The Mesa Solar Sox are now 4-5 and in their second full week of play. Looking at Phillies prospects over the past few days since we last spoke, Quintin Berry played CF on Wednesday and went 0-4 with two strikeouts, leaving his average at .125. Tyson Brummett got lit up on Wednesday lasting only 0.2 innings and giving up 4 runs on 5 hits. He walked one and took the loss. His ERA stands at 15.00. Sergio Escalona relieved Brummett Wednesday and went an inning without yielding a run. He allowed one hit and struck out two. His ERA is at 2.70.
Pat Overholt pitched both Tuesday and Thursday, an inning each day. He pitched a scoreless inning on Tuesday and gave up a run on Thursday, allowing 2 hits, walking one and striking out one in his 2 innings of work. His ERA stands at 1.80. Jeremy Slayden played Tuesday, Wednesday and THursday, going a combined 4-11, with 2 runs, a double, a homer and 5 RBI’s. He struck out 4 times and his average is now at .304. Jason Donald played 3B both Tuesday and THursday, committing his first error of the fall on Thursday on an errant throw. His hitting continued scorching hot, going 5-8, with 3 runs,2 doubles and a stolen base in those two games. His average is at .455 in the Fall league thus far.
Look for the next update on Tuesday.
Phuture Phillies 
What’s the chance of Donald actually making the team next year? Since Rolen’s exit, 3rd base hasn’t really had any sort of consistency in both hitting and fielding. Right now the Phils have a great defensive player in Feliz getting most of the time out there and Dobbs getting time at the position when the lineup needs a spark. If Donald can actually stay consistent at the position then the Phillies could have the future 3rd basemen on the team sooner than later.
Just getting anything consistent from that position to compliment the power of Howard, the power/contact of Utley, whatever we are able to get from Rollins would make our MF arguably the best in the majors.
Greatest part about that is that they are all homegrown!
From my eyes, he should have a great shot of actually making the move to the show next year.
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Sorry if that’s a bit too much about the senior side.
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Mo – I think you stayed relevant there.
Personally, unless he goes nuts during ST, I think Donald starts at AAA, but is the first guy called up in case of injury. The other option is that they let Bruntlett go and have Donald on the roster, but Manuel seems to like Bruntlett’s versatility.
I’ll say this about Donald: He seems to just be able to flat-out rake the ball wherever he is. I think 2010 is his year to be a full-timer in the Bigs.
– Jeff
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Its nice to see that Slayden is playing so much. He remains a mostly overlooked guy that is good enough to be a 5th outfielder somewhere next year. What a great year Donald has had. His confidence must be sky high. I’ll continue to hope that I see him in Philly in April replacing Bruntlett.
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Here’s something on Donald from Keith Law’s chat the other day:
Danny(Philly): How’s Jason Donald looking down there?
Keith Law: He’s fine at third base and should hit for average and get on base, but I don’t see him hitting for the power you want from a 3b.
Law is real big on getting proper value from each position, which is why he’s not a big fan of Donald at 3B. He doesn’t factor in getting above average offensive production from 2B or SS on a certain team. On this team, if we can get consistent hitting and solid defense from a cheap player at 3B, I’d be more than happy.
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Thanks for the response Jeff.
In regards to Law’s comments about Donald. I think that the lineup should be looked at rather than value of positional breakdown. Most of the current lineup doesn’t hit for average at all. No real pure hitters other than Utley and jack-of-all-trades Dobbs.
Someone who hits for average and has a great eye is needed and Donald seems to be the closest player to that ready or almost ready for the jump.
Is average really a horrible thing considering what our team has had over the last couple of seasons and most teams have for 3rd base these days?
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If the big club is committed to playing Donald at 3B, I’d much rather they keep him for a full season at AAA in ’09, giving him time to refine his defense and continue to hit. Playing a utility role for the Phillies won’t be useful in his progression at 3B; if the Phils had him in their plans for next season, I imagine he would’ve been a September 1 callup.
Now what I can see is Marson making the team out of Spring training as Ruiz’ backup, with Bruntlett gone and Coste sliding in as that utility guy/bat off the bench.
