Random Player Comments

Some random player comments from the book, after the jump. Keep in mind that none of this has been edited yet and none of these grades are final. Also keep in mind that the actual comment will have statistics from the last two seasons.

Luis Garcia, RHP, Washington Nationals
Bats: R    Throws: R     HT: 6-2    WT: 210   DOB: January 30, 1987 

The Nationals acquired Garcia from the Dodgers last August for Ronnie Belliard. A Dominican originally signed back in 2004, Garcia features a 90-94 MPH sinking fastball. His slider could use more definition, but he made huge improvements with his control last year: note his massively superior K/BB ratio compared to his rookie ball performance. He collects ground balls as well, posting a 1.76 GO/AO last year, and looks like he could be a useful relief asset down the line. I like the trend lines in Garcia's performance numbers, and he has a live arm. Grade C, but interesting as a bullpen possibility.

Johnny Giavotella, 2B, Kansas City Royals
Bats: R     Throws: R     HT: 5-8   WT: 185   DOB: July 10, 1987

 A second round pick from the University of New Orleans in 2008, Giavotella had (on the surface) a disappointing 2009 campaign for Wilmington in the Carolina League. He got off to a slow start, hitting just .218/.346/.329 in the first half, but his plate discipline was good and he was hampered by an unusually low BABIP. The hits started to fall in the second half, giving him a .292/.355/.423 mark and resulting in the end-of-year numbers you see above. The fact that he kept his strike zone judgment intact, even when he was struggling, is a good marker for his future. On defense, he has a decent throwing arm and adequate range, but his hands are stiff and he made 21 errors last year, excessive for a second baseman. He'll have to improve his reliability at higher levels, but scouts like his work ethic and he plays above his physical tools, giving him a chance to adapt. It will be interesting to see how his bat works against better pitching, and I still regard him as a pretty solid prospect, at least offensively. Grade C+.

Randall Grichuk, OF, Los Angeles Angels
Bats: R    Throws: R     HT: 6-1     WT: 195   DOB: August 13, 1991 

Grichuk was drafted by the Angels in the first round last year, 24^th overall, out of high school in Rosenberg, Texas. This was considered a slight overdraft: most teams saw him as a supplemental or second round talent. He was considered one of the best high school power bats available, but scouts weren't wild about his other skills and questioned his plate discipline. Indeed, he showed a poor BB/K ratio in the Arizona Rookie League, and strike zone judgment is the main thing he needs to work on offensively. If he can sharpen the zone, he'll go far: he has excellent raw power and put up gaudy numbers in his first pro exposure, at least if you ignore the BB/K. Grichuk's defensive tools (speed, throwing arm) are mediocre, although I think he may actually be a bit underrated as an athlete and I don't think he'll be a zero as a fielder once he gets more experience. His bat is certainly high-ceiling, but it will be a challenge for him to replicate these numbers in the more difficult hitting environment of the Midwest League in 2010. Grade B- due to his draft status and power potential, but don't expect huge performance right away. He has some adjustments to make.