Guzman Steals Home To Keep Dominican Republic Undefeated



Dominican Republic (Escogido) 3, Venezuela (Caracas) 2

With the game tied 2-2 in the seventh inning, Phillies center fielder Freddy Guzman stole home for what proved to be the winning run yesterday, keeping Escogido's record a perfect 3-0 in the Caribbean Series. Guzman, 29, stole three bases, going 1-for-2 with a pair of walks. Braves 22-year-old lefthander Jose Ortegano pitched well in his start for Venezuela, limiting Escogido to one run over five innings with three strikeouts and three walks.

Puerto Rico (Mayaguez) 5, Mexico (Hermosillo) 3

Mets center fielder Jesus Feliciano went 2-for-4 with a double and a walk and Blue Jays catcher Randy Ruiz went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs to give Puerto Rico its first victory in the Caribbean Series.

[...] Continue Reading »



Orioles Pitcher Parker Suspended



Major League Baseball suspended righthander Brian Parker of the Orioles for 50 games after a second positive test for a drug of abuse, in violation of the minor league drug prevention and treatment program.

Parker, 24, finished last season by making two appearances and notching one save at Double-A Bowie after going 4-3, 4.31 at high Class A Frederick with 64 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings. He's a sinker-slider reliever who did not make the Orioles' Top 30 prospects in BA's Prospect Handbook. He was a 19th-round pick in 2007 out of Lewis-Clark (Idaho) State.


Martinez Homer Helps Power Dominicans In Caribbean Series



The annual Caribbean Series is underway in Venezuela, featuring the league champions from the Domincan League, Venezuelan League, Mexican Pacific League and the Puerto Rican League. The team with the best record at the end of the six-day, round-robin tournament wins the championship.

Dominican Republic (Escogido) 7, Mexico (Hermosillo) 1

Mets left fielder Fernando Martinez went 2-for-4 with a first-inning home run, two runs scored and two RBIs for Escogido, which also got a complete-game, eight-strikeout performance from Mets righthander Nelson Figueroa. Reds third baseman Juan Francisco had a difficult day at the plate, striking out three times and grounding into a double play.

[...] Continue Reading »


Minor League Transactions



This time: Jan. 25-31
Previous installment:
Jan. 19-24

Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed:
OF Doug Deeds

Baltimore Orioles
Signed:
RHP Andy Mitchell (re-signed)

Chicago Cubs
Signed:
1B Chad Tracy

Chicago White Sox
Signed:
RHP Daniel Cabrera [...] Continue Reading »



MLB Suspends Would-Be Bonus Baby Duanel Jones



Major League Baseball announced 50-game suspensions for two minor league players, including one who had just recently had his lucrative contract voided.

Earlier this week, MLB announced that it had voided the seven-figure deal that Dominican third baseman Duanel Jones had signed with the Giants. Now, they state that Jones has been suspended for "violating the minor league drug prevention and treatment program," providing no further details. His 50-game suspension will take effect if he signs with another team.

Marlins first baseman Adam Kam signed in August as Florida's 50th-round pick and played in two games in the Gulf Coast League, going 0-for-1 with a walk. A product of Douglas High in Parkland, Fla., the 18-year-old tested positive for the performance-enhancing substances Boldenone and Boldione.


Minor League Transactions



This time: Jan. 19-24
Previous installment:
Jan. 1-18

A question to readers: Do you know where to find accurate player statistics (with English text) for Korea Baseball Organization or the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan? We're in the process of editing our Super Register and that's a question that comes up each year.

Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here.

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Chris Resop

Boston Red Sox
Signed:
C Gustavo Molina

Chicago White Sox
Signed:
OF Brady Clark
Outrighted to Triple-A, removed from 40-man: C Cole Armstrong

Cincinnati Reds
Signed:
RHP Jose Arredondo

After a splendid rookie season with the Angels in ’08, Arredondo appeared poised to take over a high-leverage bullpen role in Anaheim. But then Arredondo slumped badly in ’09 as he dealt with elbow discomfort. The club non-tendered him in December, and the Reds signed him even knowing he'll miss 2010 while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. [...] Continue Reading »


MLB Voids Giants’ Seven-Figure Deal



Major League Baseball has voided the contract of Dominican third baseman Duanel Jones, who had agreed to terms for a seven-figure deal with the Giants.

