Future Rookies: The Futures Game

Welcome to another edition of Future Rookies. With All-Star festivities in full swing, let’s focus on the Futures Game this week. Both featured adds appeared in the game, as did several Future Rookies that have been featured in the column. Alcides Escobar went 2-for-4 with two runs as the leadoff hitter for the World team. Joining him in the lineup eventually was Carlos Santana, who went 0-for-1 with a walk. On the U.S. side, Brett Wallace started at third and drew two walks before giving way to Josh Vitters, who drew a walk as well in two plate appearances. Jason Heyward, last week’s featured hitter, went 1-for-2 in the game. Jhoulys Chacin (1 IP, 2/1 K/BB), Chris Tillman (1 IP, 0/1 K/BB, 2 ERs), Brian Matusz (1 IP, 0/1 K/BB, 1 ER), and Jarrod Parker (0.1 IP) all appeared throughout the contest. Junichi Tazawa was scheduled to start, but a four-hour rain delay at game-time prevented him from throwing a pitch in the game.

Tom Huffman, Fantasy Cafe
Mike Stanton (Florida Marlins) coils in preparation to swing.

How did our two new members do?

 
Featured Add – Hitter

 
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB, Age 22, Double-A

	AB	R	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2009 AA	335	60	7	41	32	40	45	.313	.391	.487	.877
Last 10	39	9	1	5	4	6	6	.282

A Cafe favorite, Jennings has all the tools to be the next big thing in the majors. A shoulder injury cost the Tampa Bay prospect most of last year, and there were concerns he wouldn’t be the same upon return. And he’s not the same — he’s better. Jennings is turning his best slugging percentage yet while posting an outstanding 45/40 K/BB ratio. He’s also nearly impossible to catch on the basepaths, with only four failed attempts in 36 tries. He exhibited this speed by stealing three bags at the Futures Game. Since the Rays are stacked with young talent, there’s no need to rush the speedster. He’ll likely spend the entire year at Double-A and all of next year at Triple-A. Be prepared for a steals explosion in the majors when he arrives.

 
Hitter Performance Review (as of 7/13/09)

 

		AB	R	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Matt LaPorta	AAA	233	46	11	43	0	25	40	.309	.387	.536	.924
Last 10	AAA	36	8	2	10	0	6	6	.389
Justin Smoak	AA	183	30	6	29	0	39	35	.328	.449	.481	.930
Last 9	AAA	29	5	1	2	0	7	8	.103
Brett Wallace	AAA	195	17	6	19	0	13	39	.303	.355	.446	.801
Last 10	AAA	37	2	1	5	0	4	7	.351
Alcides Escobar	AAA	345	61	3	28	30	24	57	.296	.348	.417	.765
Last 10	AAA	36	5	0	1	3	6	8	.278
Gaby Sanchez	AAA	212	35	8	35	5	23	36	.297	.367	.448	.815
Last 10	AAA	36	4	1	7	1	5	5	.306
Kila Ka’aihue	AAA	293	53	13	36	0	64	64	.259	.390	.474	.865
Last 10	AAA	36	2	1	3	0	4	5	.222
Josh Whitesell	AAA	176	29	7	45	0	36	37	.313	.422	.494	.916
Last 10	AAA	35	7	3	10	0	7	8	.229
Mike Carp	AAA	243	46	10	32	0	44	55	.272	.393	.473	.866
Last 9	AAA	32	6	0	0	0	8	7	.094
Jason Heyward	A+	189	34	10	31	4	21	30	.296	.369	.519	.888
Last 7	AA	25	3	0	7	0	4	0	.360
Michael Taylor	AA	318	59	15	65	18	35	51	.333	.408	.569	.977
Last 10	AA	34	5	0	5	4	9	4	.235
Carlos Santana	AA	267	56	14	58	0	59	47	.266	.394	.494	.888
Last 10	AA	37	6	3	11	0	3	9	.270
Jesus Montero	AA	108	12	5	15	0	11	15	.287	.353	.472	.825
Last 10	AA	39	5	2	4	0	3	9	.256
Josh Vitters	A	269	42	15	46	4	7	42	.316	.351	.535	.886
Last 10	A+	37	3	0	4	0	1	3	.189

Former features Nolan Reimold, Mat Gamel, Andrew McCutchen, and Kyle Blanks have moved on to the majors.

Tom Huffman, Fantasy Cafe
Several Future Rookie pitchers (including this week’s feature) enjoy the festivities.

 
Featured Add – Pitcher

 
Mat Latos, SP, SD, Age 21, Double-A

	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR	BB	K
2009 A	25.1	0.36	0.51	1	3	27
2009 AA	47.0	1.91	0.87	0	9	46
July 9	5.0	0.00	0.00	0	0	7

After giving up two runs to Northwest Arkansas at home, Latos faced the team in their home stadium in his subsequent start on July 9. All he did in that one was allow no hits or walks in five innings while striking out seven batters. He only needed eight pitches to retire the side in the fourth inning of the Futures Game. Listed as San Diego’s #2 prospect at the beginning of the year by Baseball America, Latos’ health remains his biggest question mark, but he’s stayed on the mound every fifth day for San Antonio. Having Latos on your dynasty league team brings with it the added plus of him eventually making his way in the majors to pitch in the league’s best pitcher’s park.

 
Pitcher Performance Review (as of 7/13/09)

 

		IP	ERA	WHIP	HR	BB	K
Chris Tillman	AAA	86.1	2.50	1.09	4	22	88
July 8	AAA	6.0	0.00	1.00	0	0	6
Michael Bowden	AAA	81.1	3.32	1.24	9	31	54
DL	AAA	–	–	–	–	–	–
Jake Arrieta	AAA	36.2	4.42	1.24	5	11	33
July 12	AAA	5.2	9.53	1.41	2	3	5
Carlos Carrasco	AAA	102.2	5.00	1.38	11	34	99
July 12	AAA	6.2	4.05	1.05	2	1	6
Madison Bumgarner	AA	57.0	1.74	1.05	2	16	45
July 8	AA	4.0	2.25	1.50	1	1	2
Brian Matusz	AA	26.1	0.34	0.65	0	6	32
July 7	AA	8.0	0.00	0.13	0	0	11
Jarrod Parker	AA	63.1	2.98	1.45	0	29	61
July 9	AA	5.0	3.60	1.20	0	3	5
Jeremy Hellickson	AA	50.2	2.49	1.01	4	13	56
July 8	AA	6.2	2.70	1.05	1	2	3
Jhoulys Chacin	AA	94.1	3.43	1.23	10	32	80
July 6	AA	5.2	4.76	1.59	2	3	4
Jeanmar Gomez	AA	75.2	3.21	1.19	4	22	62
July 9	AA	5.0	1.80	1.40	0	4	4
Junichi Tazawa	AA	87.0	2.79	1.11	8	25	79
July 8	AA	5.0	1.80	0.40	1	0	2

Former features Scott Elbert, Kris Medlen, Derek Holland, and Tommy Hanson have moved on to the majors.

 
That’s all for this week. Remember to send your queries to fbcmailbag@gmail.com, and enjoy the All-Star game tonight!

 
R.J. White is a fantasy blogger at the sports site FanHouse. Check out his work both here and there, and feel free to talk to him in the forums, where he posts under the name daullaz.
 

(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)  Loading ... Questions or comments for R.J.? Post them in the Cafe Forums! Want to see your own fantasy wisdom published? Check out the Cafe's Pencil & Paper section!