| Friday, March 31, 2006 |
 FOXSports.com (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5460650) is reporting that Minnesota Twins' top pitching prospect, Francisco Liriano, was arrested and charged on a DUI charge last night in Cape Coral, Florida. According to the report, the Twins said that Liriano still could begin the season with the club.by Chris @ 6:24 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |  
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| Wednesday, March 29, 2006 |
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I fell a little behind with the Spring Training updates... My bad... From the action on Tuesday, March 28th, 2006
by Chris @ 3:53 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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| Monday, March 27, 2006 |
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Minor League Crasher rule number 1: You can NEVER have too many top prospect lists! Top 30 Prospects 1. Delmon Young, OF, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 2. Justin Upton, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks 3. Alex Gordon, 3B, Kansas City Royals 4. Stephen Drew, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks 5. Jeremy Hermida, OF, Florida Marlins 6. Ian Stewart, 3B, Colorado Rockies 7. Francisco Liriano, LHP, Minnesota Twins 8. Prince Fielder, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers 9. Lastings Milledge, OF, New York Mets 10. Justin Verlander, RHP, Detroit Tigers 11. Chad Billingsley, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers 12. Brandon Wood, SS, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 13. Howie Kendrick, 2B, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 14. Andy Marte, 3B, Cleveland Indians 15. Matt Cain, RHP, San Francisco Giants 16. Jeff Clement, C, Seattle Mariners 17. Conor Jackson, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks 18. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Washington Nationals 19. Nick Markakis, OF, Baltimore Orioles 20. Mike Pelfrey, RHP, New York Mets 21. Chris Young, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks 22. Philip Hughes, RHP, New York Yankees 23. Jon Lester, LHP, Boston Red Sox 24. Carlos Quentin, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks 25. Daric Barton, 1B, Oakland Athletics 26. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, Atlanta Braves 27. Cameron Maybin, OF, Detroit Tigers 28. Joel Guzman, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers 29. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Rockies 30. Billy Butler, ??? (DH, I guess...), Kansas City Royals Honorable Mentions (In order): Jonathan Papelbon, RHP, Boston Red Sox Andy LaRoche, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins Felix Pie, OF, Chicago Cubs Carlos Gonzales, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks Scott Olsen, LHP, Florida Marlins Adam Loewen, LHP, Baltimore Orioles Homer Bailey, RHP, Cincinnati Reds Joel Zumaya, RHP, Detroit Tigers Anibal Sanchez, RHP, Florida Marlins Anthony Reyes, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals Neil Walker, C, Pittsburgh Pirates Russ Martin, C, Los Angeles Dodgers Ryan Braun, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates Edison Volquez, RHP, Texas Rangers Mark Rogers, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers Adam Miller, RHP, Cleveland Indians Dustin McGowan, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays Erick Aybar, SS, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Top 30 Systems 1. Arizona Diamondbacks 2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 3. Los Angeles Dodgers 4. Florida Marlins 5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays 6. Minnesota Twins 7. Colorado Rockies 8. Milwaukee Brewers 9. Detroit Tigers 10. Atlanta Braves 11. Boston Red Sox 12. Cleveland Indians 13. Baltimore Orioles 14. Texas Rangers 15. San Francisco Giants 16. New York Yankees 17. Chicago Cubs 18. Kansas City Royals 19. Pittsburgh Pirates 20. Philadelphia Phillies 21. St. Louis Cardinals 22. Oakland Athletics 23. Toronto Blue Jays 24. Seattle Mariners 25. New York Mets 26. Chicago White Sox 27. Houston Astros 28. Washington Nationals 29. San Diego Padres 30. Cincinnati Reds by Chris @ 1:04 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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| Friday, March 24, 2006 |
From the action on Thursday, March 23rd, 2006
by Chris @ 4:09 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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| Thursday, March 23, 2006 |
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006
by Chris @ 4:24 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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| Wednesday, March 22, 2006 |
Tuesday, March 21st, 2006
by Chris @ 3:54 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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| Tuesday, March 21, 2006 |
Monday, March 20th, 2006
by Chris @ 3:52 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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| Monday, March 20, 2006 |
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Now that we're back up and running (and by request), I've brought back the (usually) daily Spring Training updates. So, here's Sunday's update. Sunday, March 20th, 2006
by Chris @ 4:33 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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| Friday, March 17, 2006 |
As another week's passed, it's time for another addition of Baseball of Tomorrow's mailbag. This week's mailbag starts with a question from Gunth from Plainfield, Massachusetts:Is Craig Hansen ready to close in the major leagues?Coming of out St. John's University, Craig Hansen was one of the big steals in the 2005 draft. He throws a 93-97 MPH fastball and a devastating slider, which was rated the best breaking ball in the 2005 draft. After pitching a total of 13 innings in the Gulf Coast and Eastern Leagues, Hansen got a taste of the majors. To answer your question: With the Foulke/closer situation in Boston, I think that it's going to depend more on how badly the Red Sox need a closer than how ready Hansen truly is, although I think that he can hold his own at the major-league level right now. A lot of people are writing off the Red Sox right now, but I think that Hansen, Lester, and Papelbon could change that. Sam from the Bay Area, California asks: What do you expect from Dan Meyer in the coming year and in his career? He plummeted to to #21 prospect in the Oakland A's team, but has looked solid in spring training.The former first-rounder, Dan Meyer, was the centerpiece of the Tim Hudson trade last offseason. The A's had high expectations for Meyer in 2005, but he fell way short of them. Nothing went right for Meyer in 2005. He battled shoulder problems the entire year. His delivery and entire repetoire suffered as a result of the shoulder problems. By last year's standards, Meyer's had a strong spring so far. He looks like he's beggining to return to his old form. From everything I've heard, he's going to start the season in Triple A. At this point, Meyer can't go anywhere but up. The next question is from Chad from Long Beach, California: Who is your candidate for R.O.Y in AL and NL this year, and possibly in 2007.2006 American League Rookie of the Year pick: Now, I'm a big Delmon Young fan, and I think he's going to have a big year, but I think that Francisco Liriano will have a bigger impact for his team, so I'm going with Francisco Liriano. 2006 National League Rookie of the Year pick: Jeremy Hermida is the most talented of the contenders for the Rookie of the Year award. Let's be honest, though, Hermida's not going to get anything to hit in the Marlins. Prince Fielder, on the other hand, will be an integral of a contending (yes, I said it, CONTENDING) Milwaukee Brewers. So, my pick goes to Prince Fielder. 2007's tough to project because anything can happen between now and next year, but I'll give you my 2007 picks anyway. 2007 American League Rookie of the Year pick: There's a lot of guys that can step up in 2007. Brandon Wood, Howie Kendrick, Alex Gordon, Jeff Clement are a few names that come to mind immediately. As much as I like Wood, Kendrick, and Clement, I have to go with Gordon. 2007 National League Rookie of the Year pick: I don't want to come off as a homer... ah, what the hell... Mike Pelfrey. Moving along, the next question is from Derek from Cincinnati, Ohio: What is your outlook on the Reds next season?With the Cardinals, Brewers, Astros and Cubs in the same division, the Reds are in one of the toughest division in baseball. At the major league-level, I don't expect much from them. I think the Ken Griffey, Jr. situation will be an interesting one to follow, though. Sadly for the Reds, the bleak outlook extends down to their minor league system, as well. Even though they have what is probably the worst farm system in baseball, there are a handful of guys in their system that I'm going to be following: Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Travis Wood, Travis Chick, and Joey Votto. Next question -- Sam from Chicago, Illinois asks: I have always been a big fan of the knuckleball. Which minor leaguer will step up and be the next Tim Wakefield?The knuckleball is slowly going the way of the dodo. You're going to have a hard time finding high school and college pitchers that throw the knuckler because there is only one successful knuckleballer in the majors right now, Tim Wakefield, and also, frankly, who's going to get more notice from scouts: A rag-tag knuckleballer or an overpoweringly hard-thrower? With that said, the only guy that comes to mind right away is Red Sox prospect Charlie Zink. Zink's not really even a prospect anymore. He's going to be turning 27 years old this year. I'll wrap it up with a question from Matt from Staten Island, New York: My friend seems to think that David Wright is the best player under 