40-man Roster Checklist
Edit: 4:27 pm.
Added Asdrubal, Valbuena, and Santiago. Woot.Okay, I lied, and in favor of saving some space and not boring everyone to tears, I opted to omit a few of the minor league FA types that litter the system. When I was originally planning this, I didn't anticipate 30+ comments, and there would've been more if I left those guys in (and many of them would be repeats), and the list naturally thins as it gets down to the lower levels. I'm assuming that anyone in Arizona is in less danger, so Graterol and a few others sneak by. Heck, many of these guys probably aren't close to the radar to begin with, but I'm sticking to at least part of my vow to make the list complete. Here are your reference points for the offeseason:
Tacoma:OF T.J. Bohn, 1/17/80 (2005)2005 Stats (AAA): 0.321/0.360/0.395 in 81 at-bats, 15 runs, 7 RBI, 2/23 BB/K
2005 Stats (AA): 0.308/0.365/0.468 in 438 at-bats, 67 runs, 58 RBI, 35/96 BB/K
Upside: Reputed to be one of the better defensive outfielders in the system, solid all-around offensive contributor.
Downside: Power is extremely flakey. Prone to the strikeout. Did not walk quite as much this year (trade-off for more batting average). Kind of old.
IF Hunter Brown, 10/24/792005 Stats: 0.291/0.366/0.448 in 337 at-bats, 53 runs, 53 RBI, 33/71 BB/K
Upside: Can play all around the infield, except maybe short. A blend of Justin Leone and Greg Dobbs in skills, but with more consistency.
Downside: Probably best at a corner, and doesn’t have enough power to stick around there.
RHP Chris Buglovsky, 11/22/792005 Stats: 4.24 ERA, 0.284/0.350/0.416 against, 110.1 IP, 120 hits, 72/40 K/BB, 1.12 G/F
Upside: Your basic, rubber-armed swingman.
Downside: Struggled this year, compared to last. Doesn’t have much of a strikeout pitch.
C Ryan Christianson, 4/22/812005 Stats: 0.245/0.331/0.385 in 286 at-bats, 36 runs, 40 RBI, 35/96 BB/K
Upside: Still recovering from injuries, and probably hasn’t hit his ceiling offensively or defensively.
Downside: Oh, right, the injuries… not that productive outside of catcher.
RHP Mike Flannery, 9/20/792005 Stats: 9.45 ERA, 0.333/0.441/0.481 against, 6.2 IP, 9 hits, 7/6 K/BB, 1.60
Upside: Tremendous early on for Florida. Live arm capable of RH setup.
Downside: Lightbulb isn’t fully switched to on yet.
RHP Sean Green, 4/20/792005 Stats (AAA): 3.65 ERA, 0.221/0.338/0.320 against, 49.1 IP, 40 hits, 44/29 K/BB, 3.12 G/F
2005 Stats (AA): 2.96 ERA, 0.189/0.263/0.256 against, 24.1 IP, 17 hits, 18/8 K/BB, 2.60 G/F
Upside: Extreme groundball reliever with good stuff. Exceeded expectations this season.
Downside: A little old for a prospect.
RHP Jeff Heaverlo, 1/13/782005 Stats: 4.61 ERA, 0.287/0.380/0.383 against, 82 IP, 92 hits, 71/44 K/BB, 2.02 G/F
Upside: Slider specialist got his life back on track this year.
Downside: Had more injuries and setbacks than you could shake a sizable stick at. Didn’t show significant improvement, and if he didn’t get the courtesy cup of coffee…
LHP Bobby Livingston, 9/3/822005 Stats (AAA): 4.70 ERA, 0.260/0.312/0.363 against, 51.2 IP, 53 hits, 41/15 K/BB, 1.20 G/F
2005 Stats (AA): 2.86 ERA, 0.242/0.287/0.338 against, 116.1 IP, 103 hits, 78/27 K/BB, 1.30 G/F
Upside: A finesse pitcher who isn’t reliant on hitters striking out on his change. Mixes things up quite a bit, and the M’s scouts still swear that he has a few more MPH in him.
Downside: The low velocity, extreme pitchability breed is not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club… I mean, Baseball America.
LHP Damian Moss, 11/24/19762005 Stats: 3.73 ERA, 0.246/0.350/0.380 against, 137.2 IP, 125 hits, 93/75 K/BB, 1.07
Upside: “Major League Experience”. Keeps ball in park and minimizes damage.
Downside: K/BBs are scary, and walks have always been rather unnerving.
OF Abraham Nunez 2/5/772005 Stats: 0.274/0.364/0.447 in 481 at-bats, 82 runs, 86 RBI, 71/109 BB/K
Upside: “Major League Experience”. Can play anywhere in the OF
Downside: It’s been hard to get excited about him ever since they found out his real age.
RHP Dan Wright, 12/14/772005 Stats: Did Not Play
Upside: Former member of the White Sox rotation. Plus stuff.
Downside: He was a project even before he had shoulder surgery.
San Antonio:2B Ismael Castro, 8/14/832005 Stats: 0.264/0.286/0.390 in 421 at-bats, 41 runs, 51 RBI, 12/43 BB/K
Upside: Former NWL MVP. Should be a solid producer for second base, and will improve next year. Makes contact.
