Kyle Lotzkar is interesting to me. Doesn't it seem like he should be 26 or 27 by now? Oddly enough, he's only 22, and assuming he starts the year in Bakersfield, will be pretty much right on for his level. Command numbers are promising, but I'm wondering if he hasn't lost that strikeout edge that made him a strong prospect to begin with. After a strong end to the year in Billings in 2010 (14.8 K/9), he posted his lowest strikeout ratio ever in Dayton last year at 9.7 K/9. Is it a change in philosophy, or better hitters? Is he still recovering, two years after the TJ surgery? This year will be a big one for him to see what the kid is made of.
A few new names to add to the list today including one you might not expect, so keep voting!
Tucker Barnhart, C, 21, BA-UR, Sickels-#18
(Dayton) .273/.344/.387/.731, 3 HR, 43 RBI
Pros: Disciplined hitter (only 59 K in 326 AB), and was voted the best defensive catcher in the minors last year. Switch hitter.
Cons: Not a power threat, still questions as to if he'll hit in higher levels.
Tim Crabbe, RHP, 24, BA-UR, Sickels-#14
(Dayton) 3.65 ERA, 24.2 IP, 25 K, 7 BB, 1.17 WHIP
(Bakersfield) 3.41 ERA, 111.0 IP, 123 K, 46 BB, 1.29 WHIP
Pros: Two above average pitches, profiles as a solid reliever. Put up good numbers in the Cally League, which is a pitcher's nightmare.
Cons: Needs a 3rd pitch if he wants to be a starter. Kind of old for his level, so needs to go to AA and pitch well.
Juan Duran, OF, 20, BA-UR, Sickels-#16
(Dayton) .264/.329/.463/.792, 16 HR, 71 RBI
Pros: Has tools like an Ed Hardy catalog. Finally started showing power potential this year, on his lanky 6'7" frame.
Cons: Struck out a lot last year. Plate discipline needs to improve drastically in higher levels.
Amir Garrett, RHP, 19, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
No pro stats yet
Pros: Throws 96. Athletic doesn't even begin to describe him. Chapman-esque delivery.
Cons: Is a basketball player. Very, very raw talent. Needs secondary pitches.
Donald Lutz, 1B, 23, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Dayton) .301/.358/.492/.850, 20 HR, 75 RBI
Pros: Lots of power, and had a breakout season this year where he started hitting for average too. German fella.
Cons: Strikeouts a major issue, and doesn't walk enough. A little old for his level after 3 years of rookie ball.
Denis Phipps, OF, 26, BA-UR, Sickels-#20
(Carolina) .328/.382/.502/.884, 7 HR, 38 RBI
(Louisville) .380/.428/.576/1.004, 5 HR, 26 RBI
Pros: Toolsy outfielder who had a huge breakout season last year. Can play all outfield positions. On the 40-man roster.
Cons: Only one good season. Still kind of old to be a "prospect", so he's more of a late bloomer. Plate discipline is still pretty awful, and had a high BABIP last year.
Gabriel Rosa, 3B, 18, BA-UR, Sickels-#17
(AZL Reds) .245/.314/.406/.719, 2 HR, 10 RBI
Pros: Good speed on the basepaths, and scouts love his plate approach.
Cons: Rookie debut wasn't spectacular, still a very raw talent.
Josh Smith, RHP, 24, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Dayton) 2.97 ERA, 142.1 IP, 166 K, 33 BB, 1.09 WHIP
Pros: Struck out a lot of hitters last year, was the ace for a playoff team.
Cons: According to most scouting reports, doesn't really project as anything other than a back-of-the-rotation starter at best. Low 90s fastball, and his out pitch is a breaking ball that could get exploited by better hitters at higher levels.
David Vidal, 3B, 22, BA-UR, Sickels-#13
(Dayton) .280/.350/.498/.848, 20 HR, 85 RBI
Pros: Very lively bat, hitting for both average and power. Good defense.
Cons: Still questions about his size (he's listed at 5'11"), and struck out way too much (111 in 454 AB).