Panzram
06-25-2004, 10:58 PM
Carlos Beltran's Replacement
by Zach Chalifour
Feature Prospect: David DeJesus, OF, Royals
Born: December 20, 1979
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 170
Bats/Throws: L/L
In the wake of the Carlos Beltran trade, DeJesus was recalled on Friday for the second time this season. He's been stripped of "center fielder of the future" honors as he's now been dubbed their "center fielder of the present." Entering this season, DeJesus had two years of minor league experience under his belt. He brought in a career average of .296 with 13 home runs, 89 RBI, 27 SB and an even .400 on-base percentage in 699 at-bats. Showing outstanding plate discipline, DeJesus also drew 99 walks while striking out just 90 times in those 188 games. It appeared that the 24-year-old outfielder was ready to head to Kansas City for the 2004 season, but with Beltran in center and the newly-signed Juan Gonzalez in right field, the Royals decided to keep DeJesus at Triple-A Omaha where he would be able to play every day.
DeJesus was recalled at the end of April, but after two weeks and a mediocre 1-for-23 showing at the plate, he was quickly sent back down to Omaha. Before the callup, the former Rutgers University star had been only average at Triple-A, but after being demoted he began to turn things around. He now leaves behind very solid stats as he makes his return to the big leagues. Complimented by a recent hot streak, DeJesus posted a .315 BA (.400 OBP) in 197 at-bats with six home runs, 16 RBI, seven stolen bases, 14 doubles, six triples, and 38 runs scored. He has also continued to show his solid plate discipline, fanning just 30 times while drawing 21 free passes, finishing off what is certainly not a bad minor-league season for what will hopefully be his last appearance in the minors, with the exception of any future rehab stints.
After getting adjusted with the Royals, DeJesus should continue to hit well at the big-league level and will have added value in 5x5 leagues. As an on-base machine with solid speed, DeJesus should be able to rack up considerable runs hitting at the top of the lineup in front of Mike Sweeney and Ken Harvey. Unless he falls into a seriously extended slump, DeJesus is here to stay, with excellent value in keeper leagues as well as deep one-year leagues.
Craig Brazell, 1B, Mets
Brazell fits a common example of a smoothly-developing prospect, putting up solid numbers at each level of the minor leagues in the past six years. Drafted out of high school in 1998, Brazell is still just 24 and has posted career minor league totals of a .290 batting average with 73 homers and 352 RBI. The only problem has been his plate discipline -- Brazell has 414 strikeouts in 525 games, and has walked just 77 times. Thus far in 2004, he has almost bettered his power numbers of years past, having already hit 18 homers while driving in 46 runs for Triple-A Norwich. However, the lack of plate discipline has continued as he's walked just 12 times while fanning 53 times. He will have to iron out his strikeout-to-walk ratio if he is to make it in the major leagues, and otherwise, he could turn into an organizational player with only an occasional cameo in the majors. Simply put, Brazell isn't a player who would ever find himself on Billy Beane's fantasy squad (or the Oakland A's for that matter), but if you're looking strictly for some pop, he could have some decent value if and when he works himself into a major-league lineup.
Orlando Hernandez, P, Yankees
"El Duque" makes the cut after having an exceptional rehab start for Low-A Tampa. The major-league veteran has posted career statistics in five seasons of a 4.04 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP. In his near-800 innings pitched, the 34-year-old has recorded 53-38 record with 619 strikeouts, highlighted by his 17-win season with the Yankees in 1999. Hernandez recently posted a seven-inning, one-hit effort in which he gave up two unearned runs while walking two and striking out five. El Duque currently sits with a 1.50 ERA in three starts (12 IP) for Tampa as he looks to make a return to the Bronx. Considering the injury issues the Yankees have faced, if current fill-in Brad Halsey hits a rut and El Duque is deemed ready for a return to the Yankees, he could step into the rotation right away. If not, Hernandez still has a very solid shot at strengthening the Yankees bullpen in a long-relief role at the least.
Ian Snell, P, Pirates
While the likes of fellow Pittsburgh prospects Bryan Bullington, John Van Benschoten, and Sean Burnett stole the spotlight from Snell coming into the season, the 22-year-old is currently making a serious run at stepping front-and-center into the Pirates' spotlight. Snell has been dominant of late at Double-A Altoona, and currently boasts very solid overall numbers on the season. In 14 starts and 79 innings, the high-school-draftee has posted a 5-3 record with a 3.19 ERA, and has allowed just 81 hits and 20 walks to post an average 1.27 WHIP while also recording 67 strikeouts. Snell has really come alive as of late and is nearing a promotion to Triple-A Nashville, and if he can continue to pitch like he has in a recent dominant outings, he could make it to the majors this season. The Pirates are nearing an influx of pitching talent, and Snell may be the first of them to reach the big leagues. That should happen by mid-season next year.
