Minor League Chat with Kevin Goldstein
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Moderator: Kevin Goldstien will take your questions on the 2005 minor league seaosn at 3 p.m. ET

Q:	Greg from Denver asks: Your early Minor Leaguer of the Year?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: For the record, the first home run of the minor league season was hit by Durham's Jonny Gomes off Erie's Kenny Baugh. Lets get rolling. I really have no surprise names for you here. I think the top two candidates are Delmon Young and Ian Stewart.

Q:	Ben from DC asks: How 'bout the Nationals? It seems they have some guys primed for big years...led by Ian Desmond (SS). They've also got the 4th pick in the draft. Dana Brown seems to be building some good inventory despite $$$ limitations. Your thoughts on how they shape up?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: It's still a well-below average system, but there is some room for optimism now that they've found a home and hopefully will soon have some more cash to play with. It will be intersting to see what they do at four -- either take the best player available or work out some sort of predraft deal with someone. And yes, they love Ian Desmond.

Q:	Kristian from Burlington, Canada asks: Hi Kevin, I was wondering where Daric Barton will be playing and at what position? I thought I had read that because of Powells knee injury he might stay at catcher. Thanks
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Barton is on the roster at High Class A Stockton, where Kurt Suzuki will do the majority of the catching. Barton will primarily be a 1B. He could put up some monster numbers there.

Q:	Perry from New Jersey asks: Where do you see Philip Hughes ending up this year. What's his ceiling?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Hughes will begin his first full season with Charleston in the Sally League -- he's only 18 (turns 19 in June), so there's no need to rush him. He certainly has the highest ceiling of any pitcher in the Yankees system, but Yankees fan will need to excercise some patience. There is very little not to like about him at this point.

Q:	Kristian from Burlington, Canada asks: I have heard that Jeff Niemman has looked very strong so far in Tampa. Considering they are starting him at Double A do you foresee him reaching the majors this year and if not who makes it first from last years draft? Thanks
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Well, Huston Street pitched a scoreless inning for the A's last night, so he can't be first. But he could be ONE of the first. If he's 100% healthy and shows the stuff he had in his sophomore year at Rice, look out.

Q:	Kristian from Burlington, Canada asks: Love the the prospect report Kevin. Will Eric Duncan start at Double A this year? Do the Yankees plan on keeping him at third?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Duncan is starting the year at Trenton, and his position is still TBD. He did get some work at first during the spring, so it's something to keep an eye on.

Q:	Bren from IBC, Boston asks: You mentioned Gomes... is there any chance he forces his way into TB's plans? What do you think is going to happen with him, they have such a glut of OFers and keep bringing in players to block their prospects (Almomar, Bautista) it's amazing any of their prospects get a shot.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Well, they gave the 2B job to Cantu (who's looked good) and Bautista hung them up, so there's room. I imagine if Gomes continues to build on his big big winter, he'll get some ABs in the bigs this year as a DHOF.

Q:	Kristian from Burlington, Canada asks: Minor Leaguer of the year sleeper Ryan Garko. All the guy does is hit, but what position will he be playing in Buffalo this year? Thanks
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Garko will be playing the same positions at before -- catcher, first and DH. Think Craig Wilson.

Q:	Russ from NY asks: What are your personal odds on Chris Nelson rising to the level Ian Stewart put himself on last season?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Well, pretty long if you're asking me if Nelson will have a near-1.000 OPS this year. That said, I love Nelson and think he'll have a very good year.

Q:	John from Fargo, ND asks: I've heard rumors of Ian Kinsler replacing Soriano in Texas. Is he playing 2B this year? There have been defense questions in the past and with shortstop already covered in Texas, is second his future home?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Kinsler will play the majority of the time at second, and will be up if the Rangers trade Soriano, and I'd definitely pencil him in for the 2B slot in '06.

Q:	Anthony Peruchietti from Dearborn Heights, MI asks: Do you think the unexpected demotion of Ken Harvey was a "wake up call" sort of action? Was his spring that poor? I think he fits in perfectly with the current youth movement.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Well, he's 27, so it's not like there's a lot of untapped potential there -- and he hit 287338421 last year - which is well below average for a 1B. I can't see him starting for a winning team.

Q:	Mike from Blue Springs, MO asks: What will the A's do with Dan Johnson? He raked in spring training as well as last year. There is nothing left for him to prove in AAA.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: It's a good question. I don't know. He's excellent trade bait and a great insurance policy for now. He certainly can hit.

