As Spring Training rapidly approaches and speculation surrounding the future of baseball’s brightest prospects spreads like wildfire, The Golden Sombrero will highlight some of the notable and intriguing Spring Training invitees from each organization.

Christian Friedrich*, LHP:  After the Rockies drafted Friedrich with the 25^th overall pick in the 2008 draft, he posted a 6-5 record with a 2.41 ERA, 1.145 WHIP, 159 strikeouts and 43 walks over 119.2 innings in 2009.  However, he has struggled to repeat that success and has battled a series of injuries over the last two seasons.  The 6-foot-4 left-hander features a low- to mid-90s fastball (usually low-90s since overcoming elbow issues) and a below-average change up, but his best pitch has always been his 12-to-6 curve – an absolute hammer.  Having grown up in the Chicagoland area around the same time as Friedrich, I had the opportunity to see him throw several bullpens, and his hook was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Friedrich’s mechanics and arm-speed still suggest a moderately-high ceiling, which is probably why he holds a spot on the Rockies’ 40-man roster.  Barring a setback in Spring Training, Friedrich will likely begin the 2012 season in Triple-A with a chance for a late-season call-up.

Nolan Arenado, 3B:  Ranked by The Golden Sombrero as the No. 21 prospect in baseball headed into the 2012 season, Arenado had a monster 2011 campaign for High-A Modesto.  The Rockies’ 2009 second-round draft pick slashed .298/.349/.487 with 32 doubles, 20 home runs, and a whopping 122 RBI in 517 at-bats.  Arenado also made strides in his plate discipline and approach, evidenced by his 53/47 K/BB ratio.  Although the results have always been there, scouts have been skeptical of his power potential due to his extremely level bat path.  However, after a subtle alteration to his swing, Arenado’s power emerged last season and is here to say.  His ability to square up the ball and generate extension after contact has always been exceptional.  His defense at the hot corner also improved in 2011, but he’ll never be anything more than an average defensive third baseman.  Arenado will likely begin the 2012 season in Double-A, but if he continues to rake – and considering the Rockies’ lack of a true third baseman – it’ll be hard to deny him a late-season call-up.

Chad Bettis, RHP:  Much like Arenado, Bettis had a breakout season for Modesto in 2011.  The 6-foot-1 right-hander went 12-5 with a 3.34 ERA, 184 strikeouts, and 45 walks in 170 innings and earned Class A California League pitcher of the year honors.  Given his height and arm strength, Bettis’ consistency and durability in 2011 is encouraging.  His arsenal is highlighted by two plus pitches: a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and touches the upper-90s, and a tight, hard-breaking slider.  Bettis also features both a curveball and change up, but neither pitch is particularly advanced and needs considerable development.  At the moment, he projects as a No. 3 or No. 4 starter – the development of his secondary offerings this season will dictate his ceiling as a starter.  Bettis should begin the 2012 season in Double-A, but given his plus heater and slider, he could find himself in the Rockies’ bullpen at some point in 2012.

Tim Wheeler, OF:  Arguably the most promising of the slew of toolsy Rockies’ outfielders, Wheeler batted .287 with 28 doubles, six triples, 33 home runs, 86 RBI, and 21 stolen bases.  However, he struck out 142 times in 561 at-bats compared to 59 walks.  Since entering the minor leagues in 2009, the left-handed hitting Wheeler has struggled with keeping his front-side closed at the plate and therefore has a tendency to swing more with his upper body instead of using quick wrists.  At 6-foot-4, 205-pounds, Wheeler possesses excellent athleticism that is on display at all times.  His defense and arm profile well as a big league right fielder, but his bat will ultimately be the determining factor.  Beyond his strikeout tendencies, the main knock against Wheeler has been his inability to hit left-handed pitching.  If that can improve that in Triple-A, Wheeler has a legitimate shot to make his MLB debut in 2012.

Kent Matthes, OF:  Coming off a season in which he slashed .334/.378/.642 with 39 doubles, 23 home runs, and 95 RBI for Modesto, the 6-foot-2 outfielder has the potential to emerge as one of the Rockies’ top prospects in 2012.  Like Arenado, Matthes has a linear bat path that results in ringing doubles and home runs that might as well have gone through the wall rather than over.  He can turn around the best of fastballs, though he will need to improve his offspeed pitch recognition to be a power hitter at the next level.  While his speed is average at best for a right fielder, Matthes possesses a plus arm that should compensate for any defensive inferiority.  A fourth round draft pick in 2009 draft out of Alabama, Matthes missed portions of the 2009 and 2010 seasons with injuries, so a strong follow-up showing in Double-A in 2012 could significantly boost his stock.

As Spring Training rapidly approaches and speculation surrounding the future of baseball’s brightest prospects spreads like wildfire, The Golden Sombrero will highlight some of the notable and intriguing Spring Training invitees from each organization.

Kyle Skipworth, C:  Selected 6^th overall by the Marlins in the 2008 draft, it’s hard not be optimistic about a 6-foot-4, left-handed hitting catcher.  After posting disappointing numbers in his first two professional seasons, Skipworth took a step in the right direction in 2010 as he slashed .249/.312/.426 with 17 home runs and 59 RBI in 397 at-bats.  However, he struck out 132 times compared to only 32 walks – a trend that intensified in Double-A in 2011.  Playing for Jacksonville of the Southern League, Skipworth fanned 143 times and coaxed just 34 walks in 396 at-bats and saw his slash line drop to .207/.273/.331.  Despite throwing out 23% of basestealers in 2011, he possesses sufficient arm strength and his game-calling abilities continue to improve.  Skipworth will likely repeat Double-A in 2012, which will be a make-or-break year for the former first-rounder.

