December, 2001
compiled by Ron Cox
BALTIMORE HONS
Strengths:
GM Al Melchior has built a nucleus of young talent since taking over the franchise three seasons ago, but the best prospect of the system had already arrived. Third baseman Sean Burroughs, 21 years old and coming off a solid season at AAA, is widely considered to be the top hitting prospect in minor league baseball. Showing outstanding plate discipline, Burroughs is expected to develop power as he matures, perhaps becoming the Hons starting 3B as early as 2002. Melchior drafted outfielder Kevin Mench, the second best prospect in the system, in the 2001 supplemental draft. After a slow start at AA, Mench turned it on in the second half to put up fine power numbers, including 34 doubles and 26 homers. The organization's promotion of outfielder Brad Wilkerson, along with the development of Mench, should give the Hons' GM some young talent to complement veteran superstar Sammy Sosa. On the mound, 22 year-old righthander Claudio Vargas (4.19 ERA, 122 H, 61 BB, 151 Ks) posted pretty good numbers at AA in a hitter's park. Brett Evert dominated at high-A ball, with 75 Ks in 72 innings alongside a 2.24 ERA. 22 year-old second baseman Jason Romano has been another solid addition by Melchior. In a late callup to AAA, Romano continued to be effective this year, and could be primed to join Sean Burroughs in the Hon infield very soon.
Weaknesses:
The Hons have a pretty good mix of prospects ranging from starting pitchers to infielders and outfielders. However, the organization has no shortstop prospects and is thin at catcher, although there is still hope for Humberto Cota, given that he's just 22 and is coming off a decent year at AAA. If this team is going to win in the next 2-3 years, Melchior may have to decide whether to aggressively pursue adding depth to the minor league system by acquiring more dollars and draft picks, a strategy that might involve trying to move veterans like Sammy Sosa OR using the high-ceiling talent to trade for veterans in an effort to contend in the short term. Right now, in the tough Northern Division, the major league club does not appear strong enough to reach the playoffs, while the minor league system is essentially equivalent to several other clubs that the Hons will be trying to catch in the coming years. How the organization handles these questions will be interesting to watch in future seasons.
Overall Grade: B
Player Grades:
Sean Burroughs, 3b A Kevin Mench, of B+ Jason Romano, 2b, B+ Brett Evert, rhp B Claudio Vargas, rhp B Enrique Cruz, 3b C+ Chris Capuano, lhp C
BIRD-IN-HAND HEXERS
Strengths:
This organization may have just produced the next young SJL superstar this side of Vladimir Guerrero in Adam Dunn, who took the league by storm this past season with his promotion to the majors. Dunn won?t be rated here, because he has already qualified for rookie status and has already joined an increasingly youthful and talented major league lineup that may propel this club to the status of perennial first-division contenders in the next few years. The best prospects currently in the BIH farm system do not have the kind of high-ceiling potential of Dunn or other Hexer major leaguers, including Brad Penny, but there are a few solid prospects, including righthander Ben Diggins who posted good numbers in low-A ball this past season; OF Ben Johnson, who Ks too much but has continued to display gap power at hi-A ball; C Ryan Christianson, whose solid defense is the cornerstone of his game, but who also has shown gap power in hi-A ball; and C Miguel Olivo, another outstanding defensive player whose offense has yet to match his defensive skills. Still, the fact that the organization has two good catching prospects is a huge plus, as this position is difficult to fill and is notorious for late player development, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Weaknesses:
Absent Dunn, the Hexers have no A-grade propsects, and are rather thin in B prospects as well. Instead, the club is loaded with marginal C prospects who have either been slowed by injury or have failed to advance with age, including injured pitchers Aaron Myette and Matt Wheatland; 1b Juan Diaz, who failed to show much growth at AAA ball this past season; second baseman Josh McKinley, who posted mediocre numbers at hi-A ball; and a trio of outfielders who have some potential but have come off disappointing years: Valentino Pascucci, Alexis Rios, and B.J. Garbe. If some of these players can turn it around in coming seasons, then the Hexers could have better depth than they currently display. Still, with the promotion of young talents like Dunn primed to join a nucleus of potential stars at the major league level, GM Peter Hess may not need much to fill in the pieces.
