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Articles from November 2011



Top 50 Prospects: #33 – Randall Delgado

#33 Randall Delgado

Atlanta Braves

DOB: 2/9/1090

Previous Rank: N/R

ETA: 2012

Delgado was the Braves’ strongest pitcher down the stretch, posting a 2.83 ERA in seven starts.  His ratios in Atlanta were trash, but they were far better in Double-A and Triple-A.  His ERA across two stops was under four and he nearly struck out a guy an inning over 139 innings pitched.  He walked too many guys, but for a 21-year-old who already has seven Big League starts under his belt, who really cares?

Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff W L ERA G GS CG IP BB SO
2007 17 Braves DOSL FRk ATL 1 2 2.00 11 10 0 45.0 12 50
2008 18 Danville APPY Rk ATL 3 8 3.13 14 14 0 69.0 30 81
2009 19 Rome SALL A ATL 5 10 4.35 25 25 1 124.0 49 141
2010 20 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+-AA ATL 7 12 3.30 28 28 0 161.0 52 162
2010 20 Myrtle Beach CARL A+ ATL 4 7 2.76 20 20 0 117.1 32 120
2010 20 Mississippi SOUL AA ATL 3 5 4.74 8 8 0 43.2 20 42
2011 21 2 Teams 2 Lgs AA-AAA ATL 7 7 3.88 25 25 2 139.0 57 135
2011 21 Mississippi SOUL AA ATL 5 5 3.84 21 21 2 117.1 46 110
2011 21 Gwinnett IL AAA ATL 2 2 4.15 4 4 0 21.2 11 25
5 Seasons 23 39 3.56 103 102 3 538.0 200 569
AA (2 seasons) AA 8 10 4.08 29 29 2 161.0 66 152
A (1 season) A 5 10 4.35 25 25 1 124.0 49 141
FRk (1 season) FRk 1 2 2.00 11 10 0 45.0 12 50
Rk (1 season) Rk 3 8 3.13 14 14 0 69.0 30 81
AAA (1 season) AAA 2 2 4.15 4 4 0 21.2 11 25
A+ (1 season) A+ 4 7 2.76 20 20 0 117.1 32 120
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/30/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff W L ERA IP WHIP H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 SO/BB
2007 17 Braves DOSL FRk ATL 1 2 2.00 45.0 1.022 6.8 0.4 2.4 10.0 4.17
2008 18 Danville APPY Rk ATL 3 8 3.13 69.0 1.348 8.2 0.7 3.9 10.6 2.70
2009 19 Rome SALL A ATL 5 10 4.35 124.0 1.387 8.9 0.7 3.6 10.2 2.88
2010 20 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+-AA ATL 7 12 3.30 161.0 1.099 7.0 0.5 2.9 9.1 3.12
2010 20 Myrtle Beach CARL A+ ATL 4 7 2.76 117.1 1.031 6.8 0.5 2.5 9.2 3.75
2010 20 Mississippi SOUL AA ATL 3 5 4.74 43.2 1.282 7.4 0.4 4.1 8.7 2.10
2011 21 2 Teams 2 Lgs AA-AAA ATL 7 7 3.88 139.0 1.381 8.7 1.0 3.7 8.7 2.37
2011 21 Mississippi SOUL AA ATL 5 5 3.84 117.1 1.381 8.9 0.8 3.5 8.4 2.39
2011 21 Gwinnett IL AAA ATL 2 2 4.15 21.2 1.385 7.9 1.7 4.6 10.4 2.27
5 Seasons 23 39 3.56 538.0 1.264 8.0 0.7 3.3 9.5 2.85
AA (2 seasons) AA 8 10 4.08 161.0 1.354 8.5 0.7 3.7 8.5 2.30
A (1 season) A 5 10 4.35 124.0 1.387 8.9 0.7 3.6 10.2 2.88
FRk (1 season) FRk 1 2 2.00 45.0 1.022 6.8 0.4 2.4 10.0 4.17
Rk (1 season) Rk 3 8 3.13 69.0 1.348 8.2 0.7 3.9 10.6 2.70
AAA (1 season) AAA 2 2 4.15 21.2 1.385 7.9 1.7 4.6 10.4 2.27
A+ (1 season) A+ 4 7 2.76 117.1 1.031 6.8 0.5 2.5 9.2 3.75
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/30/2011.
Year Age Tm W L W-L% ERA GS IP BB SO WHIP H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 SO/BB
2007 17 ATL-min 1 2 .333 2.00 10 45.0 12 50 1.022 6.8 0.4 2.4 10.0 4.17
2008 18 ATL-min 3 8 .273 3.13 14 69.0 30 81 1.348 8.2 0.7 3.9 10.6 2.70
2009 19 ATL-min 5 10 .333 4.35 25 124.0 49 141 1.387 8.9 0.7 3.6 10.2 2.88
2010 20 ATL-min 7 12 .368 3.30 28 161.0 52 162 1.099 7.0 0.5 2.9 9.1 3.12
2011 21 ATL-min 7 7 .500 3.88 25 139.0 57 135 1.381 8.7 1.0 3.7 8.7 2.37
2011 21 ATL 1 1 .500 2.83 7 35.0 14 18 1.229 7.5 1.3 3.6 4.6 1.29
1 Season 1 1 .500 2.83 7 35.0 14 18 1.229 7.5 1.3 3.6 4.6 1.29
162 Game Avg. 5 5 .500 2.83 34 170 68 87 1.229 7.5 1.3 3.6 4.6 1.29
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/30/2011.