John Buck, C, Royals
Continuing a look at prospects affected by the Beltran trade (the other two newest members of the Royals, Mike Wood and Mark Teahen, were coincidentally examined in last week's On the Farm), Buck is no longer an Astro following a trade to the Royals. There's a chance he could jump into the Kansas City lineup sometime this year. Buck's development has been highly volatile: he hit 22 homers at Low-A in 2001, but just two home runs at Triple-A New Orleans last season. During that span, he's posted a career .267 batting average. He may be back on path to reaching his potential, though, as he was hitting .300 with 12 home runs in 227 AB with New Orleans before being traded. The Royals appear to be dedicated to helping Buck reach his fullest potential: George Brett is ready to head to Omaha where he will help Buck improve his already-solid swing, and Tony Pena is prepared to help Buck iron out his catching mechanics once he reaches Kansas City.
Buck may get a chance with the Royals this season while Benito Santiago is out with a broken hand, but 2005 is a more likely ETA. He could overtake Santiago for the starting gig next season, or the two could work in a platoon with Santiago serving as a mentor for the youngster.
Sleeper Prospect: Ian Kinsler, SS, Rangers
When considering the facts that he is one of the hottest prospects in all of the minor leagues, he is still only 22 years old, and he was not considered one of the Rangers top 30 prospects as we entered the 2004 season, Kinsler undoubtedly fits the definition of a "sleeper prospect". He was drafted in the 17th round of the 2003 draft and had anything but a successful professional debut. He started the 2004 season at Low-A Clinton where he absolutely smashed the Midwest League pitching, hitting .402 in 224 at-bats while also hitting 11 home runs with 52 RBI and 30 doubles. He also stole 16 bases, too. The Rangers then promoted him to Double-A Frisco where he would face much more advanced pitching and was expected to struggle. Once again, Kinsler surpassed all expectations by far. In his first nine games with the Roughriders, Kinsler hit an outrageous .474 and already has five home runs, six doubles, 15 RBI, chipping in another swipe for good measure. Kinsler may have already surpassed Drew Meyer as the Rangers top shortstop prospect -- Meyer has struggled all year at Frisco, hitting just .232 with two home runs and three stolen bases.
by Zach Chalifour
Feature Prospect: David DeJesus, OF, Royals
Born: December 20, 1979
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 170
Bats/Throws: L/L
In the wake of the Carlos Beltran trade, DeJesus was recalled on Friday for the second time this season. He's been stripped of "center fielder of the future" honors as he's now been dubbed their "center fielder of the present." Entering this season, DeJesus had two years of minor league experience under his belt. He brought in a career average of .296 with 13 home runs, 89 RBI, 27 SB and an even .400 on-base percentage in 699 at-bats. Showing outstanding plate discipline, DeJesus also drew 99 walks while striking out just 90 times in those 188 games. It appeared that the 24-year-old outfielder was ready to head to Kansas City for the 2004 season, but with Beltran in center and the newly-signed Juan Gonzalez in right field, the Royals decided to keep DeJesus at Triple-A Omaha where he would be able to play every day.
DeJesus was recalled at the end of April, but after two weeks and a mediocre 1-for-23 showing at the plate, he was quickly sent back down to Omaha. Before the callup, the former Rutgers University star had been only average at Triple-A, but after being demoted he began to turn things around. He now leaves behind very solid stats as he makes his return to the big leagues. Complimented by a recent hot streak, DeJesus posted a .315 BA (.400 OBP) in 197 at-bats with six home runs, 16 RBI, seven stolen bases, 14 doubles, six triples, and 38 runs scored. He has also continued to show his solid plate discipline, fanning just 30 times while drawing 21 free passes, finishing off what is certainly not a bad minor-league season for what will hopefully be his last appearance in the minors, with the exception of any future rehab stints.
After getting adjusted with the Royals, DeJesus should continue to hit well at the big-league level and will have added value in 5x5 leagues. As an on-base machine with solid speed, DeJesus should be able to rack up considerable runs hitting at the top of the lineup in front of Mike Sweeney and Ken Harvey. Unless he falls into a seriously extended slump, DeJesus is here to stay, with excellent value in keeper leagues as well as deep one-year leagues.
