The Gamers vs. The Gifted: Camarena vs. Goeddel

Yesterday we talked about Whitendon (who tops out as an innings eater) and Fulmer (who is so distant that I can't make a projection). Today we have two players with much better project-ability. Again... not necessarily phenomenal project-ability either.

Full Name: Marcos Camarena

Born: 09/08/1990

Birthplace: Culiacan, Mexico

Height: 6' 3"

Weight: 202

Bats: R

Throws: R

I like Camarena. He's got the right body for a pitcher and I happen to like pitchers who keep Opp Avg down. My worry is that the higher level talents will start to figure out the pedestrian stuff that Camarena throws.

The flip side of this is that Camarena is plenty young and has room to grow. It also means that he has time to figure out higher level hitters and discover what works against them. He'll move into his first full-year action with the Mets and be promoted to Savannah. There, I imagine he might still succeed and see promotion to Port St. Lucie within a year, but... for Camarena Port St. Lucie and Binghamton will be make it or break it levels.

Camarena Scouting Report:

Camarena is one of the more talented Latin arms on the short-season teams. He’s been the innings eater for Brooklyn, leading the team in innings pitched. The 6-3 righty turns 21 next month and, after a good year in Brooklyn (3-3, 3.13, 13-starts), a projection to the Savannah rotation next spring seems to be a sure bet. ETA: 2015 Mets bullpen candidate

Full Name: Erik Van Norman Goeddel

Born: 12/20/1988

Birthplace: Hillsborough, CA

College: UC Los Angeles

Height: 6' 3"

Weight: 185

Bats: R

Throws: R

The only thing that kept Goeddel this low on my list was the injury. He's recovered from it and has had a fine year in Savannah (mixing in a little GCL for rehab). I worry about the apparent decline in velocity which seems a bit off for a 23 year old.

Perhaps it'll return in 2012?

I see Goeddel given another chance to be a starter in 2012 but I think his promotion from Savannah will also see him transfer to the bullpen. Though he'll start in Savannah I would estimate a promotion could be possible after the first two months.

Goeddel Scouting Report:

When Goeddel was drafted he sported a fastball in the 94-97 MPH range as well as a curveball and a changeup. The fastball has lost SOME heat but that could all be adjustments to his approach. His curveball is his second best pitch and, because he lacks real command of the changeup, he projects as a relief pitcher. ETA: 2014 Mets bullpen candidate

In this second round match the Gamer happens to be a more distant prospect than his Gifted counter-part. He also happens to be two years younger and likely entering the same level for 2012. While I give round two to the gifted Goeddel I caution that I can also see Camarena out-pitching Goeddel in Savannah next season.

P.S. Van Norman is an AMAZING middle name!