Baseball in Fort Wayne

Posts Tagged ‘Baseball America’

Three former Fort Wayne Wizards/TinCaps have been select as Mid-Season Minor League All-Stars by Baseball America.

Mat Latos: One of the minors’ most electric arms, Latos already has jumped to Double-A in his first year in full-season ball.

Lance Zawadzki: A switch-hitter with the fine plate discipline typical of a Padres prospect, Zawadzki has hit .371/.459/.543 since being promoted to San Antonio in late May.

Cory Luebke: The Padres tried to put Luebke on the fast track after drafting him in the supplemental first round in 2007 out of Ohio State. He wasn’t ready, and had to go back to the Midwest League last year, but he’s returned to form this year, earning his way to Double-A after going 8-2, 2.34 in the Cal League.

• Baseball America’s Top Padres Prospects - A quick look at what Baseball America thinks of the San Diego Padres’s Farm system. Many former Wizards and a couple future TinCaps on the lists.
• Oliver Perez Staying with Mets - Not sure he even looked at (or had) offers from other clubs. Either way, he’s locked in with New York with a new deal.
• Bonine Staying with Detroit, Valentin Signs With Nats – Nobody put a claim in on Eddied Bonine after he was DFA’ed following the signing of Brandon Lyon. Veteran former catcher, Javier Valentin has sined a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals.
• Talkin’ Sports Moving to ESPN Radio 1380 - Jim had his first broadcast on hisnew radio home this past weekend. Great stuff. Tune in next (and every) Saturday at 9AM Est.
• Matt Bush Designated for Assignment and Matt Bush Update – Padres Career All But Over - The titles say it all.
• Jodam Rivera Leading Off the Lake Erie Crushers - Former Wizards is first to don the uniform of the new Lake Erie Crushers team. He was the first player introduced from the first three players signed anyway. So that makes him first OMHO.

I’m not even going to pretend I did anything other than cut and paste this from The Watson Files. Baseball America provided the list, Watson followed it with the research. I’ll publish my opinions and thoughts on a second post sometime later. Enjoy:

Padres’ Top 10 prospects according to Baseball America.

Top 10 Prospects

1. Kyle Blanks, 1B (Fort Wayne 2006)
2. Mat Latos, RHP (Fort Wayne 2008)
3. Jaff Decker, OF
4. Kellen Kulbacki, OF (Fort Wayne 2008)
5. Adys Portillo, RHP
6. Cedric Hunter, OF (Fort Wayne 2007)
7. Will Venable, OF (Fort Wayne 2006) [Believe Geoff! Believe!!!]
8. Allan Dykstra, 1B
9. Matt Antonelli, 2B (Fort Wayne 2006)
10. James Darnell, 3B

Best Tools

• Best Hitter for Average: Cedric Hunter
• Best Power Hitter: Kyle Blanks
• Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Matt Antonelli
• Fastest Baserunner: Everth Cabrera
• Best Athlete: James Darnell
• Best Fastball: Mat Latos
• Best Curveball: Ernesto Frieri (Fort Wayne 2007)
• Best Slider: Wynn Pelzer (Fort Wayne 2008)
• Best Changeup: Wade LeBlanc (Fort Wayne 2006)
• Best Control: Nate Culp (Fort Wayne 2006-07)
• Best Defensive Catcher: Jose Lobaton (Fort Wayne 2005-06)
• Best Defensive Infielder: Jesus Lopez (Fort Wayne 2006-07)
• Best Infield Arm: Lance Zawadzki (Fort Wayne 2008)
• Best Defensive Outfielder: Brad Chalk (Fort Wayne 2008)
• Best Outfield Arm: Yefri Carvajal (Fort Wayne 2008)

