Prospects: Prospect Pulse
Extended Wait
Jun. 15, 2009
Ever wondered what goes on at extended spring training? We have the answer. [...] Continue Reading »
Prospects Wait For Second Chance To Make Positive Impression
Jun. 9, 2009
The Red Sox hope Clay Buchholz's return to Pawtucket is just a bump in the road to the big leagues [...] Continue Reading »
Rite Of Spring
May. 28, 2009
Players in extended spring training have only one mission: to graduate from the experience and earn a promotion to a full-season club. Instruction is a part of the deal — as is tedium — but depending on the player's situation, his daily routine can vary wildly. [...] Continue Reading »
Cuba North?
May. 13, 2009
Dayan Viciedo will try to prove he can continue the White Sox's success with signing Cuban defectors. [...] Continue Reading »
Talent Of Heyward, Stanton Belie Their Youth
Apr. 9, 2009
Marlins outfielder Mike Stanton and Braves outfielder Jason Heyward demolished South Atlantic League pitching last year as 18-year-olds. Now they are two of the best corner outfield prospects in baseball. [...] Continue Reading »
Much Needed Power
Apr. 8, 2009
Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer could give the Royals the sluggers they have long needed. [...] Continue Reading »
A New Weapon
Apr. 8, 2009
Brewers hard-throwing righthander Jeremy Jeffress hopes a two-seamer keeps him on a starter's track. [...] Continue Reading »
Building Gordon
Apr. 7, 2009
Lean and wiry Devaris Gordon of the Dodgers hopes to become more than just a leadoff man capable only of bunting and slap hitting. [...] Continue Reading »
Identifying Low-Cost Talent
Apr. 7, 2009
You can't build something from nothing, we're warned. But with the aid of a concerted pro scouting effort and a healthy dose of performance analysis, major league organizations can come close. We explore the ways in which clubs use the two disciplines to their advantage when scouring the low-cost minor league marketplace for talent. [...] Continue Reading »
A Year-Long Tryout
Apr. 6, 2009
When the Pirates doled out non-roster invitations this winter to a select number of pitchers, the lucky few consisted mostly of fringe big league arms, guys who may or may not plug a hole in the majors or high minors. Chris Bootcheck, almost nine years since being a first-round pick of the Angels and hoping to catch on, snagged an invite, as did Brian Slocum, a second-round pick of the Indians in 2002. Oddly, the list did not include righthander Brad Lincoln, the fourth overall pick of the 2006 draft and recipient of a $2.75 million bonus who is about to head into—can you believe this?—a sink-or-swim, 40-man "protection" season. [...] Continue Reading »
Catching On
Apr. 6, 2009
Indians catcher Carlos Santana tackles English, something he calls a responsibility. [...] Continue Reading »
Who's On Third?
