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Top 50 Prospects: #23 – Martin Perez

#23 Martin Perez

Texas Rangers

DOB: 4/4/1991

Previous Rank: 28

ETA: 2012

Perez finally threw up the stats to back up his enormous potential…and then plummeted back to earth after a promotion to Triple-A.  As one of the top pitchers in the Texas League and quite likely the top lefty, Perez posted a 3.16 ERA in 88.1 innings with 83 strikeouts compared to 36 walks.  While that is far too many walks, those numbers were still way better than any we’d seen thus far from Perez.   He then proceeded to put up a 6.83 ERA with – who really cares what the rest of his numbers were like after giving up that many runs?

Year Age Tm Lg Lev W L ERA G GS CG SHO IP BB SO
2008 17 Spokane NORW A- 1 2 3.65 15 15 0 0 61.2 28 53
2009 18 2 Teams 2 Lgs A-AA 6 8 2.90 27 19 0 0 114.2 38 119
2009 18 Hickory SALL A 5 5 2.31 22 14 0 0 93.2 33 105
2009 18 Frisco TL AA 1 3 5.57 5 5 0 0 21.0 5 14
2010 19 Frisco TL AA 5 8 5.96 24 23 0 0 99.2 50 101
2011 20 2 Teams 2 Lgs AA-AAA 8 6 4.33 27 26 1 1 137.1 56 120
2011 20 Frisco TL AA 4 2 3.16 17 16 1 1 88.1 36 83
2011 20 Round Rock PCL AAA 4 4 6.43 10 10 0 0 49.0 20 37
4 Seasons 20 24 4.22 93 83 1 1 413.1 172 393
AA (3 seasons) AA 10 13 4.74 46 44 1 1 209.0 91 198
A (1 season) A 5 5 2.31 22 14 0 0 93.2 33 105
A- (1 season) A- 1 2 3.65 15 15 0 0 61.2 28 53
AAA (1 season) AAA 4 4 6.43 10 10 0 0 49.0 20 37
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/19/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev W L ERA IP WHIP H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 SO/BB
2008 17 Spokane NORW A- 1 2 3.65 61.2 1.524 9.6 0.4 4.1 7.7 1.89
2009 18 2 Teams 2 Lgs A-AA 6 8 2.90 114.2 1.299 8.7 0.4 3.0 9.3 3.13
2009 18 Hickory SALL A 5 5 2.31 93.2 1.228 7.9 0.3 3.2 10.1 3.18
2009 18 Frisco TL AA 1 3 5.57 21.0 1.619 12.4 0.9 2.1 6.0 2.80
2010 19 Frisco TL AA 5 8 5.96 99.2 1.676 10.6 1.1 4.5 9.1 2.02
2011 20 2 Teams 2 Lgs AA-AAA 8 6 4.33 137.1 1.515 10.0 0.7 3.7 7.9 2.14
2011 20 Frisco TL AA 4 2 3.16 88.1 1.313 8.2 0.6 3.7 8.5 2.31
2011 20 Round Rock PCL AAA 4 4 6.43 49.0 1.878 13.2 0.7 3.7 6.8 1.85
4 Seasons 20 24 4.22 413.1 1.495 9.7 0.7 3.7 8.6 2.28
AA (3 seasons) AA 10 13 4.74 209.0 1.517 9.7 0.9 3.9 8.5 2.18
A (1 season) A 5 5 2.31 93.2 1.228 7.9 0.3 3.2 10.1 3.18
A- (1 season) A- 1 2 3.65 61.2 1.524 9.6 0.4 4.1 7.7 1.89
AAA (1 season) AAA 4 4 6.43 49.0 1.878 13.2 0.7 3.7 6.8 1.85
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/19/2011.

Perez has pretty rocky fastball command for a prospect getting this kind of ranking, but his stuff is just too good to rank him any lower.  His fastball reaches the mid-90s, and he has arguably the finest breaking pitch in the Minors in the form of a heavy downer curveball.  It can flash double and triple-plus when it is on and in the zone, and we, like many, are very reluctant to slap an 80 on anything that isn’t a 100 mph heater or a 3.8 sec. to first.  He has a solid to plus changeup as well that shows quality fade and should be plenty to handle righties effectively.

Perez has elite stuff, and with more than a full season in the high Minors under his belt at just 20-years of age, could be a top of the rotation arm.  Reaching that level will require improved fastball command and a more consistent delivery, although the latter is greatly improved relative to what it was as a teenager.  We see a lot of Gio Gonzalez in Perez, and like Gio, Perez could be both an All-Star in the Show and excellent trade bait.

