Some deep deep breakout MLB'ers

Add this guy to the list

LHP Dana Eveland, OAK

by onestepahead on Feb 28, 2008 1:37 PM EST reply actions

+1

Should be the A's fifth starter this year, and considering the iffy state of most of the guys ahead and behind him, he could be in the rotation all season if he doesn't fall on his face.

by Flynn Blake on Feb 29, 2008 2:16 AM EST up reply actions

Keep an eye on Scott Moore. They are giving him a look at 2B and if Roberts is traded and Baltimore gives Moore a chance, he could be a deep, deep, deep sleeper given that he has pretty good power from a position in 2B that is normally pretty week.

by slickwdb on Feb 28, 2008 2:00 PM EST reply actions

better chance

that Cedeno takes over at 2B if/ when Roberts gets traded for him

by yoshimi on Feb 28, 2008 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

for fantasy purposes

If Moore gets 1 game a week at 2B - he could gain eligibility there even if Cedeno is the starter and if he pushes Mora for playing time at 3B - he could have dual eligibility so while I agree about Cedeno - I still think Moore has an intriguing aspect to him for 2008. He can also play 1B which he did some for D. Lee if memory serves me correctly.

by slickwdb on Feb 28, 2008 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

true

he is definitely under the radar in that respect.

by yoshimi on Feb 28, 2008 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

Moore

I happen to like Moore. I suppose it's possible he could also play third some, too. I don't know how enamored they are with Mora, and Costanzo is probably not ready yet.

by El Duq of Hurl on Feb 29, 2008 7:54 AM EST up reply actions

Deep?

If you go really deep, you might consider John Bowker. The Giants OF is crowded, but more by sheer numbers than quality. I think there is an outside chance that Bowker could come in and blow the doors off, forcing someone out of a job or forcing a trade.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 28, 2008 2:06 PM EST reply actions

+1 Bowker

He made huge strides last year, but given the Giants, I wouldn't be surprised if both he and Schierholtz tear the cover off the ball this spring and still open in the minors, while a combination of Rajai Davis, Dave Roberts, Fred Lewis and Randy Winn combine to hit 3 homeruns in the first two months of the season. Then both Cain and Lincecum each lose multiple starts by nonexistent run support.

Not a sleeper at all, but I would expect Rasmus to be the starting CF out of spring training, rather than beginning the year in the minors (as I've read here or there).

by southboundpachyderm on Feb 28, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

Royals

Carlos Rosa a big powerful RH and Chin-hui Tsao are the 2 players that could emerge as solid relievers (closer in waiting if Soria moves to the rotation) but i think that John Bale could win the 5th spot in the rotation and have a very nice season...

offensively i look for Ryan Shealy to rebound and Callaspo establish himself as the 2B of the future playing all over the field in 08.

"our deepest fears are not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fears is that we are powerful beyong measure."

by gashousegang on Feb 28, 2008 2:44 PM EST reply actions

Shealy to rebound...

We can only hope...

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Feb 28, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

i might add

That if there's one guy I really want to see breakout, it's Kyle Davies. That would be HUGE for the rotation if he can settle in and post an ERA in the mid-4's in the #4 spot.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Feb 28, 2008 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

why does

Leo Nunez get no love? seems like he's deserved a shot too, but nobody ever talks about him. decent in his sip of coffee last year too. . .

by SoCalSoxFan on Feb 29, 2008 1:57 AM EST up reply actions

Leo

Leo gets his love, just not much outside of Royals blogs/message board/websites. I think he could be a pretty good setup man one of these days. Could still use some work on his slider, but that dumbass GM before Moore brought him up way, way, way too early and all his options are gone now.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Feb 29, 2008 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

Reggie Abercrombie

I am keepin' the faith.

by GuyinNY on Feb 28, 2008 3:06 PM EST reply actions

Abercrombie? LOL

Don't get too excited about Reggie. He has the tools but I don't think he'll ever put them together. I've seen him for a few seasons here in South Florida. I got excited just like you when saw that he was given the 'tools' tag. He'll be in AAA in no time (if he still has options).

On the lookout for minor-league sleepers ...

by psugator01 on Feb 29, 2008 9:37 AM EST up reply actions

Abercrombie's Tools

Well, that's just the reason I selected him. I first noticed him during his time with the Marlins mostly because I was enamored with his tools, and they are great. Last season, at 26 (and after 2 stints in the majors) he finally got to AAA. Once there, he went off for a 323/361/584 line with a 41/6 SB/CS. He does still have that VERY ugly plate disciple (11/95 BB/K), but that's a terrific line out of a very good defensive CF.

I really believe that the light might have finally gone on, as 2007 was far and away his best performance at any point in his career. He'd previously been jumped and jerked around due to his tools, even though they didn't match his performance. I see Abercrombie's 2007 as a sort of consolidation year. I really would not be surprised if Abercrombie catches on somewhere as a 4th OF this year. I think his plate discipline and apparent inability to hit a breaking ball will always limit him, but as a mistake hitter with some pop who can run and field, there's definitely a place for him.

by GuyinNY on Feb 29, 2008 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

Tools guys

also seem to develop much later than skills guys.

by Flynn Blake on Feb 29, 2008 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

Well

skills guys wouldn't be labeled skills guys if they weren't already developed.

by Tyler on Feb 29, 2008 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

Matt Lindstrom

Becomes a top 10 closer with Florida

by dlpme77 on Feb 28, 2008 3:42 PM EST reply actions

A few names ...

