Pimp your players

[Mariners]

Deleted,

[Cardinals]

I dont think the Indians have Gio? I thought he was on Baltimore.

[Mariners]

I dont think the Indians have Gio? I thought he was on Baltimore.

I deleted it, because I did not even quote the right list. I said "Tools List", when it was actually the "Prospect Pulse".

[Rangers]

One of the toughest commodities to come by in the big leagues, lefthanded pitching is actually deep in talent in the minor leagues now, and Kershaw and McGee lead the way. Kershaw gets the nod over McGee based on his arsenal of pitches. McGee could profile as a power reliever if he doesn’t develop his changeup, but his upper-90s fastball is enough to drive hitters crazy in any role. The same goes for Morales, who hits 97 mph regularly and features a hammer curveball.

LEFTHANDED STARTERS
STAR POWER: ★★★★
1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
2. Jacob McGee, Devil Rays (IBC Tigers)
3. Franklin Morales, Rockies (IBC Tigers)

#s 4 & 7 on the RHSP list (Guerra, Carrasco) also reside in the Detroit minors.

Oh and...

Guerra could be a monster if everything comes together

[Orioles]

Pitching help is on the way for the IBC O's....

RH SP

9. Adam Miller, Indians

LH SP

5. Gio Gonzalez, White Sox

RP

2. Jim Hoey, Orioles

[Pirates]

The Brewers are getting ready to be the champions in 2 years....

RHP
3. Joba Chamberlain, Yankees
5. Wade Davis, Devil Rays
6. Johnny Cueto, Reds

1b
2. Lars Anderson, Red Sox
3. Daric Barton, Athletics

2b
9. German Duran, Rangers

3b
1. Evan Longoria, Devil Rays
4. Neil Walker, Pirates

cf
8. Dexter Fowler, Rockies

[Cardinals]

James McDonald has struck out 143 batters in 115 innings

James McDonald features one of the strangest career paths in the minors as a pitcher-turned-outfielder-turned pitcher. It's safe to say he's sticking on the mound as he improved to 5-1, 1.10 since being promoted to Double-A.

The James McDonald story just keeps getting better. McDonald, the pitcher-turned-outfielder-turned-pitcher, improved to 5-1, 1.10 since being promoted to Double-A Jacksonville thanks to his two-hit, five-inning outing. McDonald has not allowed two or more runs in any of his six Double-A starts.

[RedSox]

Cole Rohrbough:

"The 20-year old southpaw has been nothing short of spectacular on the mound. In his eight games (seven starts), Rohrbough has an ERA of 1.08 with a 58/8 K/BB and only 20 hits over his 33.1 innings of work. Add onto that his 1.69 ground-outs for every fly ball out and you understand just how dominating this guy has been."

"For those of you who are not farmiliar with Rohrbough, which I assume is most of you, here is a scouting report. Rohrbough has a three pitch mix that he works with on the mound. The left-hander throws a fastball with good movement (expected from left-handers) that he works with in the low-90’s and has been clocked up to 94 mph. To go along with his fastball, Rohrbough has an above-average change, and a power spike curve (also called a knuckle curve), which is easily his best pitch. As his numbers show, his command is good and he can throw all three pitches for strikes and is not afraid to throw any of his pitches in any situation. On the mound, he has a great presence. He shows almost no emotion and doesn’t get flustered even when he is in trouble."

Will Schaffer for MVN.com

[Brewers]

Some IBC White Sox currently riding hot streaks...


3. Josh Rodriguez, ss, high Class A Kinston (Indians)

The 22-year-old once considered among the best shortstops in the 2006 draft is starting to live up to his potential after a slow start to his first full professional season. Rodriguez' turning point may end up being a two-homer, nine-RBI performance on Aug. 2. He's hitting .318/.426/.886 with seven homers and 21 RBIs in August to improve to .254/.336/.453 overall. He hit a homer in four consecutive games from June 6-9.


