Chase Headley called up

by Havok1517 on Jun 14, 2007 10:23 PM EDT

RotoWorld.com has learned that Chase Headley is being called up for Friday's game and will be in the lineup against the Cubs.

As if it wasn't already obvious, Padres manager Bud Black just isn't a fan of Russell Branyan. If Kevin Kouzmanoff goes on the DL, Headley will likely get a chance to play fairly regularly for a couple of weeks, making him a decent option in NL-only leagues. Headley has hit .357/.433/.648 in 227 at-bats for Double-A San Antonio.

rotoworld
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I personally think Headley is now a Top 5 3B prospect (right there with Stewart) and he could potentially overtake Kouzmanoff if Kouz comes back down from his recent hot streak.

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Top 3B prospects

Don't forget Neil Walker. He's a switch-hitter, only 21, and with similar hitting stats to Headley in a tougher hitting environment than either Headley or Stewart. He may not yet be polished with the leather, but he certainly appears to have the higher ceiling with the bat than either 3B mentioned above.

by doug frobel on Jun 15, 2007 9:53 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed

Actually I was hoping to get a chance to recommend a Headley-Walker smackdown to John when he re-opened the call for ideas, but the promotion may now prevent that.

Walker certainly has the greatest power potential out of the group, but I feel Headley still has an edge on bat control (batting for average).

by SLK on Jun 15, 2007 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Longoria

I would be remiss by not mentioning that most prospect watchers would have Evan Longoria above any of the 3B we have been discussing. He's run into a bit of a slump in June, but his overall numbers make one wonder why he hasn't been promoted to Durham yet.

Some would probably consider Longoria to be an Overall Top 5 or Top 10 prospect.

by doug frobel on Jun 15, 2007 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

Interesting thought

Who are the top 5 3B prospects still in the minors? According to the BA Top 100 it would go Longoria, LaRoche, Stewart, Rowell and Walker. I would probably have Walker at least third on that list, maybe even 2nd behind Longoria. I'm a big fan of Headley, but I'd put him just behind this group. I had him at #100 in my personal list before the season, with hopes he'd improve his power. He's done what I was hoping for, and then some. I'm looking forward to seeing his debut today.

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."-Harry Caray

by gatling on Jun 15, 2007 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

When factoring in polish...

glove, and advancement, I see it this way...

Wood
Longoria
LaRoche
Stewart
Headley
Walker
Rowell

by Havok1517 on Jun 15, 2007 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I forgot Wood

although, I'm not sure I'd have him ahead of Longoria anymore.

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."-Harry Caray

by gatling on Jun 15, 2007 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

jeff baisley

maybe he belongs on the lower part of the list, but he's been solid. 2005 pick, but 24 yrs old. at least has been a nice surprise as a 12th rd pick. i'd expect him in AAA in a month or so.

by rayver723 on Jun 15, 2007 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Stewart

What has Ian Stewart done in the past two years to warrant a top 5 billing? In my opinion, based on past performance, you'd have to removed Stewart. My rankings would be:

1.) Wood
2.) Longoria
3.) Walker
4.) Headley
5.) Rowell

by dmcclure on Jun 15, 2007 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

Stewart has been very good of late...

Ian Stewart went 2-for-4 and hit his sixth homer in seven games Thursday for Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Stewart had just three homers in 54 games before his current surge. He's now hitting .306/.374/.489 in 229 at-bats, increasing the chances that he would be given an opportunity to take over at third base should the Rockies lose Garrett Atkins to injury or opt to trade him. Jeff Baker would be the alternative.rotoworld

by Havok1517 on Jun 15, 2007 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Stewart

Home: .340/.414/.560
Away: .277/.336/.421

He has improved his Ks a bit over last year, though his BBs have regressed (thought not really materially)

After two straight years of crap performance after his great '04, I think he needs to show much better than a .750 road OPS to be a top 5 3B prospect.

I can't believe just how much rope people have given him over the past two+ years.

by Galt on Jun 15, 2007 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Response

And I'm surprised at how people have nitpicked his stats to death. Last year he showed good pop but didn't hit for enough average/walk enough for everyone's taste. Now he's hitting for average and drawing plenty of walks but not showing a huge amount of power statistically.

So is he a high average low power guy, or a low average guy with lots of power potential? Will he manage to excel in both departments? Or will he prove to be totally lacking?

by mrkupe on Jun 15, 2007 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly....

When does the lack of progression start everyone to question if this guy is going to be a super star? This doesn't mean he's a turd. I think he'll be a good MLB player, but not near the stardom that everyone predicted 3-4 years ago.

by dmcclure on Jun 15, 2007 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

Wittleman

I'm surprised noone has even mentioned his name. He's probably not in the top 5 for 3B prospects, but I would at least consider him "in the team photo." Yes, he is repeating low-A ball, but he's been absolutely mashing and is still not old for low-A ball.

I would probably wait until after we see how he does in high-A before ranking him in the top 5, but he's knocking on the door right now.

by guru4u on Jun 15, 2007 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

Wood is far down my list

1)Longoria
2)Rowell
3)Headley
4)LaRoche
5)Walker
6)Stewart
7)Wood(one guy on BP said Wood could be Jose Hernandez if he doesn't improve soon)

by Bravesin07 on Jun 15, 2007 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

My list

I'm heavy on the recent performance - so I must slied Wood and LaRoche down. Here's everyone's current numbers (Rowell has less than 100 abs due to earlier injury.)

AA 21 Longoria 273/511/383
AA 21 Walker 319/559/373
LwA 18 Rowell 286/481/356
AA 22 Headley 357/648/433
Rk 18 Vitters (when he signs with Cubs)
AAA 22 Wood 241/420/339
AAA 23 LaRoche 240/364/333
AAA 22 Stewart 300/481/370

You'd think the PCL was a pitchers' league the way the last three listed guys are hitting this year. Does anyone know if the overall numbers are down in the PCL this season? Or is just a case of three 3B prospects stalling? Obviously Stewart's overall numbers are reasonable due to playing half his games in Colorado Springs.

by doug frobel on Jun 15, 2007 5:03 PM EDT reply actions