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.


Top 50 Prospects: #48 – Joseph Wieland

#48 Joseph Wieland

San Diego Padres

DOB: 1/21/90

Previously Ranked: N/A

ETA: 2012

Joe Wieland was part of the deal that sent Mike Adams to Texas, and considering how valuable Adams was to the bullpen in both San Diego and Texas, Wieland is obviously viewed as a future Big League contributor.  We at The Sombrero will go a step further.  Wieland will be a top of the rotation arm for years.  We are talking a solid two in the Show.

His stuff isn’t as imposing as other arms that will crack our top 50, but his command is outrageously good.  He walked 21 guys over 150 innings in 2011 for Christ’s sake.  The strikeout totals were nearly one per inning, and he did a solid job keeping the ball in the yard as well.

Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff W L ERA G GS CG SHO IP BB SO
2008 18 Rangers ARIZ Rk TEX 5 1 1.44 13 7 0 0 43.2 8 41
2009 19 Hickory SALL A TEX 4 6 5.31 19 18 0 0 83.0 24 73
2010 20 2 Teams 2 Lgs A-A+ TEX 11 7 4.07 26 25 2 1 148.0 25 133
2010 20 Hickory SALL A TEX 7 4 3.34 15 15 2 1 89.0 15 71
2010 20 Bakersfield CALL A+ TEX 4 3 5.19 11 10 0 0 59.0 10 62
2011 21 3 Teams 2 Lgs A+-AA TEX,SDP 13 4 1.97 26 25 2 2 155.2 21 150
2011 21 Myrtle Beach CARL A+ TEX 6 3 2.10 14 13 1 1 85.2 4 96
2011 21 Frisco TL AA TEX 4 0 1.23 7 7 1 1 44.0 11 36
2011 21 San Antonio TL AA SDP 3 1 2.77 5 5 0 0 26.0 6 18
4 Seasons 33 18 3.28 84 75 4 3 430.1 78 397
A (2 seasons) A 11 10 4.29 34 33 2 1 172.0 39 144
AA (1 season) AA 7 1 1.80 12 12 1 1 70.0 17 54
A+ (2 seasons) A+ 10 6 3.36 25 23 1 1 144.2 14 158
Rk (1 season) Rk 5 1 1.44 13 7 0 0 43.2 8 41
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/7/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff ERA IP WHIP H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 SO/BB
2008 18 Rangers ARIZ Rk TEX 1.44 43.2 0.916 6.6 0.4 1.6 8.5 5.13
2009 19 Hickory SALL A TEX 5.31 83.0 1.518 11.1 0.8 2.6 7.9 3.04
2010 20 2 Teams 2 Lgs A-A+ TEX 4.07 148.0 1.189 9.2 0.6 1.5 8.1 5.32
2010 20 Hickory SALL A TEX 3.34 89.0 1.112 8.5 0.4 1.5 7.2 4.73
2010 20 Bakersfield CALL A+ TEX 5.19 59.0 1.305 10.2 0.9 1.5 9.5 6.20
2011 21 3 Teams 2 Lgs A+-AA TEX,SDP 1.97 155.2 1.009 7.9 0.5 1.2 8.7 7.14
2011 21 Myrtle Beach CARL A+ TEX 2.10 85.2 0.957 8.2 0.7 0.4 10.1 24.00
2011 21 Frisco TL AA TEX 1.23 44.0 1.045 7.2 0.4 2.2 7.4 3.27
2011 21 San Antonio TL AA SDP 2.77 26.0 1.115 8.0 0.0 2.1 6.2 3.00
4 Seasons 3.28 430.1 1.160 8.8 0.6 1.6 8.3 5.09
A (2 seasons) A 4.29 172.0 1.308 9.7 0.6 2.0 7.5 3.69
AA (1 season) AA 1.80 70.0 1.071 7.5 0.3 2.2 6.9 3.18
A+ (2 seasons) A+ 3.36 144.2 1.099 9.0 0.8 0.9 9.8 11.29
Rk (1 season) Rk 1.44 43.2 0.916 6.6 0.4 1.6 8.5 5.13
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/7/2011.

