Jack Hannahan is getting his shot. The Oakland As traded for Hannahan to fill in for Eric Chavez, who is out with a wonky back. Back problems are notorious for lingering, so Hannahan might get regular playing time for a while. Best of luck to him.
I profiled Hannahan back on June 28 and pointed out that he crushes right-handed pitching. In 251 at bats at AAA Toledo, Hannahan was hitting .307/.443/.486 against right-handed pitchers. He'll make a perfect platoon partner for Marco Scutaro, who is hitting .293/.397/.483 against LHP but only a futile .230/.294/.329 against RHP.
The As are smart. They picked up an undervalued player who is supposed to be a gold-glove-quality defender at 3B and also has a very high OBP against right-handed pitchers. A good deal for them and for Jack Hannahan ... he deserved a chance to play in the bigs.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
AAA Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves are the Atlanta Braves' AAA affiliate (natch). It's one of the best teams in the International League and has some interesting talent. Willie Harris, Yunel Escobar and Buddy Carlyle have already made the jump to the big leagues from Richmond this season.
Barbaro Canizares is a 27-year-old (he may actually be 32) firstbaseman in just his second season of professional ball in America. An escapee from Cuba, he's hitting a crazy .414/.460/.598 in 87 AB in AAA. 2 homers and 8 doubles. He doesn't have many at bats because some kind of visa problem prevented him from getting into the country. Last year he hit a combined .307/.368/.423 in 300 AB between A and AA. Canizares is old for a prospect, but so are the players coming out of Japan. Probably trade bait after the Braves traded for Teixeira.
Brandon Jones is a 23-year-old outfielder. This year he's hit .293/.368/.507 in 365 AB at AA, and .321/.385/.543 in 81 AB for Richmond. That's excellent considering his age.
Martin Prado is a 23-year-old secondbaseman. He's hitting .320/.382/.428 with 20 doubles, 33 BB and only 39 SO in 353 AB. That's a big improvement over last year's .282/.314/.365 in AAA.
Brent Lillibridge is a 23-year-old shortstop. A hot second half has elevated his stats to .315/.369/.483 in 232 AB in AAA after hitting .275/.355/.387 in 204 AB at AA. He was part of the loot the Braves got in the Adam LaRoche trade this offseason.
Touted reliever Joey Devine (first round pick in the 2005 draft) is back at AAA after starting the season at AA. He had a 2.06 ERA in 35 IP at AA, with 51 SO and only 13 BB. For Richmond he has a 0.96 ERA in 9.1 IP with 12 SO and 3 BB. Good stuff.
Jo-Jo Reyes is a 22-year-old left-handed starting pitcher. He also started the season in AA. For Richmond he has a 1.24 ERA in 29 IP with 33 SO and 12 BB.
Barbaro Canizares is a 27-year-old (he may actually be 32) firstbaseman in just his second season of professional ball in America. An escapee from Cuba, he's hitting a crazy .414/.460/.598 in 87 AB in AAA. 2 homers and 8 doubles. He doesn't have many at bats because some kind of visa problem prevented him from getting into the country. Last year he hit a combined .307/.368/.423 in 300 AB between A and AA. Canizares is old for a prospect, but so are the players coming out of Japan. Probably trade bait after the Braves traded for Teixeira.
Brandon Jones is a 23-year-old outfielder. This year he's hit .293/.368/.507 in 365 AB at AA, and .321/.385/.543 in 81 AB for Richmond. That's excellent considering his age.
Martin Prado is a 23-year-old secondbaseman. He's hitting .320/.382/.428 with 20 doubles, 33 BB and only 39 SO in 353 AB. That's a big improvement over last year's .282/.314/.365 in AAA.
Brent Lillibridge is a 23-year-old shortstop. A hot second half has elevated his stats to .315/.369/.483 in 232 AB in AAA after hitting .275/.355/.387 in 204 AB at AA. He was part of the loot the Braves got in the Adam LaRoche trade this offseason.
Touted reliever Joey Devine (first round pick in the 2005 draft) is back at AAA after starting the season at AA. He had a 2.06 ERA in 35 IP at AA, with 51 SO and only 13 BB. For Richmond he has a 0.96 ERA in 9.1 IP with 12 SO and 3 BB. Good stuff.