One American League international scouting director last month called Jones, a solid contact hitter with power potential, "one of the better players available from this year's July 2 class." According to one source, Jones had waited until after July 2 to sign in part due to an oblique strain that hampered him before July 2.


UPDATED: Desme Retires To Become Catholic Priest



Athletics outfielder Grant Desme has retired to become a Catholic priest. A's farm director Keith Lieppman confirmed that Desme, who led the Arizona Fall League with 11 home runs en route to MVP honors, has given up the game.

Lieppman said Desme called A's general manager Billy Beane earlier in the week to inform him of his decision. Lieppman, who has since spoken with Desme, said the organization respects Desme's decision but will miss him on the field.

"To do that when you are at the top of your game, it's a powerful thing, and the organization has to respect that," Lieppman said. "Somebody will step up, somebody will take advantage of the opportunity they may not otherwise have gotten, but he will not be easy to replace. With the tools he has, he had tremendous potential. But I would imagine his potential is equally great on this new path considering his commitment."

Desme, 23, was the only player in the minor leagues to post a 30-30 season last year, with 31 homers and 40 stolen bases between low Class A Kane County and high Class A Stockton. It was the first full season for the 2007 second-round pick out of Cal Poly, who had missed most of his debut year and 2008 with wrist and shoulder injuries. [...] Continue Reading »



Winter Ball Playoff Update



The playoffs for each of the four major winter leagues are under way, with the champion of each league slated to head to the Caribbean Series in Venezuela from Feb. 2-7. Here's a quick look at each league's playoff picture.

Dominican League

Mets outfielder Fernando Martinez went 5-for-6 with a three-run homer for Escogido in the Leones' 13-4 victory yesterday over the Gigantes, who lead the best-of-nine championship series 2-1 after squeaking out a 2-1 and a 1-0 victory to open the series.

Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano allowed one run (unearned) in five innings for Escogido while striking out six in the Leones’ Game One loss, keeping his ERA at 0.00 through 27 playoff innings with a 30-5 K-BB mark. Reds outfielder Wladimir Balentien also fueled Escogido’s playoff push, hitting .403/.452/.522 in 17 postseason games.

Reds third baseman Juan Francisco struggled in the postseason, but hit .302/.352/.566 with 11 home runs for the Gigantes in 46 regular-season games. Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz was a standout for the Gigantes in the postseason, hitting .273/.407/.682 with three home runs in eight playoff games.

[...] Continue Reading »


Minor League Transactions



This time: Jan. 1-18
Previous installment:
21-31

Our first transactions update for 2010. Information furnished by MLB.

Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed:
SS Jake Wald
Released: RHP Tony Barnette

Atlanta Braves
Signed:
3B Joe Thurston

Baltimore Orioles
Signed:
C Phillip Britton, SS Andy Gonzalez, OF Jeff Salazar

Boston Red Sox
Signed:
RHP Chad Paronto, RHP Scott Patterson, RHP Kelvin Pichardo, RHP Jorge Sosa, LHP Brian Shouse, 2B Ray Chang, 3B Christian Colonel
Released: RHP Matt Goodson, SS Zach Borowiak, OF Brad Wilkerson
Reinstated from inactive list: OF Brad Wilkerson [...] Continue Reading »


Minor League Transactions



This time: Dec. 21-31
Previous installment:
Dec. 11-20

The transactions update you've been clamoring for is here . . . in part. This installment takes us up through the end of 2009. We'll get caught up next week.

Bear in mind that these transactions updates come directly from the horse's mouth. That is, MLB sends us updates from its massive eBis database, we work them into a form fit for publication and disseminate them as soon as we can. So keep reading to find out where potentially useful relievers like Kevin Cameron, Chris Schroder and John Parrish landed.

Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed:
1B Jeff Bailey, SS Ed Rogers (re-signed)

Atlanta Braves
Traded:
RHP Javier Vazquez and LHP Boone Logan to Yankees for RHP Arodys Vizcaino, LHP Mike Dunn and OF Melky Cabrera

Baltimore Orioles
Released:
RHP Chase Phillips [...] Continue Reading »


MLB Suspends Negron, Two Others



Major League Baseball meted out 50-game suspensions to three players, a group including a 2000 first-round pick and a pair of Latin pitchers who spent '09 as teenagers in the Dominican Summer League.

• White Sox Triple-A outfielder Miguel Negron, 27, failed his second test for a "drug of abuse." Selected 20th overall by the Blue Jays back in 2000, the Caguas, Puerto Rico, native has also played in the Cubs, Mets and White Sox systems, never recording a big league plate appearance. Negron batted .279/.324/.365 with four homers and 14 stolen bases in 103 games for Charlotte.

• Yankees lefthander Rony Bautista (metabolite of Boldenone) and Angels righty Roberto Toribio (metabolites of Stanozolol) each garnered 50-game suspensions of the performance-enhancing substance variety.


Reds Pull a Surprise, Land Aroldis Chapman



When Aroldis Chapman defected during the World Port Tournament in the Netherlands in July, the conventional wisdom was that he would eventually sign with one of the big-revenue teams like the Yankees, Angels or Red Sox.

But today in Cincinnati, the Reds have pulled off a shocker. They are announcing that they have signed the Cuban lefthander to a five-year major league deal valued at $25 million with a $5 million player option for a sixth season. According to Baseball America correspondent John Fay, the deal is structured with deferred money over the next 10 years. Chapman will receive $1 million in 2010 and will not become a significant factor on the big league payroll until 2014.

Chapman, who has been clocked as high as 102 mph in the past, immediately becomes the top prospect in the Reds system, surpassing third baseman/outfielder Todd Frazier. [...] Continue Reading »


John Manuel’s Personal Top 20 Prospects List



The Baseball America Prospect Handbook has been sent to the printer and will be shipped in the not too distant future. As part of the handbook, Jim Callis, Will Lingo and John Manuel rank their own personal Top 50s, the first step toward putting together Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects list.

As a sneak peek, here’s an early draft of Manuel’s personal Top 20.

1. Stephen Strasburg, rhp, Nationals
WHY HE’S HERE: The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft showed why he has all that hype, showing three premium pitches in the Arizona Fall League. His fastball reaches 100 mph, his slider has devastating power and movement, and his changeup has flashes of brilliance, even at 90 mph.
WHAT HE’LL BE: The face of the Nationals and a No. 1 starter.
WHEN HE ARRIVES: The Nats will be tempted to push their best arm to the majors quickly, but should be able to resist until the second half of 2010 at the least. If he’s not in the majors on Opening Day 2011, it will be a major upset.

[...] Continue Reading »


Minor League Transactions



This time: Dec. 11-20
Previous installment: Nov. 24-Dec. 10

Transactions reports may be sporadic during the holiday season, so we leave you with a gift.

Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed:
RHP Rodrigo Lopez

Atlanta Braves
Released:
RHP Adam Bullard, RHP Casey Hodges, LHP Dennis Accomando, C Dan Coury, SS Travis Adair, SS Chais Fuller, SS Chad Lundahl, OF Kuyaunnis Miles, OF Jon Mark Owings

Micah Owings' younger brother, Jon Mark went untaken in the recent Rule 5 draft after missing most of the '09 season. Injuries have plagued Owings in his six pro seasons, but he's got considerable power when healthy. He hit .275/.336/.480 with 16 homers for high Class A Myrtle Beach in '08.

