Icon SMI (Carlos Gonzalez)
Commish
Futures Report
Six Pack of Aces
Team |
Age |
W |
L |
IP |
ERA |
WHIP |
K/9 |
K/BB |
BB/9 |
||
1 |
Clayton Kershaw |
LAD (AA) |
20 |
- |
3 |
25.7 |
1.403 |
1.052 |
10.87 |
3.10 |
3.51 |
2 |
Nick Adenhart |
LAA (AAA) |
21 |
3 |
- |
23.0 |
1.174 |
1.174 |
5.48 |
1.17 |
4.70 |
3 |
Rick Porcello |
Det (Hi A) |
19 |
1 |
4 |
25.3 |
2.132 |
0.908 |
7.11 |
3.33 |
2.13 |
4 |
David Price |
TB (Hi A) |
22 |
- |
- |
- |
0.000 |
- |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
5 |
Wade Davis |
TB (AA) |
22 |
3 |
1 |
29.0 |
3.103 |
1.172 |
4.66 |
1.67 |
2.79 |
6 |
Fautino de los Santos |
Oak (Hi A) |
22 |
2 |
2 |
23.0 |
5.870 |
1.739 |
10.17 |
2.36 |
4.30 |
Off the Radar
Jesus Guzman, 2B/3B Oakland A's - Guzman was signed as a minor league free agent from the Mariners this winter. In 2007 he had a break-through season for the Mariner's California League High Desert squad. His .301/102/112/25/3 line for High Desert in 2007 is nothing compared to the start he has had so far for AA Midland. He is currently hitting .433/17/27/5/2 as he switches between 2B & 3B for the RockHounds. He is striking out at basically a 1 K per game pace but other than that Guzman is quickly going to become an option for the A's. Whether he ends up as a replacement for Eric Chavez at 3B or takes over for Mark Ellis at 2B, the 23 year-old Guzman is going to start climbing up prospect charts soon. He probably won't be a star but keep an eye on this one as a legitimate mid level CI/MI option in late '08/2009.
Welcome to the Show
Max Scherzer, P Arizona Diamondbacks - Scherzer, the 11 th overall selection in the 2006 draft went unsigned up until the 11 th hour when he inked on the day of the deadline, and avoided going back into the 2007 draft. Once signed, Scherzer blew away the competition in the California League. He needed only 3 starts there before being promoted to AA Mobile. Overall in 2006 spanning 17 starts, Scherzer was 6-4 with a 3.28 ERA. He struck out 106 in 90 2/3 IP while walking 42. In 2008, Scherzer was assigned to AAA Tucson, and after only 4 starts is getting promoted to Arizona where he will most likely begin in the bullpen but could move quickly into the rotation if Micah Owings misses any time. Although he didn't have a decision in his four AAA starts, Scherzer compiled a 1.17 ERA, a freak-like 0.652 WHIP and 38/3 K/BB ration (also 14.87 K/9). Scherzer is a must own if he lands in the rotation. If he only ends up as a late inning guy, his K potential could bring back memories of Joba 2007, go out and grab him if available.
Insider Information
Icon SMI (Carlos Gonzalez)
Top Oakland A's prospect Carlos Gonzalez has not played since Monday after he injured his hand in a 9 th inning AB. Prior to that injury, which has currently left him day to day, Gonzalez was on fire for the AAA Sacramento River Cats. In his last 10 games, he has posted a .357/7/7/2/0 line. Gonzalez is going to be ready to contribute soon in Oakland. There aren't future Hall of Famers blocking his way to the majors, so if he continues to hit, expect Gonzalez to get the call and be plugged into the lineup nearly everyday. For you Yahoo'ers, he is certainly worthy of the cost of your #1 Waiver Wire selection. With the fantasy world buzzing about Johnny Cueto's fast start, people may have forgotten about the true future Ace of the Reds. Homer Bailey is off to a fast start as he repeats AAA in Louisville. While his lack of control spelled doom for him in 2007, Bailey has refined his command and has a 1.95 BB/9 ratio through his first 5 starts. Expect Bailey to be back in Cincinnati sometime in May as the current #5 starter in Cincy is Matt Belisle who is easily replaceable. With Manny Corpas failing as closer in Colorado, Casey Weathers may soon figure more prominently in to the immediate plans for the Rox bullpen. The 8 th overall selection in the 2007 Amateur Draft, Weathers is being pushed aggressively by the Rockies organization and is currently pitching well in AA Tulsa. He will not be closing this year, but those in long term keeper leagues will want to pay attention to this guy as current closer Brian Fuentes becomes a free agent in 2009 and Corpas, who would presumably be in house option #1, has already once lost the faith of manager Clint Hurdle. Cub pitching prospect Sean Gallagher is off to a nice start for AAA Iowa. In his four starts Gallagher is 2-1, 1.93 ERA, 0.900 WHIP, 9.64 K/9. He should be on your radar as an injury replacement in Chicago's rotation or as a possible trade candidate if the Cubbies decide they need an offensive upgrade (Brian Roberts & Coco Crisp have long been rumored possibilities) The true Man Without a Country, or in this case Man Without a Position, Ian Stewart is back to bashing in his second season in AAA. He is blocked by Garret Atkins and Todd Helton in Colorado, and did not take too well to the 2B experiment this spring. So once again the fate of Stewart lies in waiting for an opportunity. At some point that opportunity will come, but those hoping for big things from Stewart must continue their patience with him.
As always thank you to Baseball America and www.milb.com for their scouting reports and statistics that allow me to put a fantasy spin on their information. If you have any questions about any of tomorrow's fantasy stars send me an email at commish@fantasybaseballgeeks.com . Otherwise, talk to you again next week.