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OK WITH THAT, TJC, BUT STILL NEED A BACKUP AT 2B AND SS
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The way I look at it is, we’ve done fine with the .250 BA/.300 OBP production we’ve gotten from Feliz. If Donald can handle the position defensively he’s a huge upgrade at 3B offensively because he should be able to hit .275+ with a .350+ OBP with a little bit of pop.
Like someone mentions Law keeps mentioning the HR power, but look at third basemen in the pros. There are only so many David Wrights, A Rods, Longorias.
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Jeff O —
I think Feliz plays out his contract as the starting 3B in Philly next season and Donald starts at 3B in Allentown. In 2010 Donald is the Phillies starting 3B and we learn if he has the glove and bat to be a major league regular. A year in the minors at his new position to work on his D will be a plus. He is also good injury insurance at a number of positions. There seems to be no reason to rush him. 3B wasn’t great for the big Phillies, but we got to WS with what we have, so I don’t see the big team desperate for a switch.
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I second Allentown on Donald.
Looks like I must end my completely irrational love affair with Brummet. It was lonely anyway.
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Allentown –
I agree with you there. No need to rush him. Let him get comfortable. I think by 2010 we’ll also have a good idea about whether Mattair has a MLB future or not. I guess we should still consider Hewitt as a third baseman too, but he’s so raw that his future/arrival in Philly isn’t even worth talking about (and I don’t intend to rip him – we’re looking at a guy who may need 5-6 more years in the minors).
Another thing to consider about the third base situation is that the Phillies don’t have Rico Brogna over there at first anymore, so it is pretty important for them to have really good fielders at the other positions since Howard isn’t going to give them much help with the glove (incidentally, which is probably why the Phillies took Jeremy Hamilton. They may envision a need for a late inning defensive replacement for Howard in a few years)
– Jeff
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I was trying to forget Brogna
I do not wanna watch Feliz and Ruiz butcher at bats anymore
I think it is agreed Feliz has limited range . Whitey Herzog called third base the most important position in the infield
There is more chance of JD fitting in then Feliz improving.
What is the deranged thinking “He is a mistake but he is our
mistake” so you keep him in the linefup “Baseball Bull”
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From all reports, Donald has plenty enough arm to throw well from 3rd base. He has a good glove but his range at SS is said to be a bit too limited. From a fielding standpoint, he is ideal to move to 3rd.
So with some more experience at 3rd base at LV in 2009, he seems a sure bet to compete for the position when Feliz’ contract is up at 2009’s end.
To me, the lack of power at that position is mostly a red herring: while the model MLB team has its power “musts” (1b, 3b, RF, LF), each team should be fashioned based on what is its composition.
The Phils now do not lack for power. Losing Feliz’ 15 dingers will be inconsequential because Donald WILL hit at lerast that many….and will add in 75 or more on base people…as will Marson when he arrives.
I look forward to seeing Donald hitting instead of Feliz.
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I do not make many posts… But isn’t that what they did with Utley as well, they kept him at AAA for a year to try and learn defense as his hitting was pretty solid? That worked out pretty good… maybe the same can be said for Donald in a year?
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good news about donald. love to see him tear it up! and love to see him at 3b. his lack of power isn’t a deal killer for me. mostly because of the current phillies line up. we need guys to get on base. i mean feliz only hit 14 hr this year. i know feliz is 25-30 hr power, but the point is the phillies offense did just fine with a 3b hitting 14 hr. mark grace had a hell of a career while under performing in the power category in a power position.
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Probably not a valid comparison Utley had a bad defensive
rep. when drafted. Hard work got him to the majors. Donald may not need a lot of time. A open mind if all management need have. Trouble is the “Winter Meetings” where the Phils
think up dumb stuff and stick to it like glue
e.g. Nate McClouth was made available by Pittsburg before
they sign Jenkins. save millions and get an allstar
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No Wheels you do realize that Feliz is an above average defensive third baseman? I’ve seen you mention his defense quite a few times in a negative way. Last year he was the best fielding third baseman using the Dewan +/- system, and the second best in 06
.