Overall Grade: B-
Player Grades:
Ben Diggins, rhp B Ryan Christianson, c B Ben Johnson, of B- Miguel Olivo, c C+ Josh Girdley, lhp C Juan Diaz, 1b C Josh McKinley, 2b C B.J. Garbe, of C Valentino Pascucci, of C Alexis Rios, of C
HAGERSTOWN HOBGOBLINS
Strengths:
After only one year in the Shoeless Joe League, GM Doug Krippendorf has built a solid farm system with several high-ceiling prospects, including recently acquired SS Brandon Phillips, 1B Ben Broussard, OF Marlon Bryd, 3B/OF David Kelton, and P Ricardo Rodriguez. The successful development of this promising group of minor leaguers could enable the organization to field a competitive Shoeless Joe roster in the years ahead, as the major league club already includes a talented nucleus in outfielders Adam Piatt, Roger Cedeno and Daryle Ward, and pitchers Bud Smith, Tony McKnight and Odalis Perez. Marlon Byrd was named the Eastern League's second best prospect in Baseball America, as the publication praised his combination of speed, power and defense. The publication named SS Brandon Phillips, recently acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Whirlwind, the number three prospect in the Florida State League. The 20-year old Phillips showed improved strike zone judgment, power and speed at both hi-A ball and AA-ball this season, as he batted .298 with 19 doubles and 7 homers in just 265 atbats after his promotion to the Eastern League. David Kelton, only 22 years old, shifted to the outfield this season and posted solid numbers at AA (.313, 12 HRs, 9 2Bs, 224 Abs). Ben Broussard has the best strikeout-to-walk ratio in the organization, indicating his potential to be a solid starter in the majors. Ricardo Rodriguez, the organization's top pitching prospect, did well in high-A ball, posting 154 strikeouts against 60 walks in 154 innings with a 3.21 ERA and only 133 hits allowed.
Weaknesses:
The organization has no prospects at catcher and, with the exception of Brandon Phillips, is rather thin in the middle infield. In the extremely tough Northern Division, the timetable for turning this young talent into a team capable of finishing in the first division won't be easy. Other top clubs have farm systems that are just as good, while having more veteran talent at the major league level to avoid too much dependence on youth. The organization has helped themselves by adding major league position players who could be primed for breakout years, including taking a chance on the potential of often injured Fernando Tatis in a trade with Harrisburg. The key to avoiding a perpetual lower division finish in the years ahead may rest with how fast major leaguers like Piatt, Ward, and Tatis can develop, along with young pitchers such as Bud Smith. If the major leaguers start producing, then the minor league system becomes a complementary ingredient in the team's rise, rather than the sole means of support.
Overall Grade: B+
Player Grades:
Ben Broussard, 1b B+ Brandon Phillips, ss B+ Marlon Byrd, of B+ Ricardo Rodriguez, rhp B David Kelton, of B Joaquin Benoit, rhp B- Travis Hafner, 1b C+ Scott Hodges, 3b C+ Donnie Bridges, rhp C+ David Gil, rhp C+ Dicky Gonzalez, rhp C+
HARRISBURG HEROES
Strengths:
GM David Hess has one of the strongest histories of player development in the SJL. After having reached the World Series for the second time, the Heroes are poised to be a perennial powerhouse in the league due to their combination of unrivaled high-ceiling talent at the major and minor league levels. The minor league pitching staff boasts the performances of Adam Johnson, whose ascent to AA was a very successful one, as the righty posted a 110-39 K-BB rate to prove his mettle against tougher competition. Pitching in a hitter's league and a hitter?s park, Wascar Serrano still managed to post respectable numbers at AAA, indicating that both he and Johnson may be banging on the major league door as soon as the 2002 season. The acquisition of Grant Roberts, alongside the steady development of Seung Song, suggests that the Heroes will keep churning out pitching talent to complement the live arms of Wade Miller and C.C. Sabathia, both of whom arrived on the major league scene this year with impressive results. The best hitting prospect, 22 year-old 3b Michael Cuddyer, is coming off a very solid year at AA, with 36 doubles and 30 homers in only 301 ABs, with only his defense keeping him from A-grade status at this point. Catcher Brad Cresse continued to post solid offensive numbers at AA, with 39 doubles, 14 homers and a .289 average, while continuing to work on his defensive skills. Outfielder Joe Borchard clubbed 27 doubles, 27 homers and drew 66 walks at AA, although the organization would like to see the 158 Ks come down. Eric Munson continues to be a prospect, although at 24 the clock is ticking a bit on the former catcher turned 1B, where his offensive numbers would have to be a bit more impressive to merit inclusion with the best of the Heroes minor leaguers.
