Future Rookies: More AL East Prospects

Welcome back to another Future Rookies. We took a break last week to look at the Cafe Mock Draft, but now it’s back to tracking some minor leaguers that are on their way to making a major league impact. This week we’ll look at the heir to the Yankee catching throne and another Orioles pitching stud.

Featured Add – Hitter

Jesus Montero, C, NYY, Age 19, Double-A

	AB	R	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2008 A	525	86	17	87	2	37	83	.326	.376	.491	.867
2009 A+	180	26	8	37	0	14	26	.356	.406	.583	.989
2009 AA	32	3	0	1	0	4	3	.281	.361	.281	.642

Montero has shown such an advanced batting skill that it’s hard to believe he’s still a teenager. (Or is he?) He’s got plus power and will be an impact fantasy player by the time he reaches the majors, which is what we’re all about here at the Cafe. There’s been some skepticism that he won’t be able to hack it as a catcher in the big leagues, but his bat is good enough that his fantasy value won’t plummet with a position change. He’s recently been promoted to Double-A after blazing up High-A, so it seems that the Yankees could be preparing for life after Posada.

Hitter Performance Review (as of 6/14/09)

		AB	R	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Matt LaPorta	AAA	141	30	8	24	0	13	22	.319	.386	.553	.939
Last 10	AAA	39	4	2	6	0	1	8	.308
Gaby Sanchez	AAA	121	26	6	22	1	15	19	.322	.394	.496	.890
Last 10	AAA	34	7	2	6	0	4	5	.265
Alcides Escobar	AAA	258	49	3	22	25	15	41	.310	.350	.442	.792
Last 10	AAA	38	8	1	7	3	2	4	.368
Mike Carp	AAA	205	37	10	32	0	36	46	.293	.402	.517	.919
Last 10	AAA	38	4	1	6	0	2	8	.237
Kila Ka’aihue	AAA	200	40	8	28	0	52	45	.280	.424	.500	.924
Last 10	AAA	31	4	0	3	0	3	4	.290
Kyle Blanks	AAA	221	32	11	33	0	36	62	.276	.386	.471	.857
Last 10	AAA	33	5	2	6	0	5	7	.364
Brett Wallace	AAA	105	7	2	8	0	7	26	.238	.287	.314	.601
Last 10	AAA	28	2	0	1	0	5	7	.214
Carlos Santana	AA	181	41	10	41	0	42	28	.276	.404	.530	.935
Last 10	AA	36	6	1	6	0	5	3	.222
Josh Vitters	A	228	36	13	39	3	7	35	.320	.360	.553	.913
Last 10	A	34	1	0	4	0	1	4	.147

Notes: Gaby Sanchez is back from the disabled list and getting some time at third base. He should be promoted to the majors relatively soon. Alcides Escobar has been very strong at Triple-A, and with J.J. Hardy’s struggles, there’s a chance we will see Escobar promoted (and Hardy traded) by July 31.

Featured Add – Pitcher

Brian Matusz, SP, BAL, Age 22, Double-A

	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR	BB	K
2008 NCAA	105.0	1.71	1.00	4	22	141
2009 A+	66.2	2.16	1.15	5	21	75

Another Baltimore pitcher? Yeah, I can’t help myself. The Orioles have a plethora of pitching prospects, and I’ve already covered Chris Tillman and Jake Arrieta. Rounding out the trio of talent is Matusz, who was just promoted to Double-A Bowie and is scheduled to take the mound tomorrow in his first appearance for the team. Matusz was predictably too good for the Carolina League, posting a 10.1 K/9 rate in his 11 starts at that level. At this point, a September call-up makes perfect sense, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Matusz in the 2010 rotation.

Pitcher Performance Review (as of 6/15/09)

		IP	ERA	WHIP	HR	BB	K
Michael Bowden	AAA	65.1	2.48	1.09	5	22	42
June 13	AAA	7.0	2.57	1.14	2	1	5
Chris Tillman	AAA	54.0	2.33	1.19	3	16	63
June 13	AAA	6.0	3.00	1.50	1	2	8
Carlos Carrasco	AAA	72.2	5.57	1.39	8	20	72
June 15	AAA	6.1	5.68	1.11	0	1	5
Jake Arrieta	AA	59.0	2.59	1.15	4	23	70
June 12	AAA	6.0	1.50	0.33	1	0	6
Jeanmar Gomez	AA	51.0	2.82	0.86	1	7	43
June 10	AA	6.0	0.00	0.33	0	1	5
Jarrod Parker	AA	42.1	3.19	1.61	0	20	46
DL	AA	–	–	–	–	–	–
Junichi Tazawa	AA	71.2	3.14	1.16	7	21	66
June 13	AA	4.1	10.38	2.54	1	2	3
Jeremy Hellickson	AA	30.0	2.10	0.93	1	8	36
DL	AA	–	–	–	–	–	–

Notes: Like Matusz, Jake Arrieta has been promoted by the Orioles. His first start was a gem, with the only blemish being a solo home run. Jarrod Parker is on the disabled list after taking a comebacker to the right wrist.

That’s gonna do it for this week, guys and gals. Remember to send your queries into fbcmailbag@gmail.com, and I’ll see you again next week!

R.J. White (or daullaz) has been actively involved in fantasy sports for over 14 years, making him an addict at this point. He loves writing, the Atlanta Braves, music, the Buffalo Bills, theatre, the Philadelphia Eagles, his family, and the number 42, though not in that order.

Rate this article: