baseball
Q: Dave from Florida asks:
Michael Stanton’s power numbers are impressive for someone so young. Do you think he will be a solid pro or are the strikeouts a concern?
A:
Ben Badler: Everything you said is right. I think he’s a great prospect, I talked to a scout who was enamored with him, but the strikeouts are a problem. When you’re a power hitter like Stanton though—and he has HUGE power, especially for someone so young—it’s less of a concern.
Ben Badler: Gamel’s production at the plate almost certainly has nothing to do with LaPorta. He gets visibly frustrated with himself when he has a stretch of below-average offensive performance, but he’s still an excellent hitter with a quiet, balanced stance. I saw him play yesterday, and while I won’t go call him a good defender, he made several very good defensive plays last night. He made one catch while running into foul territory over his shoulder and snared a couple of other short hops. He’s not the smoothest over there—remember, third base is where a lot of former shortstops play in the big leagues, and it’s an underrated position in terms of defensive difficult—but it was nice to see him have a good game defensively over there.
Q: jon E blaze from columbus, oh asks:
When can I expect the following prospects to hit the MLB scene: David Price, Matt LaPorta, Mat Gamel?
A:
Ben Badler: Price in September, while Gamel and LaPorta will likely be up next year just after their service clocks are delayed long enough to keep them away from arbitration for an extra year.
Q: Eric from California asks:
In looking at some of the enigmatic players in single A, what can you tell me about Burgess, Stanton and Kalish that would lead you to believe that they will or will not achieve long term success in the Majors?
A:
Jim Shonerd: Great to be here for another Hot Sheet chat.
Jim Shonerd: Stanton has improved tremendously. Early in the year, teams were able to jam him inside and get him out that way. But I had a manager whose team played Greensboro recently tell me that they tried and tried to do that but it doesn’t work any more. Stanton has established himself as the SAL’s second best OF prospect after Jason Heyward. Burgess has tremendous raw power and a great throwing arm in right field, but the strikeouts are an issue
tony from queens asks:
What is Mike Stanton’s mlb eta? What kind of offensive player will he be?
A:
: JAS from Saratoga Springs, NY asks:
Who has the brightest future of the Mariner OF trio, Halman-Saunders-Balentien? Do you envision all 3 as the OF of the future after Ichiro leaves?
A:
Matt Eddy: For me, it’s Saunders, then a speculative gamble on Halman (very real Alfonso Soriano/Andrew Dawson potential), and then Balentien. If they all develop, then the M’s will be in good shape, seeing as Balentien would be their third-best outfielder.
Jim Shonerd: 2010 may be a possibility, but 2011 is more likely. Stanton’s calling card is his power and he may never be a .300 hitter unless he keeps cutting down the strikeouts, but he has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter.
: Jeff from NJ asks:
When might Freddie Freeman arrive in the bigs? Atlanta would seem to have a hole at 1B.
A:
Jim Shonerd: Casey Kotchman’s presence means the Braves shouldn’t need to rush Freeman. Kotchman is arbitration eligible after this season and can become a free agent after the 2011 season. Freeman should be ready by then, if not sooner.
Q: Chris from Boston asks:
Jason Heyward and Michael Stanton are tow SAL league outfielders that are having great seasons. Could you please comment on their skill sets and what type of players you think they can become?
A:
:Ben Badler: Both of them are outstanding prospects with a lot of similarities: big time power (Stanton has a little more present power), great size, athleticism, both very young and they run well. Heyward for me is a tick above Stanton because he has a better feel for the strike zone and doesn’t swing and miss as much as Stanton. There’s probably a little more risk involved with Stanton, but the upside is tremendous. He’s just huge and has such great size for someone his age, and then his athleticism is remarkable for someone his size.
Q: Jay from Melville asks:
What do you see in the future for Fred Freeman, 1B Braves. Thanks
A:
Ben Badler: Huge upside, potential star who could soar up the prospect charts with another big year next season.
