Five Prospects Under the Radar

by sggut95 on Jun 15, 2008 12:58 PM EDT Comment 51 comments

These guys are tearing up AA, but none are considered top prospects by Baseball America. Welcome any feedback, if anyone has scouting reports/observations.

#5 Vince Mazzaro, RHP, Midland (OAK). 7-3/2.29/60:24 K:BB/86 IP. He's only 21, has a lot of organizational competition in Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill, James Simmons, et al, but his numbers are outstanding in the hitter-friendly Texas League, which, by the way, has been chewing up another top A's prospect, RHP Henry Rodriguez.

#4 Jesus Guzman, 3B, Midland (OAK). Hitting .355/.406/.560, albeit in the Texas League. He's 24, and, to be honest, I've never heard of him before, but he has some pop (12 HR in 282 AB). Looks like he's spent quite a bit of time in AA, but seems to be catching on. Not too old yet, and if he can play a decent 3B, he could have some value.

#3 David Huff, LHP, Akron (CLE). 5-2/2.23/74:15/76 IP. Stats are combined between Akron and two starts for AAA Buffalo. He's only 23, blocked by guys like Jeremy Sowers, Adam Miller and, to an extent, Aaron Laffey, but he's outpitched Cleveland's #2 prospect, fellow lefty Chuck Lofgren, and earned a promotion. If he keeps it up in AAA, he's a guy to keep an eye on, with Miller injured, Westbrook out for the season, and either Sabathia or Byrd likely to get dealt in the coming months.

#2 Luke Hughes, 3B, New Britain (MIN). 23 years old, hitting the stuffing out of the ball in the Eastern League. .335/.407/.618 with 13 HR in 191 AB. Never heard of this guy, but the Twins could seriously use an upgrade at the hot corner.

#1 Max Ramirez, C/DH, Frisco (TEX.) Absolutely tearing up Texas League pitching. Leads the league with a ridiculous 1.042 OPS, hitting .353/.444/.647 with 16 home runs. He's listed as a catcher, but spends a lot of time at DH. Scouts doubt he can stay at catcher, but his bat is for real. Going into the year, he wasn't considered even in the top 10 of Rangers prospects, but you can't argue with his success. Blocked by former teammate Chris Davis and now Ryan Smoak at first, but if he can convert to outfield, he might be in a Rangers uniform sooner than later.

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nos. 1 and 2 not under the radar anymore

as for the 3-5, I honestly don’t know much about them

The Giants need to sign Harry Doyle.

by jrose643 on Jun 15, 2008 1:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

#3

David Huff was a top 50 pick out of UCLA

by nms on Jun 15, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jess Todd

5-1, 1.15 ERA, 70.2 INN, 44 H, 16 BB, 66 K between High A and AA. He’s given up runs in just 2 of his 7 starts at AA.

by UncleBuck44 on Jun 15, 2008 2:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thank you

Love that guy ever since college… mock drafted him too.

Really sharp pitcher with good stuff

by nms on Jun 15, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mazzaro

His success seems to be based on smoke and mirrors, because I’ve never read anywhere that he has plus stuff or plus command.

And yet—he’s dominating a hitters’ AA league at age 21. That has to count for a lot.

I’d be quite interested to see a Sickels writeup on him. At this point my best guess is that he turns into a Blanton type—eats innings, solid ERA in the middle of your rotation. Occasional spurts of dominance, occasional spurts of mediocrity.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 15, 2008 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

for what it is worth

Blanton did have plus stuff at the same stage

by nms on Jun 15, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup

Blanton absolutely tore up AA when he was there. If you look at his stats, you’ll see what I mean:

21.2IP 11H 4ER 1HR 5BB 20K

He just finished off his Hi-A year with a late promotion to AA, and then started the next season at AAA. He was a pretty big prospect at the time and I remember keeping track of him (this is when I was just starting to get involved in prospecting). If I remember correctly, didn’t he throw a perfect game, or a no-hitter or 1-hitter in one of his three starts in AA?

Mazzaro is a guy I have looked at recently (we are in the middle of our Sim League draft) and I’ve noticed he has nice numbers, but I don’t think he is anything more than a back of the rotation guy. Me and a buddy were discussing him yesterday and we realized that with AL West Pitching Prospects, you really have to go by scouting reports. All four of those teams have their Hi-A squads in the California League, then three of the AA squads are in the Texas League, and their AAA clubs are in the PCL. The three most hitter friendly leagues in the minors. The only exception is Seattle which recently changed AA teams and now has theirs in the Southern League.

