Futures Hot Sheet
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Sample Hot Sheet
May 26, 2007
News and Notes:
Justin Upton (OF, ARI) remains red-hot and on the year is now hitting .338/.432/.605 with 8 doubles, 10 home runs, 10 steals in 14 attempts, and a 0.58 EYE between High-A and Double-A. Luke Hochevar (RHP, KC) has yet to find his groove at Double-A Wichita. In 10 starts the 6th overall pick in the 2006 draft is just 2-5 with a 5.47 ERA. His strikeout to walk ratio is just fine (17BB/57K in 52 2/3), but a .293 BAA has been his downfall. Look for that to improve as he works his way into shape. Trevor Crowe (OF, CLE) is still struggling. The Tribe's 1st round pick in 2005 is hitting just .177/.284/.244 in 164 AB for Double-A Akron. It is still too early to write him off, but he will need to show more soon to remain a top prospect. Baltimore's 2006 1st round pick Billy Rowell finally made his 2007 minor league debut. Rowell had been in extended spring training while he recovered from a strained oblique muscle. Another 2006 1st rounder, Jeremy Jeffress (RHP, MIL), looks to be set to make his 2007 debut after starting the season in extended spring training. Eric Hurley has been impressive at Double-A Frisco. The 2004 1st rounder is now 6-0 with a sparkling 1.83 ERA, 2.3 CTL, 7.2 DOM, 3.2 CMD, and a .202 BAA in 64 IP. Mets teenager Fernando Martinez (OF, NYM) is making amazing progress. The 18-year-old Martinez (he doesn't turn 19 until October 07) is currently hitting .308/.369/.411 with 7 doubles, 2 home runs, and a 0.41 EYE in 146 AB at Double-A Binghamton. Cameron Maybin (OF, DET) is showing why scouts have been so excited about his long-term potential. The 10th overall pick in 2005 is hitting .321/.437/.481 with 7 doubles, 4 home runs, 15 steals in 19 attempts, and a 0.63 EYE. He has struck out 51 times in just 156 AB, but that has been offset by 32 walks. Maybin is still very raw, but there is tremendous potential here. Gio Gonzalez (LHP, CWS) is showing why the White Sox were so eager to get him back in their organization. In 10 starts for Double-A Birmingham Gonzalez is 4-3 with a 3.25 ERA, 3.2 CTL, 12.6 DOM, 3.9 CMD, and a .231 BAA in 52 2/3 IP. Brandon Wood (3B, ANA) remains mired in a prolonged slump since returning to Triple-A Salt Lake. Wood was hitting .278 when he was called up to the majors in late April. Since returning to the minors Wood's average has fallen to .234 and he is hitting just .197 in 61 May AB. The oft-injured Michael Aubrey (1B, CLE) is back in action for the first time in 2007 and the former 1st rounder has 3 doubles, 2 home runs, and a .300 average in his first 5 games.
2007 Draft Preview
Casey Weathers (RHP, Vanderbilt).
Weathers is the best of several college closers likely to go in the first round of the 2007 draft and is one of the more interesting stories in the draft. In the middle of his freshman season at Sacramento City College Weathers – who was sitting on the bench as an extra outfielder - challenged a teammate to see who could throw harder. Several coaches witnessed the exchange, got out a radar gun, and proceeded to clock Weathers in the low-90s. Weathers was quickly converted to a reliever and the following season transferred to Vanderbilt. Weathers features a mid-90s fastball that has been topping out at 97 this season and he complements it with a good hard slider. When he's right – and that has been most of the time this year – Weathers has been unhitable. On the season Weathers is 10-2 with a 2.21 ERA, 4.0 CTL, 13.1 DOM, 3.3 CMD, and an impressive .144 BAA in 40 2/3 IP.
Nick Schmidt (LHP, Arkansas).
Schmidt is one of 6-7 left handed starting pitchers likely to be selected in the first round of the upcoming draft. At 6'5", 230 Schmidt has a solid, durable frame, but he doesn't posses the blazing fastball of other potential 1st rounders. Schmidt's fastball sits in the 90-92 range and he also features a decent curve and change up. Ultimately none of Schmidt's pitches rate that high but he more than makes up for it with his bulldog mentality on the mound. Schmidt has consistently been a winner in the competitive Southeastern Conference and put in another impressive outing on 5/22 when he tossed a 2 hit complete game shutout of Alabama in the SEC Conference Tournament. Schmidt likely profiles as a solid #3/#4 starter but with his extensive collegiate experience and solid frame he could go in the mid-to-late 1st round and be one of the first in this year's draft to reach the majors.
