10. Jason Jaramillo, c Born: Oct. 9, 1982 ï B-T: B-R ï Ht: 6-0 ï Wt: 200
Drafted: Oklahoma State, 2004 (2nd round) ï Signed by: Paul Scott
Jason JaramilloBackground: The Phillies first took Jaramillo out of a Wisconsin high school as a 42nd-round pick in 2001, then signed him three years later as a second-rounder out of Oklahoma State. He hit .304 in his first full pro season, then had 2006 ruined by a broken right hand. He bounced back in 2007, holding his own offensively and defensively at Triple-A Ottawa.
Strengths: A solid hitter from both sides of the plate, Jaramillo has gap-to-gap power and sprays line drives to all fields. He also has a sound approach. Defensively, he has slightly above-average arm strength and quick feet. He threw out 30 percent of basestealers in the International League.
Weaknesses: Jaramillo has below-average power and well below-average speed. His receiving and game-calling skills got sloppy in 2006, but he righted the ship in Triple-A.
The Future: He doesn't have the offensive or defensive ceiling of Lou Marson, but Jaramillo can become a reliable backup in the major leagues. He has a chance to serve in that role behind Carlos Ruiz in 2008.
2007 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Ottawa (AAA) .271 .350 .361 435 52 118 13 4 6 56 50 79 0
Boston Top Prospects
Moderator: Angels
3. Ryan Tucker, rhp Born: Dec. 6, 1986 ï B-T: R-R ï Ht: 6-2 ï Wt: 190
Drafted: HSóTemple City, Calif., 2005 (1st round supplemental) ï Signed by: John Cole
Ryan TuckerBackground: A huge senior season, highlighted by 69 strikeouts in 43 innings, moved Tucker into the sandwich round of the 2005 draft, and he signed for $975,000. He was suspended last season after disputes with Jupiter pitching coach Reid Cornelius, but Marlins officials chalked that up to a natural flareup between two strong personalities.
Strengths: Armed with the biggest fastball in the system, Tucker runs it up there at 93-96 mph and has touched 98. He has gotten better at holding runners, thanks to a slide step he has been able to incorporate. His changeup is solid and he's learned to use it effectively as a second pitch. His mound presence is excellent and he doesn't lack for confidence.
Weaknesses: Tucker could go straight to the big leagues if he just develops a legitimate slider. His success rate with the pitch remains down in the 20-30 percent range, and that must improve markedly. That's why pitching coordinator Wayne Rosenthal mandated a minimum of 10-15 sliders per game late in 2007. Previous attempts at mastering a curveball or a a cutter were scrapped.
The Future: Tucker should move up the ladder and open the year in Double-A. While some still see him as a future closer, the Marlins plan to keep him in the rotation until he proves otherwise.
2007 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG
Jupiter (Hi A)
5 8 3.71 24 24 1 0 138 142 6 46 104 .264
Drafted: HSóTemple City, Calif., 2005 (1st round supplemental) ï Signed by: John Cole
Ryan TuckerBackground: A huge senior season, highlighted by 69 strikeouts in 43 innings, moved Tucker into the sandwich round of the 2005 draft, and he signed for $975,000. He was suspended last season after disputes with Jupiter pitching coach Reid Cornelius, but Marlins officials chalked that up to a natural flareup between two strong personalities.
Strengths: Armed with the biggest fastball in the system, Tucker runs it up there at 93-96 mph and has touched 98. He has gotten better at holding runners, thanks to a slide step he has been able to incorporate. His changeup is solid and he's learned to use it effectively as a second pitch. His mound presence is excellent and he doesn't lack for confidence.
Weaknesses: Tucker could go straight to the big leagues if he just develops a legitimate slider. His success rate with the pitch remains down in the 20-30 percent range, and that must improve markedly. That's why pitching coordinator Wayne Rosenthal mandated a minimum of 10-15 sliders per game late in 2007. Previous attempts at mastering a curveball or a a cutter were scrapped.
The Future: Tucker should move up the ladder and open the year in Double-A. While some still see him as a future closer, the Marlins plan to keep him in the rotation until he proves otherwise.
2007 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG
Jupiter (Hi A)
5 8 3.71 24 24 1 0 138 142 6 46 104 .264
Not a busy thread for Boston since we don't have a ton of prospects but one who we're particularly excited about is Angel Salome. Salome had some trouble with a drug test in 2007 though there's a popular rumor that the positive was linked to ADD medication.
8. Angel Salome, c Born: Oct. 11, 1985 ï B-T: R-R ï Ht: 5-10 ï Wt: 175
Drafted: HSóNew York, 2004 (5th round) ï Signed by: Tony Blengino
Angel SalomeBackground: Salome's 2007 season was shortened, at the beginning as he recovered from ankle surgery and at the end when he was suspended 50 games after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. In between, he continued to establish himself as the Brewers' top catching prospect and raised his career batting average to .309.