Also Nate McLouth just broke out this year, prior to this year he was a .250 hitter with 25 career home runs.
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One other plus for Donald over Feliz, though I really don’t have any evidence to support, is that he appears to be a better situational hitter mainly because Feliz was so bad in that area. That alone would offset any power shortage, real or imagined, since Feliz only hit 14 Hrs this year. Plus with your 2nd baseman hitting 30+ hrs I think you can live with less than 14 from your 3rd baseman.
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B fielding stats don’t take into account a lot of things like is it a slow infield what’s his range. felix has no range watch him try to go to his left did you see the ninth inning against milk. the ball was hit and his reflex are slow. but the best argument is burrell with two errors is he a great left fielder. check out his stats and let us know where he ranks as a left fielder. David wright made 16 errors I put this kid up there as a fielder with schmidt or rolen he is that good but what is his stats better fielder most times get to and make more plays and have more chance for errors. I Have seen felix a lot when he charges a ball you ever notice he gloves it never bare hands and always is late with his throw. one thing he has is the most accurate arm in baseball he never makes a bad throw. he is a good fielder not great or oustanding and his offense plain stinks. He is a dead fast ball hitter with no eye to walk and slow as hell hits into a ton o double plays. Hard to sell this guy to a lot of us on this blog.
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See Donald made his pro debut at second today and started a 4-6-3 DP. Looks like if Burrell is not resigned Bruntlett will not be needed next year.
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c’mon B This is 2008
Chipper JOnes and Feliz have the same innings and same
TC Is Chipper a great third baseman.
Now check out McCouth 2007 stats
23 stolen bases caught once
one error
He scored 62 runs in 329 AB(same rate as Rollins)
His average was low because he is a lousy pinch hitter
Clearly all he needed was a chance but he plays in Pittsburg
superior fielder also
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Rocky and nowheels: go here and click on “Overview of the Plus/Minus System” under “Fielding Bible Excerpts.” I think you’ll find that that explanation (combined with Feliz’s stellar plus/minus numbers the past two years) rebuts many of your criticisms of Feliz’s defense.
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I just noticed that the Phils claimed off waivers from the Marlins a pitcher named Scott Nestor . Does anyone know anything about him?
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now wheels please did you see last years fielding stats jimmy rollins was at the bottom. That’s why I don’t look at those fielding stats. they don’t give you a accuate read on a guy most of the time its chances and errors. it’s just doesn’t take into account what kind of field is it a fast infield or high grass like chiacgo which slows down the ball. what kind of range does he have, is he quick or have good reflex ,lateral movement.if you as I have stated before watch him charge a ball he always uses his glove and throws late . In a fielding stats it will be hit but a fielder like wright will make that play a good deal of the time. the ninth inning at milk. the hit lidge gave up wright makes that play based on his quickness. felix no lateral movement waves at ball it’s a hit. .one takes a hit away the other waves and its ruled a hit but who is the better fielder by the stats felx. but all I can go by is what I see jimmy rollins is the best fielding shortstop I have seen since ozzie but by last years stats he is rated 7th, stats can’t read a lot of things that make a fielder great. stats in hitting are accurate, not in fielding. you have to watch him play reference this year stats on burrell. only two errors how many balls does he not get to that other left fielders catch, yet only two errors if you didn’t see him ,you look at that stat and say. wow must be a good outfielder just two errors?
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Has there been any reports from instructional league on Cosart?
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sdcaphil Says:
October 18, 2008 at 2:34 am
I just noticed that the Phils claimed off waivers from the Marlins a pitcher named Scott Nestor . Does anyone know anything about him?
Throws hard(95+), but is wild. Put up terrible numbers in the Pacific Coast League(AAA). Coming into this season, Baseball America rated him #25 in the Marlins organization.
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I asked about this kid a week ago. I think it was about what you have said good stuff but no control.
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Why does most people feel that donald will go to triple a. I don’t think he needs more seasoning he is a arizona college player. he has a lot of college game experience, has been good at all levels in minors, is hitting in arizona were if I am right is full of the better prospect mostly high drafted players on fast track. Plus a couple of times people on this blog have said that now a days kids come up from double a and skip triple a its mostly junk ball players in triple a.