9. Edinson Volquez, rhp, Triple-A Oklahoma (Rangers)

Volquez has always had the stuff, but his command has consistently eluded him--until recently. Since his promotion to Triple-A, Volquez has 39 strikeouts, 15 walks and a 2.03 ERA in 31 innings. In his last two starts, he's compiled 18 strikeouts, four walks and just one earned run in 13 innings. Volquez has never had a problem striking out batters--130 in 121 Triple-A innings last year--but he also walked an alarming 72 hitters in the process. To get him to focus on his command, the Rangers had Volquez start his season all the way back in high Class A for the first month of the season before promoting him to Double-A Frisco, where Volquez spent two more months and finally showed improvement in his command. The two-level demotion is similar to the situation righthander Roy Halladay faced in 2001, when the Blue Jays sent Halladay to high Class A after a disastrous 2000 season in the major leagues. Halladay then went on to win the Cy Young in 2003. Halladay's pitching coach at the time in Toronto, Mark Connor, also happens to be the current pitching coach in Texas.


11. Mat Gamel, 3b, high Class A Brevard County (Brewers)

The 2005 fourth-round pick out Chipola (Fla.) JC has shown plenty of prowess at the plate--he strung together a 33-game hit streak earlier this season and used a four-homer week to improve his season totals to .308/.384/.488 with nine home runs and 54 RBIs.

[Rangers]

John Sickels is on to something:

*Henry Alberto Rodriguez, RHP, Oakland, pitching for Kane County in the Midwest League. Pay attention to him. Great arm, and his command has started to come around this year.

[Cardinals]

a little IBC Astro pimping to do:

From goldsteins breakout/surprise players in farm systems this year:

Florida Marlins
Speedy outfielder John Raynor is already 23 and only in Low-A, but he still delivered an MVP campaign in the Sally League with a .333/.429/.519 line that included 13 home runs and 54 stolen bases in 62 attempts.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Six-foot-five right-hander James McDonald came out of nowhere, suddenly throwing in the low 90s with a plus curveball and decent change, which propelled up to Double-A while striking out 168 in 134 2/3 innings.


San Francisco Giants:
Garnering little attention in the Arizona League last summer, Dominican right-hander Henry Sosa came out firing bullets this year, with his heat sitting in the 93-96 mph range while he also showed that his big breaking curveball can be an effective out pitch. After putting up a 0.73 ERA at Low-A Augusta in 62 innings, he struggled at times in the Cal League, but Sosa could become a dominant force with improved command.


Also:
John Paul III (Manch Vegas): Thoughts on Heath Rollins and his ceiling? He had a pretty darn good first pro ball season no?

Kevin Goldstein: Very good year indeed. More of a command/control guy than a stuff guy, but still projects as a middle-to-back rotation starter right now.

[Yankees]

John Sickels is a no-talent BP and BA repeating hack who has no business having anyone in this league listen to his crock of shit.

My prediction - in the year 2020 Prince Fielder will hit .217 with 22 homers and 75 rbi's, steal 73 bases, and miss 25 games because of a herniated disc in his penis (first of its kind ever). In 2021 he will become a relief pitcher.

[Pirates]

Jay Bruce may be one of the top prospects in baseball, but he still remembers being the player who was trying to catch up to more talented peers. It's that drive, combined with loads of natural talent, that has helped lead to his success and to him being named our 2007 Minor League Player of the Year.

[Dodgers]

Jay Bruce may be one of the top prospects in baseball, but he still remembers being the player who was trying to catch up to more talented peers. It's that drive, combined with loads of natural talent, that has helped lead to his success and to him being named our 2007 Minor League Player of the Year.

From jaybruceistheman.com?

[Mariners]

a little IBC Astro pimping to do:

From goldsteins breakout/surprise players in farm systems this year:

Los Angeles Dodgers
Six-foot-five right-hander James McDonald came out of nowhere, suddenly throwing in the low 90s with a plus curveball and decent change, which propelled up to Double-A while striking out 168 in 134 2/3 innings.

Oh, so now you're giving Goldstein credit, for someone I told you was a "breakout" months ago?

This is a prime example of why we don't need a "Rule 5". If you truly believe it's "all about the league", then don't be afraid to advise your fellow baseball brother about a wise signing, when you yourself are forced to cut that person.

Hell, I'm a "One man" rule 5, supplying the whole league with prospects!

Oh sorry, this is posted in Pimp your players, not "Pimp Yourself"!

[Padres]

Kubel finishing strong

After batting .364 in August, Jason Kubel is batting .375 for September.