Baltimore Orioles
Signed:
LHP Chris Lamb
Released: RHP Jason Hallerman, RHP Shane Mathews, RHP Scott Mueller, C Edinho Meyer, 1B Tom Edwards, OF Arthur Bonevacia, OF Jose Kianes, OF Jason Rook

The 19-year-old Lamb comes to the States via Australia, where he worked with eight-year big league veteran Dave Nilsson. [...] Continue Reading »


Two Fail Tests For A ‘Drug Of Abuse’



Major League Baseball recently announced 50-game suspensions for a pair of minor league players, one who just completed his 13th professional season and the other his first. Each failed his second test for a drug of abuse in violation of the minor league drug prevention and treatment program. Both suspensions take effect on Opening Day.

• Slick-fielding Marlins shortstop Gookie Dawkins, 30, batted .241/.307/.336 last year in 423 at-bats spread over two Triple-A stops. He entered pro ball as the Reds’ second-round pick in 1997 and has suited up for eight different organizations. He signed on with the White Sox for ’09 but a midseason trade to the Marlins sent him not only from Charlotte to New Orleans but also from the International to the Pacific Coast league.

• The Cardinals’ 18-year-old Tyler Bighames played mostly the corner outfield for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Cardinals in 2009, his first pro season as St. Louis’ 31st-round pick last June. A product of Estero (Fla.) High, he batted .300/.330/.330 with one homer and one stolen base in 88 at-bats.


It’s Sano, Say The Twins



In wrapping up the Twins’ Top 30 Prospects for our Prospect Handbook—and if you’re reading something called the Prospect Blog, you really should buy the book—I had to make sure all the players’ vitals were correct. Height, weight, signing scouts (that’s an important one ’round here), that kind of thing.

Only one player required a follow-up e-mail to make sure I got the name right. But word from the Twins today is that their $3.15 million infielder from the Dominican Republic will officially be known as Miguel Sano. There had been some reports that Sano was going to use his mother’s name, Jean, as his surname. But one Twins official e-mailed back today that he’s chosen Sano. Considering Sano has gone through a rigorous investigation to sign his contract out of the Dominican this year, the Twins are relieved to have a name that they have confidence in, and that Miguel Sano won’t one day be revealed to be, say, Juan Manuel Gonzalez.

"The one good thing about this is that there was never any question about his identity," the official said.

 


Minor League Transactions



This time: Nov. 24-Dec. 10
Previous installment:
Nov. 18-23

We’re back with a special weekend edition of Minor League Transactions. The first wave of minor league free agents have found homes for 2010, while the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis gave us five trades in five days involving minor leaguers. The Rule 5 draft traditionally closes the curtain on the Winter Meetings, and while we have the complete selection list elsewhere, here we present the Rule 5 picks with the teams from which they were selected.

Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed:
RHP T.J. Beam, C Carlos Corporan, OF Drew Macias
Granted free agency: C Luke Carlin
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Kyler Newby, C Luke Carlin
Rule 5 selection: RHP Hector Ambriz (Indians, MLB)

Atlanta Braves
Signed:
LHP Mariano Gomez (re-signed), 1B Gerardo Avila, 1B Mauro Gomez, 2B Luis Bolivar, 2B Juan Gonzalez, 3B Eric Duncan, OF Brent Clevlen
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: 1B Barbaro Canizares
Rule 5 selection: LHP Edgar Osuna (Royals, MLB)

The Braves here sign a pair of players with serious draft pedigree, each of whom has spent the past three years at Triple-A. The 26-year-old Clevlen, a Tigers’ second-rounder in ’02, stumbled in his first try with Toledo but came on strong in each of the past two seasons, batting a cumulative .272/.343/.468 with 38 home runs. He struck out a lot in that time (nearly 32 percent of at-bats) but has real power (isolated power just shy of .200) and some defensive chops in the outfield.

