More photos » by Rob Carr - AP

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

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Rookie Profile: Nolan Reimold

Nolan Reimold was a second round pick in 2005, out of Bowling Green University, where he'd hit .360/.496/.770 with 20 homers, coming in second in NCAA Division I in slugging. Scouts weren't sure about what his batting average and OBP would look like against pro pitching, but they liked his power. He hit .285/.385/.551 in 73 games in his pro debut, split between Aberdeen in the New York-Penn League and Frederick in the Carolina League. I gave him a Grade B in the 2006 book, noting that he has excellent potential if the strike zone didn't get away from him.

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More photos » by Tom Mihalek - AP

Florida Marlins rookie Chris Coghlan (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

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Rookie Review: Chris Coghlan

Chris Coghlan was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the supplemental first round in 2006, out of the University of Mississippi, where he'd hit .350/.437/.513. Scouts loved his quick swing and polished hitting approach, but were uncertain he'd have the power for third base (his college position) which hurt his draft stock slightly. He hit .298/.373/.372 in 28 games for Jamestown in the New York-Penn League after signing, drawing 13 walks against just nine strikeouts in 94 at-bats, clearly demonstrating both his polish and the lack of big power. I gave him a Grade C+ in the 2007 book, noting that he could develop into a Bill Mueller-type player.

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More photos » by Darren Calabrese - AP

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Romero (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

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Rookie Profile: Ricky Romero

Ricky Romero was drafted in the first round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2005, out of Cal State Fullerton. Very successful in college, he went 13-5, 2.89 with a 139/34 K/BB in 134 innings for Fullerton as a junior, and was expected to move through the minors very quickly. He made eight starts for Dunedin in the Florida State League after signing, posting a 3.82 ERA with a 22/7 K/BB in 31 innings, allowing 36 hits. Scouts projected him as a number three starter, on the strength of his 90-93 MPH fastball, plus curveball, and plus changeup. I gave him a Grade B+ in the 2006 book, writing that he didn't throw hard enough to project as a true ace, but that he should get to the majors rapidly and "hold a rotation spot for a long time."

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More photos » by Steve Nesius - AP

Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila hits a two-run home run off Tampa Bay starter James Shields, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

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Rookie Profile: Alex Avila

Alex Avila was drafted in the fifth round in 2008, out of the University of Alabama. He'd hit .343/.441/.615 in college. Scouts liked his bat, but most were lukewarm about his defense and his physical tools. Alex is the son of Tigers assistant GM Al Avila, and while Detroit officials denied that the family connection had anything to do with the selection, I don't think anyone really believed them. Nevertheless, this was not an overdraft: several teams had Avila rated in the fifth through seventh round range, and if the Tigers hadn't have picked him, someone else would have done so in the same area.

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More photos » by Steve Nesius - AP

Tampa Bay Rays starter Jeff Niemann (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

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Rookie Profile: Jeff Niemann

Jeff Niemann was a star pitcher at Rice University, where he formed part of a devastating quartet of starting pitchers along with Phil Humber, Wade Townsend, and Josh Baker. Like many Rice pitchers, he had some arm problems including arthroscopic elbow surgery in 2003, but he was still drafted in the first round in '04, fourth overall. Scouts loved his size, command, and projectability, and while his junior season (3.03, 94/30 K/BB in 80 innings) was less impressive than his sophomore season (17-0, 1.70 ERA, 156/35 K/BB in 137 innings), he wasn't considered an overdraft. He was a late sign and I gave him a Grade B+ in the 2005 book based on his college performance and scouting reports, writing that I liked him a lot due to his 92-97 MPH fastball and nasty slider, but was concerned about his health.

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Upcoming Rookie Reviews.

Thursday: Jeff Niemann
Friday: Alex Avila  (for distraught Tigers fans)
Saturday: Ricky Romero
Sunday: Chris Coghlan
Monday: Nolan Reimold

More photos » by Mike Fuentes - AP

Oakland Athletics' pitcher Andrew Bailey (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)

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Rookie Profile: Andrew Bailey

Andrew Bailey was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the sixth round in 2006, out of Wagner College in New York. He was successful in college but had missed most of 2005 following Tommy John surgery, which probably hurt his stock a bit on draft day although his actual performance in '06 was strong (2.03 ERA, 53/16 K/BB in 44 innings, 22 hits). He continued to pitch well in pro ball, posting a 2.02 ERA with a 53/20 K/BB in 58 innings for Vancouver in the Northwest League, with 39 hits allowed, drawing positive scouting reports with his 90-93 MPH fastball and good curve. I gave him a Grade C in the 2007 book, but wrote that he had upside, represented "good value" as a sixth round pick, and could rise quickly if his command held up.

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I'll refrain from excessive partisanship from now on (unless the Twins get to the Series), but allow me this one moment please.

WIN TWINS!!!!!

That was the most intense baseball game I've seen since the 1991 World Series.

Liveblogging the Tigers/Twins game....follow along in the comments section.

As always, this is what I want to do ideally, pending falling pianos.

Tuesday: Liveblogging the Twins/Tigers Game
Wednesday: Rookie Review: Andrew Bailey
Thursday: Rookie Review: Jeff Niemann
Friday: ??

Right now I want to review 2009 rookies, how they looked as prospects compared to how they panned out. Anyone in particular you want looked at? I'd like to focus more on guys who weren't massively heralded pre-season (Bailey for example) but who performed well. 

Next week I'm going to start writing the 2010 book, so we will start transitioning to organization discussions and prospect lists at that time.