"Guys keep telling me his swing's starting to look like it did way back when he was hitting .340 [for Class AAA Rochester in 2004]," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "The guys who played with him -- [Justin] Morneau and the guys like that -- they said his confidence you can see it now."

Kubel said his swing has felt good for most of the second half. He hit .250 before the All-Star break and was batting .304 since.

http://www.startribune.com/twins/story/1416961.html

[Nationals]

Kubel finishing strong

After batting .364 in August, Jason Kubel is batting .375 for September.

"Guys keep telling me his swing's starting to look like it did way back when he was hitting .340 [for Class AAA Rochester in 2004]," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "The guys who played with him -- [Justin] Morneau and the guys like that -- they said his confidence you can see it now."

Kubel said his swing has felt good for most of the second half. He hit .250 before the All-Star break and was batting .304 since.

http://www.startribune.com/twins/story/1416961.html

It would help if Gardenhire f*ing played him instead of RonDL White.

[Rangers]

a little IBC Astro pimping to do:

From goldsteins breakout/surprise players in farm systems this year:

Los Angeles Dodgers
Six-foot-five right-hander James McDonald came out of nowhere, suddenly throwing in the low 90s with a plus curveball and decent change, which propelled up to Double-A while striking out 168 in 134 2/3 innings.

Oh, so now you're giving Goldstein credit, for someone I told you was a "breakout" months ago?

This is a prime example of why we don't need a "Rule 5". If you truly believe it's "all about the league", then don't be afraid to advise your fellow baseball brother about a wise signing, when you yourself are forced to cut that person.

Hell, I'm a "One man" rule 5, supplying the whole league with prospects!

Oh sorry, this is posted in Pimp your players, not "Pimp Yourself"!

Now Jagger, if we gave you credit for everyone you tout, everyone you're about to cut would be on the list.

[Cardinals]

James McDonald – RHP Dodgers – One of the most interesting stories of the season, McDonald had quite an unusual journey to reach top prospect status. A draft-and-follow selected in the 11th round of the 2002 draft out of a California high school, McDonald showed a promising arm after debuting with the Gulf Coast Dodgers in 2003. Surprisingly, McDonald spent most of the next two seasons as an outfielder in the Gulf Coast League. The Dodgers claim they made the move to protect McDonald's arm, allowing him to avoid the pitfalls of throwing too many innings at a young age while also building arm strength. The club insisted that he could have made headway as an outfielder, but they preferred him on the mound and he made his way back there in late 2005.

McDonald spent all of the following season at Single-A Columbus, posting a solid 3.97 ERA while striking out more than a batter per inning in 22 starts and eight relief appearances. The right-hander was still raw, giving up 15 homers and 64 walks in just 143 innings, but he was just 21 years old and was focusing on pitching for the first time in two years. Moved up to High-A Inland Empire in 2007, McDonald showed better command and a higher strikeout rate. Though his 3.95 ERA was unimpressive, his 104 strikeouts and just 21 walks in 82 innings were very encouraging. Promoted to Double-A Jacksonville later in the season, McDonald looked even better with a 1.71 ERA and 64/16 K/BB ratio in 52 2/3 innings.

McDonald's biggest issue seems to be limiting mistakes. Despite impressive peripherals, McDonald surrendered 18 doubles and 13 homers in 135 innings. While most of the ballparks in the California League weren't helping him, McDonald did pitch in a favorable home ballpark and he'll have to deal with hitter-friendly parks in the majors too. Since he's an extreme fly ball pitcher, working half his games at Dodger Stadium once reaching the majors certainly won't hurt either

Still, there's plenty to like with McDonald. He won't turn 23 until this off-season, so there's still time for him to work out some relatively minor flaws. He also has excellent command thanks in part to a delivery he repeats well. In addition to good mechanics and a young age, McDonald has a quality fastball that he'll throw anywhere from 88 to 93 MPH. His changeup already grades out as well above average, and his curve could also be a plus pitch. That type of repertoire, along with good command, is enough to project as a No. 2 starter. There would seem to be more risk with McDonald since he's just taken to pitching again, but he's gotten through two seasons without any injury concerns and if his command remains this strong the results should follow.

