What does a team look for in promoting prospects?

by daveyork on May 7, 2008 10:17 PM EDT

With the news of the Reds promoting several players, what do teams look for when they are promoting players so early in the season? Is it dominating the league? Age? Other prospects pushing forward?

For example, KC has Carlos Rosa at AA and he is really strong for the Texas League. He has 1.38 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 6/38 BB/K ratio. At 23, I would think he would be promoted. Of course, last year Rowdy Hardy stayed at Wilmington all year at age 23. Besides the fact that KC doesn't always seem to have a clue in the development area, what does an organization look for when promoting prospects to the next level?

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Hmm...

“Besides the fact that KC doesn’t always seem to have a clue in the development area”

Signed,
Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Carlos Rosa, Daniel Cortes, Julio Pimental

Tell me, what prospect has failed under KC’s watch during the Dayton Moore Era?

Word is that Carlos Rosa will be moving up to AAA soon, and maybe the reason that Rowdy Hardy wasn’t promoted to AA was the fact that he throws a fastball in the low-80’s.

by adschofield on May 7, 2008 10:45 PM EDT reply actions

+1

JJ Picollo specifically said Rowdy would have to prove it the whole year to get a promotion. And guess what? He’s been pretty hittable this year, no big surprise really.

Rosa will be up in AAA soon. Not that big of deal really, as long as he’s getting his innings in.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on May 7, 2008 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

AAA isn't always a necessary promotion.

First, AAA is loaded with organizational players. Just look at the rosters and it’s a who’s who of former MLB fourth outfielders and utility infielders, many of whom are not moving down to AA. Also, if I’m not mistaken the PCL isn’t exactly “picher friendly” so if you have a guy who’s throwing well in AA but isn’t on a short term track to the majors, you park him there for a while.

"Ninety percent I'll spend on good times, women and Irish Whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."

by strums on May 7, 2008 11:59 PM EDT reply actions

It really depends on the team

For example, with the Cubs

Last year, few would have thought Samardzija was ready for a jump. The Cubs felt something positive there and decided to go with it. Certainly, he hasn’t exactly dominated, but he’s justified their faith that he was ready to try AA.

A few years back, we made the double move with Eric Patterson from low A to AA as he dominated the low A ranks and was a college kid. That said, in retrospect, one wonders how his development would’ve gone if we didn’t, as he still has a lot of work to do.

Sometimes, teams may feel rushed to move a blue chip guy. Dopirak was moved up way too fast. Yes, scouts thought he might flame out at AA, but in pushing him up so fast, the developmental time wasn’t there. Corey Patterson was also rushed.

The Cubs bumped up Sean Gallagher with consistency because of solid performance and maturing physical attributes. Justin Berg’s improved consistency got him a bump.

Short of it is, it really depends for teams, and sometimes, it may simply be a “feel” for the situation.

by toonsterwu on May 8, 2008 5:12 AM EDT reply actions