Jo-Jo Reyes is a 22-year-old left-handed starting pitcher. He also started the season in AA. For Richmond he has a 1.24 ERA in 29 IP with 33 SO and 12 BB.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Garrett Olson
Garrett Olson is out to prove he should be back in the major leagues. He's a 23-year-old left-handed starting pitcher in the Orioles organization.
Olson made two starts for Baltimore in July, and did fairly well. 3.86 ERA. The Orioles sent him back down to AAA Norfolk when Steve Trachsel (yuch) came off the DL.
Olson has made 3 starts for Norfolk since his return. He's given up just one run in 21 innings with 23 strikeouts, 5 walks and 12 hits. That's excellent pitching.
For the season, Olson is 9-6 with a 2.95 ERA. 125 IP, 91 H, 117 SO, 36 BB.
Last season he pitched well in A and AA. Garrett Olson is a pitcher on the move, and is a very good bet to be in the starting rotation for Baltimore in 2008.
Olson made two starts for Baltimore in July, and did fairly well. 3.86 ERA. The Orioles sent him back down to AAA Norfolk when Steve Trachsel (yuch) came off the DL.
Olson has made 3 starts for Norfolk since his return. He's given up just one run in 21 innings with 23 strikeouts, 5 walks and 12 hits. That's excellent pitching.
For the season, Olson is 9-6 with a 2.95 ERA. 125 IP, 91 H, 117 SO, 36 BB.
Last season he pitched well in A and AA. Garrett Olson is a pitcher on the move, and is a very good bet to be in the starting rotation for Baltimore in 2008.
Monday, July 30, 2007
AAA Syracuse Chiefs
Continuing our tour of AAA baseball, let's check in with the Toronto Blue Jays' top farm club. The Syracuse Chiefs' interesting players:
Adam Lind is a 24-year-old left-handed hitting OF/DH. He's hitting .289/.333/.495 in 97 AB at AAA, after hitting just .230 with Toronto. Last year he hit .330/.394/.556 combined between AA and AAA. He hits LHP fairly well and mashes RHP.
Jeremy Cummings is a 30-year-old right-handed starting pitcher. Syracuse picked him up after he exercised a contract clause to be released by the Twins's AAA club at Rochester (The Twins called up 7 pitchers ahead of Cummings). He has a 3.80 ERA in 87.2 innings. 72 SO and only 21 BB. He's a fly-ball pitcher and has allowed 11 homers. He pitched well with Scranton last season -- 3.97 ERA in 25 starts. It would've been smarter to sign with a team like the Nationals that is hurting for starting pitchers than the Blue Jays.
They have several more of those older non-prospect pitchers. This isn't a talented team.
Adam Lind is a 24-year-old left-handed hitting OF/DH. He's hitting .289/.333/.495 in 97 AB at AAA, after hitting just .230 with Toronto. Last year he hit .330/.394/.556 combined between AA and AAA. He hits LHP fairly well and mashes RHP.
Jeremy Cummings is a 30-year-old right-handed starting pitcher. Syracuse picked him up after he exercised a contract clause to be released by the Twins's AAA club at Rochester (The Twins called up 7 pitchers ahead of Cummings). He has a 3.80 ERA in 87.2 innings. 72 SO and only 21 BB. He's a fly-ball pitcher and has allowed 11 homers. He pitched well with Scranton last season -- 3.97 ERA in 25 starts. It would've been smarter to sign with a team like the Nationals that is hurting for starting pitchers than the Blue Jays.
They have several more of those older non-prospect pitchers. This isn't a talented team.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Ken Phelps All-Stars MLB Update
Ryan Raburn (Ken Phelps All-Star) had a big game for the Tigers yesterday: 4-for-5, 2 home runs, 1 double, 3 runs, 7 rbi. To celebrate, let's look at how all the All-Stars have done in major league appearances this season.
Ryan Raburn - .500/.565/1.050 in 20 AB for Tigers.
Darnell MacDonald - .143/.200/.167 in 10 AB for Twins.
Hiram Bocachica - .238/.294/.349 in 63 AB for Padres.
D'Angelo Jimenez - .097/.200/.097 in 31 AB for Nats.
Jeff Keppinger - .308/.357/.487 in 39 AB for Reds.
Devern Hansack - 7.71 ERA in 4.2 innings for Red Sox.