He has three average or better pitches including a fastball that can reach 97 mph and consistently sits in the 92-94 mph range.  His curveball is an easy 60, and his changeup shows the promise of being an adequate to average third pitch.  Delgado never really has to be more than a No. 3 starter in Atlanta, but he profiles as a No. 2 or even a No. 1 contingent upon how far he is able to come in terms of command and development of his changeup.

There is really nothing left for Delgado to prove in the Minors, but given the fact that he walked 14 guys in his 35 innings for Atlanta, the Panamanian might start several games for Gwinnett to open 2012.

Top 50 Prospects: #34 – Gary Brown

#34 Gary Brown

San Francisco Giants

DOB: 9/28/1988

Previous Rank: N/R

ETA: 2013

 

After a brilliant career at Fullerton, the Giants wisely selected Brown with the 24th overall pick in 2010.  In his first full season of professional baseball, Brown slashed an absurd .336/.407/.519 with over 60 hits for extra bases and 53 stolen bases for San Jose.  I guess you could say that he could have walked more (47 walks in around 600 plate appearances), but there is very little to knock in his 2011 stats.

Year Age Tm Lg Lev G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BA
2010 21 2 Teams 2 Lgs A–Rk 12 54 44 8 7 1 1 0 2 2 1 .159
2010 21 Giants ARIZ Rk 6 27 22 6 4 1 0 0 0 2 0 .182
2010 21 Salem-Keizer NORW A- 6 27 22 2 3 0 1 0 2 0 1 .136
2011 22 San Jose CALL A+ 131 638 559 115 188 34 13 14 80 53 19 .336
2 Seasons 143 692 603 123 195 35 14 14 82 55 20 .323
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/29/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev G PA AB HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB
2010 21 2 Teams 2 Lgs A–Rk 12 54 44 0 2 6 12 .159 .296 .227 .524 10
2010 21 Giants ARIZ Rk 6 27 22 0 0 4 5 .182 .333 .227 .561 5
2010 21 Salem-Keizer NORW A- 6 27 22 0 2 2 7 .136 .259 .227 .487 5
2011 22 San Jose CALL A+ 131 638 559 14 80 46 77 .336 .407 .519 .925 290
2 Seasons 143 692 603 14 82 52 89 .323 .398 .498 .895 300
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/29/2011.

 

He is about as easy an 80-grade runner as exists in the game today, and might actually improve as he matures on the basepaths.  He is a double-plus defender with an arm that plays at average to plus with excellent accuracy.  His mechanics to contact are very compact and sound, but there is a lot of reason to believe there is more thump to be gained before he reaches San Francisco.

Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff G Ch PO A E DP Fld% RF/G
2010 21 2 Teams 2 Lgs A–Rk SFG CF 10 19 18 1 0 0 1.000 1.90
2010 21 Giants ARIZ Rk SFG CF 5 6 5 1 0 0 1.000 1.20
2010 21 Salem-Keizer NORW A- SFG CF 5 13 13 0 0 0 1.000 2.60
2011 22 San Jose CALL A+ SFG CF 120 273 254 16 3 3 .989 2.25
2011 22 San Jose CALL A+ SFG DH 11 0.00
2011 22 San Jose CALL A+ SFG OF 120 273 254 16 3 3 .989 2.25
2 Seasons 141 292 272 17 3 3 .990 2.05
CF (2 seasons) CF 130 292 272 17 3 3 .990 2.22
DH (1 season) DH 11 0.00
OF (1 season) OF 120 273 254 16 3 3 .989 2.25
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/29/2011.

The Giants are a truly awful team at the plate and in the field and certainly will be tempted to rush Brown up, but the prudent move here is to let him gain several hundred at-bats in Double-A and Triple-A to improve his discipline at the plate.  Brown has a chance to be a very special player so long as the Giants are patient with him.

Top 50 Prospects Recap: Nos. 35-50

A position change and freak injury dropped Wil Myers to No. 38 

Just as we did prior to the start of the 2011 season, The Golden Sombrero is currently unveiling our Top 50 Post-2011 Prospects.  Due to the promotion of many of baseball’s finest prospects over the course of last season, our new list features a slew of new names, many of which drastically upped their stock thanks to strong performances across various minor league levels.  Only time will tell whether this new crop of prospects will match the hype and success of last season’s, but one thing is certain – they are the future of baseball.

Here is a quick recap of the players we’ve highlighted thus far, and where they were ranked headed into the 2011 season:

50. Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

49. Christian Yelich, OF, Miami Marlins – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

48.  Joseph Wieland, RHP, San Diego Padres – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

47. Jarred Cosart, RHP, Houston Astros – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

46. Michael Choice, OF, Oakland Athletics – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

45. Matt Harvey, RHP, New York Mets – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

44. Sonny Gray, RHP, Oakland Athletics – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

43. Zack Cox, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals, — Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

42. Yasmani Grandal, C, Cincinnati Reds – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

41. Zack Wheeler, RHP, New York Mets – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

40. Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Tampa Bay Rays – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

39. Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

38. Wil Myers, OF, Kansas City Royals – Pre-2011 Rank: 15

37. Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Boston Red Sox – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

36. Brett Jackson, OF, Chicago Cubs – Pre-2011 Ranks: 43

35. Carlos Martinez, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals – Pre-2011 Rank: N/R

Top 50 Prospects: #35 – Carlos Martinez

#35 Carlos Martinez

St. Louis Cardinals

DOB: 9/21/1991

Previous Rank: N/R

ETA: 2014

The Cardinals have a very solid system, and starting pitching is probably where it shines the brightest.  As a 19-year-old across two stops including 10 starts in the FSL, Martinez finished the year with a sub-4.00 ERA and 98 strikeouts in only 84.2 innings pitched.  He also managed to hand out 44 free passes, but there is always reason to be optimistic about a 19-year-old with that kind of strikeout ability.

Year Age Tm Lg Lev W L ERA G GS CG IP BB SO
2010 18 Cardinals DOSL FRk 3 2 0.76 12 12 1 59.0 14 78
2011 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+-A 6 5 3.93 18 18 0 84.2 44 98
2011 19 Quad Cities MIDW A 3 2 2.33 8 8 0 38.2 14 50
2011 19 Palm Beach FLOR A+ 3 3 5.28 10 10 0 46.0 30 48
2 Seasons 9 7 2.63 30 30 1 143.2 58 176
Year Age Tm Lg Lev W L ERA IP WHIP H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 SO/BB
2010 18 Cardinals DOSL FRk 3 2 0.76 59.0 0.712 4.3 0.2 2.1 11.9 5.57
2011 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+-A 6 5 3.93 84.2 1.417 8.1 0.3 4.7 10.4 2.23
2011 19 Quad Cities MIDW A 3 2 2.33 38.2 1.060 6.3 0.2 3.3 11.6 3.57
2011 19 Palm Beach FLOR A+ 3 3 5.28 46.0 1.717 9.6 0.4 5.9 9.4 1.60
2 Seasons 9 7 2.63 143.2 1.128 6.5 0.3 3.6 11.0 3.03