Not sure how deep some would consider these, but I would second Alberto Callaspo for sure ... Jeff Baker (if he wins the 2B job could be VERY interesting) ... Henry Owens maybe? Fred Lewis in SF?

Paul Householder, Gary Redus, Tommy Lawless, Duane Walker ... prospects rawk!

by design28 on Feb 28, 2008 3:59 PM EST reply actions

Freddie Lewis

is going to make some team very happy if he gets waived by the Giants...he is out of options,,,,i think he can be a devon white type player with the opportunity

"our deepest fears are not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fears is that we are powerful beyong measure."

by gashousegang on Feb 29, 2008 12:23 AM EST up reply actions

Lindstrom & Morlan

I'm glad I'm not the only one that likes Lindstrom. I'd like to see him become the closer too.

I also like Morlan might get a shot if something happens to Percival.

Also, Velez for SF has a chance to have a nice year. I watched him play for Double-A Connecticut a few times last year. I made sure not to blink, because if I did, I'd miss him.

by The Scout on Feb 28, 2008 6:21 PM EST reply actions

See no reason

why Gregg doesn't take his own step forward and become an elite closer. He was one of the best last year and there is no reason a Lindstrom (someone with only one great pitch) is going to supplant him. Seems like more wishful thinking to me... Gregg"s a quality arm and it's his job.

by yoshimi on Feb 28, 2008 8:50 PM EST up reply actions

Gregg

Was pretty good last year, but even at his best is an average closer. I don't trust him and others do not either. Oh, and others have had one good pitch and made it as a pretty good closer. I have this feeling Lindstrom will be the guy this year, but time will tell

by dlpme77 on Feb 28, 2008 9:39 PM EST up reply actions

I just blinked...

and another old Giant went down with an injury. Omar Vizquel will miss 4-6wk after knee surgery. Durham and Aurilia are already ailing. This bodes well for Velez, since Frandsen (a possible break out candidate himself) will be the everyday SS until Vizquel returns. Velez will have a chance to play multiple positions and if he can spark the offense a la Chone Figgins, the Giants may just have to get him in the lineup on a regular basis.

by baseballjunkie on Feb 28, 2008 8:05 PM EST reply actions

Burriss

Dont forget about Manny Burriss for 2B, or maybe even SS. He should be ready for the bigs. I saw him in the AFL and he looked good. For roto players, he stole about 68 bags last year, so he could be a source for cheap steals.

by rhd on Feb 29, 2008 9:03 AM EST up reply actions

Emmanuel Burriss

will not be ready for the bigs until 2010 at the earliest. He struggled in Hi-A last year, for goodness' sakes.

by Flynn Blake on Feb 29, 2008 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

hmmm

ortmeier must be a really deep sleeper...i might be mistaken, i often am but i thought he was out of a job.

by bk11 on Feb 28, 2008 8:33 PM EST reply actions

Nope

Unless the Giants trade for a firstbaseman, Dan Ortmeier will be the starter on opening day.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 28, 2008 9:13 PM EST up reply actions

I'll give you Richie Sexson

for Ray Durham and your five best peanut vendors.

by elrey34 on Feb 29, 2008 3:23 AM EST up reply actions

I'd Take That Deal......

but I don't think the Giants would. They have this really wierd thing going where they feel like they have to spend their entire budget even if it's on overpriced FA's like Zito and Rowand, but they can't go a penny beyond. Yeah, I know Sexson is overpriced too, but if you're going to go with expensive FA's, why not go all the way? The current approach only worked because Barry Bonds was actually underpriced up until when he got hurt in 2005.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 29, 2008 8:59 AM EST up reply actions

Good news, Bad news

The fact that the Giants are so heavily represented on this list of sleepers is
Good: Some of their younger players may finally get a chance to play and could actually be surprisingly decent or better.
And Bad: Their projected lineup is so decrepit that any younger player who finally gets a chance to play and puts up surprisingly decent numbers would be better than what we're expecting.

And to add to the list of possible Giants sleepers:
Erick Threets. Lefty reliever who used to be able to dial the heater up to 100+. Has toned it down a bit and was actually rated on one site as having the best changeup in the system. Is out of options. If finally able to command his stuff, he could surprise some people out of the pen.
Kevin Correia. Righty starter vying for fifth spot in the rotation. Was very impressive as a starter down the stretch after being moved from the pen. Will have to show that this wasn't just a case of a fresh arm taking advantage of tired bats in September, but he has always had good stuff and has done well at times when given the chance to start. I think the Giants just haven't given him enough of a chance in the past.

by baseballjunkie on Feb 29, 2008 1:03 PM EST reply actions

One guy who recently caught my attention was..

Charlie Morton for the Braves.

This story covers it better than I could:

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/02/26/braves_0227.html

He will start the year in AAA but with the current state of the Brave rotation could come quickly if he maintain his gains in command.

He's a guy I'm watching closely, and will try to pick him up early in spring.

by beastball on Feb 29, 2008 5:58 PM EST reply actions

Brad Ziegler?

If you don't know the context behind his stats (which most guys won't), you'll see a mediocre minor league reliever.

If you do, you'll see a guy who converted to submarining last year and instantly became a highly effective groundball machine. He probably won't win a job out of spring given how jammed the Oakland bullpen is right now, but he's definitely on the radar screen.

by PaulThomas @ Minor League Ball on Feb 29, 2008 6:59 PM EST reply actions