Projected 2012 Lineup

• Catcher: Nick Hundley (Fort Wayne 2005-06)
• First Base: Adrian Gonzalez
• Second Base: Matt Antonelli
• Third Base: Chase Headley (Fort Wayne 2005)
• Shortstop: Drew Cumberland (Fort Wayne 2008)
• Left Field: Kyle Blanks
• Center Field: Cedric Hunter
• Right Field: Jaff Decker
• No. 1 Starter: Jake Peavy (Fort Wayne 2000)
• No. 2 Starter: Chris Young
• No. 3 Starter: Mat Latos
• No. 4 Starter: Adys Portillo
• No. 5 Starter: Wade LeBlanc
• Closer: Heath Bell  

Jarrod Parker has been named the top prospect in the Arizona Diamondback’s organization by Baseball America. It’s hardly a surprise. He’s been highly touted since being selected number nine overall in the 2007 Amateur Draft. During his first professional season last year, he faired very well in the Midwest League, including dominating his hometown Fort Wayne Wizards for several shutout innings in the last game in Memorial Stadium history.

BA also selected Parker for the “Best Fastball” and “Best Slider” categories as well as slotting as the number two starter in the projected 2012 rotation behind current ace, Brandon Webb.

While many predict he’s at least another year away from arriving in the Majors, BA speculates that might be a bit pessimistic:

It wouldn’t be shocking to see 2007 first-rounder Jarrod Parker . . . in the big leagues at some point this year.

And while we are on the topic of Baseball America prospect rankings, a couple former Wizards have shown up in with their current organizations:

• Luis Cruz (Pirates) – Best Defensive Infielder
• Jon Link (White Sox) – Best Slider
• Yordany Ramirez (Astros) – Best Outfield Arm
• David Freese (Cardinals) – 9th Overall Top Prospect
• Kyler Burke (Cubs) – Best Outfield Arm

In case you are wondering Baseball America will unveil their ratings for the Padres organization on February 2nd.

Former Wizards pitcher, Dirk Hayhurst has had one heck of an eventful 2008. He’s gone from being a “non-prospect” scribe to Major League pitcher, only to be released and snatched up by another team just days into his marriage.

I’ve heard a few folks say they don’t like his style of wit when he writes. Perhaps that’s becuase he’s real.

Two fine examples popped into my headlines today. The first is his latest Non-Prospect Diary entry. He describes what he’s going through mentally as he performs some public service at a children’s cancer ward. The second is a very insightful interview with Geoff at Ducksnorts.

Think all Major Leaguers are spoiled stars who have no perspective? Think again…

baseball’s most dangerous side effect is its ability to make you think you are above or beyond the world around you. Baseball may feel like it’s everything, and it may demand you to take a knee in its presence, but it’s not. It’s a job with a steeper list of sacrifices and a media industry magnifying all its production, but a job nonetheless. Baseball can’t tell you who you are. If it does, you’re in trouble. Baseball has a tendency to tell you you’re a failure more often than not. Untrue. You can be a poor baseball player and a fantastic human being or a fantastic baseball player and a terrible human being. I’m sure you can cite some individuals? My advice: Work on being a fantastic human being while doing your best at baseball.

As previously reported, former Wizards pitcher Dirk Hayhurst is set to make his Major League debut today against Barry Zito and the San Francisco Giants.

This debut marks the  seventh former Fort Wayne Wizards player to appear at the Major League level during 2008. Luke Carlin (catcher, Padres) , Jared Wells (Pitcher, Padres then traded to Mariners), Eddie Bonine (Pitcher, Tigers), Leo Rosales (Pitcher, Diamondbacks), Nick Hundley (Catcher, Padres) , Sean Kazmar (Shortstop, Padres) are the others.

But this debut is a bit unique. To suggest that many people know him for his writing prowess than his pitching stats is not an out of this world claim. The 27-year-old Hayhurst is the author of Baseball America’s Non-Prospect Diary. Reading it, you receive insight into the world of Minor League Baseball as well as his personality.

Some people are taken aback by his often less-than-friendly yet honest encounters. I tend to enjoy the real perspectives on things and gotta think it is exactly what BA had hoped for when they assigned him to the task.