Martinez throws blazing hard, hitting triple digits on occasion and sitting in the mid- to high-90s.  He is only 6-foot and 165-pounds, but there actually might be an inch or two left in him if his Dominican birth certificate is accurate.  Martinez secondary stuff has a ways to go, but at times he flashes 60s with both his change and breaker.  The changeup has a little fade to it, and the breaking ball is the downer type with good pace and shape.  He slows his arm a lot at times with both offerings, and both flatten out when he does, but the Cardinals are magicians when it comes to young righties and their secondary stuff.

Considering that Martinez only will only need to fill the role of a third starter in St. Louis given the presence of Adam Wainwright already atop the rotation and Shelby Miller knocking at the Busch gates, the St. Louis pitching staff should be elite for much of the decade.  If his command can improve during the next couple of years, Martinez could find himself within the top-10 here at The Sombrero as early as 2013.

Top 50 Prospects: #36 – Brett Jackson

#36 Brett Jackson

Chicago Cubs

DOB: 8/2/1988

Previous Rank: 43

ETA: 2012

Jackson is hands-down the top player in the Cubs system, even after they drafted what some think was the highest upside bat in the 2011 draft in Javier Baez.  Jackson slashed .274/.379/.490 beginning the year in the Southern League and finishing up with a little over 200 plate appearances for Des Moines (Triple-A).

