Baseball in Fort Wayne

Posts Tagged ‘david frees’

2009 looks to be a year in which many former Fort Wayne Wizards will be making their Major League Debuts. This is the first part of a three part series in which I make my predictions. These are just guesses based upon my own observations, so who knows how it will go.

First up are the ones I call “the sure things” – meaning they will probably break Spring Training with the big league club or be called up very quickly.

David Freese (Cardinals)

After the surprising 2008 season that David Freese put together at Triple-A, many thought he would be a September call-up. The fact that he wasn’t on the 40-man roster probably had more to him not being called up than anything else. And, even though he wasn’t, Freese has been one of the most talked about Cardinal’s prospects during the offseason. He had a good shot of making the MLB club at some point, but once it was announced that incumbent third baseman would not be available until several weeks into the season, it’s almost a sure thing that Freese will break Spring camp with the parent club.

“[Freese] made kind of a remarkable jump from Class A to Triple-A,” manager Tony La Russa said. “That’s a big jump. I talked to [Memphis manager] Chris Maloney a lot about him, and defensively he really played well. He ended up hitting .300 with some power numbers. That’s very impressive. So I’m anxious to see him” (MLB.com).

For more on Freese, see also:

• Forecast is hazy for Cardinal third baseman Troy Glaus (StlToday)
• Starting At Third Base, David Freese? (StudyofSports)
• Glaus reports, hopes to be back soon (MLB.com)
• What’s David Freese’s Chances with Cardinals in 2009? (BBIFW)
• Freese for Edmonds: Former Wizards Infielder Traded to Cardinals (BBIFW)

Bobby Scales (Cubs)

Bobby Scales is awesome. Why he has played in the minors for so long and with multiple teams and not gotten a shot at the big leagues is beyond me. He’s been a minor league player for a decade and has spent the last five years at Triple-A with no call-up. Last year at Triple-A with the Peoria Cubs, the speedy utility infielder and outfielder hit .320 with a .415 OBP, 94 runs, 15 home runs and 59 RBIs. He’s good defensively (even though one spring training observer saw him drop a couple balls already). He’s also a quality guy who has taken his team’s community leadership awards on multiple occasions. The Cubs have been said to be seeking another infielder, especially to back up Aramis at Third. I think Scales fits that bill. That said; I would not be surprised if he doesn’t break camp, but the Cubs will be wise to keep him for their Triple-A squad and have him ready for the point in the season when Ramirez goes down with hamstring injuries.

For more on Scales, see also:

• Cubs in on Hudson, Rich Hill remarks, and other notes (hot Stove Cubbies)
• Batting Around with Bobby Scales (MLB.com)
• Cubs Invite Scales and Rivas to Spring Training (BBIFW)

Dale Thayer (Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays have a bullpen that is the talk of Major League Baseball. Percival, Wheeler, Balfour, Howell, Bradford and now Isringhausen; not to mention Shouse and and Nelson make up a formidable crew that should be tough to unseat for up and coming minor leaguers. It’s almost a shame that the Rays have a guy like Dale Thayer sitting in their Minro League system. Still, given the injuries and age of Percival and Izzy, I gotta think Thayer will get the call sometime during the season. In six MiLB seasons, he’s racked up 132 saves to go with a 2.31 ERA and 385 strikeouts. He’s been mostly used in relief, but also has 25 wins. Since he has options left, he’ll start the year in Charlotte, but maybe Bradford’s injury will open a door for the former Wizard. Either way, we’ll see him with the Rays before the season’s end.

For more on Thayer, see also:

• A possible Durham Bulls lineup on Opening Day (MVN)
• Dale Thayer Competing Against Time (BBIFW)
• Dale Thayer at Triple All-Star Game in Louisville (BBIFW)

Rule 5 Picks: Javis Diaz and John Madden

The Padres had two players selected in the Rule 5 Draft during the off-season. As such, they must remain on their new team’s active roster or be returned to their former organizations. They are not sure things, but if they make it through Spring Training, there’s a chance they’ll at least make their debuts.

• Javis Diaz (Phillies): Last season, Javis Diaz combined to hit .253 (95-376) with four home runs, 37 RBI and 28 stolen bases in 107 games while with Lake Elsinore and triple-A Portland. His career numbers are .277 with 16 home runs, 155 RBI and 151 stolen bases in 479 career games.
• John Madden (Mets): In four Minor League season, pitcher John Madden has a 7-15 record with a 3.74 ERA and 193 strikeouts. He got a shot at the closer role in 2006 with the Wizards, where he collected 20 saves.

Next up, the “Warning Track” prospects.