Kevin Mattison*, OF:  Mattison enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2011 for Double-A Jacksonville, slashing .260/.353/.406 with 17 doubles, 16 triples, eight home runs, and 38 stolen bases.  As one can infer from his stats, his best tool is his speed, which grades out as a legitimate double-plus and makes him an above-average defender in center.  Like Skipworth, though, the left-handed hitting Mattison strikes out too much (127 times in 503 at-bats in 2011) and hits too many flyouts.  And although he possesses tremendous speed he is far from a polished basestealer, as he was gunned down 16 times in 54 attempts last season.  But after raking (.349) in the Arizona Fall League, Mattison was added to the Marlins’ 40-man roster and could potentially serve as the team’s fourth outfielder at some point during the 2012 season.  A 28^th round selection out of UNC Asheville in 2008, Mattison is entering his age 26 season.

Kyle Jensen, OF: Jensen was named the Class A Florida State League MVP in 2011 after posting slashes of .309/.385/.535 with 20 doubles, 22 home runs and 66 RBI in 391 at-bats while playing for Jupiter.  His performance garnered a late-season promotion to Double-A Jacksonville where he posted a .785 OPS with five bombs in 80 at-bats.  At 6-foot-4, 230-pounds, Jensen has a lot of power and isn’t afraid to cut it loose.  So the fact that he showed a more patient approach last season as well as an ability to drive the ball to all fields is encouraging. Like Ricky Henderson, Cody Ross, and Ryan Ludwick, Jensen hits right-handed but throws with his left.  If he turns in a strong performance at Double-A – and possibly Triple-A, too – Jenson’s stock could rise over the course of the 2012 season.

*On team’s 40-man roster

As Spring Training rapidly approaches and speculation surrounding the future of baseball’s brightest prospects spreads like wildfire, The Golden Sombrero will highlight some of the notable Spring Training invitees from each organization.

Joe Terdoslavich, 1B:  The 6-foot-1 switch-hitter had a monster season for High-A Lynchburg in 2011 as he batted .286 with 52 doubles, 20 home runs, and 82 RBI in 536 plate-appearances.  Although he slugged .526 and tallied 254 total bases, Terdoslavich fanned 107 times compared to only 41 walks – a ratio that could worsen if he seemingly begins the year in Double-A.  Entering his age 23 season, he is blocked at first base by Freddie Freeman, but that’s fine.  He has plenty of work left to do in the Minor Leagues.  Best-case scenario: A switch-hitting bat off the bench once the rosters expand in September.

Sean Gilmartin, LHP: Selected by the Braves as the 28^th selection in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft, Gilmartin logged 23.1 innings after signing, most of which was for Rome in the Sally.  There he posted a 2.53 ERA while striking out 30 and walking only two – he did yield three home runs, though.  The left-hander is a polished collegiate pitcher with an 88-92 mph fastball and plus changeup.  He’ll likely begin the year in Double-A, but given his pitchability, athleticism and experience, Gilmartin could make his MLB debut towards the end of the 2012 season if the conditions (injuries and/or playoff status) are right.  However, he’s towards the back of a long line of Braves pitching prospects.

Julio Teheran*, RHP: Ranked by The Golden Sombrero as the No. 6 prospect in baseball headed into the 2012 season, Teheran really has nothing left to prove in the minors.  Prior to an unimpressive late-season call-up, Teheran was dominant at Triple-A: 15-3, 2.55 ERA, 122 strikeouts, and 48 walks over 144.2 innings.  Although he features four pitches, his fastball and change up are his only plus pitches and it showed in his five MLB appearances.  Unfortunately for Teheran, there’s no current spot for him.  But if the always-fragile Braves’ rotation were to sustain an injury or trade some of their other pitching prospects, he will undoubtedly be recalled.  Teheran has one of the highest ceilings of all pitching prospects.

Tyler Pastornicky*, SS: Pastornicky does nothing exceptionally well on the baseball field, except for possibly his defense, but is sound in facets of the game.  Splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A in 2011, the right-handed hitter slashed .314/.359/.414 with 27 extra-base hits and 27 stolen bases.  His bat doesn’t have much pop, but he finds a way to put the ball in play and collects his fair share of knocks.  With a gaping hole at shortstop for the Braves, Pastornicky is the best in-house option, and the re-signing of Jack Wilson to mentor the 22-year-old indicates that he should be their guy on Opening Day.

Andrelton Simmons, SS: Even though Pastornicky will likely get the nod as the Braves’ Opening Day shortstop, Andrelton Simmons is their future.  Widely considered to be big-league ready defensively, Simmons took a step forward at the plate in 2011 by slashing .311/.351/.408 with 35 doubles and six triples over 570 plate-appearances.  Like Pastornicky, Simmons makes a lot of contact, as reflected by his 43 strikeouts and 29 walks.  However, he is also 22-years-old and only left the yard once last year – he homered twice in 2010.  Furthermore, Simmons will need to improve his ability as a basestealer after getting nabbed 18 times in 44 attempts last season.  He should begin the season in Double-A and play well enough for the Braves to question their use of Pastornicky at shortstop, but a full year at Double-A will be crucial towards his development.

*On team’s 40-man roster

Business is about to pick up in the sport of baseball, and business picked up last night on The Baseball Show, Clint Evans of Diamond Hoggers and M.J. Lloyd of Off-Base Percentage and Halo Hangout discussed the following with me:

-The latest chapter in the Josh Hamilton relapse saga

-M.J. tells a Mickey Mantle story about racing a limousine

-We talk memorabilia, baseball cards, collectibles (who remembers Fleer Ultra?)

-PECOTA Projections, top 5 in each league, Gordon Beckham, Drew Stubbs, Jay Bruce, etc.

-Top Prospects List

As we always do, we cover a variety of subjects in between the main melody line. Another great installment of The Baseball Show awaits you.