Year Age Tm Lg Lev G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BA
2009 20 3 Teams 3 Lgs A-A–Rk 53 249 211 50 67 6 3 8 36 13 2 .318
2009 20 Cubs ARIZ Rk 3 15 11 6 5 0 1 0 4 0 0 .455
2009 20 Boise NORW A- 24 106 88 14 29 1 1 1 15 2 1 .330
2009 20 Peoria MIDW A 26 128 112 30 33 5 1 7 17 11 1 .295
2010 21 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+-AA 128 580 491 103 146 32 14 12 66 30 11 .297
2010 21 Daytona FLOR A+ 67 312 263 56 83 19 8 6 38 12 7 .316
2010 21 Tennessee SOUL AA 61 268 228 47 63 13 6 6 28 18 4 .276
2011 22 2 Teams 2 Lgs AA-AAA 115 512 431 84 118 23 5 20 58 21 7 .274
2011 22 Tennessee SOUL AA 67 297 246 45 63 10 3 10 32 15 6 .256
2011 22 Iowa PCL AAA 48 215 185 39 55 13 2 10 26 6 1 .297
3 Seasons 296 1341 1133 237 331 61 22 40 160 64 20 .292
AA (2 seasons) AA 128 565 474 92 126 23 9 16 60 33 10 .266
A (1 season) A 26 128 112 30 33 5 1 7 17 11 1 .295
Rk (1 season) Rk 3 15 11 6 5 0 1 0 4 0 0 .455
A- (1 season) A- 24 106 88 14 29 1 1 1 15 2 1 .330
AAA (1 season) AAA 48 215 185 39 55 13 2 10 26 6 1 .297
A+ (1 season) A+ 67 312 263 56 83 19 8 6 38 12 7 .316
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/26/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev G PA AB HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB
2009 20 3 Teams 3 Lgs A-A–Rk 53 249 211 8 36 31 56 .318 .418 .488 .906 103
2009 20 Cubs ARIZ Rk 3 15 11 0 4 3 4 .455 .533 .636 1.170 7
2009 20 Boise NORW A- 24 106 88 1 15 17 20 .330 .443 .398 .841 35
2009 20 Peoria MIDW A 26 128 112 7 17 11 32 .295 .383 .545 .927 61
2010 21 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+-AA 128 580 491 12 66 73 126 .297 .395 .493 .888 242
2010 21 Daytona FLOR A+ 67 312 263 6 38 43 63 .316 .420 .517 .937 136
2010 21 Tennessee SOUL AA 61 268 228 6 28 30 63 .276 .366 .465 .831 106
2011 22 2 Teams 2 Lgs AA-AAA 115 512 431 20 58 73 138 .274 .379 .490 .869 211
2011 22 Tennessee SOUL AA 67 297 246 10 32 45 74 .256 .373 .443 .816 109
2011 22 Iowa PCL AAA 48 215 185 10 26 28 64 .297 .388 .551 .939 102
3 Seasons 296 1341 1133 40 160 177 320 .292 .393 .491 .884 556
AA (2 seasons) AA 128 565 474 16 60 75 137 .266 .370 .454 .823 215
A (1 season) A 26 128 112 7 17 11 32 .295 .383 .545 .927 61
Rk (1 season) Rk 3 15 11 0 4 3 4 .455 .533 .636 1.170 7
A- (1 season) A- 24 106 88 1 15 17 20 .330 .443 .398 .841 35
AAA (1 season) AAA 48 215 185 10 26 28 64 .297 .388 .551 .939 102
A+ (1 season) A+ 67 312 263 6 38 43 63 .316 .420 .517 .937 136
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/26/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev G Ch PO A E DP Fld% RF/G
2009 20 3 Teams 3 Lgs A-A–Rk CF 47 102 97 2 3 0 .971 2.11
2009 20 Cubs ARIZ Rk CF 1 2 2 0 0 0 1.000 2.00
2009 20 Boise NORW A- CF 20 34 31 1 2 0 .941 1.60
2009 20 Peoria MIDW A CF 26 66 64 1 1 0 .985 2.50
2010 21 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+-AA CF 82 205 197 5 3 3 .985 2.46
2010 21 Daytona FLOR A+ CF 62 152 146 4 2 2 .987 2.42
2010 21 Tennessee SOUL AA RF 18 24 23 1 0 0 1.000 1.33
2010 21 Tennessee SOUL AA CF 20 53 51 1 1 1 .981 2.60
2010 21 Tennessee SOUL AA LF 17 20 19 1 0 0 1.000 1.18
2011 22 2 Teams 2 Lgs AA-AAA CF 105 264 248 10 6 1 .977 2.46
2011 22 2 Teams 2 Lgs AAA-AA DH 4 0.00
2011 22 2 Teams 2 Lgs AA-AAA OF 110 270 253 11 6 1 .978 2.40
2011 22 Tennessee SOUL AA LF 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
2011 22 Tennessee SOUL AA CF 60 136 130 2 4 0 .971 2.20
2011 22 Tennessee SOUL AA RF 6 6 5 1 0 0 1.000 1.00
2011 22 Tennessee SOUL AA DH 2 0.00
2011 22 Tennessee SOUL AA OF 65 142 135 3 4 0 .972 2.12
2011 22 Iowa PCL AAA CF 45 128 118 8 2 1 .984 2.80
2011 22 Iowa PCL AAA DH 2 0.00
2011 22 Iowa PCL AAA OF 45 128 118 8 2 1 .984 2.80
3 Seasons 278 621 589 20 12 4 .981 2.19
CF (3 seasons) CF 234 571 542 17 12 4 .979 2.39
RF (2 seasons) RF 24 30 28 2 0 0 1.000 1.25
DH (1 season) DH 4 0.00
LF (2 seasons) LF 19 20 19 1 0 0 1.000 1.05
OF (1 season) OF 110 270 253 11 6 1 .978 2.40
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/26/2011.

Jackson is a phenomenal athlete at 6-foot-2 and 210-pounds.  He posted a 20 home run/21 stolen base season in 2011 while walking 73 times in just over 500 plate appearances.  He strikes out too much, but the power numbers justify it to some extent.  As a 60-speed guy, Jackson has plenty to stay in center and challenge for 20 stolen bases in The Show.  With a 50 to 55 arm, he has a chance to be an above-average CF for years.

His speed plays well on the bases and should for at least a few years as he was successful in over 75% of his stolen base opportunities.  Jackson, despite having no obvious barrier in the way of playing time at the Big League level, still might end up starting 2012 in Triple-A.  The Cubs have once again managed to load up their outfield with overpaid trash in the form of Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd and, if they decide to give a guy like Tyler Colvin or one of these two old-timers a starting job, Jackson will return to Des Moines and destroy Minor League pitchers until Theo decides to get serious.  As it is, he has nothing left to prove in our eyes and is more than ready to take his talent to Wrigley.