Q:	Jon from Florida asks: Hi Kevin. I live in Florida and had the opportunity to witness one of the better minor league rotations in that of the Jupiter Hammerheads. Which guy from this rotation(Yorman Bazardo, Scott Olsen, Josh Johnson, Henricus Vandenhurk, Logan Kensing) do you see as having the highest ceiling? And what are your thoughts on the intriguing Dutch prospect Vandenhurk? Thanks!
A:	Kevin Goldstein: We ranked Olsen as the top pitcher in the Marlins system and I certainly think he's the best of the bunch. He could be making his major league debut as early as this year. Vandenhurk is definitely intriguing, but raw. He could move way up the charts if he starts throwing more strikes.

Q:	David from Savannah, GA asks: Kevin, who do you see as having the best comeback year: Josh Barfield, Sergio Santos, or James Loney? And who do you think will stick in the Majors first?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I would bet on all three of these guys having solid comeback campaigns, but I think Santos' will be the most impressive. The D-backs are convinced that his shoulder had bothered him throughout his pro career, and with it finally corrected, he could be on the verge of a breakout.

Q:	Brian from Toledo asks: I was wondering what is the status of SD's Matt Bush. He was a top pick a couple of years ago and now i dont here from him. Do they still have high hopes on him? How do you see him projecting? Thanks
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I think people have given up on him FAR too early. Sure, it was an overdraft with a lot of extenuating circumstances, but he was still a legitimate top 10 talent entering the draft, and was never 100% when he did play. He has the potential to be a very good glove man who hits 6th or 7th in the lineup.

Q:	John from Dayton, OH asks: Thanks for taking my question. What type of player do you see Eric Patterson matchuring into? Is his ceiling as high as brother Corey?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He doesn't have anywhere near his brother's power, but he does have his speed and unlike Corey, he has pretty good plate discipline. He'll start the year at the Cubs new Midwest League affiliate in Peoria.

Q:	Aaron from The Island asks: Assuming he stays healthy, what kind of numbers can we expect from Homer Bailey this year? And assuming he dominates, how quickly will he be moved through Cincy's depleted sytem?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Even if he does great -- it does very little for the Reds to rush him. He'll pitch for Dayton, which uses a tandem starter system, so he won't throw a ton of innings. If he does exceedingly well, I could see him ending up in the Florida State League, but no higher.

Q:	Anthony from Miami asks: I havent heard anything about D rays Josh Hamilton recently. Any updates regarding his status with the team? IS his future still bright?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He claims he's drug and alchohol free and will petition for reinstatement this year. Still, he hasn't played for two years, and played in just 83 games the two years before that, so I don't think his future has been bright for some time.

Q:	Bob from Durham, North Carolina asks: With the recent report of steroid use by Javier Herrera what impact will this have regarding his progress through Oakland's system?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Jim Callis address this in the most recent edition of Ask Ba (link is right there on the home page) -- and I agree with him -- it will have pretty much no effect once he's done serving his suspension, provided he remains clean from here on.

Q:	Aaron from The Island asks: Where will Reid Brignac and Chris Nelson start the year? And outside of them and Plouffe, are there any other 04 draftees to watch for from theMiddle-Infield positions?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Both will start the year in low Class A. Don't forget that the first pick in the draft was a middle infield prospect, and maybe the best defender out of all of them.

Q:	MJ from Kansas City, MO asks: There is a debate going on a roto site concerning the ability of minor league closers taking the next step up and closing in the majors. MLB history shows the vast majority of closers have been ex-starters. The discussion centers on Huston Street and Brandon League. Do you see them closing in 2005 andor 2006?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I think MLB history is now less relevant than it was in the past when it comes to this issue. College closers being drafted high go back to the days of Gregg Olson and beyond, but it's become quite popular over the last few years with some good success. I could see Street closing, but I've never had much faith in Brandon League (while also admitting, I'm in the minority there) -- I'm just bothered by the fact that his numbers have never seemed to match his stuff.

Q:	D. Cornell II from Madison, WI asks: With Daric Barton out of his way, will Brandon Yarbrough become the Cardinals #1 Catching Prospect? Will Yadier Molina feel any heat?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Yarbrough easily becomes their best catching prospect, but there are questions about his ability to stay behind the plate defensively. He's also yet to play a game of full-season ball, so I don't think Yadier will be having any anexity attacks anytime soon.

