The Minority Report

The players I’ve chosen to write on this week are a mixture of requests, blasts from the past, top prospects, and a recent call up or two. It’s good to monitor the minor leagues for all types of players, not just the top end guys. An Armando Galarraga comes out of nowhere every year. If you’re paying attention to trends in their stats you can make an educated decision on their ability to produce in the big show.

Recent Call Ups

Darrell Rasner – SP – NYY

Rasner has been called up to against SEA in place on the oft-injured Phil Hughes. Rasner has been up before making 10 starts across the past 10 years while keeping a respectable ERA. He is not a big strikeout guy but can be a solid back end of the rotation starter for a NY team that will start scoring runs soon. Rasner has seen improved numbers this year for AAA Scranton with a .170 BA against and 27 strikeouts to 6 walks in 31 innings. Righties are only hitting .082 against him to date and he has yet to allow a HR. In daily transaction leagues I’d take a chance on his start Sunday. In weekly mixed leagues watch his start closely as the Yankees desperately need help in their rotation for the long haul. Rasner can make a nice matchups play for a winning team.

Brandon Wood – SS/3B – ANA

Wood was called up on 4/28 to serve as a bench replacement for the injured Howie Kendrick. At the time of his call up Wood was leading the PCL in HR and continues to display light tower power. Here’s the problem – 29 Strikeouts, only 5 Walks, in 88 AB’s. Wood may have power, but until he shows signs of reducing that strikeout rate I suggest staying away from him. His stay in ANA will likely be short lived as Kendrick should be back in the next week or so. It’s not like Wood has forced their hand any either (4K/7AB).

Requested Write Ups

Chase Headley – 3B/OF – SD

Chase has been moved to the OF by SD as they seem to be happy with Kouzmanoff as their everyday 3B. Headley is likely the better long term option at 3B defensively but if he can learn the OF, SD will have a nice option in LF. Chase had a great Spring Training and it was a surprise he was sent to the minors to start the season. Headley didn’t see a lot of success in SD but had a dominant minor league season in 07. One red flag I see with Chase is that while hitting .330 in the Texas League he did strikeout 114 times in 433 AB’s, which rounds UP to a 74% contact rate. Chase is struggling right now in AAA and while many may think he’s not taking the demotion well, I think he’s simply coming back to earth after a stellar 2007 minor league season.

David Hernandez – SP – BAL

Hernandez burst onto the scene last year with 168 Strikeouts in 145 Innings. Unless you are a diehard minor league guy like me you likely missed his 18 strikeout performance in the playoffs for Frederick as well. He is a fast rising prospect in the O’s system that I see as one of their top 5 pitching prospects. He works with a 90-95 MPH fastball and has a slider with good tilt. His changeup is a work in progress, but if he can get that to be an average pitch he’s have 3 major league ready pitches. So far this year he is having a great debut in AA Bowie with a 2.30 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 31 innings. His BA against in .207 and RHB are hitting a measly .172 against. Dynasty league owners keep an eye out as he profiles to get a possible September call up when rosters expand to 40 players and should have a legit shot in Spring Training 2009 to win a rotation spot.

David Purcey – SP – TOR

6 foot 5 inches tall, 230 pounds, Left Handed Starting Pitcher – Sign me up! Purcey was Toronto’s 2004 First Round pick and looks like he’s coming into his own in 2008. Purcey was already given a spot start 2 weeks ago and did just fine allowing 1 R on only 2 hits in 4 and 1/3 innings. He did walk 7 batters that game but I will give him a pass for 1 start as he has not shown a problem with walks in his minor league career. So far in 2008 he has a 1.64 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 33 innings. His BA against is .168 versus both LHB and RHB. All of his numbers check out in my opinion and he is the next SP called up by the Rays when they need a starter. With the oft injured Burnett as part of that rotation Purcey’s day may come sooner than later.

Top Prospects

Andrew McCutchen – OF – PIT

Andrew is a top 20 prospect in the Majors on about every list I have seen this year. Personally I have him ranked at #13. McCutchen is tearing the cover off the ball right now in AAA. He is hitting .300 with 6 HR and 7 SB through May 1st. What really excites me about McCutchen’s start is his K/BB ratio. Last year he saw 83 strikeouts versus 44 walks. So far in 2008 he has 16 walks versus only 14 strikeouts in 111 at bats. That is an 87% contact rate which is up from 81% in 2007. Only 21 and already in AAA the sky is the limit for McCutchen. In keeper leagues I’d suggest monitoring him throughout the season as he could be a September call up with a chance at starting in 2009.

Jacob McGee – SP – TB

McGee is one of my favorite SP prospects in all of baseball. The only LHP I rate ahead of him is Clayton Kershaw. After Kershaw hits the majors he will leave McGee and Price on TB as the top two LHP prospects in baseball. The AL East better take notice, a rotation with 3 lefties the caliber of Kazmir, McGee, and Price would be downright scary. Last year McGee stuck out 175 batters in 139 innings sporting a .207 BA against. McGee is going through an adjustment period right now in AA but still sports a .216 BA against with 27 strikeouts in 23 innings. I predict McGee leads the minors in strikeouts this year and gets a shot in 2009 to make the rotation. Dynasty Leaguer’s, McGee should be fixed on your radar.

Blast from the Past

Nelson Cruz – OF – TEX

Before their recent 3 game winning streak the Rangers were 9-18 on the year. How much longer can they really afford to leave Cruz down in AAA? He was a top prospect and his star has faded but he is absolutely raking it right now. His line so far: .371 11 29 29 10. He has 25 walks versus 17 strikeouts and has an OPS of 1.315. David Murphy has started to slow down in LF for TEX and their DH is Frank Catalanotto who is hitting .240. If you are looking for OF help on the cheap, pick up Cruz as he should get a shot soon. How could he not?

For all readers out there – If you want me to profile a particular minor league player for next week’s Thursday article let me know in the comments section. I will do a write up on any request made by Tuesday afternoon.

- By Peter Billingsley