But now it’s time for Dirk to stop tapping at the keyboard and pitch. This is his chance, and it may be the only one that the non-prospect receives. As noted at FriarForum, 

The Padres are officially using the rest of this season as a glorified tryout for 2009 and beyond. Hayhurst will be pitching to convince the Padres that he is worthy of being on the 40 man roster this offseason, otherwise the Friars would have to make him available in the Rule V draft.

Padres GM seems to confirm the speculations when he explains why Hayhurst was chosen over several other likely candidates:

“We’re trying to reward a guy who came through our system and has turned himself into a suspect at least,” Towers said Friday. “For a while, Dirk was a guy who we thought only had organizational value. But he’s continued to impress. He has three Major League pitches, throws strikes.”

Hopefully Hayhurst does well and impresses with this chance. However, even if her were to pitch a no-hitter or perfect game, his stint in the rotation will likely be a short one given that Chris Young or Shawn Estes will return from the DL soon.

Whatever the outcome, I hope he chronicals it for us on his Non-Prospect Diary.

Update: Despite well-wishes from Paul DePodesta, Hayhurst will have to settle for a no-decision. He had a rough start to his MLB debut by walking Dave Roberts, who then stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a fielder’s choice by the time the Padres got their first out. That was followed by an Aaron Rowand double that plated another run. He pitched scoreless frames in the second and third before allowing a run in the fourth inning. Then, he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the top of the fifth. The line on Hayhurst’s debut: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR, 6.75 ERA.

Portland Beavers manager and former Wizards skipper, Randy Ready, was recently named the Pacific Coast League’s “Best Manager Prospect” according to Baseball America’s annual “Best Tools” Survey.

In addition, left-handed starter Wade LeBlanc was selected the pitcher with the “Best Control” in the PCL, center fielder Will Venable was selected for “Best Strike Zone Judgment” and left fielder Chase Headley, who is already with the Padres, was selected as the “Best Batting Prospect.” All three are former Wizards.

“It’s quite a compliment, because it’s peer-driven,” Ready said before Friday night’s home game against Fresno. [Source: Portland Tribune]

But the question now becomes, is Randy Ready ready to manage in Major League Baseball?  If he is, where would it be?

“I’d like to get an opportunity to manage in the major leagues,” Ready says. “The resume is coming together, and I think I’m earning the opportunity to at least earn an interview.”

Ready managed in Fort Wayne from 2004 through 2006 where he compiled a 208-209 record and reached the playoffs each season. He managed Double-A San Antonio to a 73-66 record and a Texas League championship in 2007. 2008 is his first stint as a Triple-A manager.

Coastal Carolina University third baseman Scott Woodward was named to the both Baseball America and Rivals.com All-America Freshman first teams.

Woodward, who graduated from Norwell in 2007, hit .364 with 15 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 45 RBI in 64 starts for the Chanticleers. He also had a .540 on-base percentage, which is a single-season school record. He was hit by a pitch 30 times, which is also a school and Big South Conference record.

Woodward was named to the NCAA All-Conway Regional team, scoring 10 runs and hitting .600 in the three games. Woodward was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI in the championship game against East Carolina June 1. He drove in five runs in a win over UNC Asheville April 19 and had five hits in a win over Charleston Southern April 12. He led the Big South with 82 runs scored and 42 stolen bases and walked 58 times. Woodward was named to the All-Ping! Baseball Third Team and the Freshman All-Ping! Baseball First Team. He also was a Second Team Freshman All-American by the NCBWA, a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and a Second Team All-Region selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

On July 6, USA Baseball announced that Woodward was also added to the USA Baseball National Collegiate Team. Woodward will leave for the Netherlands on Wednesday and join the team for the remainder of its European tour.

More coverage at: Bluffton News Banner |  MyrtleBeachOnline | South Carolina Now

Photo lifted from Coastal Carolina University’s website.