Strengths: Salome has an unorthodox swing yet makes consistent contact and generates solid power, especially from gap to gap. With a compact body with very little body fat, he's much stronger than he looks and has earned the nickname "Pocket Pudge." Milwaukee believes Salome has legitimate power and that he won't use PEDs again. His arm is well above average.
Weaknesses: Despite his arm strength, Salome threw out just six of 46 basestealers (13 percent) in 2007. He still struggles with most aspects of catching, such as making accurate throws, shifting his weight to block balls and calling pitches. He almost makes too much contact for his own good, as he seldom walks. He's a below-average runner.
The Future: In an attempt to make up for lost time, Salome played in instructional league before heading to the Venezuela winter league for more action. Because he missed half the season, he may return to high Class A to open 2008, and he'll have to finish out his suspension first.
2007 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Brevard County (Hi A) .318 .341 .465 258 33 82 20 0 6 53 12 32 1
8. Angel Salome, c Born: Oct. 11, 1985 ï B-T: R-R ï Ht: 5-10 ï Wt: 175
Drafted: HSóNew York, 2004 (5th round) ï Signed by: Tony Blengino
Angel SalomeBackground: Salome's 2007 season was shortened, at the beginning as he recovered from ankle surgery and at the end when he was suspended 50 games after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. In between, he continued to establish himself as the Brewers' top catching prospect and raised his career batting average to .309.
Strengths: Salome has an unorthodox swing yet makes consistent contact and generates solid power, especially from gap to gap. With a compact body with very little body fat, he's much stronger than he looks and has earned the nickname "Pocket Pudge." Milwaukee believes Salome has legitimate power and that he won't use PEDs again. His arm is well above average.
Weaknesses: Despite his arm strength, Salome threw out just six of 46 basestealers (13 percent) in 2007. He still struggles with most aspects of catching, such as making accurate throws, shifting his weight to block balls and calling pitches. He almost makes too much contact for his own good, as he seldom walks. He's a below-average runner.
The Future: In an attempt to make up for lost time, Salome played in instructional league before heading to the Venezuela winter league for more action. Because he missed half the season, he may return to high Class A to open 2008, and he'll have to finish out his suspension first.
2007 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Brevard County (Hi A) .318 .341 .465 258 33 82 20 0 6 53 12 32 1
I have to admit, half the reason I drafted this kid was his name.
6. Shelby Ford, 2b Born: Dec. 15, 1984 ï B-T: B-R ï Ht: 6-3 ï Wt: 173
Drafted: Oklahoma State, 2006 (3rd round) ï Signed by: Mike Leuzinger
Shelby FordBackground: Ford was a three-time all-state selection as the son of a high school coach in Fort Worth, then stayed home to begin his college career at Texas Christian before transferring to Oklahoma State. He put together a strong first full pro season in 2008 before missing the final month with a strained muscle in his lower back.
Strengths: Ford has good pop for a middle infielder and the ability to hit with power to the opposite field. While he has a slightly better swing lefthanded, there's virtually no dropoff when he bats from the right side. He's a good second baseman with decent range and an above-average arm. If he winds up as a utilityman, he already has experience at shortstop from high school and third base from TCU. His speed is average.
Weaknesses: Ford can be made to chase pitches out of the strike zone, though he showed better plate discipline last season. His footwork is a bit shaky on the double-play pivot, though he has improved in pro ball.
The Future: Ford will begin 2008 in Double-A, and he's advanced enough that he could make his major league debut at some point in 2009. However, he's blocked by all-star second baseman Freddy Sanchez, who has two more years before he can become a free agent.
2007 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Lynchburg (Hi A) .281 .360 .433 360 64 101 26 7 5 55 34 68 14
6. Shelby Ford, 2b Born: Dec. 15, 1984 ï B-T: B-R ï Ht: 6-3 ï Wt: 173
Drafted: Oklahoma State, 2006 (3rd round) ï Signed by: Mike Leuzinger
Shelby FordBackground: Ford was a three-time all-state selection as the son of a high school coach in Fort Worth, then stayed home to begin his college career at Texas Christian before transferring to Oklahoma State. He put together a strong first full pro season in 2008 before missing the final month with a strained muscle in his lower back.
Strengths: Ford has good pop for a middle infielder and the ability to hit with power to the opposite field. While he has a slightly better swing lefthanded, there's virtually no dropoff when he bats from the right side. He's a good second baseman with decent range and an above-average arm. If he winds up as a utilityman, he already has experience at shortstop from high school and third base from TCU. His speed is average.
Weaknesses: Ford can be made to chase pitches out of the strike zone, though he showed better plate discipline last season. His footwork is a bit shaky on the double-play pivot, though he has improved in pro ball.
The Future: Ford will begin 2008 in Double-A, and he's advanced enough that he could make his major league debut at some point in 2009. However, he's blocked by all-star second baseman Freddy Sanchez, who has two more years before he can become a free agent.
2007 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Lynchburg (Hi A) .281 .360 .433 360 64 101 26 7 5 55 34 68 14
