Future Rookies: Thanks for the Fish

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With minor leagues coming to a close this week, this will be our last Future Rookies of the year. I hope you’ve found the column more or less enjoyable and useful, and I would love if you’d leave me some feedback via the new commenting system at the end of the article. You’ve probably already seen this, but future rookie Desmond Jennings tied an International League record when he went 7-for-7 on Thursday. He threw in a stolen base and now has 52 on the season.

Justin Smoak, Kyle Drabek and Pedro Alvarez are off to play for the USA in the Baseball World Cup. Welcome to the PCL, Chris Carter — the A’s future 1B/DH went off in an August 31 game, clubbing three HRs and scoring seven RBIs. He was ice cold until yesterday’s 2-for-3, one-HR game. Maybe he just likes Mondays. Jason Heyward surprisingly received a promotion to Triple-A, surprising not because of his talent but rather his very young age. He’s played three games at this new level — and has two multi-hit games already.

Aaron Poreda had an interesting line in his most recent start: 5.1 innings, 1 hit, 8 walks, 8 strikeouts. Hector Rondon bounced back from an awful start to throw 7.2 innings in his most recent start. He still wasn’t able to pick up the win, which has been a problem since going 3-0 in his first three Triple-A starts. Jeremy Hellickson continues to look like the best pitcher in the minors.

Featured Add – Hitter

Mike Stanton, OF, Fla, Age 19, Double-A

 
I’ve wanted to talk about Stanton for a while, as I think he’s one of the best power prospects in the minors, but he just hasn’t been able to get on a hot streak and justify a space in this column. He hit two homers yesterday, driving in six runs in the process, so I’ll take that as justification to write about him. He clubbed 39 homers in the South Atlantic League in 2008, and he’s still a teenager. This year, the numbers have been down across the board, and he hasn’t made any progress at limiting the strikeouts. Still young, we should give this highly-touted prospect the benefit of the doubt. See if your leaguemate has soured on Stanton this year — you may be able to get him at a discount.

Hitter Performance Review (as of 9/07/09)

 
Former features Matt LaPorta, Alcides Escobar, Brandon Allen, Nolan Reimold, Andrew McCutchen, Mike Carp, and Kyle Blanks have moved on to the majors.

Featured Add – Pitcher

Mike Montgomery, SP, KC, Age 20, Class-A Advanced

 
Let’s close off our pitchers with a look at someone that’s been consistently great all year in the low minors. Montgomery has proven largely unhittable this year, allowing just 80 hits in 110 combined innings between Single-A and Class-A Advanced. This was never more true than on August 31, when Montgomery allowed one hit and no walks while striking out 12 batters in 6.2 innings pitched. He’s done a great job at keeping it in the park, allowing just one homer all year. Once he gets the walks in check, he could be something special.

Pitcher Performance Review (as of 9/07/09)

 
Former features Mat Latos, Junichi Tazawa, Carlos Carrasco, Brian Matusz, Kris Medlen, Derek Holland, Chris Tillman, Wade Davis, Scott Elbert, Michael Bowden, and Tommy Hanson have moved on to the majors.

That’ll do it for this season. Please leave us some comments below, and continue mining some minor-league talent for your dynasty teams!

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