Weaknesses:
Right now, the Heroes have no A-grade prospects, but plenty of B-grade prospects concentrated in the pitching staff, alongside 3B Cuddyer and OF Borchard. With the extreme number of high-ceiling youngsters who have already advanced to the major leagues, it's hard to call this a weakness. The organization has enough depth that it can safely trade away a prospect or two to fill any holes that might emerge in the big league roster. In addition, the club heads into the March, 2002 supplemental draft with a whopping $114 to spend, as of this writing more than any other SJL club.
Overall Grade: B+
Player Grades:
Michael Cuddyer, 3b B+ Joe Borchard, of B+ Adam Johnson, rhp B+ Wascar Serrano, rhp B+ Seung Jun Song, rhp B Brad Cresse, c B Grant Roberts, rhp B- Matt White, rhp C+ Freddie Bynum, 2b C+ Eric Munson, 1b C+ Francis Gomez, ss C Jason Repko, ss C-
LONDON RIPPERS
Strengths:
GM Bill Young made clear his intentions to make this club competitive quickly by trading newly acquired expansion draft pick Wilson Betemit to Moline in a package deal for superstar Manny Ramirez. The only expansion team of 2001 to come close to a .500 record, the Rippers have an intriguing mix of veterans and youngsters that indicates the organization's strategy is geared toward competing for a playoff spot sooner rather than later. Perhaps the most entertaining aspect of the recent London trades is the tendency to acquire, trade, reacquire and trade again, Robb Nen, an indication most recently that the organization is convinced they can help themselves get younger and better in the upcoming March supplemental draft. Right now, the minor league system lags behind expansion counterparts Hagerstown and Ft. Lauderdale in the quantity and stature of its prospects. Heading the list is 23 yr. old Xavier Nady, whose 38 doubles, 26 dingers and 62 walks in only 302 atbats at hi-A ball suggests solid potential to be a very good offensive player in the SJL, but an elbow injury has the organization concerned, with Nady slated to be limited to DH duties next season. Also 23, Pablo Ozuna missed the 2001 season with a wrist injury, and now London will be looking closely to see if the once prized prospect can have a rebound year in 2002. Slugging firstbaseman Jason Hart certainly would have more value if he could play other positions, but he did put up decent power numbers this season at AAA (26 doubles, 19 homers) to go along with 57 walks and too many strikeouts (102). At 21, Andy VanHekken is the organization?s best pitching prospect, posting a 3.17 ERA at AA, alongside 82 Ks and 33 walks in 111 innings.
Weaknesses:
There are many more C prospects in the organization than B prospects. Most importantly, two of the best prospects in the organization, Nady and Ozuna, have had to battle injuries. At 23, their ability to become above average major league players is reaching an important test with the arrival of the 2002 season. At the major league level, London has a solid outfield with Ramirez, Dimitri Young and Mike Darr, although not a lot of depth either in the SJL or in the minors, where C prospects Shaun Boyd and Mario Encarnacion top the list. The organization has already promoted Brandon Inge, who figures to be in the mix for starting catcher next year alongside Matt Matheny, but prospect Omar Falcon's first stop at rookie ball was distinctly unimpressive. Pitchers Brad Baisley and Greg Miller have some promise, although Baisley struggled when promoted to AA.
Overall Grade: B-
Player Grades:
Xavier Nady, 1b B Pablo Ozuna, ss B- Andy VanHekken, lhp B- Jason Hart, 1b B- Brad Baisley, rhp B- Greg Miller, lhp C+ Mario Encarnacion, of C Adam Bernero, rhp C Geoff Goetz, lhp C Matt Holliday, 3b C Ramon Santiago, ss C Shaun Boyd, of C-
MOLINE GREENS
Strengths:
The Greens dynasty was only temporarily interrupted by the fourth place finish in 2001. The major league club is strong enough to continue to challenge for the World Series, while the minor league system can boast of as many as 13 prospects that have earned either an A- or B-grade ranking in these reports. The depth and quality of this minor league system is unsurpassed, as GM Rolf Samuels steadily ensures a supply of rich talent that will take him through the next decade of SJL play. Where to start? How about the decision to reacquire SS prospect Wilson Betemit in a trade with London, shortly after the Rippers had selected the phenom in the expansion draft. Betemit's promotion to AA showed results, as the future Greens shortstop hit .355 with 14 doubles and 5 homers in only 183 atbats in AA. At 20 yrs. of age playing at AA, Betemit has the tools to become a star in the majors, with plenty of time to iron out some problems with plate discipline. Named the number 1 prospect by Baseball America in the Carolina League and number 3 in the Southern League, his ceiling is quite high. Now add power-hitting 1B Carlos Pena to the A-grade prospects, with his 38 doubles, 23 homers and 80 walks pacing a fine AAA performance at age 23. The list of high-B prospects is topped by Nick Johnson, who slipped from the A category only due to injury, but who possesses enough special skills to be a very good major league player. Then there's 3B Drew Henson, who despite struggling at AAA is only 21 and has plenty of upside left in his career. OF Chris Snelling, the 2000 draft pick, continued to impress at 19 years of age (he just turned 20) in hi-A ball, smoking a .336 average with 29 doubles, 7 homers and 45 walks. The next category of players would be enough to elevate most team's minor league grade to a solid B, but on the Green's roster, they will have to wait in line: 3B Tony Blanco, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, SS Omar Infante, OF Jack Cust, pitchers Justin Wayne and Jeff Heaverlo. Yes, folks, the structure of the SJL has changed, but the Greens have positioned themselves well as a model franchise, shedding superstar veteran talent while keeping the corps ingredients for short-term and long-term success.
Weaknesses:
Not much depth in terms of pitching prospects, but the organization has never tried to move much in this direction. The thinking is that pitching prospects are simply unprojectable and therefore not worthy of drafting ahead of high-ceiling position players. The catching situation is very thin, and is a concern that the organization will likely have to move to address, possibly through a trade of a veteran or two, or using the other bounties of the farm system to obtain a high-ceiling prospect. Another issue might be the heavy concentration of high-ceiling prospects at 1b, which is the easiest position to fill in the majors, but requires elevated production to be above average offensively at the position. But these are not substantial weaknesses; they're quite minor and quite manageable, especially given the depth of the organization's minor league system in other areas.
Overall Grade: A
Player Grades:
Carlos Pena, 1b A Wilson Betemit, ss A- Nick Johnson, 1b B+ Jack Cust, of B+ Drew Henson, 3b B+ Chris Snelling, of B+ Justin Wayne, rhp B+ Jeff Heaverlo, rhp B Tony Blanco, 3b B Adrian Gonzalez, 1b B Omar Infante, ss B Aaron Rowand, of B- Corey Smith, 3b B- Jason Stokes, of C+ Anderson Machado, ss C+ Tony Mota, of C Mike Rose, c C
PENNSYLVANIA PLUTONIUM
Strengths:
GM Jim Brown has steadily improved the fortunes of the Plutonium, from 89 wins and a second-place finish in 2000 to 98 victories and a playoff spot in 2001. The big league pitching staff was near the top of the SJL leaderboard in most of the important categories last year, with the now departed Barry Bonds accounting for much of the offensive production. The minor league system is heavily concentrated around young arms, with as many as five of the organization's nine B-grade prospects earning their living on the mound. But injuries to these arms raise question marks about how good the Plutonium?s high-ceiling prospects can be (where are you, Matt Riley?). Ryan Anderson and Chin-Hui Tsao are still highly regarded, but the organization anxiously awaits results from both of these talents to see if they can rebound from a lost season. Out of the remaining pitching prospects, Ty Howington was solid at both hi-A ball and in a promotion to AA. Only 20 going into the season, Howington compiled a 3.27 ERA in AA competition, with 38 Ks and 24 walks in 41 innings of work. Jason Jennings got his Coors Field training in AAA work in the PCL, with a good K/BB ratio of 110/41. The acquisition of Gookie Dawkins gives the organization three infield prospects that make the B-grade category, although at this point it's a low B for Gookie. Secondbaseman Chase Utley put up some nice power numbers at hi-A ball, but showed less plate discipline compared with his performance in the short season New York-Penn League last year. His defense raises serious questions about whether he'll stick at that position. Lyle Overbay, the slugging 1B, is already 25 but continues to put up strong offensive numbers, and Juan Uribe at 22 was at hi-A ball before being promoted to the majors, but his poor K/BB ratio may hold him back from the kind of production the organization would have preferred. Ryan Ludwick is the clear standout among the Plute?s OF prospects, with a respectable AA campaign notable for 23 doubles, 25 homers, and 56 walks, although the K/BB ratio was undercut by 113 strikeouts.