Wieland should start the year in San Antonio, but he should move quickly to Triple-A.  There is a very real chance he cracks the rotation in San Diego by the end of 2012.  His fastball reaches 93, and his breaking ball is of the 12-6 variety with quality shape.  Both pitches are solid average to above on their own, but Wieland’s command plays each pitch into the 55-60 range.  His changeup is not used as often, but it has decent fade and should be a solid 50 pitch.  Wieland has an athletic 6-foot-3 frame and very clean and easy mechanics that should allow him to stay reasonably healthy.  This is not an ace arm, but it is the kind of No. 2 that every team wants.


GIF of the Moment: David Freese’s celebration

Serious style points for the walk-off and helmet spike

The Best Game 6 Offensive Performances of All-Time

Last Saturday night, Albert Pujols treated us to an unparalleled display of power.  His 5-for-6 performance, which included three home runs, six RBI, and 14 total bases, produced a RE24 of 5.808, the highest in World Series history.

To help pass the time until tonight’s game, I thought that it would be interesting to examine the best Game Six offensive performances in World Series history, as determined by their RE24 value* from that game.

The most legendary Game Six performance belongs to Reggie Jackson, whose three home run game during the 1977 World Series sits atop the list with an RE24 of 4.874.  Beyond that you will find a list of players that includes a slew of Hall of Famers, World Series legends, a player who probably got high before the game, and Danny Bautista.

Rk Player Date Tm Opp Rslt PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO HBP RE24
1 Reggie Jackson 1977-10-18 NYY LAD W 8-4 4 3 4 3 0 0 3 5 1 0 0 4.874
2 Hideki Matsui 2009-11-04 NYY PHI W 7-3 4 4 1 3 1 0 1 6 0 1 0 4.683
3 Al Kaline 1968-10-09 DET STL W 13-1 5 4 3 3 0 0 1 4 0 1 1 4.374
4 Pedro Guerrero 1981-10-28 LAD NYY W 9-2 5 5 1 3 0 1 1 5 0 0 0 4.228
5 Stan Hack 1945-10-08 CHC DET W 8-7 7 5 1 4 1 0 0 3 2 0 0 3.905
6 Danny Bautista 2001-11-03 ARI NYY W 15-2 4 4 0 3 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 3.893
7 Jack Barry 1911-10-26 PHA NYG W 13-2 4 2 2 1 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 3.336
8 Pee Wee Reese 1947-10-05 BRO NYY W 8-6 5 4 2 3 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 3.041
9 Jimmy Dykes 1930-10-08 PHA STL W 7-1 4 2 2 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 0 3.041
10 Yogi Berra 1960-10-12 NYY PIT W 12-0 5 4 3 3 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2.997
11 Reggie Jackson 1973-10-20 OAK NYM W 3-1 4 4 1 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 2.886
12 Danny Murphy 1911-10-26 PHA NYG W 13-2 4 4 3 4 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2.847
13 Darrell Porter 1982-10-19 STL MIL W 13-1 4 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 2.789
14 Kirby Puckett 1991-10-26 MIN ATL W 4-3 5 4 2 3 0 1 1 3 0 1 0 2.756
15 Mel Ott 1936-10-06 NYG NYY L 5-13 5 4 1 2 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 2.741
16 Dib Williams 1931-10-09 PHA STL W 8-1 4 4 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2.700
17 Terry Pendleton 1991-10-26 ATL MIN L 3-4 5 5 1 4 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 2.685
18 Willie Horton 1968-10-09 DET STL W 13-1 5 3 2 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 1 2.672
19 Marty Barrett 1986-10-25 BOS NYM L 5-6 6 4 1 3 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 2.668
20 Jake Powell 1936-10-06 NYY NYG W 13-5 5 5 3 3 0 0 1 4 0 2 0 2.667
21 Keith Hernandez 1982-10-19 STL MIL W 13-1 5 5 2 2 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 2.658
22 George Davis 1906-10-14 CHW CHC W 8-3 5 5 2 2 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 2.637
23 Joe Pepitone 1964-10-14 NYY STL W 8-3 4 4 1 1 0 0 1 4 0 1 0 2.568
24 Bernie Carbo 1975-10-21 BOS CIN W 7-6 2 2 1 1 0 0 1 3 0 1 0 2.549
25 Yogi Berra 1957-10-09 NYY MLN W 3-2 4 4 1 3 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 2.547
Rk Player Date Tm Opp Rslt PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO HBP RE24
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 10/27/2011.

*RE24 is the difference in run expectancy (RE) between the start of the play and the end of the play.  That difference is then credited/debited to the batter and the pitcher.