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Jun 15, 2008 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've heard

That he’s added several mph to his power sinker this last season. He’s maturing physically as well. I think he’ll suprise some people and be a 2-3 starter.

by AthleticsReign on Jun 15, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember

That he had a knuckle curve that people thought could be a plus pitch. If he added velocity on a sinker that could bump him up to a possible middle of the rotation starter. I think he is definitely someone who gets overlooked in that system and could be real interesting to watch if he can show consistency in his performance.

by Kazmir2657 on Jun 17, 2008 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cahill v. Mazzaro

Cahill throws a Knuckle Curve. Does Mazzaro too?

by Colorado Fan on Jun 20, 2008 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He does

Heres an article from last year from the Hardball Times

“Despite some horrendous statistics, we know Mazzaro has legit “stuff.” The Jersey righthander’s bread and butter is a two-seam fastball with plus life, leading to a 1.96 groundball/flyball ratio and low home run rate. His trust in the players behind him is a problematic pitching philosophy in the low minors. Mazzaro’s .320 BABIP is a bit above where it should be, but his downfall comes from a 62.4 LOB%. A stat tracked at the Hardball Times, LOB% computes how well a pitcher does with runners on base. Much of this stat can be out of a pitcher’s control, so it’s hard to believe stuff like Mazzaro’s is responsible for a figure well below the league rate.

Oakland also believes his strikeout numbers will rise as he improves upon his knuckle-curve, which naturally, draws comparisons to Mike Mussina. With some winter tinkering, added endurance and improved luck in 2007, the A’s could finally get a high school pitcher on the prospect map.”

by Kazmir2657 on Jun 27, 2008 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about Lou Marson?

Phillies catching prospect

He’s still only 21 (for another week and a half), is hitting .351/.462/.450 in the AA Eastern League, and has thrown out 21 of 59 base stealers.

by acerimusdux on Jun 15, 2008 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marson

Also Just about a 1 to 1 K/BB rate….I am thinking why he is thought of as kinda a “B” Catcher prospect?

by NYSOX on Jun 15, 2008 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another Philly

2b Adrian Cardenas… Huge bat, and sustainable 2b IIRC. 20 years old in A+, hitting .319/.396/.481 with almost 1:1 bb/k

by Alon on Jun 15, 2008 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cardenas isn't under the radar

We’ve been hearing all about Cardenas for a long time. He’s not under the radar, he’s just blocked at his position by the hands-down best 2b in baseball.

by aap212 on Jun 16, 2008 7:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Needs more Ryan Reid

Reliever with 1 earned run, 6 walks, 16 hits, and 57 strikeouts in 40 innings between the FSL and Southern League.

by Kevin Gengler on Jun 15, 2008 4:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good one

by Brett Perryman on Jun 16, 2008 4:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uhm

Mike Carp anyone? The guy is hitting .360.. ON Baseball America’s hot sheet, they said quite possibly the best hitter in the eastern league

by Duece on Jun 15, 2008 5:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Eh

He’s not really under the radar anymore.

by demondeaconsbaseball on Jun 15, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Scott Campbell...

Second Baseman hitting .356/.453/.495 (.948 OPS) for AA New Hampshire (Eastern League). He currently has a 37:29 BB/K ratio. He’s 23 years old (turning 24 late September) but his age is less of a factor because he is from New Zealand so his development curve isn’t that comparable to NA players. He’s kind of hitting beyond what his tools suggest he should be doing but he really isn’t slowing down…

by metafour on Jun 15, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Scott Mitchinson - RHP (Perth, Australia) - 23 Years Old

OAK: Kane County (A-Ball): 5-2 / 1.58 / 66:12 K:BB / 68.1 IP

Signed out of Australia by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2003.

by Colorado Fan on Jun 20, 2008 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my faves ...

Not THE top five, but my favorite guys to watch that are getting little to no attention as legit prospects. I’d include Memphis 3B David Freese, but I’ve already raved on him enough at this site, so he gets a bye.