Buddy Carlyle - 4.05 ERA, 5-2, 60 IP, 40 SO, 14 BB, 9 HR. He's 4-0 in his last 5 starts with a 2.24 ERA, 21 SO and only 3 walks for the Braves.
Mike Gosling - 3.14 ERA in 14.1 innings for Reds.
Bobby Livingston - 3.52 ERA, 2-1 in 4 starts, 23 innings, 10 SO, 4 BB. Reds.
Cory Doyne - 0.00 ERA in 1.1 innings for Orioles.
Grant Balfour - 20.25 ERA in 2.2 innings for Brewers.
Brian Sanches - 6.39 ERA in 12.2 innings for Phillies.
The rest of my Ken Phelps All-Stars haven't had a shot in the bigs yet this season despite doing well in AAA.
Congratulations to Raburn, Keppinger, Carlyle, Gosling and Livingston for making the most of their limited time in the majors this year. I wish them continued success. That's a decent return for a bunch of players who could be had for little or nothing before the season.
Ryan Raburn - .500/.565/1.050 in 20 AB for Tigers.
Darnell MacDonald - .143/.200/.167 in 10 AB for Twins.
Hiram Bocachica - .238/.294/.349 in 63 AB for Padres.
D'Angelo Jimenez - .097/.200/.097 in 31 AB for Nats.
Jeff Keppinger - .308/.357/.487 in 39 AB for Reds.
Devern Hansack - 7.71 ERA in 4.2 innings for Red Sox.
Buddy Carlyle - 4.05 ERA, 5-2, 60 IP, 40 SO, 14 BB, 9 HR. He's 4-0 in his last 5 starts with a 2.24 ERA, 21 SO and only 3 walks for the Braves.
Mike Gosling - 3.14 ERA in 14.1 innings for Reds.
Bobby Livingston - 3.52 ERA, 2-1 in 4 starts, 23 innings, 10 SO, 4 BB. Reds.
Cory Doyne - 0.00 ERA in 1.1 innings for Orioles.
Grant Balfour - 20.25 ERA in 2.2 innings for Brewers.
Brian Sanches - 6.39 ERA in 12.2 innings for Phillies.
The rest of my Ken Phelps All-Stars haven't had a shot in the bigs yet this season despite doing well in AAA.
Congratulations to Raburn, Keppinger, Carlyle, Gosling and Livingston for making the most of their limited time in the majors this year. I wish them continued success. That's a decent return for a bunch of players who could be had for little or nothing before the season.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
AAA Tucson Sidewinders
The Tucson Sidewinders are the AAA team of the Arizona Diamondbacks. It's a good team, but take the stats with a big pinch of salt. Tucson is a great place to hit -- most of the players are hitting about 100 points lower in away games than in home games.
Carlos Quentin is a 24-year-old outfielder and highly touted. But he's hardly "can't miss". He started the season in the majors but was sent down after hitting just .210 in 200 at bats. In 38 at bats for Tucson, Quentin has hit .385/.478/.615. In 2006, Quentin hit .289/.424/.487 in 38 AB in AAA. The major-league-equivalent of those stats is .267/.340/.437. He hit .253/.342/.530 in 166 AB for Arizona, which was all you could expect from his equivalent stats.
Like Quentin, Alberto Callaspo is a 24-year-old who started the season in the majors. He hit only .206 and was sent down. He's hitting .348/.407/.508 for Tucson. Last year he hit .337/.404/.478 for Tucson (MLE .310/.367/.437). He plays 2B, 3B and SS, so his bat should be good enough if his glove is sound.
Chris Carter is a 24-year-old firstbaseman. He's hitting .333/.394/.532 in 402 AB this season with 40 walks and only 49 strikeouts in 402 AB. Last year he hit .301/.395/.483 at AAA (MLE .275/.354/.434). He might need to get out of this organization to get a shot.
Pitchers are another story. If you can pitch here ...
Jailen Peguero is a 26-year-old RH reliever. He's got a 2.20 ERA with 54 SO, 20 BB and only 34 hits in 49 innings. That's good stuff.
Chad Harville is a 30-year-old reliever who had horrible control problems the last 3 seasons in the bigs. This year for Tucson he's pitching quite well: 2.30 ERA, 25 saves, 43 SO, 18 BB and 5 HR in 47 innings. He's also getting a lot of groundball outs, which is excellent for relievers (2.32 GO/AO). Harville is earning another chance.
