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AFL Video: Austin Hedges, C, San Diego Padres

Austin Hedges, C, San Diego Padres

 

Arizona Fall League: Fall Stars Game Batting Practice

 

Fall Stars Game Caught Stealing #1 (Brian Goodwin)

 

Fall Stars Game Caught Stealing #2 (James Ramsey)


Video: Baseball Trick Shots “Connor Powers”

 

H/T to my colleagues from Prep Baseball Report Illinois for tweeting a link to this video earlier today.  Connor Powers was the 2006 PBR Illinois Player of the Year and currently plays in the San Diego Padres organization.

Top 50 Prospects: #17- Devin Mesoraco

#17 Devin Mesoraco

Cincinnati Reds

DOB: 6/19/1988

Previous Rank: 27

ETA: 2011

It’s hard to believe that a guy like Yasmani Grandal could somehow become dispensable (not to mention Yonder Alonso), but that is exactly what happened when the Reds sent both guys to San Diego for Mat Latos.  The primary reasons that deal makes sense for the Reds is No. 1: Joey Votto, and No: 2, Devin Mesoraco.

Mesoraco slashed .289/.371/.484 for Louisville and then was called up for 50 at-bats with Cincinnati.  He went deep 15 times in Triple-A, walks at a decent clip, and projects for way more power than he currently displays.  Perhaps even more important, though, is that Mesoraco possesses the tools to be an average catcher in the Show.  He is an average receiver as well as thrower, and should be the Opening Day starter for the Reds in 2012 , hitting in the middle of the order by 2014 alongside Jay Bruce and Votto.

Year Age Tm Lg Lev G PA AB 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BA
2007 19 Reds GULF Rk 40 155 137 4 0 1 8 2 0 .219
2008 20 Dayton MIDW A 83 334 306 13 1 9 42 2 3 .261
2009 21 Sarasota FLOR A+ 92 357 312 22 1 8 37 0 1 .228
2010 22 3 Teams 3 Lgs AA-A+-AAA 113 451 397 25 5 26 75 3 3 .302
2010 22 Lynchburg CARL A+ 43 181 158 11 2 10 31 2 2 .335
2010 22 Carolina SOUL AA 56 212 187 11 3 13 31 1 0 .294
2010 22 Louisville IL AAA 14 58 52 3 0 3 13 0 1 .231
2011 23 Louisville IL AAA 120 499 436 36 2 15 71 1 1 .289
5 Seasons 448 1796 1588 100 9 59 233 8 8 .269
AAA (2 seasons) AAA 134 557 488 39 2 18 84 1 2 .283
A+ (2 seasons) A+ 135 538 470 33 3 18 68 2 3 .264
A (1 season) A 83 334 306 13 1 9 42 2 3 .261
AA (1 season) AA 56 212 187 11 3 13 31 1 0 .294
Rk (1 season) Rk 40 155 137 4 0 1 8 2 0 .219
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/2/2012.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev G AB HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB
2007 19 Reds GULF Rk 40 137 1 8 15 26 .219 .310 .270 .580 37
2008 20 Dayton MIDW A 83 306 9 42 20 64 .261 .311 .399 .710 122
2009 21 Sarasota FLOR A+ 92 312 8 37 35 76 .228 .311 .381 .692 119
2010 22 3 Teams 3 Lgs AA-A+-AAA 113 397 26 75 43 80 .302 .377 .587 .964 233
2010 22 Lynchburg CARL A+ 43 158 10 31 19 29 .335 .414 .620 1.035 98
2010 22 Carolina SOUL AA 56 187 13 31 18 37 .294 .363 .594 .957 111
2010 22 Louisville IL AAA 14 52 3 13 6 14 .231 .310 .462 .772 24
2011 23 Louisville IL AAA 120 436 15 71 52 83 .289 .371 .484 .855 211
5 Seasons 448 1588 59 233 165 329 .269 .344 .455 .799 722
AAA (2 seasons) AAA 134 488 18 84 58 97 .283 .364 .482 .846 235
A+ (2 seasons) A+ 135 470 18 68 54 105 .264 .346 .462 .807 217
A (1 season) A 83 306 9 42 20 64 .261 .311 .399 .710 122
AA (1 season) AA 56 187 13 31 18 37 .294 .363 .594 .957 111
Rk (1 season) Rk 40 137 1 8 15 26 .219 .310 .270 .580 37
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/2/2012.
Year Age Tm G PA AB 2B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB
2007 19 CIN-min 40 155 137 4 1 8 15 26 .219 .310 .270 .580 37
2008 20 CIN-min 83 334 306 13 9 42 20 64 .261 .311 .399 .710 122
2009 21 CIN-min 92 357 312 22 8 37 35 76 .228 .311 .381 .692 119
2010 22 CIN-min 113 451 397 25 26 75 43 80 .302 .377 .587 .964 233
2011 23 CIN-min 120 499 436 36 15 71 52 83 .289 .371 .484 .855 211
2011 23 CIN 18 53 50 3 2 6 3 10 .180 .226 .360 .586 18
1 Season 18 53 50 3 2 6 3 10 .180 .226 .360 .586 18
162 Game Avg. 162 477 450 27 18 54 27 90 .180 .226 .360 .586 162
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/2/2012.

