more minor league talk

[Mugrila]

i'm curious as to the scouting reports of justin morneau, cole hamels, and joe blanton. what sort of #'s do they each put up and when should they make their major league debut?

[DaQ]

I don't know too much about this:

Morneau is expected to be a huge power hitter for the Twins, but he'll have a tough time getting into the lineup, especially when Mauer returns.

Hamels is the toughest pitcher for B.J. Upton. He says Hamels has a great changeup.

[hybrid]

Well Morneau has already made his big league debut and that was even before this year. And like the other person said, his power potential is huge. Blanton could be called up sometime after the all star break this year. He is pitching really well in Triple A, era around 2+. Not really a K pitcher but has good control and some good stuff to go along w/ it. Hamels is the farthest away as he is still in High A, though will be promoted to Double A sometime during this season I imagine. I'd say he gets a call up sometime in Late 2005. Right now he K's more then 1 per inning, mainly cause he has one of the best change ups in the minors. He has real good control, is a lefty, and a good curve to go w/ his change and low 90's fastball. Most people don't know but he had a better strike out rate then Kazmir did in both of their time between Low A and High A last year. In spring training he K'd Jeter and A-rod back to back on change ups and made them look silly. Would prolly be in Double A already if he wasn't held out from action earlier this year.

[WhiteHot]

Floyd will get called up well before Hamels, but they're both amazing prospects. Floyd should be on the team next year. I doubt we'll see him this year.

[thehat]

Morneau is probably heading back to Rochester Wednesday. Ought to be playing vs. all righties and occasional lefties with the Twins now, as he has nothing left to prove vs. minor league pitching. Probably a .270ish big league hitter, maybe a little higher...but with serious clout. Poor defensively, but he's still relatively new to 1B. Apprarently caught in a numbers game in Minnesota presently, expect him to return and play regularly soon enough (when they deal Mientkiewicz?)

Blanton is a Moneyball phenom who will be a back of the rotation big league starter. He's getting by at AAA Sacto, but his K numbers are way down. Overrated.

Hamels is a legit prospect. Awesome changeup. Good command of a decent fastball, generally low 90's, can hit 94 on occasion. Missed the start of this season with left elbow tendonitis, so they'll take him slow at Clearwater. Probably gets to Reading later this season. Look for him in Philly in 2006.