Excuse me if I write in a stream-of-consciousness-type prose, but who is Matt Joyce and does anyone know anything about him and can they tell me if he is for real or just one of a long list of prospects who has come up and hit for power a la Sam Horn, Phil Plantier, Reggie Jefferson (yes, I'm a Sox fan) and then disappeared into oblivion. 

Sickels wrote in The Book that Joyce seems like the type of player who could be a late bloomer ("sneaking up on us in maybe '08").  He's only 23, hitting .266 / .320 / .649 with 9 HR in 94 AB. 

I saw an AB of his a couple of days ago and he had a pretty nice swing and even made a nice diving catch in the OF.  Just seeing if anyone knew anything more about him or had any insight into if he's the real deal or not.  Thanks!

Does this mean the Chisox go with a platoon of Danny Richar & Alexei Ramirez at 2b?  Or is Alexei going to play some CF and Richar will start full time at 2b? 

Ramirez just hit another bomb today.

And where does Uribe go now? 

It seems that a few times a year a C+ prospect breaks out and has a good year (Mark Reynolds, Manny Parra, Steven Pearce, Asdrubal, Felipe Paulino) and rises in John's rankings.  It also seems to be the lowest grade where someone still has a chance to be a solid if not spectacular major league player (unless you're Wlad).

Did John grade someone low with a C+ that should be a B- on his list?  Did John overlook a hidden gem and throw him into the Pit of C+ Despair?

Is there someone that will get more playing time therefore making him more valuable than other C+ prospects?

Is there a particular meaty C+ pitching prospect you think might break out?  

Because there are so many C+ prospects, I've limited it to first-year players, but feel free to toss out the names of others.  I've also thrown in a couple of C+ from last year that had good stats in AAA or in a short MLB stint to see if anybody thinks they have a shot at breaking out.  

C+ BATS

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The Congo Hammer has been doing a comparison in the same vein with his "bottom of the barrel" diaries which have been fun, but I wanted to compare a number of Grade "B" pitchers in terms of how their careers will pan out.  In order to thin out the herd, I've selected first-year Grade "B" starting pitchers.  

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I guess a 1.17 ERA will do that.  

23IP 19H 4BB 17K  2.25 GB ratio  O jacks

Good luck in Sactown.  

Righties are hitting .170 off of him; lefties are hitting .289.  Good SLG vs. both sides.  It appears the sidewinding is working.

I'll try to catch a game down in Fresno or it will give me a good reason to go to Vegas.  

FABIO CASTRO

From MLB today (Caribbean Series):
Dominican Republic starter Fabio Castro had a crafty hand in the victory. The diminutive southpaw allowed only two hits in five innings before yielding to Santiago Ramirez in the sixth.

"I felt really strong and confident about pitching in such an important game for my country," Castro said. "I just tried to stay ahead in the count and do the best job I could out there."

"Fabio Castro did a fabulous job; all credit goes to him," Fermin said. "He did a great job against a very dangerous team."

Fabio threw 83 pitches, 52 for strikes.  GB/FB 7/4.  Walked 3, K'd 4.

He had great #s for Philly out of the pen last year in limited action as a Rule V guy.  What does he project as and does anyone know more about him?  Yes, yes, I will buy John's book soon.  

Philip Humber or Ubaldo Jimenez for the long term?  

Humber's had some injury problems, but a lot of people like him.  Jimenez is still pretty young, but he's been popping up on a lot of top 100s.  I've read where both could be #2 or #3 starters.  Any insight or opinions would be appreciated.  Thanks!

My pick is next and I wanted your guys' help.  It's a 24-team sim league (DMB) and I have all my positions and rotation filled, so I'm just prospecting (although I do have LoDuca at C and he's old).  

I'm deciding between a C or an SP.  I've narrowed down my choices to: Iannetta (B+), Montero (B+), Phil Humber (B+), Jason Hirsh (B+).  James Loney (B+) is also available.

Would appreciate any help and thoughts.  Thanks!

Red Sox are calling up David Pauley from AA to start for DWells on Wednesday.  He doesn't appear in John's top 20 for the Bosox (or Pads).  

Anyone know anything about him other than he's 2.39 in 10 starts at Portland?

He's almost 23 and seemed to have pretty solid numbers for the Pads in the low minors.  He came over in the Dave Roberts trade.