Mar. 12, 2009
A trio of Cardinals prospects are battling to fill in for injured third baseman Troy Glaus. [...] Continue Reading »
Top Prospects By Position
Feb. 25, 2009
Compiling our Top 100 Prospects list is one thing—ranking the players by position is another. In past years, we've done this in-season, or just after the season. This year we've decided to pair our position rankings with our Top 100. It gives some perspective to which positions are deepest in the minors right now, but also gives an idea of which players just missed the Top 100, and which young prospects might play their way onto the list in 2010. [...] Continue Reading »
No Spin Zone
Feb. 17, 2009
Lance Niekro, a former Giants first baseman, is trying to follow in the Niekro legacy with a comeback as a knuckleballer. [...] Continue Reading »
Now's The Time
Feb. 9, 2009
He has yo-yoed back and forth from the majors the past three seasons, his itinerary perhaps crazy to any easy-going 8-to-5'er but all too common within the framework of baseball. Kendry Morales understands the methodical drill all so well: Toil at Triple-A Salt Lake and, when summoned by the Angels, catch a last-minute, Los Angeles-bound flight and spot up when called upon before heeding orders to return to the farm. [...] Continue Reading »
Crowe Gets His Chance
Jan. 22, 2009
Trevor Crowe heads to spring training with a lot of pressure and a lot of opportunities. [...] Continue Reading »
Scouting The Rule 5 Draft
Nov. 26, 2008
It's not easy to pick out who the top players will turn out to be going into a Rule 5 draft, but major league clubs all get the same release of eligible players. It's up to the teams to go through their scouting reports and see who fits their needs best, who's most worth the scant $50,000 wager on talent. BA's staff has checked its own scouting reports as well as the list of eligible players. We've also checked on the history of the Rule 5 for the profiles of players who often get selected—lefthanded pitchers, relievers, versatile infielders, power bats. Here's our primer on the best bets to go in this year's draft. [...] Continue Reading »
Blazing A Trail
Oct. 10, 2008
Before the curtain rose on this season, before he would be handed an airline ticket and sent off into his first full year in pro ball, Derek Holland milled about within the Rangers' minor league spring training camp and figured he was just another hopeful. [...] Continue Reading »
Slow Start, Fast Finish
Oct. 9, 2008
Minor league seasons are epic endeavors, drawn out from vernal opening days through brutal afternoons of summer BP and into cool September evenings that bring the first inklings of autumn. In the parlance of the game's protagonists, it's a long season—a fact that suited Beau Mills perfectly in 2008. [...] Continue Reading »
Surprise Star
Oct. 8, 2008
After dropping to the 11th round because of arm trouble, Adam Reifer is showing outstanding stuff in his pro debut. [...] Continue Reading »
Scouting The Southern League Playoffs
Sep. 25, 2008
Ben Badler takes a look at some of the prospects in attendance at the Double-A Southern League playoffs. [...] Continue Reading »
Scouting The IL Playoffs
Sep. 22, 2008
Playoff baseball rolled through Durham, giving Ben Badler one last chance to evaluate players before the minor league season concludes. [...] Continue Reading »
Men Of Mystery
Sep. 11, 2008
For scouts and managers who watched the Southern League this year, it was difficult to get a handle on the performances of Cubs' prospects Jeff Samardzija and Tyler Colvin. [...] Continue Reading »
The Year Of The Catcher
Sep. 9, 2008
While Matt Wieters may have had the best year, 2008 saw outstanding catching play throughout the minors. [...] Continue Reading »
Starting To End Up in The Pen
Aug. 26, 2008
The puzzled look on Kris Medlen's face was probably to be expected. Summoned into his manager's office at Double-A Mississippi in early June, the Braves pitching prospect wondered what to make of his immediate future. At the time, he owned a nearly 5-something earned run average out of the bullpen and there was manager Phillip Wellman delivering the surprise news that the righthander should plan on pitching elsewhere—as in Mississippi's rotation, as a starter. [...] Continue Reading »
Pirates Land Prospect Bounty
Aug. 20, 2008
General manager Neal Huntington talks about the Pirates' deadline dealings. [...] Continue Reading »
Beckham Blasts First Pro Homer
Aug. 12, 2008
Ben Badler talked to Tim Beckham before and after the No. 1 overall pick hit his first professional home run. [...] Continue Reading »
Brewers Boast Pair Of Catching Prospects
Jul. 29, 2008
It's not easy to find quality catching prospects, but the Brewers have a pair of intriguing ones in Angel Salome and Jonathan Lucroy. [...] Continue Reading »
A's Resurgence
Jul. 24, 2008
With well-prepared drafts and big trades, the A's have restocked their farm system with talent that can take them back to the top of the AL West in the future. [...] Continue Reading »
Giants Boast Pair Of Standout Arms In Bumgarner, Alderson
Jul. 14, 2008
In Prospect Pulse, Ben Badler compares Giants farmhands Tim Alderson and Madison Bumgarner, and explains the improvements that Angels center fielder Peter Bourjos has made this season. [...] Continue Reading »
Extended Wait
Jun. 15, 2009
Ever wondered what goes on at extended spring training? We have the answer. [...] Continue Reading »
Prospects Wait For Second Chance To Make Positive Impression
Jun. 9, 2009
The Red Sox hope Clay Buchholz's return to Pawtucket is just a bump in the road to the big leagues [...] Continue Reading »
Rite Of Spring
May. 28, 2009
Players in extended spring training have only one mission: to graduate from the experience and earn a promotion to a full-season club. Instruction is a part of the deal — as is tedium — but depending on the player's situation, his daily routine can vary wildly. [...] Continue Reading »
Cuba North?