The Yankees’ first-round pick in ’03, Duncan has regressed in each of his three seasons with Scranton as he counted down the days until free agency. The 25-year-old New Jersey native never has shown much feel for hitting (.242 career average) or for the finer points of playing third base. But if you go back far enough you can see the trappings of power that made him a premium draft pick in the first place. Duncan smacked 19 homers with Double-A Trenton in ’05. [...] Continue Reading »


Wrapping Up The Meetings



INDIANAPOLIS—Most everyone left town as soon as the Rule 5 draft ended. But many minor league personnel, and some major league clubs, stayed behind for Thursday night’s banquet that officially closes the Winter Meetings.

Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year is one of several annual awards presented, including Topps’ organization of the year, the Giants (BA’s choice, awarded Monday, was the Phillies). The best part of the Giants’ presentation was seeing "The Ninja," Dick Tidrow, have to give a speech as he accepted the award. Tidrow isn’t known for his warm, fuzzy public persona, and having interviewed him several times for Giants’ Top 30 Prospects rankings, I can imagine that public speaking ranks just slightly above talking to Baseball America about his own players.

[...] Continue Reading »


Rule 5 Draft, Pick By Pick



 

 

RULE 5 DRAFT
ROUND ONE
Pick Selecting
Team
Player Original Team The Skinny
No. 1 *Yankees Jamie Hoffmann, of Dodgers Physical grinder with big league experience could stick as extra outfielder.
No. 2 Pirates John Raynor, of Marlins At least a 70 runner, Raynor fits as an extra outfielder if his defense in center is serviceable.
No. 3 **Rangers Ben Snyder, lhp Giants Rangers targeted physical lefty, who blossomed in relief role at Double-A Connecticut in ‘09.
No. 4 Royals Edgar Osuna, lhp Braves Shocked the Royals took a Brave? Osuna has fringe velocity but a good slow curve that should work out of the pen.
No. 5 Indians Hector Ambriz, rhp Diamondbacks Former two-way UCLA player has good size and should focus on low-90s fastball and split in relief role.
No. 6 Diamondbacks Zack Kroenke, lhp Yankees Lefty’s velocity was up in Arizona Fall League and doesn’t have to be offered back to Yanks; since he’s been outrighted off 40-man roster, he can refuse and become a free agent if offered back.
No. 7 #Mets Carlos Monasterios, rhp Phillies Righty has improved his sinkerball’s command in recent years, secondary stuff still comes and goes.
No. 8 ***Marlins Jorge Jimenez, 3b Red Sox Physical third baseman has solid lefty bat and fringe defensive skills at third base.
No. 9 Padres Pass
No. 10 Athletics Bobby Cassevah, rhp Angels Cassevah’s sinker tops out at 93-94 and helped generate 4.03-to-1 groundout-to-airout ratio in ‘09 at Double-A.
No. 11 Blue Jays Zech Zinicola, rhp Nationals Former Arizona State closer has inconsistent history, but at his best, he has firm 90-93 mph fastball and a closer’s short memory.
No. 12 White Sox Pass
No. 13 Brewers Chuck Lofgren, lhp Indians Athletic lefthander has lost command the last two years; found success at Double-A in ‘09 but regressed again in Triple-A.
No. 14 Cubs Mike Parisi, rhp Cardinals Big soft-tosser reached majors in 2008 but battled injuries in ‘09, making just five minor league starts.
No. 15 Rays Armando Zerpa, lhp Red Sox Low-slot lefthander has sinker-slider mix, hasn’t pitched above Class A.
No. 16 Mariners Kanekoa Texeira, rhp Yankees Texeira has had a wipeout slider for several years, and hasn’t had the fastball command for it to be a true weapon at higher levels. Was traded with Nick Swisher to the Yankees last offseason.
No. 17 Rangers Pass
No. 18 Marlins Pass
No. 19 Giants Steven Johnson, rhp Orioles No plus pitch, but the son of a big leaguer has four solid-average pitches at his best with a good knack for using them.
No. 20 Cardinals Ben Jukich, lhp Reds Tallish lefty is 27, creates angle with below-average velocity on fastball and has solid curve.
No. 21 Rockies Pass  
No. 22 Phillies David Herndon, rhp Angels Good control in Double-A for sinker-slider righthander, who also throws a splitter.
No. 23 Dodgers Pass
No. 24 Red Sox Pass
No. 25 Angels Pass
No. 26 Yankees Pass

The Twins, Tigers, Braves and Reds did not have Rule 5 picks because their 40-man rosters were already full.