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Rocky – not always the case with the AA to AAA jump. It’s mostly junk players on OUR AAA team. He stays down there to get some more work at 3B but if someone from the INF gets hurt he’s the first call-up. There’s something to be said for having a quality player at AAA to call up when needed. Weren’t we all lamenting that earlier in the year?
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Rockey the point is can Feliz do anything with a glove that
Donald couldn’t to merit starting,because he doesn’t hit or get on base.
Fielding Percentage doesnt take into account balls you dont get to. Every stat has a hole. But they can give you a different view of things. e.g.” Old time pitcher were iron men”. some were
but a lot like Newcombe and others were done by age 30
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Did either of you bother reading what PhillyFriar told you to? You know the thing that explained why the Dewan +/- is the best defensive stats/reference to use. It’s not overly swayed by errors/fielding % like you’re attempting to dispute.
Burrell will be at the bottom just like last year, when he was a -24, 4th worst in baseball.
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Well B like I stated this is 2008 so when the new figures come out we will see. What +/- would you think would suffice to keep Feliz at 3b?
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Is jimmy rollins the seventh best shortstop. like its saids?
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Another point since Feliz is obviously losing defensive skills
isnt it logical he will be worse next year
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Carrasco is pitching down in Venezuela, gave up a run a few hits his first outing. He had one helluva year this year for Reading, and LV and I am pumped up to see him in Philly sometime soon.
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thanks slingin and Rocky, well at least he has a good arm, its the old lighting in a bottle thing
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airborn ranger. Did you get to see or talk to anyone about Cosart.
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Are we really complaining about Feliz when we’re about to play in the WS?
I’d llove to see Donald on the big club next season as he’s not exactly a young prospect but I wouldn’t mind him getting regular playing time in AAA, especially at 3B which is the best position for him to help out the club. I’d hate for them to waste him. If he were put in a Bruntlett type role and got off to a slow start, UC would quickly relegate him to the end of the bench and he’d only get rusty watching the game from Taguchi’s current spot on the bench.
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Carrasco’s Dice is ridiculous. We got a big arm there.
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Nepp says
Are we really complaining about Feliz when we’re about to play in the WS?
Well not actually before I die would like to see Good baseball
not good enough. Assign a percentage to the contribution of each player on the Phils from Utley ,Rollins. and Howard to
Taguchi and see where and what u give to Feliz.
next put a grade on each management team in the NL East
I am happy for the player and future player and for the city
finanically
But this was sloppy baseball until late in September and should of been a walk Your view for past and future please
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Donald isn’t a young prospect? I Thought he was twenty three. The phillies have not been the type to go all out to win in there persuit of players. Yes this year it’s hard to argue. they are in the world series. But look at the national league east, florida has no payroll, and you will see every so many years they will be a contender through the draft. and player developement but its hard for them with a small market and payroll. The braves are cutting back salary and its will be the same with them. The mets to our advantage draft poorly and spend money on aging hurt players. And are in love with a G.M. like we had a ed wade type who in my opinion is not getting the latin players he is suppose to and doing a poor job in fixing there pitching problems. So for now it is good but what happens when they let players like burrell howard and hamels go and replace them with jenkins or felix types. Guys like they been going for after all the better players get there money the phillies go in and sign the jenkins and felix for small money and try and sell them as big time players. There kind of small minded thinking when it come to the draft and latin market will burn them, but I guess people don;t mind waiting twenty years to contend again. And remember they let Rolen and Schilling go and got nothing in return. So do you trust them in trading the best pure power hitter in the game and getting equal value, when the league knows they won;t pay him and can get him in free agency for just money.But if there is a chance the cheap skate owners would pay then teams would have to give up something in return. Gillick won’t be here and Amaro will be the G.M. a yes man for them.
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cheese Donald was 21 when drafted
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.3oo obp and ok in the same sentence
B……..