May. 13, 2009
Dayan Viciedo will try to prove he can continue the White Sox's success with signing Cuban defectors. [...] Continue Reading »
Talent Of Heyward, Stanton Belie Their Youth
Apr. 9, 2009
Marlins outfielder Mike Stanton and Braves outfielder Jason Heyward demolished South Atlantic League pitching last year as 18-year-olds. Now they are two of the best corner outfield prospects in baseball. [...] Continue Reading »
Much Needed Power
Apr. 8, 2009
Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer could give the Royals the sluggers they have long needed. [...] Continue Reading »
A New Weapon
Apr. 8, 2009
Brewers hard-throwing righthander Jeremy Jeffress hopes a two-seamer keeps him on a starter's track. [...] Continue Reading »
Building Gordon
Apr. 7, 2009
Lean and wiry Devaris Gordon of the Dodgers hopes to become more than just a leadoff man capable only of bunting and slap hitting. [...] Continue Reading »
Identifying Low-Cost Talent
Apr. 7, 2009
You can't build something from nothing, we're warned. But with the aid of a concerted pro scouting effort and a healthy dose of performance analysis, major league organizations can come close. We explore the ways in which clubs use the two disciplines to their advantage when scouring the low-cost minor league marketplace for talent. [...] Continue Reading »
A Year-Long Tryout
Apr. 6, 2009
When the Pirates doled out non-roster invitations this winter to a select number of pitchers, the lucky few consisted mostly of fringe big league arms, guys who may or may not plug a hole in the majors or high minors. Chris Bootcheck, almost nine years since being a first-round pick of the Angels and hoping to catch on, snagged an invite, as did Brian Slocum, a second-round pick of the Indians in 2002. Oddly, the list did not include righthander Brad Lincoln, the fourth overall pick of the 2006 draft and recipient of a $2.75 million bonus who is about to head into—can you believe this?—a sink-or-swim, 40-man "protection" season. [...] Continue Reading »
Catching On
Apr. 6, 2009
Indians catcher Carlos Santana tackles English, something he calls a responsibility. [...] Continue Reading »
Who's On Third?
