Comments on: A Minor Review of ’09: St. Louis Cardinals

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:04:02 +0000

Well, if not Sanchez, how about Casey Francis Mulligan as the Riser? Just 21, Mulligan zipped from low-A to high-A to AA, posting a Texas League ERA of 2.21 with 12K’s per 9 IP, and an aggregate 97 whiffs in 68 innings.

Or maybe first baseman Xavier Scruggs, who’s also 21, and didn’t do much in ’08 short-season ball, but in 2009 had a Midwest League line of .295/.409/.527. (Davenport Peak projection of a .302 EqA.)

Perhaps Aaron Luna would be a better choice, though. Based on his FSL performance, Luna (position undetermined) projects to a Peak .291 EqA, good enough for corner outfield, and terrific if he can stick at 2nd base.

Nothin wrong with 20-year-old (was 19 Opening Day) starter Arquimedes Nieto, either. Very nice K/BB numbers (116/35) across low and high-A, with FIPs in the low-mid 3′s.

Does it seem a little bit like StL prospects get systematically underrated?Greatest hitter of his generation couldn’t crack BA’s top 40. One of the majors’ top 4 or 5 starters of the past half-decade Dan Haren: never top 100. Yadier Molina, never top 100, Placido Polanco, never top 100.

Just sayin’. ;)

By: cpebbles

cpebbles — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:19:36 +0000

I guess that makes sense. Probably would’ve just been in the top 10 discussion before the mid-season trades due to the reliever thing, but with a thinned-out system he’s obviously in.

By: tom s.

tom s. — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:18:18 +0000

sanchez is probably a top 10 talent, which runs afoul of the guidelines for the exercise.

By: cpebbles

cpebbles — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:01:16 +0000

I don’t see how the riser can be anyone but Eduardo Sanchez. Yeah, minor league reliever, but he’s a minor league reliever who sits mid 90s, can throw even harder, and dominated in a great hitters’ park in AA at 20. He probably should’ve been shoring up the back of the big league bullpen for the postseason.

By: tom s.

tom s. — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:37:58 +0000

i agree that otto’s second half probably helped him salvage a weak season.

i like adron chambers, although both additon’s stuff and peripherals are not expected to translate well to the majors. i would have suggested 3b matt carpenter (jumping three levels after his draft mid-season), as either a bonus or a riser (and making chambers the bonus).

By: jjray

jjray — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:07:03 +0000

If one just looks at Ottavino’s full year line for 2009, then you have to say it was a poor year. However, he really sucked bad to start out the year. Hangover from the WBC in which he was stellar for Italy? No one can say. However, he had some very good outings during the middle of the season. For the year, 7.44 k per 9, about equal with what he posted in AA the year before. I see a power pitcher with good stuff who can potentially put it all together in 2010 … or fall off the map as a prospect. Ottavino pitched winter ball in 2008, then the WBC, then the major league spring training (last pitcher sent back to minor league camp), then AAA playoffs. Might help explain the inconsistency. I’m glad he’s taking the winter off this season. Shall be interesting to see if Otto can right he ship.

By: Steve C

Steve C — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:06:57 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI8l87uyDXM

Sorry, had to do it.