- The Futures Game rosters were recently released, and, as usual, many of tomorrow's stars will be participating. I'm most looking forward to seeing 3B Pedro Alvarez (Pirates), C Tyler Flowers (White Sox), 3B Brett Wallace (Cardinals), RHP Junichi Tazawa (Red Sox), 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs), OF Jason Heyward (Braves), OF Desmond Jennings (Rays), OF Mike Stanton (Marlins), LHP Madison Bumgarner (Giants), RHP Casey Kelly (Red Sox), 2B Brett Lawrie (Brewers), C Carlos Santana (Indians), RHP J.C. Sulbaran (Reds), and LHP Trevor Reckling (Angels). There are definitely many names to be watching for. The game is July 12 in St. Louis.
- Jesus Montero's stock seems to be rising with every swing of the bat. The 19-year-old Yankee catcher has already risen to Double-A, and while his defense leaves something to be desired (and may require a position change), his offensive potential is becoming harder and harder to doubt. Montero is hitting .346 with 5 HRs and just 7 Ks in 22 games for Trenton after raking at a .356/.406/.583 clip for Tampa. He may move off of the position in the majors, but for now Montero is in the same class as Buster Posey and Carlos Santana as the best catching prospects in the game.
- Dodgers SS Dee Gordon (Tom's son) is also having a great 2009, his first full pro season. Gordon was a little-known 4th-rounder last year, as he didn't play baseball at Seminole CC last spring because of a grade mixup. He has knocked off the rust in Low A, though, batting .313 with 42 stolen bases. Gordon, a lefty batter, projects as an athletic, top-of-the-order speedster. He has blazing speed and a line-drive bat, as well as good actions at short. I'm leery of his super-low power numbers (.092 IsoP), inconsistencies at shortstop (25 errors), and all-around unrefined game. He's having a good year, but I'm not quite ready to jump on the Dee Gordon bandwagon.
- Michael Saunders is putting an end to the debate over who Seattle's top prospect is. While challenger Greg Halman has racked up 116 strikeouts and a sub-.700 OPS in 68 games, Saunders has returned from an early-season injury to bat .303/.375/.520 in Triple-A. The 22-year-old Canadian is showing glimpses of his all-around potential, with that .895 OPS, 10 HRs, 5 stolen bases, and above-average defense. Saunders (whom I have a foul ball from) is making all his scouting reports look good, and he could be a top-25 prospect at the end of the year.
- Does Scott Boras have more shenanigans up his sleeve to drive up Stephen Strasburg's leverage?
- Orioles LHP Brian Matusz is living up to his pre-draft billing as an advanced college hurler. The 4th overall pick in 2008 out of San Diego, Matusz began the year by posting a 2.16 ERA for High A Frederick. After a promotion, he started willing Eastern League hitters into submission, going 3-0 with a 0.49 ERA in his first 18 Double-A innings. Matusz, who has three outstanding secondary offerings (and good command) to back up his firm fastball, has a composite 1.80 ERA this year in 85 innings. He has punched out 96, and opponents are hitting .210 off him. He is perhaps one of the top 10 prospects in baseball. Matusz's domination adds to an impressive next wave for the Orioles; they have Matusz, Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, Brandon Erbe, Brandon Snyder, and many more promising prospects flying through their system.
- More prospects who are laying waste to their leagues and making strides are Padres 3B Logan Forsythe (.330/.476/.506), Phillies OF Michael Taylor (.345/.407/.595 with 15 HRs--will he ever stop mashing?), Reds OF Todd Frazier (.318 with a whopping 31 doubles), Diamondbacks RHP Jarrod Parker (2.36 ERA and 1.74 groundball-flyball ratio), Bumgarner (1.63 ERA, .211 OBA), Giants RHP Tim Alderson (2.97 ERA and only 12 BBs allowed all year), Indians 1B Jordan Brown (.883 OPS), Padres RHP Mat Latos (7-1, 1.28 ERA), Indians 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (.865 OPS), and Royals LHP Mike Montgomery (1.93 ERA).
- Some of the prospects who aren't enjoying the '09 campaign are Marlins C Kyle Skipworth (.201/.259/.328 with 14-71 BB-K ratio), Pirates 2B Shelby Ford (.428 OPS), Brewers RHP Jeremy Jeffress (55 BB in 60 IP, demotion, suspension), Indians RHP Trey Haley (21-31 K-BB), Rangers OF Engel Beltre (.217/.268/.302), Orioles OF Xavier Avery (.670 OPS), Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia (.236/.291/.417), Marlins 3B Matt Dominguez (.693 OPS), Padres 2B Matt Antonelli (sub-.220 AVG and sub-.700 OPS for second year in a row), and Astros OF Jay Austin (.675 OPS, 12 CS).
- Check out this crazy box score from a June 28 Cal League game.
Michael Saunders
*Photos courtesy of www.milb.com
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