2Bs poised to make "the leap"

by DrunkIrish on Feb 9, 2006 2:47 AM EST

An item for discussion:

We all know the Howie Kendricks, Dustin Pedroias, and Josh Barfields of the world. I don't want to talk about them.

Instead, who are the minor league second basemen ready to vault themselves into top-prospect territory this season?

I'm looking for guys who might be able to crack a major league lineup in '07 with a breakout in '06. Guys maybe like Travis Denker, Marcus Sanders, Asdrubal Cabrera, or others--who are your favorites to make "the leap" this year, and why?

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Denker and Sanders

I dont have much time, but quickly ill say this: I like Denker to continue to develop and Sanders to fortify himself as a good MI prospect. On a side note, the Giants are going to try and keep Marcus at SS for the time being at least.

I love Denker for this line at 19/20: 21 homeruns with a .310/.417/.556 line and a .973 OPS in low A ball. All this coming from a 2B. I know some ppl will look at his frame, 5-11 190 and doubt his power abilities in the majors but it can be done (Marcus Giles, Brian Roberts).

For Marcus, I just love the 57 to 9 stolen bases to caught stealing ratio in low A. He posted a .300/.407/.400 line. So yes, his power potential is limited, but I think he may be able to get on OBP a lot and create havoc on the basepaths for years to come. He was 20 years old last year. He had arm problems which limit his throwing, but the Giants want to keep him at SS for as long as they can.

Sabean, stop giving away our 1st round draft picks!!

by z4 landshark on Feb 9, 2006 3:18 AM EST reply actions

Kevin Frandsen

Frandsen had a breakout year of sorts in 2005. He'll start out in AAA Fresno. Right now, I would say he is the odds on favorite to be the Giants starting 2B in 2007. How long he holds that position remains to be seen. Looking farther down the road, I think there is a good possiblity that Marcus Sanders will move over to 2B. The Giants have a kid from rookie ball named Sharlon Shoop who BA reported is already the best defensive SS in the organization not named Omar Vizquel. Offensively, he got off to a slow start in the AZL. He came on quite strong in the second half and showed decent plate discipline. I really think he is the Giants long term SS of the future with Sanders moving to 2B due to arm weakness.

If you are looking for sleepers, Mark Minicozzi, something like a 10'th or 12'th round draft choice put up some great looking numbers for Salem-Keizer last summer, .330/.411. Those are a lot better than what Kevin Frandsen put up in 2004. 2006 should be a telling year for Minicozzi.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 9, 2006 8:34 AM EST reply actions

Jed Lowrie

should be a good one. He is still 2+ years away from the show.

He was the first team AA 2B in college and had a good first year as a pro in SS ball. Good BA, moderate power, very good eye. Looked good in the field when I saw him.

by cdamon @ Minor League Ball on Feb 9, 2006 8:44 AM EST reply actions

lowrie

he's one of my faves. he was actually first-team all-america twice while at stanford. i watched him there a few times--great, great college player. good glove, good contact, huge power for a little guy, terrific batting eye... basically he did everything well.

then i saw him again in lowell (yup, we both moved from stanford to massachusetts at the same time) where the spinners had him playing shortstop. he didn't look very comfortable there, making some pretty easy plays look hard. his swing looks the same to me but the ball wasn't jumping off his bat anything like when he was swinging aluminum. so now i'm a little worried about him.

by jpahk on Feb 9, 2006 8:54 AM EST up reply actions

Donnie Murphy

I know the Royals have brought him up for extended stays twice, but he should spend valuable(and needed for his development in AA this season0 i think he will have a huge year and be first in line for the 2b job in 07.
I agree with Lowrie...also Joey Thurston will finally break out(i am kidding of course-this guy was spose to be the next bigf thing, had a feature on hom in baseball weekly and everything)
i think the Brew-crew will ave a interesting decision with Irribarren soon, as well.

by gashousegang on Feb 9, 2006 8:57 AM EST reply actions

juan portes

from my twins.

by hotshotschamp on Feb 9, 2006 10:04 AM EST reply actions

Kevin Melillo

Yum

by BobS on Feb 9, 2006 11:08 AM EST reply actions

just about to suggest him.

www.faketeams.com SportsBlogs' own all-sport fantasy blog. Check it out.

by ohad @ Minor League Ball on Feb 9, 2006 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

Kicking myself

I'm glad somebody started this thread, I'm looking for a 2B this year.

I was very high on Kendrick last year, but as each round went by, Kendrick kept falling and I said to myself "I'll grab him next round" sure enough I never grabbed him due to the fact I had other players ahead of him on my list.

The good news is he fell through the draft. The bad news is I don't have a 1st or 2nd round pick this year so the chances of getting Kendrick are slim.

Sine I've resigned myself to that fact I've been looking for a 2B this year. I really like Sanders, if he can develop a little more pop he'd be perfect for my team. All I want is 10-15 a year.