Jake Arrieta ~ RHP, Orioles – A severe underdraft last year in the fifth round out of Texas Christian, Arrieta has emerged as the most dominant pitcher in the system. In 13 starts, he has held Carolina League hitters to a .167 batting average. Considered a Top 10 prospect in the Baltimore system, but has been overshadowed by Frederick Keys teammates Matt Wieters and Brandon Erbe, hence the reason I consider him an under-the-radar prospect.

Matt Fox ~ RHP, Twins – Has yet to pitch a full season of pro ball since an arm injury derailed his top-prospect status after he was taken in the supplemental first round in 2004 out of Central Florida. Keeps battling back and remains effective as he refines a repetoire that was once considered the best four-pitch arsenal of any amateur in the country. As a 25-year old in the Florida State League he is sure not to receive any attention unless he can prove himself beyond A-ball. Has a viable future if he can just stay healthy.

Bubba Bell ~ OF, Red Sox – Hit 26 homeruns last year between two levels, but was doubted as a legit power prospect because most were hit at lefty-friendly Lancaster of the California League. A slow start at Portland didn’t help, but he surged in May at a .431 clip, and is currently hitting .291/.359/.500 against Eastern League pitching, largely due to the lefty’s ability to hit the southpaws. That he is a solid defender at all three outfield positions allows him to profile as at least a fourth outfielder.

Shane Robinson ~ OF, Cardinals – Fits the profile of a Cardinals player to the core. Robinson is a gritty, versatile outfielder who is best described as someone who plays the game. Despite being the 2005 Collegiate Player Of The Year as a sophomore at Florida St., the leadoff hitter fell to the fifth round of the 2006 draft despite an outstanding junior season because of concerns about his 5-foot-9 frame holding up in pro ball. At Springfield this season he is currently hitting .374/.414/.523, while flashing speed with 12 stolen bases and excelling at both corner outfield positions while making way for fulltime Cardinals centerfielder Jon Jay.

Mark Trumbo ~ 1B, Angels – Considered one of the elite college bats out of Villa High School, he fell to the 18th round because of signability concerns. Trumbo profiled as a legit prospect early on, but contact issues along with mediocre power numbers plagued him for two seasons in the Midwest League, causing most to doubt he would develop much past A-ball. At Rancho Cucamonga this season however, Trumbo has anchored the cleanup spot, hitting .295/.338/.560 for the Quakes. Still just 22, Trumbo has the potential to be as big a mid-round draft steal as Nick Adenhart, who was taken in the 14th round of the same 2004 draft.

by StickRat on Jun 15, 2008 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Freddie Freeman

Seems to be getting some hype. Has a 1B body. Big kid. Doing well protecting Braves’ uper-prospect Jason Heyward. Thoughts?

by psugator on Jun 16, 2008 12:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nick Barnese

watchout for him in short-season ball here. Has movement and velocity on his fastball, plus he can control it well. Not too many 19 yos can do all 3.
A great live arm

by nms on Jun 16, 2008 1:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Do you know why he wasn't promoted to full season ball?

37:4 K:BB in 36 IP wasn’t good enough to get promoted from rookie ball?

by OldProspects on Jun 16, 2008 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because

the Rays don’t do that with HS pitchers. They send you to Hudson Valley for a year, then you go to Low-A, and then High-A and if you dominate you can get promoted to AA. However, you’d have to straight dominate. They don’t like to rush HS pitchers.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Jun 16, 2008 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jeremy Hellickson

this path, so did Davis and McGee (although Davis and McGee were more Raw than Hellickson).

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Jun 17, 2008 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

5 more

- Michael Brantley (OF) (Mil) AA 21 y/o – .327 .412 .422 13Doub 4HR 31RBI 19SB 6CS 35BB 17K (!)
I’ve always wondered why he hasnt been rated higher. Terrific plate discipline. BA left him off both their Team Top 10 and League Top 20 lists. I have heard him mentioned as a future top-of-the-order hitter for the Brewers.

- Daryl Thompson (SP) (Cin) AA/AAA 22 y/o – 89.0IP 67H 78K 18BB 6HR 2.22ERA
Well, he has been getting some press this year, but didnt get much before now. Has to be on the short list of the prospects whose stock has risen the most this year. BA also left him off their lists.