Randy Choate is another older guy (31) doing well in relief for Tucson. He's got a 2.84 ERA in 44.1 innings with 39 SO and 11 BB. He's also getting lots of grounders (2.84 GO/AO). He pitched great at AAA last season (2.17 ERA) and well enough in the bigs too (3.94 ERA in 16 IP with 12 SO and 3 walks). I have no idea why he's back in the minors this year. And Choate's lefthanded too.
In the starting rotation Dustin Nippert and Yusmeiro Petit have been wild. Casey Daigle has been much better as a starter (3.74 ERA in 33.2 IP, with 33 SO and 11 BB) than as a reliever (8.44 ERA in 32 IP).
Carlos Quentin is a 24-year-old outfielder and highly touted. But he's hardly "can't miss". He started the season in the majors but was sent down after hitting just .210 in 200 at bats. In 38 at bats for Tucson, Quentin has hit .385/.478/.615. In 2006, Quentin hit .289/.424/.487 in 38 AB in AAA. The major-league-equivalent of those stats is .267/.340/.437. He hit .253/.342/.530 in 166 AB for Arizona, which was all you could expect from his equivalent stats.
Like Quentin, Alberto Callaspo is a 24-year-old who started the season in the majors. He hit only .206 and was sent down. He's hitting .348/.407/.508 for Tucson. Last year he hit .337/.404/.478 for Tucson (MLE .310/.367/.437). He plays 2B, 3B and SS, so his bat should be good enough if his glove is sound.
Chris Carter is a 24-year-old firstbaseman. He's hitting .333/.394/.532 in 402 AB this season with 40 walks and only 49 strikeouts in 402 AB. Last year he hit .301/.395/.483 at AAA (MLE .275/.354/.434). He might need to get out of this organization to get a shot.
Pitchers are another story. If you can pitch here ...
Jailen Peguero is a 26-year-old RH reliever. He's got a 2.20 ERA with 54 SO, 20 BB and only 34 hits in 49 innings. That's good stuff.
Chad Harville is a 30-year-old reliever who had horrible control problems the last 3 seasons in the bigs. This year for Tucson he's pitching quite well: 2.30 ERA, 25 saves, 43 SO, 18 BB and 5 HR in 47 innings. He's also getting a lot of groundball outs, which is excellent for relievers (2.32 GO/AO). Harville is earning another chance.
Randy Choate is another older guy (31) doing well in relief for Tucson. He's got a 2.84 ERA in 44.1 innings with 39 SO and 11 BB. He's also getting lots of grounders (2.84 GO/AO). He pitched great at AAA last season (2.17 ERA) and well enough in the bigs too (3.94 ERA in 16 IP with 12 SO and 3 walks). I have no idea why he's back in the minors this year. And Choate's lefthanded too.
In the starting rotation Dustin Nippert and Yusmeiro Petit have been wild. Casey Daigle has been much better as a starter (3.74 ERA in 33.2 IP, with 33 SO and 11 BB) than as a reliever (8.44 ERA in 32 IP).
Sunday, July 22, 2007
AAA Omaha Royals
Omaha is the Royals' AAA ballclub. Star-in-the-making Billy Butler has moved up to Kansas City, but some interesting players remain on the Omaha roster.
Joey Gathright is back in the minors. He's a 26-year-old speed-demon outfielder. Joey has hit .335/.454/.407 with 22 stolen bases and 38 walks in 194 AB for Omaha this year (and .315/.390/.370 in 73 AB for KC). Last year at AAA Durham he hit .258/.410/.323. With those on-base skills, he deserves another shot.
Shane Costa is also trying to play his way back into the majors. He's a 25-year-old outfielder. He bats left and has shown a big platoon split in AAA this year: .404/.476/.584 vs RHP, but only .225/.326/.275 vs LHP. Last year he hit .342/.398/.593 in 207 AB in AAA (without the big splits) and .274/.304/.405 in 237 major league at bats.
Matt Tupman is a 27-year-old catcher with excellent on-base skills but no power. He's hitting .291/.379/.357 in 213 AB this season. Last year he hit .305/.425/.364 in AA. Left-handed-hitting catchers are rare enough that if his glovework is decent he should get a shot.