Injuries:
Adam Miller (RHP, CLE) missed yet another start due to a strained flexor tendon. The Indians – and many fantasy owners – will keep their fingered crossed that this is nothing serious.
Brad Lincoln (RHP, PIT) had elbow surgery in April and will miss the entire 2007 season.
Hayden Penn (RHP, BAL) had bone chips removed from his elbow and will miss 10-12 weeks.
Daniel Bard (RHP, BOS) is on the DL at High-A Lancaster with triceps tendonitis and will be out indefinitely.
Fernando Nieve (RHP, HOU) has been diagnosed with a tear in his right ulnar ligament. He will undergo elbow surgery and miss the rest of the 2007 season.
Lastings Milledge (OF, NYM) remains sidelined with a sprained ligament in his foot after running into the OF wall.
Scott Elbert (LHP, LAD) experienced some "discomfort" in pitching shoulder and has been shutdown for an indefinite period.
Humberto Sanchez (RHP, NYY) had elbow surgery and will miss the rest of the 2007 season.
Jordan Tata (RHP, DET) will miss another 2-4 weeks with a sore shoulder, but will avoid season ending surgery.
Thomas Diamond (RHP, TEX) will be out for all of the 2007 following Tommy John surgery to repair a torn elbow ligament.
Nolan Reimold (OF, BAL) went back on the DL two days after coming off the DL and will remain sidelined with a sore oblique muscle.
Cesar Carillo (RHP, SD) will miss the entire season after having Tommy John surgery.
Ones to Watch:
Garrett Olson (LHP, BAL) continues to improve and could get a shot if one of the O's starters struggles or hits the DL. On the year Olson is now 2-4 with a 3.83 ERA, 1.7 CTL, 7.3 DOM, 4.4 CMD, and a .235 BAA in 54 IP for Triple-A Norfolk.
Colby Rasmus (OF, STL) has proven to the Cardinals that he was indeed ready for the challenge of Double-A. The 20-year-old Rasmus spent less than 3 months at High-A (193 AB – hitting just .254) before opening the 2007 season with Double-A Springfield. Through 43 games Rasmus is currently hitting an impressive .304/.397/.563 with 18 doubles, 7 home runs, 8 steals in 8 attempts, and a 0.83 EYE in 158 AB. While a promotion to the majors in just his second full season of professional baseball may seem like a long-shot, the Cardinals are desperate for some sort of offensive spark and Rasmus has the potential to make an immediate impact.
Joey Votto (1B, CIN) looked completely lost to start the 2007 season, leading some to speculate that the streaky Votto might be in for another disappointing season similar to his output in 2005. In April Votto hit just .192 in 78 AB. Since then, however, Votto has been on fire, hitting .425 in May and raising his season totals to .310/.422/.500 with 7 doubles, 7 home runs, and a 0.83 EYE in 158 AB. While the 1B platoon of Scott Hatteberg and Jeff Conine is playing reasonably well, the Reds could use Votto's potent bat in their lineup on a regular basis.
Kevin Slowey (RHP, MIN) will have to wait for an opening after being passed over for Sidney Ponson's spot in the Twins rotation. Still Slowey has been very impressive and if Baker struggles or the Twins tire of Ramon Ortiz he could get the call soon. In 9 starts the 23-year-old Slowey has given up just 5 walks and 47 hits in 64 1/3 innings. For the year Slowey is 6-2 with a 1.54 ERA, 0.7 CTL, 8.0 DOM, 11.4 CMD, and a .200 BAA.
Yovani Gallardo (RHP, MIL) continues to be flat-out dominant for Triple-A Nashville. The Brewers don't have a glaring need for Gallardo right away, but he really has nothing left to prove at Triple-A. In 9 starts Gallardo is now 6-1 with a 2.14 ERA, 3.0 CTL, 12.5 DOM, 4.2 CMD, and a miniscule .177 BAA in 54 2/3 IP.
Homer Bailey (RHP, CIN) looks like he will have to wait a while longer to make his major league debut as the Reds are publicly saying that the will Bailey will not be called up any time soon. Bailey missed a start last week with a sore groin. The Reds insisted that the injury was not serious and Bailey seems to have proven that with his outing on 5/22. In that start Bailey went 5 2/3 innings, gave up just 1 hit, 0 ER, 2 walks, and struck out 7. For the year Bailey is now 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA, 4.2 CTL, 6.8 DOM, 1.6 CMD, and a .176 BAA in 45 1/3 IP.
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