Think of this a thread to keep track of the surprise performances from some of the underrated, overlooked, and comeback players through 2009. Feel free to
include discussion on the true potential or lack thereof on any of the mentioned prospects. Here's a few to start off with (stats are taken from FR9's
sheet):
Aaron Bates-
Positive: Leading all Red Sox Minor league affiliates with a .359 Avg and amassaing 37 hits in 103 at-bats along with 2HR, 19 RBI, and a 25-7 K/BB ratio in 25 games. Has a great frame, so the room for power potential is still there, and with some more refining, he could possibly be a fourth-outfielder type.
Negative: He's 25 in AA Portland and is coming of disappointing Fall and Winter League seasons. Hasn't really shown a lot of power potential at the higher levels outside of Lancaster, definitely not enough to play 1st. Struck out in almost 1/4 of his at bats (114 out of 457) in Portland in 2008. Is his current production just from a hot streak?
Jorge Jimenez-
Positive: The 32nd ranked prospect trails in hits behind only Rizzo and Bates with a .323 Avg, and 32 H in 99 AB along with 21 RBI and a 9-10 K/BB ratio in 26 games. Made great contact in Lancaster as well, batting .352 with 94 hits in 267 AB in 70 G, and had a great Winter Ball Season, hitting .319 with 29 H in 91 AB along with 7 2B and a 11-10 K/BB ratio in 31 G. Is a great contact hitter overall, and although there has been extremely limited amounts of power displayed thus far, has a good frame to be able to develop this potential, and can play a number of positions. This versatility could turn into a useful super sub position in the future.
Negative: He's 24 in AA, and has shown limited power in his pro career, although has some doubles power which he displayed in Lowell and Lancaster in 2007 and 2008, respectively, which leaves the door open for HR power potential to develop. Not very quick on the basepaths, as he's only stolen 9 SB since 2006. Defense is adequate at best.
Armando Zerpa-
Positive: This 55th ranked prospect has been absolutely dominant thus far, putting out a line of a 0.57 ERA, with only 3H, 1ER, and a 15-3 K/BB rate and a 2.00 GO/FO rate in 15.2 IP. Turned 22 recently, and hasn't allowed a hit against a lefty this year. Showed flashes of brilliance in the GCL in 2007 and 2008.
Negative: This stint in Greenville is his first true test, as his only other stint above the GCL was 7.2 mediocre innings for Lowell in 2008, posting a 5.87 ERA (although he did have a 9-3 K/BB rate). Still somewhat of an unknown quantity at this point.
Fernando Cabrera-
Positive: This second ranked post prospect has been absolutely lights-out after his first rough outing this year, posting a line of a 1.00 ERA with an 18-6 K/BB rate, 10 hits allowed, and 4 saves in 18 innings. According to his scouting report, he has a fastball with great movement, and a very good splitter as well as a decent slider.
Negatives: He's 27 years old, and hasn't posted good numbers at the major league level since 2005 in Cleveland (1.47 ERA, 29-11 K/BB, 24 H). Had elbow surgery in 2008. Not that much other secondary stuff to speak of. Allows a lot of hits.
Other noteable mentions: Dustin Richardson (2.37 ERA, 25-12 K/BB in 19 IP), Kyle Fernandes (2.66 ERA, 21-7 K/BB in 23.2 IP, Derrick Loop (1.25 ERA, 21-10 K/BB in 21.2 IP). Also, Marcus McBeth, Jose Vaquedano, TJ Large, Matt Sheely, Jonathan Hee and Michael Jones (among others) are other possible candidate topics as well.
Aaron Bates-
Positive: Leading all Red Sox Minor league affiliates with a .359 Avg and amassaing 37 hits in 103 at-bats along with 2HR, 19 RBI, and a 25-7 K/BB ratio in 25 games. Has a great frame, so the room for power potential is still there, and with some more refining, he could possibly be a fourth-outfielder type.
Negative: He's 25 in AA Portland and is coming of disappointing Fall and Winter League seasons. Hasn't really shown a lot of power potential at the higher levels outside of Lancaster, definitely not enough to play 1st. Struck out in almost 1/4 of his at bats (114 out of 457) in Portland in 2008. Is his current production just from a hot streak?
Jorge Jimenez-
Positive: The 32nd ranked prospect trails in hits behind only Rizzo and Bates with a .323 Avg, and 32 H in 99 AB along with 21 RBI and a 9-10 K/BB ratio in 26 games. Made great contact in Lancaster as well, batting .352 with 94 hits in 267 AB in 70 G, and had a great Winter Ball Season, hitting .319 with 29 H in 91 AB along with 7 2B and a 11-10 K/BB ratio in 31 G. Is a great contact hitter overall, and although there has been extremely limited amounts of power displayed thus far, has a good frame to be able to develop this potential, and can play a number of positions. This versatility could turn into a useful super sub position in the future.
Negative: He's 24 in AA, and has shown limited power in his pro career, although has some doubles power which he displayed in Lowell and Lancaster in 2007 and 2008, respectively, which leaves the door open for HR power potential to develop. Not very quick on the basepaths, as he's only stolen 9 SB since 2006. Defense is adequate at best.
Armando Zerpa-
Positive: This 55th ranked prospect has been absolutely dominant thus far, putting out a line of a 0.57 ERA, with only 3H, 1ER, and a 15-3 K/BB rate and a 2.00 GO/FO rate in 15.2 IP. Turned 22 recently, and hasn't allowed a hit against a lefty this year. Showed flashes of brilliance in the GCL in 2007 and 2008.
Negative: This stint in Greenville is his first true test, as his only other stint above the GCL was 7.2 mediocre innings for Lowell in 2008, posting a 5.87 ERA (although he did have a 9-3 K/BB rate). Still somewhat of an unknown quantity at this point.
Fernando Cabrera-
Positive: This second ranked post prospect has been absolutely lights-out after his first rough outing this year, posting a line of a 1.00 ERA with an 18-6 K/BB rate, 10 hits allowed, and 4 saves in 18 innings. According to his scouting report, he has a fastball with great movement, and a very good splitter as well as a decent slider.
Negatives: He's 27 years old, and hasn't posted good numbers at the major league level since 2005 in Cleveland (1.47 ERA, 29-11 K/BB, 24 H). Had elbow surgery in 2008. Not that much other secondary stuff to speak of. Allows a lot of hits.
Other noteable mentions: Dustin Richardson (2.37 ERA, 25-12 K/BB in 19 IP), Kyle Fernandes (2.66 ERA, 21-7 K/BB in 23.2 IP, Derrick Loop (1.25 ERA, 21-10 K/BB in 21.2 IP). Also, Marcus McBeth, Jose Vaquedano, TJ Large, Matt Sheely, Jonathan Hee and Michael Jones (among others) are other possible candidate topics as well.
