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Minor League Mailbag

by Matt Hagen
May 28, 2009



Send Matt questions at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Comments

Mike Clay said...

Nice article. I’m certainly enjoying these minor league/prospect features, probably as a byproduct of the fact that I’m in a 12 team, 35 man roster dynasty league.

Something I noticed is that it is extremely hard to figure out which next big prospect is going to get called up. For example, LaPorta gets called up and everyone scrambles to sign him. Then it’s Medlen or Martinez. Now it’s Fox in Chicago. I think a good idea would be to have a list of say 15 guys who you expect to be the next “big time” fantasy contributors to be called up.

Imagine what we could’ve done a month or so ago with a list that said:
1. LaPorta
2. Reimold
3. Cecil
4. Medlen
5. Price
6. Fox
7. Wieters
(I know I missed a few guys, but you get the point)

Any thoughts on something like this?

And in an unrelated note, what do you think of this Sean Rodriguez character? He is tearing up AAA pitching, but yet I don’t see his name anywhere.

Posted 05/28  at  10:00 AM
Matt Hagen said...

That type of list is a good idea, but I feel that the ETA that I include in my top 100 does a decent job of preparing you for the arrivals that matter.

I’m glad you brought up Sean Rodriguez.  I’ve been meaning to get to him.  There are two main offensive problems with Rodriguez; he won’t provide much more than a mediocre batting average for a middle infielder and I project him to strike out - a lot.  So, LA will be hesitant to open up a full time spot for a guy that will strike out 150 times.  Unless he can indeed crack 30-ish home runs, but I have serious doubts.  He doesn’t have the defense to be a full time shortstop and Figgins is doing a fine job at 3B, not to mention the more highly regarded Brandon Wood is still around.  That leaves 2B, where former top prospect Howie Kendrick plays.  Kendrick has not lived up to expectations, but there is no indication that LA is ready to move on.  So, Rodriguez is stuck at Triple-A right now.  His future may ultimately lie as a utility man.  I could be wrong about him, and his game could explode in the majors in a year or two, but I’m willing to bet that he doesn’t amount to much.

Posted 05/28  at  02:26 PM
Mike Clay said...

No problem, just something I know I would enjoy and I’m sure a lot of other people would as well.

Maybe it is just something that can be incorporated into a monthly article? Who knows?

Thanks for your response.

Posted 05/28  at  02:44 PM
Matt said...

Re: Hanson

Quote: ‘He’s the best starting pitching prospect in baseball.’

After Mr. Strasberg, of course! Tongue planted firmly in cheek, of course.

Posted 05/28  at  06:02 PM
Mike said...

Personally Strasburg is going to be cursed by the #1 overall pick curse on pitchers.  All of the guys that have been picked 1st overall have had average or mediocre careers.  If I were Strausburg, I would go back to school because the Nationals have been known to change pitcher deliveries that have harmed them.  For example, the changed the mechanics for Colton Willems who threw 94-97 in high school and now throws 87-89 and probably won’t make it.  Now of course he could have juiced in high school, not hard to do might I add.  I just think it’s risky to put Strasburg #1 when he’s pitched in a weak conference and the fact, he’s going to be rushed.

Posted 05/28  at  07:47 PM
Corey said...

It may be early to jump on Strasburg, but many of us fantasy players may be able to do just that and want to know how to compare him to others in this list.

We are looking for help in valuing Strasburg now (in my keeper league he was available in reserve) and certainly feel he already belongs in top 100 (feel free to asterix him).

Great stuff!

Posted 05/28  at  11:02 PM
EDUB said...

When you say “Hanson is the best pitching prospect in baseball,” are you suggesting he is better than Price or is he not eligible?

Posted 05/29  at  11:55 AM
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