Austin Jackson?
A: Chris Kline: I’m going way off the board and saying Jennings, Jackson, Gomez.
Q: N.P from Newark, NJ asks:
Chris, have you seen Oscar Tejeda play? I Watch him last night on T.V and he looked impressive, he has a cannon of an arm but didn’t get a sense of his range, What have scouts said about his defense? can he stay at SS? offensively, his bat is really fast and quick but needs to learn how to punish bad breaking pitches. what kind of offensive package have scouts said he is?
A: Chris Kline: Does N.P. stand for Non-Prospect? I have seen Tejeda. Range is above-average; he’s better to his right than his left. Think he can stay @ SS. I agree with what you say about the bat, but then again you have to take into account the age and his experience @ facing decent breaking balls.
Q: Snapper Bean from Greater Kensington asks:
What can you tell me about 19 year old Phillies OF prospect Dominic Brown? I know the Phillies signed him away from playing football for UMiami. After a slow start he has been on-fire for the last 5 weeks or so in the NY-Penn League.
A: Chris Kline: Speed with emerging power and is likely a lock for the Phillies top 10 in the 2008 Prospect Handbook.
Q: tony from queens asks:
What is Mike Stanton’s mlb eta? What kind of offensive player will he be?
A: Jim Shonerd: 2010 may be a possibility, but 2011 is more likely. Stanton’s calling card is his power and he may never be a .300 hitter unless he keeps cutting down the strikeouts, but he has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter.
Scott Ames IA: What are you thoughts on Michael Stanton for the Marlins? Could he sneak into the top 50 propects if he keeps displaying good power in single a?
Jim Callis: (2:26 PM ET ) He could, though the massive strikeouts make him more of a 51-100 guy for me. Michael Burgess with the Nationals is in the same boat
Jim (WI): Is Gamel a better prospect than LaPorta?
Jim Callis: (2:11 PM ET ) I don’t think so. They’re close, though, and Gamel’s emergence as a stud hitter made it easier to deal LaPorta.
Q: Dave from Sarasota asks:
How would you rank Carlos Gomez, Desmond Jennings, and Austin Jackson?
A: Chris Kline: I’m going way off the board and saying Jennings, Jackson, Gomez.
Q: N.P from Newark, NJ asks:
Chris, have you seen Oscar Tejeda play? I Watch him last night on T.V and he looked impressive, he has a cannon of an arm but didn’t get a sense of his range, What have scouts said about his defense? can he stay at SS? offensively, his bat is really fast and quick but needs to learn how to punish bad breaking pitches. what kind of offensive package have scouts said he is?
A: Chris Kline: Does N.P. stand for Non-Prospect? I have seen Tejeda. Range is above-average; he’s better to his right than his left. Think he can stay @ SS. I agree with what you say about the bat, but then again you have to take into account the age and his experience @ facing decent breaking balls.
Q: Snapper Bean from Greater Kensington asks:
What can you tell me about 19 year old Phillies OF prospect Dominic Brown? I know the Phillies signed him away from playing football for UMiami. After a slow start he has been on-fire for the last 5 weeks or so in the NY-Penn League.
A: Chris Kline: Speed with emerging power and is likely a lock for the Phillies top 10 in the 2008 Prospect Handbook.
Q: tony from queens asks:
What is Mike Stanton’s mlb eta? What kind of offensive player will he be?
A: Jim Shonerd: 2010 may be a possibility, but 2011 is more likely. Stanton’s calling card is his power and he may never be a .300 hitter unless he keeps cutting down the strikeouts, but he has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter.
8. SP Shairon Martis, Nationals
We really don’t find much value in Nationals pitchers, but this prospect is getting a start this week and could prove to be a nice find in NL-only leagues down stretch. He posted a strikeout and a hit per inning in Triple-A, which is a good sign. Heck, it wouldn’t take much to make him a Nationals ace in the near future. Just don’t expect run support and wins potential.
