Alfredo Simon

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #29 prospect in 2007
  The Phillies got Simon back in the system after pulling off a Rule 5 draft day trade with the Orioles, dealing the 19th pick in the draft (catcher Adam Donachie from the Royals) and cash for the righthander. Philadelphia was developing Simon nicely for nearly five seasons before dealing him to San Francisco in July 2004 for Felix Rodriguez. As a Giant, Simon struggled in the rotation and moved to the bullpen in 2005. The Rangers signed Simon as a six-year minor league free agent prior to the Rule 5 draft, but he never pitched for them. Simon has a big body and power stuff. He touched 97 several times for in the Dominican Winter League, and several scouts compared him to Freddy Garcia. The problem is that Simon doesn't have Garcia-like secondary pitches. His slider, curveball and changeup are all fringe-average and he doesn't command the zone well with any of them. Simon struggled terribly in the bullpen at Triple-A Fresno last season, and there were reports he had elbow tenderness in the Dominican. The Phillies would like to try him back in the rotation, but they won't if they have to keep him on their 25-man roster all season.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #22 prospect in 2006
  The Phillies were developing Simon--formerly known as Carlos Cabrera and believed to be 21 months younger before baseball's sweeping visa reform in 2003--as a starter who could pitch off his fastball when they sent him to San Francisco in the July 2004 Felix Rodriguez trade. He had little success in the rotation after switching organizations, so the Giants moved him to the bullpen last year. They felt he'd be more aggressive in relief, and he responded by converting 12 of his first 13 save opportunities before faltering late in the season. Simon draws comparisons to a young Armando Benitez for his power fastball, which sits at 93-94 mph and reaches 97. But Simon's fastball lacks deception and he had a bad habit of nibbling as a starter. When he fell behind in the count, hitters sat on his heater with success. San Francisco has worked to improve his offspeed stuff since acquiring him. While Simon throws his changeup, curveball and slider for strikes, none is better than fringe average. He needs to continue making adjustments, such as pitching inside more often and throwing his offspeed offerings in fastball counts. He has fallen behind Brian Wilson in the organization's relief pecking order, not to mention Jeremy Accardo and Scott Munter. Simon must have a good spring to open 2006 in Triple-A.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #6 prospect in 2005
  Formerly known as Carlos Cabrera, Simon's true age (21 months older than originally believed) and name were discovered in June 2003. He was establishing himself as one of the Phillies' top prospects when the Giants got him in the Felix Rodriguez trade last July. Simon tied for the minor league lead with four complete games and three shutouts in 2004. Big and physical, Simon is a power pitcher who worked off his 90-95 mph fastball more than 80 percent of the time with the Phillies. His fastball touched 97 with the Giants, and he has improved at throwing it to both sides of the plate. He has a smooth delivery. San Francisco has overhauled Simon's offspeed stuff, particularly his changeup. One club official likened his old change to an eephus pitch. The Giants like his feel for a curveball and slider, though neither will be a plus pitch. He lacks deception, so hitters see his pitches well. San Francisco believes Simon's upside ranks just a notch below that of Matt Cain and Merkin Valdez. He's a potential innings-eater who should start 2005 in Double-A.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #6 prospect in 2004
  Simon posted three solid seasons in the organization while known as Carlos Cabrera, before visa problems revealed his true name and birthdate (21 months earlier than originally believed). Once he was allowed to re-enter the United States last June, he pitched well and continued to mature physically. His massive 6-foot-4 frame has grown from 174 pounds when he signed to 215. Simon runs his fastball into the 93-96 mph range and should reach 98 when he finishes filling out. His heater bores in on hitters, sawing off bats and making solid contact difficult. His physical size and arm strength give him plenty of durability. Simon must develop consistency with his secondary pitches. His changeup is too soft, allowing hitters to recognize it and tee off. He has gone from a curveball to a power slider while trying to find an effective breaking ball. Repeating his delivery better, and the mechanics on these two pitches specifically, would help. While he could still emerge as a middle-of-the-rotation starter, it's more likely Simon will become a late-inning reliever. He'll work on all of his pitches as a high Class A starter in 2004.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked New York-Penn League #8 prospect in 2002
  Whether they find them in the draft or in their burgeoning Latin American program, the Phillies just keep churning out young power arms. Like Brett Myers, Gavin Floyd, Taylor Buchholz and Ryan Madson, Simon and teammate Erick Arteaga have towering, projectable frames. Simon is a lean 6-foot-4 and 183 pounds and already is capable of reaching 94 mph with boring action on his fastball. "He's in the same mold as Arteaga," Ortegon said. "He's 90-92 consistently with a breaking pitch and a change. He's more of a strikeout pitcher than Arteaga."

• December, 2001 Scouting Report
  Whether they find them in the draft or in their burgeoning Latin American program, the Phillies just keep churning out young power arms. Like Brett Myers, Gavin Floyd, Taylor Buchholz and Ryan Madson, Simon and teammate Erick Arteaga have towering, projectable frames. Simon is a lean 6-foot-4 and 183 pounds and already is capable of reaching 94 mph with boring action on his fastball. "He's in the same mold as Arteaga," Ortegon said. "He's 90-92 consistently with a breaking pitch and a change. He's more of a strikeout pitcher than Arteaga."