Weaknesses:
No A-grade prospects to speak of, and a rather high concentration of prospects in the pitching department, which is always a risk. Still, Pennsylvania as an organization has been going in the right direction, as shown by their strong showing the past two years. Whether or not this club can stay with organizations such as Harrisburg and Moline, both with better minor league systems, will be one of the most interesting developments in the SJL. GM Brown has not been shy about making blockbuster trades, with the PA-Savannah deal involving the movement of Bonds and Biggio for Abreu and Clemens, among others. The organization clearly wants to build a solid nucleus of starting pitching as the avenue to another playoff spot. But with the acquisition of Abreu, they have also gotten younger at a position where they don't have a lot of minor league depth. Ditto in the catching area, where the organization will now rely on its former minor league prospect, Ben Petrick, to help elevate the team?s offensive fortunes.
Overall Grade: B
Player Grades:Ryan Anderson, lhp B Jason Jennings, rhp B Chin-Hui Tsao, rhp B Ty Howington, lhp B Ryan Ludwick, of B Chase Utley, 2b B- Lyle Overbay, 1b B- Gookie Dawkins, ss B- Brett Myers, rhp B- Brad Baker, rhp C+ Aaron McNeal, 1b C+ Luis Terrero, of C Nick Green, 2b C Josh Wilson, ss C Jason Standridge, rhp C
SAVANNAH CARPETBAGGERS
Strengths:
The Carpetbaggers set some kind of record for most trades in the span of a year-and-a-half, remaking their club especially their starting pitching staff, and later the corps of their offensive attack, to be primed for the playoffs over the next 2-3 years. The fact that this is a concerted plan makes the depletion of the minor league system easier to understand. There will come a time when GM Skidmore-Hess has to remake the farm system, but a good look at his main Southern Division competition in 2001, the World Series champion Leones and the third-place Panthers, reveals that at least two other powerhouses in the division also have sub-par farm systems, leading some in the South to extol the lucky and blessed virtues of playing inside this division and not the more onerous North. As Skidmore-Hess will soon report, the perennial powerhouse of the South: the mighty Whirlwind, has the best farm system of all the top clubs, although not as good as Caracas. For Savannah, there are two clear B prospects in their minor league pipeline: lhp Brian Tallet and 2b Tim Hummel, while the other minor leaguers wade in the C category. There were some concerns about Tallet's injury problems in college, but his fine performance in high-A ball has helped to erase some doubts about that, as the righty compiled a nasty 164 Ks in 160 innings alongside only 38 walks and a 3.04 ERA. Hummel showed some solid extra base power at AA, with 33 doubles and an impressive 63 walks, indicating that the 23 year-old could be a solid major league second sacker with gap power and patience.
Weaknesses:
The rest of the Carpetbaggers minor league system is thin, with C prospects dotting the landscape. These range from fallen prospects such as Jose Santos and Terry Byron, to another who is young enough to still be a respectable big league player: OF Dernell Stenson. Gerald Laird is an intriguing defensive specialist who shows some ability to reach base, but for now remains a C-grade prospect. Still, the organization doesn't much care to fill the void in their minor-league system right now, as the plan is in motion to contend with the likes of Randy Johnson, Barry Bonds, Carlos Delgado and Craig Biggio. The veteran firepower will be on display once again in the Southland, and once again look for Skidmore-Hess to be active in filling those major league holes for the short-term, while after the next two to three years attempting to find some quality minor leaguers for a longer-term effort at rebuilding.
Overall Grade: C+
Player Grades:
Brian Tallet, lhp B Tim Hummel, 2b B Dernell Stenson, of C+ Mike Shultz, rhp C Gerald Laird, c C Andrew Beinbrink, 3b C Albenis Machado, 2b C Jhonny Peralta, ss C Terry Byron, rhp C- Jose Santos, 3b C- Bubba Crosby, of C-