Downside: Legs are kind of a wreck, shredded one of his knees years ago. Almost entirely a second bagger, and may eventually have to move off.
RHP Renee Cortez, 12/9/822005 Stats: 3.96 ERA, 0.253/0.317/0.344 against, 63.2 IP, 61 hits, 62/23 K/BB, 0.97 G/F
Upside: San Antonio announcers have said the past two years that he’s one of the better arms in the ‘pen, and could be really good a couple years down the line. Peripherals much better this year.
Downside: Still hasn’t had a real breakout season.
RHP Rich Dorman, 9/30/782005 Stats (AA): 0.45 ERA, 0.113/0.257/0.129 against, 20 IP, 7 hits, 24/12 K/BB, 1.00 G/F
2005 Stats (AAA): 6.28 ERA, 0.234/0.357/0.440 against, 38.2 IP, 33 hits, 22/26 K/BB, 0.76 G/F
Upside: Power repertoire. Young as a pitcher, still room for improvement. Destroyed double-A.
Downside: K/BB is practically locked at 2:1. Couldn’t figure out triple-A, for some reason.
RHP Emiliano Fruto, 6/6/842005 Stats: 2.57 ERA, 0.231/0.295/0.364 against, 66.2 IP, 56 hits, 63/22 K/BB, 1.00 G/F
Upside: Kind of like a right-handed Eddie Guardado in the ‘pen and in the clubhouse, but with more velocity. Finally got serious about baseball this year.
Downside: “Struggled” would be the kind way of describing his brief tour of triple-A this year.
3B Jesus Guzman, 6/14/842005 Stats: 0.258/0.330/0.393 in 453 at-bats, 61 runs, 53 RBI, 45/101 BB/K
Upside: Gets on-base. One of the younger players at the level. Outperforms his tools.
Downside: Didn’t outperform quite as much this year. Bat is not a corner bat, and he’s not too good anywhere else.
OF Gary Harris, 9/9/792005 Stats: 0.282/0.320/0.376 in 457 at-bats, 68 runs, 42 RBI, 22/72 BB/K
Upside: Useful all around the outfield. Left-handed batter.
Downside: Mostly a speed player, and lost a few steps this year.
RHP Jon Huber, 7/7/19812005 Stats: 4.74 ERA, 0.276/0.337/0.402 against, 148 IP, 157 hits, 112/49 K/BB 1.17 G/F
Upside: Good stuff for a righty. Could be interesting if he figures it all out.
Downside: Still an If.
LHP Cesar Jimenez, 11/12/842005 Stats: 2.62 ERA, 0.250/0.317/0.324 against, 68.2 IP, 64 hits, 54/24 K/BB, 1.32 G/F
Upside: Career minor league ERA of under three. Great instincts. Quite young.
Downside: Average velocity. Breaking ball remains a work in progress. More interesting in the rotation.
LHP Chris Key, 10/30/772005 Stats: 2.76 ERA, 0.281/0.311/0.393 against, 52 IP, 55 hits, 27/8 K/BB, 2.76 G/F
Upside: Versatile, and one of the better pitchers on the staff every year. Avoids walk. Groundball pitcher.
Downside: Not really exciting in terms of stuff. Old for a prospect.
RHP Nate Mateo, 12/12/802005 Stats: 6.61 ERA, 0.286/0.375/0.471, 16.1 IP, 20 hits, 21/10 K/BB, 2.86 G/F
Upside: Live arm with experience in the NPB.
Downside: Horrible after we picked him up, for unexplained reasons.
LF Jon Nelson, 1/24/19802005 Stats: 0.235/0.266/0.424 in 375 at-bats, 44 runs, 62 RBI, 15/129 K/BB
Upside: Power/speed combo is intriguing. Probably still developing as a player.
Downside: Doesn’t walk. Struggled against experienced double-A pitchers. Lost in a fight with a drinking fountain.
LHP Thom Oldham, 5/18/822005 Stats: 3.67 ERA, 0.292/0.343/0.419 against, 154.2 IP, 179 hits, 115/45 K/BB, 1.08 G/F
Upside: Rebounded in the second half, and has added a slider to go with the FB, CH, CV.
Downside: Moderate case of Craig Anderson syndrome. Keeps giving up hits.
C Luis Oliveros, 6/14/832005 Stats: 0.285/0.304/0.396 in 144 at-bats, 15 runs, 23 RBI, 2/20 BB/K
Upside: Young, and solid defensively.
Downside: Organization hasn’t liked him since he kind of fell in with the wrong crowd. Not too different from Rene Rivera, career-wise.
LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith, 1/26/832005 Stats: 4.35 ERA, 0.283/0.355/0.379 against, 122 IP, 133 hits, 102/51 K/BB, 0.83 G/F
Upside: Twinkies already drafted him once, and they know their Aussies. Better than his 2005 would lead you to believe, double-A is a bad place to switch back to being a starter if you’re a lefty with a change-up as one of your better pitches.
Downside: Still gives up about a hit per inning, but one and a half to two and a half Ks. Usual double-A lefty struggles.