Craig Brazell, 1B, Mets
Brazell fits a common example of a smoothly-developing prospect, putting up solid numbers at each level of the minor leagues in the past six years. Drafted out of high school in 1998, Brazell is still just 24 and has posted career minor league totals of a .290 batting average with 73 homers and 352 RBI. The only problem has been his plate discipline -- Brazell has 414 strikeouts in 525 games, and has walked just 77 times. Thus far in 2004, he has almost bettered his power numbers of years past, having already hit 18 homers while driving in 46 runs for Triple-A Norwich. However, the lack of plate discipline has continued as he's walked just 12 times while fanning 53 times. He will have to iron out his strikeout-to-walk ratio if he is to make it in the major leagues, and otherwise, he could turn into an organizational player with only an occasional cameo in the majors. Simply put, Brazell isn't a player who would ever find himself on Billy Beane's fantasy squad (or the Oakland A's for that matter), but if you're looking strictly for some pop, he could have some decent value if and when he works himself into a major-league lineup.
Orlando Hernandez, P, Yankees
"El Duque" makes the cut after having an exceptional rehab start for Low-A Tampa. The major-league veteran has posted career statistics in five seasons of a 4.04 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP. In his near-800 innings pitched, the 34-year-old has recorded 53-38 record with 619 strikeouts, highlighted by his 17-win season with the Yankees in 1999. Hernandez recently posted a seven-inning, one-hit effort in which he gave up two unearned runs while walking two and striking out five. El Duque currently sits with a 1.50 ERA in three starts (12 IP) for Tampa as he looks to make a return to the Bronx. Considering the injury issues the Yankees have faced, if current fill-in Brad Halsey hits a rut and El Duque is deemed ready for a return to the Yankees, he could step into the rotation right away. If not, Hernandez still has a very solid shot at strengthening the Yankees bullpen in a long-relief role at the least.
Ian Snell, P, Pirates
While the likes of fellow Pittsburgh prospects Bryan Bullington, John Van Benschoten, and Sean Burnett stole the spotlight from Snell coming into the season, the 22-year-old is currently making a serious run at stepping front-and-center into the Pirates' spotlight. Snell has been dominant of late at Double-A Altoona, and currently boasts very solid overall numbers on the season. In 14 starts and 79 innings, the high-school-draftee has posted a 5-3 record with a 3.19 ERA, and has allowed just 81 hits and 20 walks to post an average 1.27 WHIP while also recording 67 strikeouts. Snell has really come alive as of late and is nearing a promotion to Triple-A Nashville, and if he can continue to pitch like he has in a recent dominant outings, he could make it to the majors this season. The Pirates are nearing an influx of pitching talent, and Snell may be the first of them to reach the big leagues. That should happen by mid-season next year.
John Buck, C, Royals
Continuing a look at prospects affected by the Beltran trade (the other two newest members of the Royals, Mike Wood and Mark Teahen, were coincidentally examined in last week's On the Farm), Buck is no longer an Astro following a trade to the Royals. There's a chance he could jump into the Kansas City lineup sometime this year. Buck's development has been highly volatile: he hit 22 homers at Low-A in 2001, but just two home runs at Triple-A New Orleans last season. During that span, he's posted a career .267 batting average. He may be back on path to reaching his potential, though, as he was hitting .300 with 12 home runs in 227 AB with New Orleans before being traded. The Royals appear to be dedicated to helping Buck reach his fullest potential: George Brett is ready to head to Omaha where he will help Buck improve his already-solid swing, and Tony Pena is prepared to help Buck iron out his catching mechanics once he reaches Kansas City.
Buck may get a chance with the Royals this season while Benito Santiago is out with a broken hand, but 2005 is a more likely ETA. He could overtake Santiago for the starting gig next season, or the two could work in a platoon with Santiago serving as a mentor for the youngster.
Sleeper Prospect: Ian Kinsler, SS, Rangers
When considering the facts that he is one of the hottest prospects in all of the minor leagues, he is still only 22 years old, and he was not considered one of the Rangers top 30 prospects as we entered the 2004 season, Kinsler undoubtedly fits the definition of a "sleeper prospect". He was drafted in the 17th round of the 2003 draft and had anything but a successful professional debut. He started the 2004 season at Low-A Clinton where he absolutely smashed the Midwest League pitching, hitting .402 in 224 at-bats while also hitting 11 home runs with 52 RBI and 30 doubles. He also stole 16 bases, too. The Rangers then promoted him to Double-A Frisco where he would face much more advanced pitching and was expected to struggle. Once again, Kinsler surpassed all expectations by far. In his first nine games with the Roughriders, Kinsler hit an outrageous .474 and already has five home runs, six doubles, 15 RBI, chipping in another swipe for good measure. Kinsler may have already surpassed Drew Meyer as the Rangers top shortstop prospect -- Meyer has struggled all year at Frisco, hitting just .232 with two home runs and three stolen bases.