Monday, February 13, 2012
Flick to Click: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter
Opens 06.22.12. & this isn't some low budget spoof, expect it in 3D!
Tribe Prospect Countdown: #8 1B Jesus Aguilar
Bats: Right; Throws: Right
2011 Stats (A- Lake County/ A+ Kinston): .284, 23 HR, 82 RBI, .865 OPS, 2.74 K/BB
You want right handed power? I've got your right handed power right here. While there is nothing fringe about Aguilar's prospect status, he is ranked higher on this list than he might be because he fits the bill of the Indian's most dire need at the big league level. Jesus burst onto the scene last year by stroking 19 long balls and a .915 OPS in 95 games for Lake County. He showed some growing pains in his transition to High-A pitching, but he was by no means embarrassed (.257, .712 OPS). While Jesus' upside as an imposing power guy is obvious, he does have significant opportunity areas. The first is his K/BB ratio. He tends to pile up strikeouts quickly and has particular issue with the breaking ball down and out. The only way to solve this problem is with repetition and recognition. As Aguilar continues to accumulate ABs against better and better breaking pitches, his sound approach will reassert itself and the acclimation will come. The benefit of habit should also be felt in the field. Although Jesus' defensive is currently sub-par, scouts feel that he has the tools and athleticism to become, at least, an average first baseman. Expect Aguilar to begin 2012 with the new Carolina team at High-A (that's Kinston relocated) and to advance to Akron if his power numbers warrant promotion. I'll tell you this, strikeouts or no, if he continues jerk it out of the park as he advances, he could be splashing the home run porch by late 2013.
Up Next: #7 - RHP CC Lee
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tribe Prospect Countdown: #9 RHP Austin Adams
2011 Stats (AA Akron): 11-10, 3.77, 1.54 WHIP, .280 OBA, 4.2 BB/9, 8.7 K/9
Before we get into anything else, Austin Adams throws 100 MPH just about every time out. That's why he's so high on this list as an undersized righty whose #1 is as straight as an arrow. Some of the numbers are good (including a 1.64 GO/AO ratio & 6 HR allowed in 136 IP) and some of them are not (that WHIP is horrendous), but, if you can break triple digits, you're gonna get a shot. Primarily a shortstop at the collegiate level, Austin spent his first two pro seasons building arm strength. The organization originally projected him for a bullpen roll (he had closed in college as well), but he has shown such poise and production as a starter, the brain trust is now set on seeing how far young Adams can take it. The biggest opportunity for Austin is in his repertoire. Currently, he count can only his fastball and power curve as out pitches. While he does also feature a straight change and a slider, both are still deep in the development stage. Austin has shown the ability to keep the ball down and generate a great deal of velocity from his lower half. The latter should help his arm stay healthy and, thus, keep him in the rotation. If Adams can refine his complimentary offerings during his AAA time in 2012, he could be an option for the big club as soon as the second half of the season.
Up Next: #8 - 1B Jesus Aguilar
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Flicks That Suck Dick
If I had my vote I would add The English Patient, but there are whole lotta assholes out there that enjoy that piece of trash.
Tribe Prospect Countdown: #10 C Jake Lowery
Bats: Left; Throws: Right
2011 Statistics (SS-A Mahoning Valley): .245, 6 HR, 43 RBI, .792 OPS, 1.04 K/BB
The 2011 Johnny Bench Award winner as the nation's top college catcher was the Indians' 4th round selection last season and came scorching out of the gate, posting a .951 OPS in his first month of pro action. While his numbers did dip some thereafter (he still led the NYPL in walks and extra base hits), the swoon can attributed to fatigue from a player who caught 90 games for the first season in his life. Additionally, his 56/54 K/BB ratio speaks of an incredibly disciplined hitter. Jake's bat is considered a bigger plus than his defense and he certainly showed the ability at the dish during his final season at James Madison. While the composite bats (no more metal!) do inflate the numbers (the 1.239 OPS is still nothing at which to laugh), Lowery went right ahead and led the nation in RBI (91), runs scored (80) and total bases (200). Behind the plate, he placed second nationally with 34 runners caught stealing and sixth with 43% caught on his way to making every All-American list imaginable, winning CollegeBaseballInsider.com's hitter of the year and placing among 36 semi-finalists for the Dick Howser player of the year award. So, yeah, the kid can play. Like most catchers coming out the collegiate ranks, Jake suffers from having all of his pitches dictated from the dugout. Thus, while Colonial Athletics Associating coaches voted him both the best defensive backstop and owner of the strongest arm, Lowery still has significant development to do behind the plate. The thing is, his bat just might not wait. Jake played 11 games at first and about 30 more at DH last season and how far he advances in 2012 will likely depend on which route the organization chooses to take with him in the field. I feel that, with Carlos Santana looking more and more like the first baseman of the future and Chun Chen an even bigger question mark defensively, Jake is the guy that the franchise will earmark as its next catcher. That being said, I would expect Lowery to either begin the season at High-A Kinston or progress there early on. He certainly has the offense to rise quickly. If he can effectively hone his catching skills (I mean he did still catch 35% stealing in the Valley, but 5 errors and six passed balls in 25 games caught hurt) in the interim, I can see Jake at the Jake by 2013.
Up Next: #9 - RHP Austin Adams
Pretty Girl 02.11.12 - Winona Ryder
Skills For A Post SOPA World
or PIPA. Or whatever the next name of American fascism is. Pay attention, you might learn something about propaganda.
Eat the rich.
Cheers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)