25 in the major leagues. He won't agree with me that Albert Pujols is the obvious choice. We often argue about it.At this point in their careers, It's clear that Albert Pujols is the better player. Keep in mind, though, that Pujols has five full seasons under his belt now. Wright, on the other hand, only has one season under his belt. Wright is also playing in a much more high-pressure atmosphere. There's also a chance that Pujols is older than he says he is. Even if you buy that Pujols' age is legit, he's technically not under 25 -- he's exactly 25. As for the best setup man in the American League: Scot Shields. That does it for this week's mailbag. If you have a question you'd like answered on next week's mailbag, use the link on the bottom right of the page to e-mail me and I'll do my best to get your question answered. by Chris @ 8:14 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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| Tuesday, March 14, 2006 |
 Here's an interesting read from The Arizona Republic's Bob McManaman about Justin Upton's progress this spring: No end to Upton's upside.Just some excerpts: Justin Upton knew his time in the Diamondbacks' major league camp would be short-lived. It would be a matter of time before the young shortstop was reassigned to the minor league side to begin his development as a pro.I should have mentioned that he was reassigned to the Diamondbacks' minor league camp -- it slipped my mind. Just how long that development takes is up for debate. It could be a few years. It could be a lot less. Sure, it could be a few years. It could be tomorrow... It could be never... Could's a weak word. It should be a year. When shortstops Upton and Stephen Drew, Arizona's first-round pick in 2004, are deemed major league ready, the Diamondbacks will have a difficult decision to make."Hey Justin, you see that out there? That's centerfield." Will one of the youngsters be traded for some top-notch pitching help?Bob, Bob, Bob. Short answer: No. Besides, if they are really that desperate for pitching, Upton has been clocked at 94 MPH... "I'll handle it. I'll be ready," Upton said,sounding like a grizzled major league veteran.You better. You've got $6.1 million reasons to handle it. by Chris @ 6:19 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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| Saturday, March 11, 2006 |
I've done a scouting report on Justin Upton before, but it was lost in the re-launch, so I re-did one. Justin Upton, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks.Before ever appearing in a professional game, high school phenom Justin Upton, the brother of Devil Rays' top prospect B.J. Upton, set two records. When he was selected with the first overall pick in the 2005 draft, Justin and his brother B.J., who was selected with the second overall pick in the 2002 draft, combined to become the highest drafted sibling duo in the history of the draft. After holding out for seven months, Upton signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who awarded him with a $6.1 million bonus, the largest signing bonus in the history of the draft, thus giving Upton his second draft record. One would be hard-pressed to find a more advanced high school hitter than Justin Upton. Upton has a lightning-quick bat, exciting power potential, and outstanding plate patience. He's a quick and smooth shortstop. Clocked at 94 mph off of the pitcher's mound, it's clear that Upton has a very strong arm. But, like his brother, it's accuracy that he has a problem with. Upton ran a 6.23-second 60-yard dash last year. For those who can't make sense out of that number: It's the equivalent of going from home plate to first base, or from any base to any other subsequent base, for that matter, at an astounding 3.115 seconds. Obviously, Upton can fly. With Stephen Drew, another blue-chip prospect, in the same organization and at the same position as him, and with his tremendous speed and arm, Upton projects best as a center fielder. Likening him to the pre-Cincinnati Reds Ken Griffey, Jr., many scouts and experts have said that the Arizona Diamondbacks could stick Justin Upton in the majors on Opening Day and he will hold his own. The more likely scenario, however, has the 18 year old 5-tooler in the majors no earlier than late 2006 or early 2007. Regardless of when he makes it the majors, Upton has seemingly no ceiling. He has all the makings of one of baseball's next elite players. by Chris @ 12:00 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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| Friday, March 10, 2006 |