Q:	Dave King from Phoenix, AZ asks: Tell me who you think will be the Cubs' minor leaguer of the year in 2005? Pie? Guzman (if he's in the minors long enough)? Harvey? Dopirak? And who's a sleeper in their system that's primed to break out?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: While I think he's their best prospect, it's hard to see Dopirak putting up huge numbers in the Florida State League. I'll take Ryan Harvey hitting 30+ in the Midwest League to earn the honors. For my Cubs sleeper -- well, I'm not sure he's a sleeper -- but '04 2nd round pick Mark Reed is a fine hitter, like his brother Jeremy.

Q:	Joe from Chandler asks: Hey Kevin, you have any idea if Matt Tuiasosopo will play alot of Shortstop in Wisconsin?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Baseball America's official King of the Correction, John Manuel, points out that the Gomes HR was off of Toledo's Kenny Baugh -- not Erie's. It's like when you write 2004 on your checks for the first week of the year. Baby Tui is on the same Wisconsin roster as two better defenders in Asdrubal Cabrera and Oswaldo Navarro, so it will be interesting to see how that rotation works out -- I'm guess he plays a lot of third.

Q:	Stephen from Portland asks: Assuming he gets over his knee injury, what do you think the Padres are planning to do with former top ten prospect Tagg Bozied (1B, AAA Portland)? Is he trade bait? Despite his power potential, is his window of opportunity closing?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He was obviously off to a great start last year before the freak injury, but let's face it -- there's just no room in the inn at San Diego -- I'd imagine both he and the similar Jon Knott are bargaining chips.

Q:	Ryan from Iowa asks: How long do you think it will take Felix Hernandez to be pitching in the majors?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I'll set the overunder at June 23rd.

Q:	Jope from Brentwood, NY asks: Ervin Santana seemed to have opened some eyes in Angels camp this spring. If he stays healthy, would you say he's capable of becoming an upper tier RHP prospect (ala Hernandez, Cain, Miller, etc.)?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: IF HE CAN STAY HEALTHY, then he could be in the tier right below that one. He has very good stuff.

Q:	Zak from Jersey asks: Is it possible for Lastings Milledge to out perform Delmon young this year? There numbers were very similar last year.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I think the differences are Young has more power and better plate discipline, while Milledge is the better athlete. And while the Southern League is certainly no hitter's paradise for Young, it's not nearly as bad as the FSL will be for Lastings.

Q:	Chris from KC asks: Will Billy Butler be able to handle the move from the Pioneer League to the High-A Cal League?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I was admittedly a little surprised by the double-jump, and a little dissapointed that I won't get to see him in the Midwest League, but I think he'll do just fine there.

Q:	Reggie from Chicago, IL asks: Many people love Ryan Harvey's (Cubs) tools but there are nearly as many who are scared by his long swing and injury history. What's your feeling on him and what kind of player do you see him developing into?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I would be you'd find far more people in camp A (love his tools) than camp B (long swing and injuries) -- though one can't entirely discount the latter. I think he'll develop into an every day right fielder in the majors with plus power.

Q:	doug from fresno asks: Kevin, What does a player have to do to come OFF the Daily Prospect Report? For example, Chin-Feng Chen can't be a prospect anymore - can he? Yet he is still on the list...
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Ah, the question of who makes it and who doesn't. For the most part, the follow lists for each team are PRETTY much the top 30 lists in the Prospect Handbook (which I just finished reading cover to cover this week -- it's the greatest thing ever --- BUY ONE NOW -- and now back to our regular programming), but I do follow some outliers here and there, and do list some career minor leaguers here and there when they have big games or I just plain like them. It's an admittedly subjective process on some levels.

Q:	Werner from Calgary asks: If the D-Backs sign Stephen Drew by the end of May and draft Justin Upton with their first pick in June, what positions do you forsee Drew, Upton and Santos playing if they make the parent club around the same time?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I'll take Drew at 2B or a corner, Upton in CF and Santos at 3B, and many, many happy D-backs fans.

Q:	Granderson Fan from Chicago, IL asks: With the Tigers outfield off to a quick start, do you think this will slow Curtis' arrival to the big club? If so, what do you think will get him up to stay for good, and how quickly will that be???? Thanks!
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Wait a second -- I thought I was Granderson Fan in Chicago! I think Curtis' timetable will be more controlled by how well he does at Toledo (See Manuel! I got it right!) as Craig Monroe in center is pretty scary.

