61.087– Prospect Watch – Second Base

[RonCo]

Off Topic

2061 Season Snapshot


Given that one would expect Napolean Mellot’s glovework will not develop much more, that second base is going to be a position of some need sooner than later. Perhaps we’ll get lucky and he’ll keep things together another season or two, but if nothing else he is threatening to get to be more expensive than maybe he’s worth. So the position is in some question at the big league level.

This could wind up being important, because second is not a position of any great depth in the organization.

Right now it’s a position that rather than having a few players we're sure of, has a lot of interesting guys down the chain. I’m optimistic, anyway, and I’m having fun watching a few players fight to emerge. But clearly no one has stepped up and said “I’m the Guy.”

So, let’s take a look at them, shall we?


#1 – Mitchell Cook

Mitchell Cook (SS)	Age	OVR	CON	BABIP	AvK	GAP	POW	EYE
Level: AAA	23	30/45	5/5	8/8	2/4	3/5	4/5	3/5
Age: 23	*	IFR	IFE	IFA	TDP	OFR	OFE	OFA
Bats-Throws: R/R	*	8	7	8	7	2	6	8
Height: 6'0"	*	SPD	AGR	STE	RUN	CBK	CFR	CAR
Weight: 165	*	2	4	3	1	1	1	1
Source: Disc

Cook is listed as a shortstop, but unless he bumps, that “8” range is going to play better as a second baseman. Which is fine with me. I’m guessing Keith Williams will handle short for a while longer. What’s concerning is that Cook was expected to be in the majors by now, but his bat’s development has not proceeded at the same pace this year as it had in years prior. AAA Ogden did not, it appears, agree with the kid they call VODAK. He’s a very slick fielder, though, and there’s no reason to think that he can’t get himself polished up quickly.

I wanted to use him as a solid late-inning defender and back-up, but the arrival of Manuel Martinez and the resigning of Run-ming Gui allows him to sit in AAA for another season or two if need be.


2062 Projection:Another pass at AAA, with an in-season callup as needed.


#2 – Randy van Steenderen

Randy van Steenderen (2B)	Age	OVR	CON	BABIP	AvK	GAP	POW	EYE
Level: SA	21	20/35	3/7	3/5	4/9	4/8	3/4	3/5
Age: 21	*	IFR	IFE	IFA	TDP	OFR	OFE	OFA
Bats-Throws: R/R	*	7	6	4	5	3	4	3
Height: 5'9"	*	SPD	AGR	STE	RUN	CBK	CFR	CAR
Weight: 160	*	3	7	3	1	1	1	1
Source: Disc

Here’s a kid who has come a bit out of nowhere. Which is always fun. Van Steenderen is a IC scouting discovery who I brought in mostly because he got too old and we needed a backup in Ogden—where scouts decided they loved him, and where his numbers have required him to be called up to Short-A Port au Prince. I’m probably over-rating him at #2 in this list, but I will admit to having fallen more than a bit smitten with him. He needs another real bump to his power or his eye. And, sure, the TDP (and error) could use some brushing up before he gets to the atoll. But when that happens…


2062 Projection: I expect he’ll start in Short-A, but maybe find a path to A-ball in mid-year.

#3 – Travis Osborne

Travis Osborne (2B)	Age	OVR	CON	BABIP	AvK	GAP	POW	EYE
Level: AA	21	25/35	6/6	6/6	5/5	4/4	4/4	4/5
Age: 21	*	IFR	IFE	IFA	TDP	OFR	OFE	OFA
Bats-Throws: S/R	*	8	3	5	5	2	3	9
Height: 6'2"	*	SPD	AGR	STE	RUN	CBK	CFR	CAR
Weight: 185	*	5	2	1	5	1	1	1
Source: DR59.6

Osborne projects as a gritty switch hitter who can get on base a bit. Nothing special, but a player. He’s a guy whose numbers have been a bit better than I’d expect from his ratings, which is always fun. I suspect/hope that means he’s on the top-edge of those rating bars, and if that’s the case then he could be another one of those 40/45s I love so much because they wind up being better than anyone thinks they should be. In that light, I considered putting him higher on this list—but who wants to carry that kind of pressure around, right?

His .289/.328/.383 slash with 7 homers was good for 2.4 WAR in 118 AA starts.

If I’m concerned, though, that “3” error is the reason.


2062 Projection: I expect he’ll start in AA Kamloops again, but I could see him playing at AAA soon, and in horrible injury conditions even getting a cup of coffee in the bigs as an emergency outlet. Let’s all pray that is not necessary, now.


#4 – Felix Connell

Felix Connell (2B)	Age	OVR	CON	BABIP	AvK	GAP	POW	EYE
Level: A	21	20/35	5/7	4/5	9/9	6/6	2/2	4/5
Age: 21	*	IFR	IFE	IFA	TDP	OFR	OFE	OFA
Bats-Throws: R/R	*	7	5	4	4	4	2	2
Height: 6'2"	*	SPD	AGR	STE	RUN	CBK	CFR	CAR
Weight: 175	*	4	9	4	1	1	1	1
Source: MLC

Connell struck out 29 times in 404 plate appearances in A-ball Lake City this season. Not bad. If he makes it to the big leagues, this skill will be his calling card. I put it that way because without a big bump, the glove will not be that calling card. Since signing as a minor league free agent in 2057, Connell’s presence has been felt, but his production has been hot and cold. He’s an interesting prospect as I type, but it could go either way, and right now the tarot card reads I get tend to suggest it’s not going the way any future Mrs. Connell will want it to go.


2062 Projection: Another Full Season in A, unless the glove bumps…then I could see him in AA before September.


#5 – Habib Jabbar

Habib Jabbar (SS)	Age	OVR	CON	BABIP	AvK	GAP	POW	EYE
Level: R	17	20/45	3/7	2/5	2/7	2/5	2/4	2/6
Age: 17	*	IFR	IFE	IFA	TDP	OFR	OFE	OFA
Bats-Throws: R/R	*	8	5	6	5	7	3	6
Height: 6'2"	*	SPD	AGR	STE	RUN	CBK	CFR	CAR
Weight: 190	*	6	5	5	3	1	1	1
Source: Disc

Jabbar is another guy listed as a shortstop, but who grades out as more likely to slide to second base. If he does that, he looks like a good one. He’s come into Ogden young, though. So young that even though he’s still waiting to turn 18, he’s got two professional seasons under his belt. This is because scouts like his bat and they say his defensive acumen could handle that pressure. Bottom line, we’re ignoring the stat lines the past two seasons because 16 and 17 year olds will simply tend to struggle, even in A-Ball. But this is the year for Jabbar, one thinks. Time to fish or cut bait.


2062 Projection: Start full time in Ogden R-ball.

[Krathan]

An interesting group of players. It will be interesting to see if one of them will do something to really stand out in the crowd.

[Krathan]

I also think your statement about 40-45 rated players is very true, especially in v25. I think you can find some really solid, productive players in that 40-45 range.