Craig Brazell is the opposite of Gathright and Tupman ... lots of power but few walks. A 27-year-old left-handed batter having a career year. .349/.408/.587 in 109 AB in AA, and .316/.344/.639 in 291 AB in AAA. 32 total homers, but only 24 walks in 400 AB. Brazell hit only .247/.283/.463 in AA last year.
Luke Hochevar is a highly touted starting pitcher who recently moved up from AA. He's 23. He had a 4.69 ERA at AA and gave up 13 homers and 110 hits in 94 innings. On the bright side he struck out 94 and walked only 26.
Leo Nunez is a 23-year-old right-handed starting pitcher who had a 1.40 ERA in 8 starts at AA and AAA this season. 28 SO and 9 BB in 38.2 innings.
Joey Gathright is back in the minors. He's a 26-year-old speed-demon outfielder. Joey has hit .335/.454/.407 with 22 stolen bases and 38 walks in 194 AB for Omaha this year (and .315/.390/.370 in 73 AB for KC). Last year at AAA Durham he hit .258/.410/.323. With those on-base skills, he deserves another shot.
Shane Costa is also trying to play his way back into the majors. He's a 25-year-old outfielder. He bats left and has shown a big platoon split in AAA this year: .404/.476/.584 vs RHP, but only .225/.326/.275 vs LHP. Last year he hit .342/.398/.593 in 207 AB in AAA (without the big splits) and .274/.304/.405 in 237 major league at bats.
Matt Tupman is a 27-year-old catcher with excellent on-base skills but no power. He's hitting .291/.379/.357 in 213 AB this season. Last year he hit .305/.425/.364 in AA. Left-handed-hitting catchers are rare enough that if his glovework is decent he should get a shot.
Craig Brazell is the opposite of Gathright and Tupman ... lots of power but few walks. A 27-year-old left-handed batter having a career year. .349/.408/.587 in 109 AB in AA, and .316/.344/.639 in 291 AB in AAA. 32 total homers, but only 24 walks in 400 AB. Brazell hit only .247/.283/.463 in AA last year.
Luke Hochevar is a highly touted starting pitcher who recently moved up from AA. He's 23. He had a 4.69 ERA at AA and gave up 13 homers and 110 hits in 94 innings. On the bright side he struck out 94 and walked only 26.
Leo Nunez is a 23-year-old right-handed starting pitcher who had a 1.40 ERA in 8 starts at AA and AAA this season. 28 SO and 9 BB in 38.2 innings.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Major Splits
AAA baseball players aren't the only ones with large batting splits. Several major leaguers are struggling against either lefties or righties, creating possible opportunities for guys from the minors to move up.
Curtis Granderson (CF Tigers)
vs LHP: .147/.169/.253; vs RHP: .339/.396/.657
Ken Phelps All-Star Ryan Raburn is starting to take some of his at bats against lefties.
Raul Ibanez (LF Mariners)
vs LHP: .235/.248/.284; vs RHP: .278/.343/.467
Jose Guillen (OF Mariners)
vs LHP: .415/.500/.683; vs RHP: .241/.307/.373
A perfect platoon partner for Ibanez.
Brad Hawpe (RF Rockies)
vs LHP: .197/.282/.289; vs RHP: .339/.427/.647
Ryan Spilborghs (OF Rockies)
vs LHP: .432/.475/.757; vs RHP: .246/.276/.406
A perfect platoon partner for Hawpe.
Bobby Abreu (RF Yankees)
vs LHP: .235/.306/.286; vs RHP: .278/.365/.429
Shawn Green (OF Mets)
vs LHP: .200/.269/.271; vs RHP: .307/.352/.483
Kenny Lofton (CF Rangers)
vs LHP: .226/.328/.283; vs RHP: .328/.406/.483
Ronny Paulino (C Pirates)
vs LHP: .362/.421/.522; vs RHP: .189/.228/.292
Ian Kinsler (2B Rangers)
vs LHP: .329/.420/.614; vs RHP: .209/.303/.393
Young thirdbasemen are struggling against righties:
Kevin Kouzmanoff (3B Padres)
vs LHP: .348/.377/.623; vs RHP: .199/.269/.343
Josh Fields (3B White Sox)
vs LHP: .357/.426/.619; vs RHP: .187/.253/.297
Ryan Zimmerman (3B Nationals)
vs LHP: .372/.426/.628; vs RHP: .223/.275/.378
Ryan Freel (CF Reds) has a nasty reverse platoon split this season. In the past he hit LHP very well, but this year only .130/.149/.250. He's at .311/.384/.407 against RHP.