Mar. 12, 2009
A trio of Cardinals prospects are battling to fill in for injured third baseman Troy Glaus. [...] Continue Reading »
Top Prospects By Position
Feb. 25, 2009
Compiling our Top 100 Prospects list is one thing—ranking the players by position is another. In past years, we've done this in-season, or just after the season. This year we've decided to pair our position rankings with our Top 100. It gives some perspective to which positions are deepest in the minors right now, but also gives an idea of which players just missed the Top 100, and which young prospects might play their way onto the list in 2010. [...] Continue Reading »
No Spin Zone
Feb. 17, 2009
Lance Niekro, a former Giants first baseman, is trying to follow in the Niekro legacy with a comeback as a knuckleballer. [...] Continue Reading »
Now's The Time
Feb. 9, 2009
He has yo-yoed back and forth from the majors the past three seasons, his itinerary perhaps crazy to any easy-going 8-to-5'er but all too common within the framework of baseball. Kendry Morales understands the methodical drill all so well: Toil at Triple-A Salt Lake and, when summoned by the Angels, catch a last-minute, Los Angeles-bound flight and spot up when called upon before heeding orders to return to the farm. [...] Continue Reading »
Crowe Gets His Chance
Jan. 22, 2009
Trevor Crowe heads to spring training with a lot of pressure and a lot of opportunities. [...] Continue Reading »
Scouting The Rule 5 Draft
Nov. 26, 2008
It's not easy to pick out who the top players will turn out to be going into a Rule 5 draft, but major league clubs all get the same release of eligible players. It's up to the teams to go through their scouting reports and see who fits their needs best, who's most worth the scant $50,000 wager on talent. BA's staff has checked its own scouting reports as well as the list of eligible players. We've also checked on the history of the Rule 5 for the profiles of players who often get selected—lefthanded pitchers, relievers, versatile infielders, power bats. Here's our primer on the best bets to go in this year's draft. [...] Continue Reading »
Blazing A Trail
Oct. 10, 2008
Before the curtain rose on this season, before he would be handed an airline ticket and sent off into his first full year in pro ball, Derek Holland milled about within the Rangers' minor league spring training camp and figured he was just another hopeful. [...] Continue Reading »
Slow Start, Fast Finish
Oct. 9, 2008
Minor league seasons are epic endeavors, drawn out from vernal opening days through brutal afternoons of summer BP and into cool September evenings that bring the first inklings of autumn. In the parlance of the game's protagonists, it's a long season—a fact that suited Beau Mills perfectly in 2008. [...] Continue Reading »
Surprise Star
Oct. 8, 2008
After dropping to the 11th round because of arm trouble, Adam Reifer is showing outstanding stuff in his pro debut. [...] Continue Reading »
Scouting The Southern League Playoffs
Sep. 25, 2008
Ben Badler takes a look at some of the prospects in attendance at the Double-A Southern League playoffs. [...] Continue Reading »
Scouting The IL Playoffs
Sep. 22, 2008
Playoff baseball rolled through Durham, giving Ben Badler one last chance to evaluate players before the minor league season concludes. [...] Continue Reading »
Men Of Mystery
Sep. 11, 2008
For scouts and managers who watched the Southern League this year, it was difficult to get a handle on the performances of Cubs' prospects Jeff Samardzija and Tyler Colvin. [...] Continue Reading »
The Year Of The Catcher
Sep. 9, 2008
While Matt Wieters may have had the best year, 2008 saw outstanding catching play throughout the minors. [...] Continue Reading »
Starting To End Up in The Pen
Aug. 26, 2008
The puzzled look on Kris Medlen's face was probably to be expected. Summoned into his manager's office at Double-A Mississippi in early June, the Braves pitching prospect wondered what to make of his immediate future. At the time, he owned a nearly 5-something earned run average out of the bullpen and there was manager Phillip Wellman delivering the surprise news that the righthander should plan on pitching elsewhere—as in Mississippi's rotation, as a starter. [...] Continue Reading »
Pirates Land Prospect Bounty
Aug. 20, 2008
General manager Neal Huntington talks about the Pirates' deadline dealings. [...] Continue Reading »
Beckham Blasts First Pro Homer
Aug. 12, 2008
Ben Badler talked to Tim Beckham before and after the No. 1 overall pick hit his first professional home run. [...] Continue Reading »
Brewers Boast Pair Of Catching Prospects
Jul. 29, 2008
It's not easy to find quality catching prospects, but the Brewers have a pair of intriguing ones in Angel Salome and Jonathan Lucroy. [...] Continue Reading »
A's Resurgence
Jul. 24, 2008
With well-prepared drafts and big trades, the A's have restocked their farm system with talent that can take them back to the top of the AL West in the future. [...] Continue Reading »
Giants Boast Pair Of Standout Arms In Bumgarner, Alderson
Jul. 14, 2008
In Prospect Pulse, Ben Badler compares Giants farmhands Tim Alderson and Madison Bumgarner, and explains the improvements that Angels center fielder Peter Bourjos has made this season. [...] Continue Reading »
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