- Craig Italiano (SP) (Oak) Lo-A 21 y/o – 66.0IP 41H 76K 32BB 2HR 1.09ERA (also 7-0)
Highly rated coming out of the draft, but had miserable stats before this yr. BA left him off their lists. I think he had injury problems. Walk rate is still too high, but much improved. And just look at those Ks!

- Zach Braddock (SP) (Mil) Lo-A/Hi-A 20 y/o – 41.0IP 26H 56K 27BB 1HR 3.07ERA
Was having a terrific year last year, then got hurt. Another guy BA left off their lists. He looks to be picking up where he left off. He is walking too many this year, but, again, look at those Ks! Dont know anything about his stuff, but the stats look impressive.

- Sean Doolittle (OF/1B) (Oak) Hi-A 21 y/o – .326 .408 .597 21Doub 15HR 52RBI 5SB 3CS 38BB 76K
Yeah, I know he was highly rated out of of College, but BA also left him off their lists. The stats look great, altho they were compiled in the Cal League. Too many Ks, but he also draws walks. It will be interesting to see how he fares in a less hitter-friendly league, which may not be for a while since the A’s AA club is in the Texas League and their AAA club is in the PCL.

by rhd on Jun 16, 2008 2:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Italiano had injury concerns about his delivery and that he'd injure his shoulder

sure enough, he injured his shoulder, then after coming back, got nailed in the head by a line drive and fractured his skull.

A’s DLed him the rest of the season, sent him to the Instructional League and rebuilt his mechanics.

Then he returned to Kane County to begin the year and has dominated ever since.

Pessimism FTW! ... Wait what?

by Zonis on Jun 16, 2008 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doolittle

Is someone i think can really jump on the map with the more at-bats he gets. In college he was a two-way player and many people thought his future was as a left handed control pitcher, i think as he is able to focus on hitting only now he could exceed peoples expectations of him. Plus he does a blog for Milb.com which is always cool

by Kazmir2657 on Jun 17, 2008 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Darin Holcomb

Not arguing that he’s the best player in the nation or anything, but I picked up Darin Holcomb in a Strat league as a 12th-round pick out of Gonzaga (150-man rosters, 30 teams and we draft after the season, so I saw his 2007 performance before drafting), and have been very pleased with his performance. I guess the biggest knock on him is “body type”, and he’s old for the Sally League (22), but at .333/.396/.533 with 26:29:261 BB:K:AB ratios, he seems like he’s doing what he needs to do to warrant attention.

by BobbyMac on Jun 16, 2008 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ive mentioned these guys before...

David Hernandez, Orioles- Has led his league in strikeouts seemingly everywhere he goes. Dont know why he isnt a top prospect, he has great stuff and upside.

Brandon Hicks, Braves- SS with power and good glove. Way too many K’s but if he can cut them down a little bit I think he has a bright future.

Michael Saunders, Mariners- Very toolsy guy but still young and doing well at his level. I think he has room to added power.

by bravitos5122 on Jun 16, 2008 4:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Guzman...

I´m pretty familiar with Guzman from his days in the Seattle system. Athletically, the toolshed is pretty bare, and he´s really not a third baseman. That slash line´s all about the batting average right now, and neither his IsoD or IsoP is great for someone with his defensive profile. He´s probably better suited to 1B/DH, and he just doesn´t have the bat to be an asset as a defensive liability.

by slamcactus on Jun 16, 2008 6:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't speak to his athletic ability

but a .205 isolated power is no joke. He seems to me to have good upside as a bat-first utility guy (e.g. Jeff Keppinger).

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 16, 2008 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good Insight

I’ve wondered why he hasn’t been promoted to AAA yet. It sounds like he’s playing 2B primarily. So, he’s not the everyday 3B in Midland. If Ellis leaves, Guzman will be 2nd in line behind Gregorio Petit (Since Melillo was traded to the Blue Jays).

by Colorado Fan on Jun 20, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I suspect he'll move up after the Texas League All-Star game

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 20, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keppinger...

really isn´t a good comp. His chief value is that he´s one of the hardest people in baseball to strike out, so he can sustain an unusually high batting average.

Guzman´s contact rate is nowhere near that good, and his lack of on-base ability will be exploited at higher levels.

His IsoP isn´t bad, certainly, but it´s nothing special. Given that he has deficiencies elsewhere, I´m not hopeful he´ll have much of a career. Especially since Oakland is a team that´s always been able to pick up solid 1B/DH guys on the cheap. They can – and will – do better.