 San Francisco Giant farm-hand Shairon Martis, who's playing for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, no-hit the winless Panamanian team in a seven-inning game cut short by mercy rules.In 34 innings pitched in the Arizona League this year, Martis sported a 2-1 record, with an impressive 1.85 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 13.24 K9. by Chris @ 5:00 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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I'll get right into this week's mailbag, our first since the re-launch, with a question from Sam from Chicago, Illinois:Who's got the bigger upside, Brian Anderson or Ryan Sweeney?By letting go of Aaron Rowand, the White Sox have shown that they are very confident in Brian Anderson. The 2003 first-rounder has a good bat with the potential to put up a .300/25/75 line. He's also a good centerfielder with a good arm. If he stays healthy, Anderson is going to be a treat to watch out in centerfield at While Brian Anderson was taken by the White Sox in the first round of the 2003 draft, Ryan Sweeney, who was a pitching prospect out of high school, was taken in the subsequent second round. As a former pitching prospect, Sweeney has a very good arm. He's got good bat speed and drives the ball to all fields. At ten home runs in three years, most scouts project Sweeney to be no more than a 15-20 home run hitter, although he's 6'5", still young, and has been a pretty good doubles hitter (you know what they say, minor league doubles turn into major league home runs). Both Anderson and Sweeney need some work on plate patience. Right now, Anderson's got the bigger upside. That can change, however, if Sweeney has a big year in 2006. The next question comes in from David from New Jersey: If Pedro does go down early and the Mets are forced to bring up a pitching prospect from AAA, who is more likely to be brought up?Phil (yes, he prefers Phil) Humber is still recovering from his 2005 Tommy John surgery and won't be fully ready until June -- so you can cross him off the list. While I don't think the Mets will baby Mike Pelfrey, I also don't think they'll rush him. At the earliest, I don't see Pelfrey in Flushing until September. That leaves us with Cuban-defector Alay Soler, who's in his first year of pro ball, and Brian Bannister, who raised eyebrows with his very successful 2005 season. I think it goes to whoever has the better spring. Though, I'd also like to throw John Maine's name into the ring. Maine was one of the guys the Mets got in the Kris Benson trade. He could be the dark horse in this thing. Our last question is from Steven from Tacoma, Washington: How long do you see it taking for Jeff Clement to fully develop? A lot of people have him locked in as the offensive equivilant to either Jason Varitek or Jorge Posada (in their primes, obviously). I was just wondering how long you think it will take for him to reach that level.There's been a lot of talk about Jeff Clement switching positions but this kind of talk is expected when you've got a young, phenomenal hitting catcher. I actually think he'll be better than Jason Varitek or Jorge Posada. He's not only an incredible power-hitter, but also an outstanding all-around offensive threat. Despite the rumors of him changing positions, Clement is actually a good catcher. He handles the pitching staff well and is good at blocking balls in the dirt. His arm, however, leaves a little to be desired. If all goes according to plan, we'll see Clement at Double-A by the end of this season and in Seattle by the end of the next. He's got what it takes to be one of the game's elite players. Adam Jones really came into his own in 2005. Jones has a quick bat, allowing him to drive the ball the other way with authority. In the field, he's got one of the best arms around (clocked at 96 MPH off of the mound) and good speed. I think it's more his job to win than Jeremy Reed's job to lose. That does it for this week's mailbag. If you have a question you'd like answered on next week's mailbag, use the link on the bottom right of the page to e-mail me and I'll do my best to get your question answered. by Chris @ 3:00 PM | Permalink | 0 Comment(s) |
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The whole debacle with GoDaddy (they wanted me to pay them $150 to recover lost files) gave me the opportunity to re-launch the blog over here on Blogger.com. I think this will be a good move for Baseball of Tomorrow, as Blogger.com provides a much cleaner, more powerful, and more user-friendly blogging system. So, again, I will be starting fresh. It sucks to have lost all of my past posts, from the commentaries and analyses on Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus's top prospect lists, to the mailbags, to the growing number of scouting reports, but what's done is done. Oh, and, as you can see, I tweaked the design some. by Chris @ 12:00 PM | Permalink | 1 Comment(s) |
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Reid Brignac's off to one hell of a start Scouting Report: Carlos Quentin Some new affiliates Mailbag: Brett Harper Lite, injury-prone prospects... Scouting Report: Justin Verlander Loewen's mowin' (them down) And they're off! Justin Upton to miss two weeks, return as a center... The Curious Case of Sidd Finch Francisco Liriano arrested on DUI charge |
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