*Nationals traded pick to Yankees for righthander Brian Bruney.

**Orioles traded pick to Rangers as part of the trade for righthander Kevin Millwood.

***Astros traded pick to Marlins as part of the trade for righthander Matt Lindstrom.

#After the draft, the Mets traded Monasterios to the Dodgers for cash considerations.

TRIPLE-A PHASE
FIRST ROUND
PICK CLUB PLAYER TEAM
1 Nationals Arismendy Mota, rhp White Sox
2 Pirates Rodolfo Cardona, ss Orioles
3 Orioles Jose Duran, rhp Astros
4 Royals Pass  
5 Indians Brian Horwitz, of Giants
6 Diamondbacks Pass  
7 Mets John Lujan, rhp White Sox
8 Astros Pass  
9 Padres Pass  
10 Athletics Beau Vaughan, rhp Rangers
11 BlueJays Ruben de la Rosa, rhp Nationals
12 Reds Pass  
13 White Sox Pass  
14 Brewers Pass  
15 Cubs Pass  
16 Rays Miguel Sierra, rhp Cubs
17 Mariners Terry Engles, rhp Nationals
18 Tigers Pass  
19 Braves Pass  
20 Twins Pass  
21 Rangers James Tomlin, of Dodgers
22 Marlins Anillins Martinez, lhp Indians
23 Giants Jake Stevens, lhp Orioles
24 Cardinals Matt Meyer, lhp Indians
25 Rockies Pass  
26 Phillies Angelo Sanchez, rhp Twins
27 Dodgers Pass  
28 Red Sox Pass  
29 Angels Pass  
30 Yankees Pass  
SECOND ROUND
31 Nationals Mike Wlodarczyk, lhp Rays
32 Pirates Pass  
33 Orioles Pass  
34 Indians Pass  
35 Mets Marshall Hubbard, 1b Mariners
36 Athletics Pass  
37 Blue Jays Pass  
38 Rays Pass  
39 Mariners Pass  
40 Rangers Andrew Jenkins, c Marlins
41 Marlins Pass  
42 Giants Pass  
43 Cardinals Pass  
44 Phillies Pass  
THIRD ROUND
45 Nationals Nick Moresi, of Astros
46 Mets Rolando Valdez, rhp Padres
47 Rangers Winston Marquez, lhp Twins
48 Nationals Pass  
49 Mets Orlando Lara, lhp SD
50 Rangers Pass  
FOURTH ROUND
51 Mets Pass  
DOUBLE-A PHASE
NO CLUB PLAYER TEAM
1 Nationals Pass  
2 Pirates Pass  
3 Orioles Pass  
4 Royals Pass  
5 Indians Pass  
6 Diamondbacks Pass  
7 Mets Johan Figuereo, rhp Nationals
8 Astros Pass  
9 Padres Hayden Beard, rhp Mets
10 Athletics Pass  
11 BlueJays Pass  
12 Reds Doug Salinas, rhp Rays
13 White Sox Pass  
14 Brewers Pass  
15 Cubs Pass  
16 Rays Pass  
17 Mariners Pass  
18 Tigers Pass  
19 Braves Pass  
20 Twins Pass  
21 Rangers Pass  
22 Marlins Pass  
23 Giants Pass  
24 Cardinals Pass  
25 Rockies Pass  
26 Phillies Pass  
27 Dodgers Raul Burgos, rhp Giants
28 Red Sox Pass  
29 Angels Pass  
30 Yankees Pass  


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  • The Prospects Blog is a source of frequent updates about prospects and action around the minor leagues. If you have questions or comments you can e-mail them to prospectsblog@baseballamerica.com.

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