Grandal is built like a brick wall, so it’s tough for him to get his 220-pound frame moving.  That is just about the only knock on him, though. Devin Mesoraco is one of the finest hitting prospects in the game, and he does an average job on the other side of the ball at a premium position.


Top 50 Prospects: #19 – Anthony Rizzo

#19 Anthony Rizzo

San Diego Padres

DOB: 8/8/1989

Previous Rank: N/R

ETA: 2012

It is hard to still think of Rizzo as a rookie after he was punished to the tune of a .523 OPS for the Padres in 128 at-bats in 2011.  He still qualifies for this list, though, and while his stock did take a hit, he still is one of the top corner bat prospects in the game.  As soon as he was demoted to Tucson, he began raking again, slashing .331/.404/.652 with 26 jacks in only 356 at-bats.  He has true 60-grade power today with a chance at more.

Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff G PA AB 2B HR RBI SB CS BA
2007 17 Red Sox GULF Rk BOS 6 24 21 0 1 3 0 0 .286
2008 18 Greenville SALL A BOS 21 87 83 6 0 11 0 0 .373
2009 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A-A+ BOS 119 503 445 37 12 66 4 1 .297
2009 19 Greenville SALL A BOS 64 274 245 21 9 42 2 1 .298
2009 19 Salem CARL A+ BOS 55 229 200 16 3 24 2 0 .295
2010 20 2 Teams 2 Lgs AA-A+ BOS 136 602 531 42 25 100 10 1 .260
2010 20 Salem CARL A+ BOS 29 135 117 12 5 20 3 0 .248
2010 20 Portland EL AA BOS 107 467 414 30 20 80 7 1 .263
2011 21 Tucson PCL AAA SDP 93 413 356 34 26 101 7 6 .331
5 Seasons 375 1629 1436 119 64 281 21 8 .296
A (2 seasons) A 85 361 328 27 9 53 2 1 .317
A+ (2 seasons) A+ 84 364 317 28 8 44 5 0 .278
AA (1 season) AA 107 467 414 30 20 80 7 1 .263
Rk (1 season) Rk 6 24 21 0 1 3 0 0 .286
AAA (1 season) AAA 93 413 356 34 26 101 7 6 .331
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/27/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff G PA AB HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB
2007 17 Red Sox GULF Rk BOS 6 24 21 1 3 1 2 .286 .375 .429 .804 9
2008 18 Greenville SALL A BOS 21 87 83 0 11 3 15 .373 .402 .446 .848 37
2009 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A-A+ BOS 119 503 445 12 66 50 99 .297 .368 .461 .828 205
2009 19 Greenville SALL A BOS 64 274 245 9 42 25 60 .298 .365 .494 .859 121
2009 19 Salem CARL A+ BOS 55 229 200 3 24 25 39 .295 .371 .420 .791 84
2010 20 2 Teams 2 Lgs AA-A+ BOS 136 602 531 25 100 61 132 .260 .334 .480 .814 255
2010 20 Salem CARL A+ BOS 29 135 117 5 20 16 32 .248 .333 .479 .812 56
2010 20 Portland EL AA BOS 107 467 414 20 80 45 100 .263 .334 .481 .815 199
2011 21 Tucson PCL AAA SDP 93 413 356 26 101 43 89 .331 .404 .652 1.056 232
5 Seasons 375 1629 1436 64 281 158 337 .296 .366 .514 .880 738
A (2 seasons) A 85 361 328 9 53 28 75 .317 .374 .482 .856 158
A+ (2 seasons) A+ 84 364 317 8 44 41 71 .278 .357 .442 .799 140
AA (1 season) AA 107 467 414 20 80 45 100 .263 .334 .481 .815 199
Rk (1 season) Rk 6 24 21 1 3 1 2 .286 .375 .429 .804 9
AAA (1 season) AAA 93 413 356 26 101 43 89 .331 .404 .652 1.056 232
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/27/2011.
Year Age Tm G PA AB 2B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+
2007 17 BOS-min 6 24 21 0 1 3 0 0 1 2 .286 .375 .429 .804
2008 18 BOS-min 21 87 83 6 0 11 0 0 3 15 .373 .402 .446 .848
2009 19 BOS-min 119 503 445 37 12 66 4 1 50 99 .297 .368 .461 .828
2010 20 BOS-min 136 602 531 42 25 100 10 1 61 132 .260 .334 .480 .814
2011 21 SDP-min 93 413 356 34 26 101 7 6 43 89 .331 .404 .652 1.056
2011 21 SDP 49 153 128 8 1 9 2 1 21 46 .141 .281 .242 .523 51
1 Season 49 153 128 8 1 9 2 1 21 46 .141 .281 .242 .523 51
162 Game Avg. 162 506 423 26 3 30 7 3 69 152 .141 .281 .242 .523 51
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/27/2011.

