Posts belonging to Category Prospects/Rookies

The Los Angeles Angels selected outfielder Mike Trout with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.  Before the 2010 season, Baseball America ranked Trout as the #3 prospect within the Angels’ organization, and 85th overall.  At just 18-years old, Trout hit .341 with six home runs, 28 doubles, 39 RBI, and 56 stolen bases, while splitting time between Cedar Rapids and Rancho Cucamonga.  Additionally, he exhibited excellent plate disciple, drawing 73 walks and striking out 85 times in 508 at-bats.  Here is a video of Trout — who will likely be named one of baseball’s top prospects prior to the 2011 season — taking batting practice as a member of Team USA:

The Golden Sombrero presents Rookie Card Corner: Nomar Garciaparra 1992 Topps Traded Team USA

Fun Fact: The only shortstop in history to win more consecutive batting titles than Nomar was Honus Wagner, who won four straight from 1906 to 1909.

The San Francisco Giants drafted Brandon Belt — a 6’5,” lefthanded first baseman — in the 5th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft.  Making a stop at each minor league level in 2010, Belt posted a 1.075 OPS that included 43 doubles, 23 home runs and 112 RBI.  Also impressive is the fact that he drew 93 walks while only striking out 99 times in 492 at-bats.  If the Giants are unable, or choose not to resign veteran Aubrey Huff, then Belt could be the Giants new 1B as early as 2011. In case you have not seen him absolutely rake, here is a video of Belt taking batting practice before an Arizona Fall League game on November 1st:

On Monday, Dustin Ackley of the Seattle Mariners was named the Arizona Fall League’s ‘Player of the Week’ for the second time.  Ackley, who was the Mariners’ 1st round pick(#2 overall) in the 2009 draft, has put together an impressive season in his second Arizona Fall League.  At the time of the announcement that he had been named ‘Player of the Week,’ Ackley was hitting .429 with four home runs, six doubles and 17 RBI.

The Golden Sombrero presents Rookie Card Corner: Moises Alou 1991 Donruss Rated Rookie

Fun Fact: Rather than wearing batting gloves, Alou admitted that he used to piss on his hands to make them tougher.