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Does anyone expect the coaching staff at reading especially the pitching coach to be replace.Carrasco really look better at triple a why?. And remember the remarks when gonzalez was there how mess up he was when we traded him. is it the same coach and was he there when floyd was there. just thinking he isn’t getting through to players. may be we need a new look there. some one with different ideas who the pitcher will related to and advance faster. also he didn’t help carpenter .
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Dewan’s +/- rating has Rollins #1 at SS this season at +23. Feliz is only 12th at +7.
I think these ratings are good but they aren’t as accurate as hitting or pitching statistics. I think Feliz is a great glove at 3B. Feliz was a fabulous +17 on plays to his right but -7 straight on and -6 to his left (towards Rollins.
Rollins jumped up a long way this season — from +7 to +23 and Feliz went from +27 to +7. I wonder if positioning or something effected their numbers as Feliz’ loss was Rollins’ gain.
Utley was also first amongst 2Bmen by a bunch with a fantastic +47.
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where did u find those Smitty ????
Rollins didnt seem all that different this year.
Is Hanley still near the bottom
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not a bad day Donald
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Yea. Nothing like going 4 for 7 with 4 rbi’s and a homer to raise your average to .417 in Fall ball. Donald must have teed off on that homer today. Based on the recap he hit it to right center. At that field its 350 ft. down the line to right and 390 ft. to right center. But what really caught my eye was his fielding. According to the recap he made a play at third that read “Ivan De Jesus grounds out SHARPLY, third baseman Jason Donald to first baseman Jeff Larish.” Will Jason become the next Ryne Sandberg who was a SS in the Phils organization and in his first full season in the majors with the Cubs in 82 was a third baseman before moving to second and the HOF. It’s it ironic that Sandberg is Donald’s coach with the Mesa Solar Sox in the AFL. Will Donald stay with the Phils or be another Sandberg moved to another team in an off season Phils deal?.
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Thank you smitty all season I been telling people can’t go to his left. you don’t need stats look at the games and can’t charge a ball to save his life. routine plays he makes and a great accurate arm. not a great third basemen and can’t hit to save his life. only a fastball can he handle and batting in the seventh hole with a 200 hitting catcher and the pitcher he won’t see many fastballs.
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So do you guys think Donald will be our 3rd basemen next year? Personally I think he will platoon with Feliz. Really it is probably the best thing for him, kinda like Utley did when he came in the league with Polanco. We will see, I don’t see his bat playing at 3rd, but he is a good player and it can’t hurt to have as many good players as you can.
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Most people keep on saying this kid is a ulitity player. even when he was drafted. They said his bat was disappointing in college. He has proved them wrong at three levels in the minors so far. I have followed this kids career he will make people forget the bad choices at third we have made since rolen left.
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Nice article about Donald’s hunger to make the Show.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20081020&content_id=3634213&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
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Rocky, I hope your right but I really don’t see Donald becoming a stud 3rd basemen that would make us forget Scott Rolen. He’s a .275-.280 hitter, 12-20 homeruns, with decent D at every position. How could you say he’s going to be great at 3rd base? Unless your in AZ watching him noone here has seen him play 3rd. The only thing I’ve heard about his D is that it’s decent and serviceable at SS. I would rather have a stud 3rd basemen, like Longoria, to make this infield unstoppable rather than incomplete, and just 3/4 great.
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I was checking the splits for Marson and Donald remarkable
there seems to be little difference vs left or right.home or away etc. Both players are very steady except maybe Donald’s first AB. That bodes well and really doesnt seem
to promote any platoons.
p.s Pat we would all love to get Longoria but Donald keeps
improving with each challenge. luv the one ur with
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Pat didn’t mean he is in rolen’s class. Talking about The players we have put there since he left and the drafted player who were suppose to replace him like Chapman, and others its been a sore spot for this organization for a while.
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sorry the post went under my son’s name by mistake using his computer.
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Burrell I read the post I did I never say great or another rolen. all I am saying is give this kid a chance. I believe he could hit 270-280 and have some pop if his defense doesn’t hurt us, he would be a good addition until maybe mattair is ready or maybe we for once have more than one infield propect at a position. and if he shows enough power who knows maybe we move him to the outfield. if mattair is the stud we hoped when we drafted him.
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