RHP Juan Sandoval, 1/13/812005 Stats: 4.03 ERA, 0.305/0.352/0.389 against, 160.2 IP, 196 hits, 99/46 K/BB, 0.76 G/F
Upside: Always has had good stuff, and doesn’t walk many guys.
Downside: Inconsistency will drive you nuts. Hangs out in the strikezone a bit too much.
Inland Empire:OF Carlos Arroyo, 5/30/812005 Stats: 0.313/0.353/0.366 in 402 at-bats, 50 runs, 62 RBI, 26/37 BB/K
Upside: Career minor league average of .320. Left-handed.
Downside: Doesn’t walk. Power slightly better than Charles Gipson.
SS Asdrubal Cabrera, 11/13/852005 Stats (A+): 0.284/0.325/0.418 in 225 at-bats, 31 runs, 26 RBI, 15/47 BB/K
2005 Stats (A): 0.318/0.407/0.474 in 192 at-bats, 26 runs, 30 RBI, 30/32 BB/K
Upside: Would be one of the better defensive MIFs in the MLB, right now. Bat has some potential too.
Downside: Move to second wouldn’t be bad, but at third, he might not hit enough.
2B Michael Garciaparra2005 Stats: 0.298/0.387/0.414 in 336 at-bats, 60 runs, 33 RBI, 35/64 BB/K
Upside: May be starting to figure this baseball thing out. Still Nomar’s little brother.
Downside: Struggles to stay healthy. I can’t think about the 2001 draft without wanting to cry.
RHP Craig James, 3/10/832005 Stats (A+): 2.42 ERA, 0.250/0.318/0.400 against, 26 IP, 25 hits 24/8 K/BB, 0.64 G/F
2005 Stats (A): 0.88 ERA, 0.171/0.209/0.219 against, 30.2 IP, 18 hits, 31/5 K/BB 0.88 G/F
Upside: Power stuff, and was an absolute killer at both levels this year.
Downside: Has been under the knife once before.
1B Bryan Lahair, 11/5/822005 Stats: 0.310/0.373/0.503 in 509 at-bats, 81 runs, 113 RBI, 51/125 BB/K
Upside: Solid power, stellar defense, probably the best 1B prospect we’ve had in a while.
Downside: Can’t hit against southpaws.
LHP Jason Mackintosh, 7/2/802005 Stats: 4.26 ERA, 0.295/0.359/0.431 against, 179.2 IP, 206 hits, 141/57 K/BB, 1.29 G/F
Upside: Led the system in strikeouts.
Downside: May develop case of Craig Anderson syndrome in double-A.
RHP Brandon Moorhead, 1/23/802005 Stats: 4.75 ERA, 0.287/0.337/0.430 against, 142 IP, 162 hits, 120/36 K/BB, 1.21 G/F
Upside: Kind of like Ryan Franklin, if he were a groundball pitcher.
Downside: As a prospect watcher, I’m required by law to doubt the old and untested.
C Justin Ruchti, 12/11/802005 Stats: 0.211/0.259/0.342 in 199 at-bats, 21 run, 24 RBI, 10/38 BB/K
Upside: Pitchers absolutely love throwing with him behind the plate.
Downside: Pitchers absolutely love throwing with him at the plate.
Wisconsin: IF Oswaldo Navarro, 10/2/842005 Stats: 0.269/0.329/0.393 in 450 at-bats, 57 runs, 69 RBI, 39/60 BB/K
Upside: One of a number of stellar defensive infield prospects in the system. Breakout offensive season could come at any time.
Downside: Might have the lowest offensive potential of that group. Sounds like Latka from Taxi.
RHP Aaron Jensen, 6/11/842005 Stats: 5.56 ERA, 0.303/0.365/0.463 against, 157 IP, 190 hits, 87/55 K/BB, 0.86 G/F
Upside: Sort of has a Gil Meche kind of skillset.
Downside: Which Gil Meche? Years off.
LHP Julio Santiago, 12/8/852005 Stats: 4.4 ERA, 0.281/0.321/0.399 against, 99.1 IP, 110 hits, 66/23 K/BB, 0.88 G/F
Upside: Flashes of brilliance that include some real sick dominance, when healthy. Youth.
Downside: Disappears for months at time and doesn’t call or send postcards. Inexperience.
Everett:RHP Edgar Guaramato, 8/5/842005 Stats: 3.62 ERA, 0.183/0.346/0.262 against, 37.1 IP, 23 hits, 38/24 K/BB, 2.74 G/F
Upside: Rafael Soriano – 1-3 MPH + wacky slider – some control + groundball tendencies = Guaramato. For reference, when Tampa stole Jorge Sosa, he had + 1 H/9, and – about 0.5 K/9
Downside: Has pitched for all of two years. Sosa also walked three fewer per nine.
2B Luis Valbuena, 11/30/852005 Stats: 0.261/0.333/0.443 in 287 at-bats, 47 runs, 51 RBI, 31/37 BB/K
Upside: League MVP type numbers with above-average D at second. Left-handed batter.
Downside: Not as valuable if he moves off second. Offense skewed by home park.
|