I'm also high on Blake DeWitt, who I think will eventually move to 2B. I also like Portes but I think he is going to take some time to develop and since my league has a 3 option system, I don't think he will make it in 3 options. I don't have the luxury of saving an option on him by starting him on my roster because I need another championship.

by The Scout on Feb 9, 2006 11:36 AM EST reply actions

Yes

keep an eye on DeWitt. The rumblings are that he's been told that he might be switched to 2nd base this year since the Dodgers are loaded with 3b. Course they also seem to have an abundance at 2nd with (Aybar, D Young, Abreu, Denker).
The original poster asked about 2007 so Denker is out. He still has 3 levels to climb since he performed so poorly at high A after his promotion. From the Dodgers you have D Young who is suppossed to be moved to the outfield this spring but if he stays at 2nd base his bat is better then anyone mentioned so far. Tony Abreu got some love from HQ as the Dodgers 10th best prospect. He has the glove to stay at 2nd base(GG caliber) and is a high average hitter. Don't forget about Callaspo who is over shadowed by Kendrick but is still a decent prospect.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen.

by Phil Gurnee on Feb 9, 2006 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

i like

eric patterson to continue upping his play. i think he could end up making us chicago folk forget about his brother.

AIM-polyphill

by huckleberry on Feb 9, 2006 11:46 AM EST reply actions

I love Collaspo

I really like Collaspo. Unfortunately, he was drafted 2 years ago right before I was about to pick him. I hate when that happens.

Last year he became eligible to be drafted again because the owner who originally drafted him passed away. (R.I.P Jim.)

This time he was drafted way before I had a shot at him.

Patterson will also be on my list. I may try to steal him late.

by The Scout on Feb 9, 2006 12:00 PM EST reply actions

re

is Delwyn Young now strictly a OFer? If not, he'd be at the top of any list based on his bat.

Dustin Pedroia has to be there.

What about former Dback prospect and recent Rule 5 pickup Dan Uggla?

by ScottAZ on Feb 9, 2006 12:01 PM EST reply actions

what about?

Anderson Hernandez, he played great winter ball and Willie said last week on Mike and the Maddog the he was in contention for the job at 2nd out of spring..He said it was a 3 man battle Matsui/Boone and Hernandez...

by kashman on Feb 9, 2006 12:06 PM EST reply actions

interesting

that competition for 2B in New York. Mlb.com has Chris Woodward backing up Wright at 3B & Reyes at SS, and KazMat starting at 2B, with Anderson Hernandez backing him up. Bret Boone & Jeffrey Keppinger will also be in camp. Pecota likes Keppinger to have the best year (.249 EqA, 2 RAA), or Chase Lambin (.250 EqA, 3 RAA), both followed by B Boone (.251 EqA, -3 RAA), A Hernandez (.234 EqA, 1 RAA--but rated as a SS), Woodward (.236 EqA, -1--but again as a SS), & KazMat (.240 EqA, 1 RAA).

by Azteca on Feb 9, 2006 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

With Renteria in the fold

and Elvis ready to take up residence after him. There is a chance that Yunel Escobar moves to second and could be a breakout candidate. Giles is a FA after '07 so who knows.

Marte Francouer McCann Davies Any Questions?

by Hud Giles on Feb 9, 2006 12:10 PM EST reply actions

Not ready in 2007, but...

I haven't seen him play, but I like what I've read so far about Drew (Andrew) Thompson, who is supposed to end up at 2b.

by BobbyMac on Feb 9, 2006 1:07 PM EST reply actions

a few other names floating around out there....

Omar Quintanilla, COL
Kila Kaaihue, KC
Matt Macri, COL
Drew Sutton, HOU
Brad Harman, PHI
Raul Tablado, TOR

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

by jmoultz on Feb 9, 2006 4:53 PM EST reply actions

Kaaihue

He's a first baseman.

by Flynn Blake on Feb 9, 2006 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

tim moss

his path to the majors is blocked by chase utley and jimmy rollins, but moss had a very good season at clearwater (high A) last year. he is going to be 24 next season, so he is a little old, but he has put up great numbers since he was diagnosed with an eye disorder in 2004. his numbers from last season were: .269/.348/.463, 17 homeruns, 28 stolen bases.

he still has a lot to prove, without a lot of time to do it, but the hard part for him is already over. i look for him to have a great first half in AA reading, and then get to traded at the deadline for some immediete major league help.

by overlord on Feb 9, 2006 5:07 PM EST reply actions

re

Or if Moss gets off to a great start they could trade Utley for a real top of the line pitcher as he'd have more value

by ScottAZ on Feb 10, 2006 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

Tug Hulett

What about this guy in the Rangers system? John likes him, I like him

by gashousegang on Feb 9, 2006 5:30 PM EST reply actions

its all about blake dewitt

hes not a second basemen yet, but if we are talking projection, thats where he is going to end up. he played SS in high school and 2b during instrux this past season, so he has the instincts and ability to to shift over to 2b. Dewitt was regarded as the best pure prep hitter in the 2004 class with a fluid pretty left handed swing and he does have "plus raw power" (from BA).

he ended the season super strong.

hitting .309/.358/.478 over his last 320 ABs with 11 homeruns.

I think hes going to have a breakout year next year at vero beach.

by npurcell on Feb 9, 2006 8:06 PM EST reply actions