Monthly Archives: August 2008

Daily Discussion; 8/5

Daily Discussion

I’m short on time today, so I just have a few real quick thoughts, and then I’ll open the floor for discussion.

* When I look at prospects and try to determine their overall worth as a prospect (I’m sure they are all fine people), I focus on very specific traits. If you don’t find these traits important, you’re likely going to disagree with my rankings/evaluations. I welcome this, I just like when you back up your beliefs with reasoning and evidence. If you do that, we all learn something. This is just a general comment based on feedback I’ve seen in recent days/weeks/months.

* I’m going to be making some big changes here over the next few months. Many of these changes will be individually small, but I hope the cumulative product is an easier to read, more informative website with even more content. I’m ALWAYS looking for suggestions on how to improve things, and if you have them, please e-mail them to me. I read each and every email I get and I try to respond, though sometimes it takes me a few days. If you see something that is wrong, if there is something you want to see here, or anything else, just drop me a line. One thing I do want to address; this site will never contain ads and it will never be sold for a profit. I enjoy going to sites and not being inundated with pop ups and various embedded ads, and I’d never subject you to that treatment here. I’ve had numbers offers made to integrate my site with larger, cookie cutter sites, and I’ve turned down all of them. I’m here for the long haul, and I hope you are too.

So, onto today’s games. Discuss anything you’d like, just keep it prospect related….

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Williamsport and GCL Weekly Report (7-28/8-3)

2. GCL, 3. Williamsport

Williamsport

The Crosscutters went 3-4 this week. Their season record stands at 23-21, leaving them in 4th place in the NYP Pinckney Division, 5 GB of first place Jamestown.

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Top 30 Prospects Update

** My Top 30 Prospects

As I promised, I figured I’d do a Top 30 update after the trade deadline, even though no prospects were traded (yet) and kind of give a brief thought to how my Top 30 would change. All stats are as of August 2nd I believe, so close enough. Again, this is only my Top 30 as of now, and its mostly just gut instinct. I reserve the right to change my thoughts on guys at any moment, and the next update could reflect that. Update below…

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DSL Update – Early August

1. VSL/DSL

In this article we will take a midseason look at the DSL Phillies in 2008.  This year’s team is another young team like last year’s division champions, though it is also arguably less talented.  There are no standout young offensive players like Sebastian Valle and Leandro Castro that have emerged, though an improving pitching staff has kept the team in contention.  After a poor 12-23 start, the Phillies have won 10 of their last 12 to improve their record to 22-25, 4th place and 8 games behind the Mariners who are leading the Santo Domingo North division.

We have still not seen any information on any players the Phillies have signed in 2008 from Latin America.  Their budget reportedly increased this year to about $1.5 million from maybe $800,000 total last year.  Unfortunately this budget still places the Phillies in the lower half of the majors in terms of spending.  This may be seen in the lack of offensive prospects on the team.  Offensive prospects tend to develop a little earlier than pitching prospects.

The rest of this post will look at the hitters and pitchers that have shown the most in the early part of the season, with extra attention to the younger players who are undoubtedly the better prospects.  As always, these are statistical observations only, as first hand scouting reports are difficult to come by.

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Carrasco Debut

Other Stuff

I had the opportunity to attend tonights ‘Pigs game and watch Carlos Carrasco in person.  He had an impressive night.  He went 6.2 innings and gave up 2 runs (none earned) on 6 hits.  He didnt factir in the decision, in a game Lehigh Valley won 5-3. Carrasco walked 2 and struck out 4.  He threw 102 pitches, 67 for strikes and certainly looked like he belonged and then some.  His fastball was between 91–93 for most of the night, and he hit 94-95 with half a dozen pitches.  His change was very impressive, causing numerous groundouts on a very busy night for 3B Joey Hammond. There were a few balls hit hard, but Carrasco kept his composure for the most part and worked out of trouble on a couple of occasions.  This was only his first start and some growing pains are expected but from this initial report, he has the stuff to be very successful.  As I literally almost ran into both Ruben Amaro, Jr. and Dave Montgomery, at the game, it seems as if Carrasco’s  first start had everyone interested.

Carrasco Promoted

Other Stuff

After Les Walrond was called up to take the place of Rudy Seanez (DL) on the major league roster, coveted prospect Carlos Carrasco was called up to AAA–Lehigh Valley and is expected to start Sunday.  Looking first at Carrasco, the 21 year old is 7-7 with a 4.32 ERA in Reading this year.  He has pitched 114.2 innings, given up 109 hits, walked 45 and struck out 109.  Opponents are hitting .254 against him and his WHIP is 1.34.  He also has given up 13 gopher balls this year in his 19 starts. Carrasco has a fastball that usually hovers between 89–93 , and has a good late kick to it. Carrasco’s “out” pitch is considered to be his change which is extremely effective. His curveball has shown improvement over the last couple of years as well. 

Walrond, 31, has been absolutely phenominal as of late with a 29 inning scoreless streak without yielding an earned run for the ‘Pigs.  Never really on the major league radar screen prior to now, Walrond who was acquired from the Cubs earlier this year has been quite a surprise for Lehigh Valley.  On the year he is 5-7 for Lehigh Valley with a 2.63 ERA in his 17 starts.  He has pitched 103.1 innings, given up 88 hits, walked 36, struck out 95 and opponents are hitting only .235 against him.  His WHIP is 1.20 and he has given up only 3 homerun balls. This is Walrond’s third stint in the majors (Cubs’06 and Royals ’03).

Friday Thoughts

Other Stuff

It’s August, the final full month of the minor league season. There are a number of interesting story lines to follow over the final month. What I do NOT want to focus on is the big league club, unless a prospect is traded now in a post waivers deal, or if a player is called up. The last week or so, it seems like the entire discussion has been focused on potential trades, which is only natural because of the time of the year. But now its time to get back on track. With that, a few general thoughts….

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