Here’s some news on two former Wizards pitchers; Dirk Hayhurst and Wade LeBlanc. Both are at similar stages of their journeying through the Padres’ farm system.

Both are with Triple-A Portland. Dirk Hayhurst saw his first action of the season Sunday against the Fresno Grizzlies. He allowed two runs on three hits over two innings in a game that saw the Beavers lose 9-1. Over at Mad Friars, they have a good interview with Hayhurst. I can’t help but post a wonderful quote from that segment here:

I write for Baseball America. I write their non-prospect diary. Everybody else writes this thing called a prospect diary, which is what it’s like to be cool and awesome and hitting real well and drinking protein shakes. But, that’s not real, that’s not the minor leagues. The minor leagues are getting off a bus at 3 am to eat at a gas station or fighting over seating arrangements on a bus in A ball. What’s it like to bicker about who’s going to do the ball bucket, that kind of stuff, real stuff. [read the full piece at Mad Friars]

On the other hand, Wade LeBlanc dazzled in his Triple-A debut. The former Wizards pitcher tied a Beavers record with a career-high 11 strikeouts over just six innings of work to lead Portland to a 9-1 win over the visiting Sacramento RiverCats on Monday (yes, Hayhurst really did lose in a game 9-1 while LeBlanc won a game 9-1).

LeBlanc’s strikeout record ties other former Wizards pitchers Oliver Perez (2003) and Steve Watkins (2004) in single-game strikeouts for Portland. There was speculation during Spring Training that Leblanc had an outside shot at the fifth starter spot before being assigned to Triple-A. Methinks we may see him a time or two before the season is over.

Last week, former Wizards player, Michael Cuddyer and the Minnesota Twins agreed to a $2.75 million signing bonus in addition to salaries of $5 million this year, $6.75 million in 2009 and $8.5 million in 2010. Minnesota also has a $10.5 million club option for 2011. The signing comes on the heels of a 2007 season where Cuddyer emerged as a dependable run producer in the middle of the lineup. In 2006, he hit .276 with 16 homers and 81 RBIs. He led the AL with 19 outfield assists.

Through his career, he has bounced around from second base to third base, and even played a little at first, before settling in at right field two years ago. However, with the departure of another former Wizards alumnus, Torii Hunter, the Twins may use Cuddyer to fill the void in the center if prospects, Denard Span and Jason Pridie, don’t prove they are ready

Michael Cuddyer was a first round draft choice of the Minnesota Twins in 1997, going ninth overall. As a Wizards player in 1998, he compiled batted .276 with 82 runs and slugged a team best 12 home runs. He had 81 RBI’s and swiped 16 bases.

Baseball America declared him the Twins top prospect and he represented the Wizards at the Midwest League All-Star Game that year. Cuddyer is featured on page 59 of Baseball in Fort Wayne.(Photograph courtesy of the Fort Wayne Wizards)

This week also saw other Wizards alumni make news as they earned organizational honors from the Sand Diego Padres. 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner, Jake Peavy, received the Clyde McCullough Award as the club’s top pitcher in 2007. Chase Headley took the Minor League Player of the Year Award, while Josh Geer was named the Pitcher of the Year.

Geer was selected by San Diego Padres in 3rd Round (98th overall) of 2005 amateur entry draft. While in Fort Wayne over parts of two seasons (2005 & 2006), he compiled a 7-3 record in 17 games; striking out 69 batters and walking 22. He tossed a complete game shutout during the 2006 campaign.

Former Wizards skipper, Randy Ready, who led the San Antonio Missions to the Texas League championship in his first season, was selected as the Jack Krol Award winner for contributions in player development. [Read More at MLB.com]

[tags]Baseball America, Baseball in Fort Wayne, Chase Headley, Jake Peavy, Josh Geer, Michael Cuddyer, Midwest League, Randy Ready, Wizards[/tags]