It's not surprising to see so many young and old players on this list. Players in their prime have smaller splits than kids and old-timers.
There are many more examples out there too. The best place online to sort batting splits is at ESPN (use the filter). If you play fantasy baseball on Yahoo, it's easy to check if your hitters are facing lefties or righties. Take advantage of this information to bench players with the worst batting splits.
Curtis Granderson (CF Tigers)
vs LHP: .147/.169/.253; vs RHP: .339/.396/.657
Ken Phelps All-Star Ryan Raburn is starting to take some of his at bats against lefties.
Raul Ibanez (LF Mariners)
vs LHP: .235/.248/.284; vs RHP: .278/.343/.467
Jose Guillen (OF Mariners)
vs LHP: .415/.500/.683; vs RHP: .241/.307/.373
A perfect platoon partner for Ibanez.
Brad Hawpe (RF Rockies)
vs LHP: .197/.282/.289; vs RHP: .339/.427/.647
Ryan Spilborghs (OF Rockies)
vs LHP: .432/.475/.757; vs RHP: .246/.276/.406
A perfect platoon partner for Hawpe.
Bobby Abreu (RF Yankees)
vs LHP: .235/.306/.286; vs RHP: .278/.365/.429
Shawn Green (OF Mets)
vs LHP: .200/.269/.271; vs RHP: .307/.352/.483
Kenny Lofton (CF Rangers)
vs LHP: .226/.328/.283; vs RHP: .328/.406/.483
Ronny Paulino (C Pirates)
vs LHP: .362/.421/.522; vs RHP: .189/.228/.292
Ian Kinsler (2B Rangers)
vs LHP: .329/.420/.614; vs RHP: .209/.303/.393
Young thirdbasemen are struggling against righties:
Kevin Kouzmanoff (3B Padres)
vs LHP: .348/.377/.623; vs RHP: .199/.269/.343
Josh Fields (3B White Sox)
vs LHP: .357/.426/.619; vs RHP: .187/.253/.297
Ryan Zimmerman (3B Nationals)
vs LHP: .372/.426/.628; vs RHP: .223/.275/.378
Ryan Freel (CF Reds) has a nasty reverse platoon split this season. In the past he hit LHP very well, but this year only .130/.149/.250. He's at .311/.384/.407 against RHP.
It's not surprising to see so many young and old players on this list. Players in their prime have smaller splits than kids and old-timers.
There are many more examples out there too. The best place online to sort batting splits is at ESPN (use the filter). If you play fantasy baseball on Yahoo, it's easy to check if your hitters are facing lefties or righties. Take advantage of this information to bench players with the worst batting splits.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Prospect Watch: Brandon Moss
Brandon Moss is a 23-year-old outfielder in the Red Sox organization. Boston selected him out of high school in the 8th round of the 2002 draft. He bats left.
This season Moss is one of the leading batters in AAA, hitting .306/.391/.524 in 330 at bats. 31 doubles and 13 homers demonstrate his developing power. He also has 46 walks ... and 95 whiffs. His on-base-percentage ranks 3rd among "qualified" hitters in the International League. In slugging he ranks 4th.
In 2006, Moss hit .285/.357/.439 in his second go-round with AA Portland. Showed a little power - 36 doubles and 12 homers in 508 at bats. 56 walks and 108 strikeouts. 8 stolen bases, but caught 5 times.
Brandon Moss is having quite a season, has some power and can draw a walk. On the negative side, he whiffs quite a bit and is a horrible baserunner. And what the heck happened with the two seasons at AA? Sox fans shouldn't get their hopes up too high.
This season Moss is one of the leading batters in AAA, hitting .306/.391/.524 in 330 at bats. 31 doubles and 13 homers demonstrate his developing power. He also has 46 walks ... and 95 whiffs. His on-base-percentage ranks 3rd among "qualified" hitters in the International League. In slugging he ranks 4th.
In 2006, Moss hit .285/.357/.439 in his second go-round with AA Portland. Showed a little power - 36 doubles and 12 homers in 508 at bats. 56 walks and 108 strikeouts. 8 stolen bases, but caught 5 times.
