Weekend Excerpts

by John Sickels on Jan 19, 2008 11:33 AM EST in News

Some 2008 Baseball Prospect Book excerpts for your weekend reading pleasure.

Jordan Walden, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-5 WT: 220 DOB: November 16, 1987

The Angels drafted Walden in the 12th round in '06, out of high school in Texas. This was a bit of clever drafting, as Walden was considered a first round talent until an erratic senior year that saw him lose 5 MPH off his fastball. He went to junior college, got his fastball back, then signed a contract for $1 million. Walden looked great in the Pioneer League, showing a 94-98 MPH fastball. His slider and changeup are shaky at times, but he has good command for a young power pitcher. He also gets a fair number of ground balls. I like Walden a lot, given all the standard young pitcher caveats, of course. I will give him a Grade B, high praise for a rookie ball pitcher, but the upside here is tremendous.

P.J. Walters, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-4 WT: 200 DOB: March 12, 1985

P.J. Walters suffers from "Broken Stat-Line Syndrome." This means he had a great year in 2007, but not many people have noticed because it was split between three levels, breaking up the statistical record into chunks that are easy to overlook. Combined, he went 12-6, 2.55 with a 147/33 K/BB in 152 innings, allowing 130 hits and just eight homers. Walters was drafted in the 11th round in '06, from the University of South Alabama. His stuff is average: 88-90 fastball, average breaking ball, average changeup. But he throws strikes, changes speeds very well, keeps the ball down, avoids gophers and generally keeps hitters off balance. He adjusted well in his Double-A trial last year, and I think he's a sleeper prospect as an inning-eating starter. Grade B-, and a candidate to sneak up on us quickly. Watch him closely.

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walters

i'm not sure if you've seen walters or not john but he doesn't break 87. he throws mostly 84, 85. it's that reason despite having such a great stat line that he doesn't have any believers. he does have a heck of a screwball/changeup pitch he throws.

Future Redbirds

by erik @ Minor League Ball on Jan 19, 2008 12:01 PM EST reply actions

fot what its worth

i saw walters make five starts last year, and never once saw the stadium guns show more than 86. for what its worth

by Dave Barry on Jan 19, 2008 12:28 PM EST reply actions

walters

yeah, i too have heard that walters is a 84-87 guy in terms of fastball velocity. if he threw 88-90 like you say, i would be a lot higher on his future. obviously he had a great season and i hope it continues, but i just don't see him fairing well for an extended period at AA or higher. i have a feeling that when he makes a 2nd or 3rd trip through a league with advanced hitters he won't trick them as easily.

by fewgoodcards on Jan 19, 2008 1:04 PM EST reply actions

for what its worth

walters was given his pitching charts when he left quad cities.& i have seen these , his avg speed every start was 87 he usually topped at 90 but sat at 87.i know what everyone says but these are actual game charts from quad cities they are correct.also he never throws a 4 seamer so he could throw a little harder if he wanted to throw it straighter. i know towards the end of the year his velocity was down alittle but have you seen the innings he has thrown over the last 4 seasons. its amazing his arm hasnt fallen off. i will say this he was at south alabama last monday throwing a bullpen & he topped at 91 . i saw his bullpen with my own eyes so this isnt hear say. & the change up was still nasty.i was looking forward to seeing him pitch again in the jags vs pros game on feb 9th but he was very excited to tell us he has to report to training camp on the 8th.he is fun to watch. hopefully we will get to see him in AAA at new orleans. i agree with sickel some things about pitching cant be taught & walters has it.

by Jaguar08 on Jan 19, 2008 8:03 PM EST reply actions

walters

thanks for the update. he definitely is a guy that knows how to pitch.

the cardinals added another jag this winter, do you have any info on david freese? he put up some nice numbers this year, but it was the cal league and he was a little old for high-A ball. it would be nice to get a good third baseman in the chain.

by fewgoodcards on Jan 19, 2008 8:50 PM EST up reply actions

freese

freese is a good defensive player & a very good hitter. i cant compare him to your current infielders because i havent seen them. freese will definately be a asset to the system. he was excited about the trade & believes he has alot more opportunity with the cards.

by Jaguar08 on Jan 20, 2008 11:42 AM EST reply actions

Walden

What is the general consensus of Walden's ceiling?

by LAangels07 on Jan 20, 2008 4:43 PM EST reply actions

i'd say it's ace

he's got the makings for it; of course, he's a long way from reaching that ceiling.

by larry on Jan 21, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

Jordan Walden's Ceiling

I've heard Walden compared to Roger Clemens, Josh Beckett and John Lackey. Whatever.

He's a very quiet kid when the press is around, but on the mound he has no problem taking charge. If you go to the FutureAngels.com Video Gallery, there's footage I filmed on him in fall instructional league, when the Angels usually limit their pitchers to fastballs and changeups. Walden had no problem buzzing an opposing batter to set him up. Usually you find kids coming out of aluminum bat leagues afraid to pitch inside. There's also an interview with him in the FutureAngels.com Audio Gallery.

The likely scenario is he starts 2008 at Low-A Cedar Rapids, makes the Midwest League All-Star Game, then moves up to High-A Rancho Cucamonga for the second half. But I really wouldn't be surprised to see him with Double-A Arkansas by season's end.

As with all young pitchers, he has work ahead of him -- more consistent mechanics, polishing his secondary pitches, maybe adding a cutter. It's all there, we just have to see what he does with it. Reportedly he touched 99 MPH and 100 MPH in the Pioneer League championship game.

by FutureAngels on Jan 21, 2008 5:55 PM EST up reply actions