The Dodgers will likely send McDonald back to Jacksonville to begin 2008, as they often like to avoid having their best pitching prospects face the harsh realities of hitter-friendly Las Vegas and the Pacific Coast League for too long. He'll move there eventually, however, and a mid-season debut with the Dodgers is quite possible if he continues pitching as well as he did in 2007. McDonald likely isn't going to be a true ace without a top-notch fastball, but he could be good enough to look like one while in the NL and pitching half his games at Dodger Stadium. He can't be left unowned in any keeper leagues right now, and he's worth stashing away in deep NL-only leagues next spring.

[Rangers]

Franklin Morales

After six one hit innings tonight, Morales has a 17 inning scoreless streak going. In those three starts, his numbers are 17 IP, 7 H, 5 BB, 15 K. That's good for a 0.71 WHIP in that span.

For the season, in seven starts, he's at: 3.15 ERA, 34.1 IP, 30 H, 2 HR, 13 BB, 22 K, 1.25 WHIP. Don't know how it broke down tonight, but coming in his ground out to fly out ratio was 2.09.

And here I didn't think he was ready, at just 21 years old.

...oh, and knock on wood. He still has one more start to make.

[Padres]

John Shelby

... teams that passed on [John] Shelby might be regretting it now after his .301/.352/.508 year at Low-A Kannapolis. Moved to the outfield at about the midway point of the season, Shelby’s bat exploded in the second half, as he hit .322/.351/.572 after the All-Star break and cranked out 10 home runs in his final 25 games. The White Sox [like the IBC Mets] are desperate for offensive prospects, and Shelby moved way up a very short list.

Kevin Goldstein

[DBacks]

You know I'm not gonna let you guys forget about this man. Sure, he's not a prospect, but he's still my favorite player.

Sammy Sosa

With his return to the bigs, Sammy Sosa has proved to one and all that he can still be a valuable part of a major league squad. In only 113 games and 408 ABs, Sosa has driven in 92 runs, good for 20th in the AL. At the beginning of this season, would anyone have guessed that Sosa would be among the top 20 in RBIs in his league? And he's done this while batting in the heart of a lineup that is 22nd in the majors in OBP.

This season, Sosa passed the 600 HR mark and now stands at 608 for his career. He's been a leader among the clubhouse in Arlington this season. Manager Ron Washington and his teammates have had nothing but positive things to say about Slammin' Sammy and his second tenure with the Rangers. It appears that Sosa has finally found maturity at the age of 38.

Sosa says he wants to play in 2008, and the Rangers are interested in bringing him back. If they don't, you have to think that there's an AL contender out there who could use him off the bench, after all, Sosa is still killing left handed pitchers. This season he LHP at a .325 clip and amassed an OPS bordering on a 1000.

-

I know you guys won't show him any love, so I will do it for all of us. I know, the numbers weren't pretty overall, but Slammin' Sammy made me proud. He came back and did more than any one expected him to, at 38 years old, and beyond that he matured, becoming a pleasure and a leader in the clubhouse rather than a prima donna and a distraction. I hope he catches on with a contender next year and gets a shot at the ring he rightfully deserves.

[Yankees]

I hope he catches on with a contender next year and gets a shot at the ring he rightfully deserves.

I was right with you on this write-up until that last sentence. It sure is a cool story that he's been able to overcome and be effective, but - Why the f**k does Sammy deserve a ring?

He's overcome TAKING DRUGS and he's gone from being a jackass to a good presence. His one year in Texas is enough to warrant a championship ring - after years of illegal steroid abuse and glory-hogging?

As a baseball fan, I'm happy to see Sammy making this comeback - it really is a heart-warming story because he did mean so much to the resurgence of baseball (whether he did it illegally or not). But the man does not DESERVE a ring.

Don Mattingly DESERVED a ring. Ernie Banks DESERVED a ring. Yaz DESERVED a ring.

Sammy Sosa cheated and should just be thankful he has a second chance - and, as I said, it's very cool to see he's making the most of it.

[DBacks]

i think he deserves a ring. I want him to get one. why? because he's my favorite player and was my childhood hero. and as a baseball fan, you really dont need more of a reason than that.

[Yankees]

I'm with you on everything but the word "deserve" - I wouldn't be upset if Sammy got one either - it would be a nice story for a guy who humbled himself and worked hard to get a second chance.

But, I'm sorry, deserve is the wrong word. Deserve means "to be worthy of" - Sammy will earn what he gets from here on out, but he's run out of "deserve."