His bat gets long to the ball, a tendency that lefties have had a fairly easy time exploiting, but he is athletic enough to develop his hit tool to a point that he should be able to stay inside of more pitches.  Rizzo is an elite defender at first, but will never be an average runner.  Who cares?  With time, the 22-year-old could develop into one of the top first basemen in the National League and makes the loss of Adrian Gonzalez considerably more tolerable.  He was the top offensive prospect in Boston’s organization before he became the centerpiece of the Gonzalez deal last winter.  After the Mat Latos trade, the Padres are several pieces away from a legitimate chance at contention, and they have a very bright youngster with a chance to hit in the middle of the order for years in Anthony Rizzo.


Top 50 Prospects: #31 – Robbie Erlin

#31 Robbie Erlin

San Diego Padres

DOB: 10/8/1990

Previous Rank: N/R

ETA: 2012

Erlin was the prize of the Mike Adams deal, and he is perhaps the most unique pitcher of the Top-50.  While many of the elite arms on this list have blazing hot fastballs and need to come up some in terms of commanding pitches and developing useable third pitches, Erlin already has plus secondary offerings and command.  His breaking ball has terrific shape as does his changeup, and he locates both nearly as well as his fastball.

His fastball works in the 88-91 mph range, but can reach 93 mph when he lets one go.  Erlin gets great plane on his pitches despite only being 6-foot, and has fluid, repeatable, and athletic mechanics that should keep him healthy.  His 2.99 ERA across two leagues (including 16 starts in the Texas League) and 154 strikeouts in 147.1 innings reflect just how dominant Erlin can be despite not having prototypical ace stuff.  He only walked 16 guys all season, and despite a bit of a propensity for flyballs, Erlin projects as a very solid No. 2 option in the Show.

Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff W L ERA G GS SV IP BB SO
2009 18 Rangers ARIZ Rk TEX 0 0 2.25 3 0 0 4.0 1 9
2010 19 Hickory SALL A TEX 6 3 2.12 28 17 1 114.2 17 125
2011 20 3 Teams 2 Lgs A+-AA TEX,SDP 9 4 2.99 26 25 0 147.1 16 154
2011 20 Myrtle Beach CARL A+ TEX 3 2 2.14 9 9 0 54.2 5 62
2011 20 Frisco TL AA TEX 5 2 4.32 11 10 0 66.2 7 61
2011 20 San Antonio TL AA SDP 1 0 1.38 6 6 0 26.0 4 31
3 Seasons 15 7 2.61 57 42 1 266.0 34 288
AA (1 season) AA 6 2 3.50 17 16 0 92.2 11 92
A (1 season) A 6 3 2.12 28 17 1 114.2 17 125
Rk (1 season) Rk 0 0 2.25 3 0 0 4.0 1 9
A+ (1 season) A+ 3 2 2.14 9 9 0 54.2 5 62
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/6/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff W L ERA IP WHIP H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 SO/BB
2009 18 Rangers ARIZ Rk TEX 0 0 2.25 4.0 1.500 11.2 0.0 2.2 20.2 9.00
2010 19 Hickory SALL A TEX 6 3 2.12 114.2 0.924 7.0 0.7 1.3 9.8 7.35
2011 20 3 Teams 2 Lgs A+-AA TEX,SDP 9 4 2.99 147.1 0.950 7.6 1.1 1.0 9.4 9.63
2011 20 Myrtle Beach CARL A+ TEX 3 2 2.14 54.2 0.549 4.1 1.2 0.8 10.2 12.40
2011 20 Frisco TL AA TEX 5 2 4.32 66.2 1.200 9.9 1.2 0.9 8.2 8.71
2011 20 San Antonio TL AA SDP 1 0 1.38 26.0 1.154 9.0 0.7 1.4 10.7 7.75
3 Seasons 15 7 2.61 266.0 0.947 7.4 0.9 1.2 9.7 8.47
AA (1 season) AA 6 2 3.50 92.2 1.187 9.6 1.1 1.1 8.9 8.36
A (1 season) A 6 3 2.12 114.2 0.924 7.0 0.7 1.3 9.8 7.35
Rk (1 season) Rk 0 0 2.25 4.0 1.500 11.2 0.0 2.2 20.2 9.00
A+ (1 season) A+ 3 2 2.14 54.2 0.549 4.1 1.2 0.8 10.2 12.40
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/6/2011.

In a yard like Petco, it is quite reasonable to expect Erlin to perform like a No. 1.  We expect him to make at least 10-15 starts in Triple-A before being called up, and he will have to continue to prove that his command is good enough to overcome a lack in pace, but we expect him to stick in the Padre rotation for years.