Q:	Snakefan from Phoenix, AZ asks: What will the D'backs do with Conor Jackson now that it looks like they may move him to 1B. Chad Tracy has also moved to 1B and looks like he may be primed for a good season.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I think Jackson has a far higher upside than Tracy, with the ability to hit for average, hit for power and draw walks in bunches. I like Tracy, but Jackson profiles as a more valueable player in the end.

Q:	Ronnie from Boston, MA asks: How long before Matt Cain makes his MLB debut? Would the Giants call him up, say, in July, if they're still in the hunt and Cain's tearing up AAA? Or would former blue chips Foppert and Valdez get the call first?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I do think Foppert would get the first call if that call came in April or May, but I'm guessing Cain certainly sees the big leagues at some point this year. I wouldn't be suprised to see their roster in September have Cain in the rotation and Valdez setting up the closer.

Q:	Dean from Brooks, Alta asks: Hi Kevin, do you think Curtis Thigpen, Jays, can remain behind the plate as a pro? Thanks.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He's maybe a little short now, but he certainly has the athleticism to play there and the Blue Jays took him with every intention of making him a full time catcher, so he'll stay there for now.

Q:	Steve from Texas asks: Who is behind Mauer in terms of best catching prospect. What seperates Mauer from the other prospects. Would a postion change of Mauer because of knees reduce his value? Thanks
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I think the amount of space between Mauer and any other catching prospect is Grand Canyon sized, but I'll take Brian McCann with the Braves, and would also mention Angels of Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Angels of Southern California Angels' Jeff Mathis as a potential comeback candidate. Mauer is a special prospect at ANY position.

Q:	Ryne from New York asks: How long til we see Philip Humber or Yusmeiro Petit in the Majors? Humber was very impressive this spring & he appears to be on the fast track.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I'll guess '06 for both, though Petit could make his debut this year.

Q:	Tom Annos from Long Beach, CA asks: Is this a make or break year for JD Martin who is starting out at Akron this year?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Martin had a huge Carolina League postseason in '04, and while it may not be a make or break year, moving to Double-A is a huge test for him and will play a major role in determining his future.

Q:	Bob from Durham asks: How how a ceiling does Cleveland's prospect Juan Valdes have?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Very high. However, his current distance FROM that ceiling is also VERY VERY far. But he's one to keep an eye on at Lake County this year.

Q:	Tom from Mineola, NY asks: Any word how Adam Miller is doing after his injury this spring? What level will he play at when he returns?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: BA Indians expert Chris Kline tells me that Miller had a clean MRI last week and his timetable remains unchanged -- which means an early June return. While he might start at a lower level, once 100%, he'll slide into the Double-A rotation.

Q:	Fabian from yankeefan.blogspot.com asks: Can Delmon Young put up numbers similar to what B.J. Upton did in the minors last year?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Well, he's a very different kind of player, but he can certainly be that dominant.

Q:	Casey from Tupelo, MS asks: Hi Kevin, What is your take on Kurt Suzuki and when do you think he will be up to the majors?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I like Suzuki quite a bit and I could see him pushing for a job in 2007. I think he'll be a solid defender who hits for a good average. Not a middle-of-the-order run producer, but a good starting catcher.

Q:	Mike from Rockville, MD asks: With all the hype about Drew and Weaver not signing, a player who is often overlooked is Wade Townsend. He didn't make you top 50 college prospects this year. Is he a viable future pitcher for someone to draft, or has his ship sailed?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: We didn't list him because he's no longer a college pitcher -- he's in some sort of purgatory. His ship has anything but sailed, and I would bet that he still goes in the first half of the first round.

Q:	Kevin from Toronto asks: how does George Kottaras rate as a catcher if he has to hit at PETCO, do you think he'll have enough power to help out offensively? Thanks.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I think he'll have good power for a catcher (15-20 HR) and excellent on-base skills -- and that's a pretty valueable commodity.

Moderator: Well, that's all for now -- I have to get back to getting ready for all of our amazing in-season coverage. I'll finish off the way I started -- with a game update. Indy leads Pawtcuket 6-1 in the 3rd, with all six runs coming off Curt Schilling, including home runs by Ryan Doumit and Edwards Guzman. I hope everyone gets out to the ballpark as much as possible in 2005.