Brandon Moss is having quite a season, has some power and can draw a walk. On the negative side, he whiffs quite a bit and is a horrible baserunner. And what the heck happened with the two seasons at AA? Sox fans shouldn't get their hopes up too high.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Tejada to the Cubs?
If the Orioles decide to enter rebuilding mode, Miguel Tejada is a prime bargaining chip. The Cubs are a logical destination for the star shortstop because 1) the Orioles and Cubs have a recent history of deals (Sosa and Patterson), 2) the Os' new CEO, Andy MacPhail, used to be with the Cubs, 3) the Cubs don't seem to be satisfied with Ryan Theriot at shortstop, 4) the Orioles could also fulfill the Cubs' desire for another relief pitcher, and most importantly 5) the Cubs are in contention and should be in "win now" mode.
What do the Cubs have at AAA Iowa that might interest the Orioles? A lot ... even without including Felix Pie, who's untouchable. Three players who should interest the Orioles are Scott Moore, Ronny Cedeno and Matt Murton.
Scott Moore is a 23-year-old third-baseman. He's hitting .254/.361/.451 in 268 AB at Iowa. He's murdering RHP (.283/.396/.529 with 10 homers and 31 walks in 191 AB) but hasn't touched LHP (.182/.267/.260). Moore is young enough to grow out of that huge split, but it would also be easy to pick up a Scott Seabol or Aaron Herr to handle the lefties for him. The Cubs don't need Moore because they have Aramis Ramirez at 3B.
Ronny Cedeno is a 24-year-old shortstop and the leading hitter in the Pacific Coast League (.364/.435/.579). He didn't hit with the Cubs last season, but he was only 23. In 2005 Cedeno hit .355/.403/.518 as a 22-year-old at Iowa, and .300/.356/.375 that season with the Cubbies. Tejada would make Cedeno irrelevant for the Cubs, and the Cubs may have prematurely given up on the youngster anyway.
Matt Murton is a 25-year-old left-fielder who hit .297/.365/.444 for the Cubs last season and .321/.386/.521 in 140 AB as a 23-year-old for them in 2005. Regardless, the Cubs shipped him to Iowa this year, where he's hitting .297/.379/.505 with 10 doubles, 3 home runs, 12 walks and only 11 strikeouts in 101 at bats. Alfonso Soriano has LF locked up for the Cubs.
There you have it -- 3 young, talented, major-league-ready players that the Cubs don't need. They would form a fine foundation for rebuilding the Orioles, and the Os should be willing to trade Tejada and a relief pitcher (Bradford or Walker) to get them.
What do the Cubs have at AAA Iowa that might interest the Orioles? A lot ... even without including Felix Pie, who's untouchable. Three players who should interest the Orioles are Scott Moore, Ronny Cedeno and Matt Murton.
Scott Moore is a 23-year-old third-baseman. He's hitting .254/.361/.451 in 268 AB at Iowa. He's murdering RHP (.283/.396/.529 with 10 homers and 31 walks in 191 AB) but hasn't touched LHP (.182/.267/.260). Moore is young enough to grow out of that huge split, but it would also be easy to pick up a Scott Seabol or Aaron Herr to handle the lefties for him. The Cubs don't need Moore because they have Aramis Ramirez at 3B.
Ronny Cedeno is a 24-year-old shortstop and the leading hitter in the Pacific Coast League (.364/.435/.579). He didn't hit with the Cubs last season, but he was only 23. In 2005 Cedeno hit .355/.403/.518 as a 22-year-old at Iowa, and .300/.356/.375 that season with the Cubbies. Tejada would make Cedeno irrelevant for the Cubs, and the Cubs may have prematurely given up on the youngster anyway.
Matt Murton is a 25-year-old left-fielder who hit .297/.365/.444 for the Cubs last season and .321/.386/.521 in 140 AB as a 23-year-old for them in 2005. Regardless, the Cubs shipped him to Iowa this year, where he's hitting .297/.379/.505 with 10 doubles, 3 home runs, 12 walks and only 11 strikeouts in 101 at bats. Alfonso Soriano has LF locked up for the Cubs.
There you have it -- 3 young, talented, major-league-ready players that the Cubs don't need. They would form a fine foundation for rebuilding the Orioles, and the Os should be willing to trade Tejada and a relief pitcher (Bradford or Walker) to get them.
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