. My guess is that Dukes will become one of those guys who rots away in AAA for ages because of a few questions with his personality, a lack of space for him on the roster, and an inability to trade him for anything of value because every team in the league knows he has to be traded.

by Brickhaus on Jan 7, 2006 12:09 AM EST up reply actions

Dukes

Dukes is an enigma. His own worst enemy is staring in the mirror back at him. Any word, if he's getting counseling or therapy for his anger problems? If he does harness his inner-self, then he could force himself onto the major league roster. How long has it been since his last tantrum? Maybe he is making progress.

by slugggo on Jan 7, 2006 1:05 AM EST up reply actions

White Sox and some other notes

Kenny Williams maintains that Brian Anderson is his CF, although I'll believe that when I see it. I'd rate McCarthy as VERY LIKELY to spend most of the season on the active roster. His actual IP total will depend on whether one of the 5 guys ahead of him goes away, or goes down early (or just goes into the tank).

I don't know if you're counting guys with limited action so far, so not sure who to omit, but B.Upton, McPherson, Kubel, Johjima, Mathis, H.Penn/John Maine (one of) all seem likely to get a lot of PT.

Several relievers should have full-time gigs for the first time: Chris Ray, Chad Orvella, F.Cabrera.

by BobbyMac on Jan 6, 2006 9:54 PM EST reply actions