I really can´t see Guzman as more than a AAAA-er. Given that he´s been stuck at Double-A or lower for the past 4 years, that might be a bit generous.

by slamcactus on Jun 16, 2008 10:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Whatever, I spent like 5 seconds thinking of that

Marco Scutaro with more power and hitting ability, then?

As for the last line… it’s not his fault he got (or more likely, given Seattle’s proclivities, was rushed) to AA at age 20, nor does it suddenly make him “overage” if he’s there at age 23.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 17, 2008 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He´s 24

and unlike Keppinger and Scutaro, Guzman has zero ability to play a capable shortstop. Guzman hasn´t played a day at shortstop since 2002 in the Venezuelan Summer League. He´s playing 2B now in a novel experiment, but he´s really never going to be an asset there.

Guzman´s comp lies more along the lines of a switch-hitting Greg Dobbs than any utility infielder. He just doesn´t have the defensive versatility of the guys you´re trying to compare him to.

by slamcactus on Jun 21, 2008 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry...

He played 2 games at SS last year, so I guess my ¨he hasn´t played a day at the position since…¨ comment wasn´t quite on the money. The point stands: he´s not a shortstop.

by slamcactus on Jun 21, 2008 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't David Huff somewhat fringy?

I thought the reports on him was fringy stuff, but good “pitchability” and control. Probably a back end type if he sticks in the bigs or a pen arm. That said, still a useful asset to have in the organization.

If I had to name some Cubs under the radar -

Jovan Rosa – Has cooled off the past week or so, but still has a sweet stroke and has done well in Low A at 20. As he fills out, there may be some more power. Bigger issue is defense. Good performance in MWL ASG.

Marquez Smith – somewhat fringy, as he is way old for Low A. But he is smashing the ball and the Cubs have toyed around with him at 2nd base. Of course, 2nd is also the deepest position in our system right now, with Patterson/Spears/Thomas and a bunch of guys that will fill out Boise and Arizona.

Dae-Eun Rhee – Had an injury earlier in the year after a hot start. Has been slowly working his way back, but has looked good. Considering the age and coming from abroad, I think the Cubs will slow play this, and I expect Rhee to be at Peoria for most, if not all, of 2008.

Nate Spears – Okay, he’s been around forever it seems. That said, his bat seems to have turned the corner this year in AA, and he is only 23. Ehh, this one is a bit fringy.

by toonsterwu on Jun 19, 2008 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A few overlooked guys...

Travis Banwart- Dude’s been awesome since getting drafted, but is injured right now.

Zach McAllister- A lot of people saw this breakout year coming. If not for a single bad start at the end of last season, his ‘07 stats were awesome, too. So far, he has delivered, and is now promoted to hi-A.

Travis Wood- One of the MiLB Analyst’s breakthrough candidates, Wood did just that early in the season. He’s dropped off a bit in his first look at AA, but he should come around.

Liam Hendriks- Watch this guy. Signed out of Australia by the Twins in late ‘06. Pitched very, very well in the GCL last year, arguably the league’s best pitcher, with a BABIP that was actually somewhat high, at .328. He is just 19 years old, and will report to the Appalachian League, but is currently on the 7 day DL.

Sean Henry- He’s always been under the radar, but that escalated even further once he was traded to the Reds from the Mets. He’s posting another .800+ OPS at AA this year, though.

by RedSoxFaithful on Jun 20, 2008 1:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hated that trade

Sean Henry for Jeff Conine.

Henry’s not a real high ceiling guy, but he’ll hit for average with some good gap power. He’ll be a good 4th OF type.

by acerimusdux on Jun 22, 2008 7:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Updated on Max Ramirez

Dallas Morning News reports he has been called up to the majors. Will serve as Saltalamachia’s backup at catcher. Good chance for Max to raise some eyebrows.

by sggut95 on Jun 21, 2008 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What happened to Laird?

And, is that now the worst defensive battery in baseball?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 22, 2008 3:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Laird

pulled a hammy Friday night, out for a couple of weeks at least. Too bad, too, because he was having a good year, giving the Rangers a position of strength approaching the trade deadline.

...and curse Sir Sidney Ponson, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on Jun 22, 2008 7:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs