Everybody’s favorite Manny comparison. He has moved to first base. After a couple average seasons, he is quietly doing pretty damn good. On pace for 50 2B, 18 HR, and a .300 BA.

Only 23, I think he is on the path to living up to expectations.

uhhh, don’t know what to say here. Everyone though he was a lock to produce. He has really struggled. He is still young and it’s early to call him a bust, but he seems headed down that path.

“trust the tools”?

Delmon looks like he disagrees.

injuries derailed him in 2007 and 2008. His velocity was down, but with a move to the pen he seems back on track and he is back to throwing in the mid 90s. Can he sustain it as a starter?

An injury unfortunetly shortened his season. He would have hit 30+ homers, but that would have probably hit under .250. He has all the potential in the world, but can he hit for average?

Stuff seems to be there. But he wins the award for most likely to throw 5 shoutout innings and then give up 7 runs in the 6th. Can he be a consistent starter?

Just needed a chance to pitch IMO. That and to cut down on BB, but I still think he is a front of the rotation starter.

last five starts: 30.1 IP, 39 K, 4 BB

i’m not 100% sure what got into him. he’s throwing a bit harder (hit 96 at times recently). the curve is a bit sharper and the slider is good as ever. he’s still rarely throwing the changeup but hasn’t needed it really.

Even through the rough patches, his peripherals supported better numbers. Brett has certainly impressed, being the A’s best pitcher since June. Only one start of his last 8 has he given up more than 4 runs, including two very excellent starts. (CG shutout in Fenway, 8 innings of perfect ball vs. Los Angeles) I knew he was going to be good, but he has really blown me away. Stud written all over him if he can stay healthy.

I believe this guy is a somewhat overlooked 5 tool player. He struggled last season in Oakland, but I think his trip back to AAA this season helped him out a lot. He destroyed the ball in AAA to start the year and it seems like that success may be be carrying over (hitting over .500 the last week).

2007 seems more and more like an anomaly. What will become of him?

The .229/.224 average will make you say bust, but his ISO numbers are mind wrecking, and his BABIP is abnormally low. Put their BABIP at .200 and they come out to be a .270 hitter, and that’s not even counting the power numbers they have.

Dexter Fowler

The strikeouts and passive approach annoy the heck out of me, but he’s hitting the ball more, leads a very patient Rockies team in walks, and showing the glove and speed, though UZR doesn’t think so.

Franklin Morales

He’s lost some velocity off his fastball, but he’s still a great power pitcher with plus stuff, has settled into a set-up role nicely, and is waiting for a spot in the rotation. Still has an upside of a #2 -#3 starter IMO.

Jason Hammel

A former Rays top prospect who’s fallen off the table has put together an average year. His K/9 is in career averages, but has shown extreme control with more H/9. Take away Coors numbers, and he looks like a solid #3, but in Coors, he’s terrible. If he learns to pitch in Coors, he’s probably going to become a solid starter and not a bust.

figured id post a couple Rangers.

Elvis’ defense has been better than advertised imo. I think he was 2nd in UZR among SS last time I checked, thats awesome for a 20 yr old who still is somewhat injury prone. His hitting isnt great, but a .326 OB% is very solid and his plate discipline has been a good suprise. I expect him to develop some decent power as he’s got a sold enough frame, maybe 15 or so HR power, making him closer to a .750 OPS super defensive SS… his Renteria comparisons seem very valid and I think inserting him into the Ranger’s D has been one of the biggest reasons the run prevention has gone from worst to almost best in the AL. That cant be underrated.

Holland: Well, after pitching two of the best pitched games i’ve ever seen in his last three starts, Holland has put alot of faith in the Ranger’s faithful that he is the ace of the future. Im excited about seeing him and Anderson face off for years to come. Holland has certaintly been inconsistent and has gone through the growing pains, but its so very obvious that he’s going to be really good if he stays healthy, his stuff is electric. His secondary offerings are very, very good, he just has to continue to get ahead in the count with well located FBs. Holland, despite a 5.00 ERA on the season, has very promising peripheral numbers, the best K/BB ratio of the starters in texas, solid GB/FB ratios, the only thing is a high HR/FB rate and that is gonna go down with time as he continues to figure out how to pitch.

If I had to regrade both of them Id probably give them both A- with Holland’s grade approaching a solid A

Sent down to the minors today. He looked like a future 40/40 guy a couple years ago. Can he get back on track, or will he be doomed by a low BA and high strikeouts?