Diggin' Deep
By Rodger Long - Contributing Writer
06/17/2006
In March, I was asked to join a startup draft league. The team is young and struggling, plodding along at 14-24 as this time. But the reason for this article is that we were also able to draft no card rookies, but they had to have played in the minors last year.
I have not been in a no card rookie draft scenario in years. This is a 20 team league so players were going fast and furious. Another rule we had: up to 20 yrs in contracts for these minor leaguers.
For example I signed Carlos Quentin for 2 years so I had 18 years left of player years. The deeper minor leaguers I signed for 3 or 4 years. So you could have drafted 10 players for 2 years each. After their contract has expired you would either lose them or carry them on your active roster.
I have listed my picks and data from scouring info on the players. I also listed a player that would be fun to follow, that I did not draft.
#1 Carlos Quentin (AZ) The most familiar name of the players I drafted, he is a solid defensive outfielder who uses excellent instincts and good jumps despite his average speed. Quentin has a plus arm and would seem to project as a right fielder. Offensively, he has improved as a hitter with good pitch recognition and excellent raw power.
After walking just 43 times in 2004, Quentin added nearly 30 walks to that total this past season. At AAA, Quentin also continued to show his fantastic contact and power skills, while learning the nuances of right field.
Through 6/9
AVG OBP SLG 2B 3B HR BB SO SB CS
.263 .395 .459 19 2 5 23 31 3 0
#2 Craig Hansen (Bos) I drafted him in hopes of a future starting pitcher. He made three appearances for the Red Sox in 2005.
Hansen rose to prominence as a potential high first rounder after striking out 41 hitters in the Cape Cod League in just 22 innings prior to the 2005 college season. He pounds the strike zone with a mid 90s and up fastball, a power slider that can hit 90, and he also has a nasty change up. Just called up to the Red Sox this week, though he was sent down shortly thereafter.
...After dominating at St. John’s University and two levels of the minors last season with a biting slider and a fastball regularly measured at 97 mph, the 22-year-old right-hander spent his offseason developing a changeup that might be the final weapon needed to establish himself as a big league closer ... . He threw only a handful of changeups during his final season at St. John’s and in his 17 professional appearances. Hansen realized, however, that few pitchers succeed at the major league level with only two effective pitches ... “I’ve been throwing it in a couple of bullpens down here and it feels great,” Hansen said. “It’s got a lot of movement. I’m pretty happy with it right now.” (Boston Herald)
............probably has the stuff to start for a major league team, but the Red Sox will likely continue to develop him as a reliever, with an eye toward making him the closer as soon as 2007. His mid-90s fastball and terrific slider could make him dominant in that role. Because the Red Sox have loaded up on pitching, Hansen won’t have much of a chance of winning a bullpen spot coming out of spring training. He might be back in Boston sometime around the All-Star break." (Matthew Pouliot, Rotoworld)
Through 6/2
W-L IP H BB SO
AA 1-0 11 4 4 12 .
AAA 0-2 23 19 17 18
#3 Nick Adenhart (LAAngels) Well on the road to recovery from Tommy John surgery. Another pitcher, can never have enough pitching!!
... Before the surgery, Adenhart threw his fastball routinely in the low-90s and was clocked as high as 95 mph ... Now he works in the high 80s to low 90s and can still hit 94-95 mph while mixing a curveball and changeup. Though he wouldn't recommend it, Adenhart feels the injury and the resulting surgery made him a better pitcher. "Getting hurt allowed me to restructure my mechanics. I really didn't have any concept of pitching. I threw too much across my body," said Adenhart, adding that he always had a rubber arm. "I had a year to sit back and watch." ... "The pro game is different," said Adenhart, who has a deceptively smooth delivery. "The time has showed me what to do to be successful." (MLB.com)
.... is in the latter stages of coming back from Tommy John surgery, and you can expect statistical progress in the upcoming season. Adenhart throws three pitches for strikes, including a changeup, and he looked good in spring training. The injury concerns are there, but otherwise he's a promising one. " (Dayn Perry, Fox Sports)
......poster boy of the Angels' newest draft strategy, Adenhart fell hard in the 2004 draft when it was discovered his elbow needed Tommy John surgery. Prepared to enroll in at the University of North Carolina, Adenhart was given a surprise when the Angels drafted him late with a high bonus proposal. After spending much of 2005 rehabbing his elbow, Adenhart gradually grew stronger as the short season went on. This year the power right-hander has come out strong, making the Angels gamble look good. I'm a bit worried how Adenhart's flyball tendencies will hold up when he is eventually promoted to Rancho Cucamonga, but he'll always have the ability to miss bats. " (Bryan Smith, Baseball Analysts)
Through 6/9
W-L IP H BB SO
A 8-2 82 67 20 81
#4 Radhames Liz (Balt) I just sort of happened on him, once I started reading about him, I snagged him. It looks like I may have gotten a diamond in the rough with this flamethrower.
His numbers as you'll see below are still good but they were more dominant earlier in the year. Getting fatigued?
….Liz and three relievers combined on a no-hitter as the Frederick Keys blanked the visiting Salem Avalanche, 3-0 ... The four-pitcher effort was just the fourth no-hitter in Keys' history ... Liz was absolutely dominant throughout his five-inning stint. The 22-year-old righty struck out 13 batters while walking three. Neil Sellers' popout to catcher Michael Russell to end the third frame marked the first time a batter even put the ball in play against him. Although Liz showed no signs of tiring, Keys manager Bien Figueroa did not allow him to return to the mound to start the sixth. After all, it was his first start of the year. "Going into the game, his limit was five innings or 85 pitches," said Figueroa. "After five innings he had thrown 81, so I couldn't put him back out there. I'm here to develop players, not provide no-hitters. Liz is one of the best arms we've got in this organization." (MLB.com)
... I did the top 20 prospect list for the New-York Penn League last season, and every person I spoke to raved about the velocity and life on his fastball. Based on his performance thus far, it is clear it is one of the best pitches in the minors. To be dominating the way he is at Frederick, I would have to believe his secondary stuff is coming along. But like you suggested, even if it does not improve, he has the chance to be a dominant reliever because of the fastball." (Matt Meyers, Baseball America chatroom)
... When the award for minor league pitcher of the month (April) comes out, Liz will likely be at or near the top of many lists. The 22-year-old native of the Dominican Republic has been absolutely un-hittable in his first four starts at High-A Frederick. In 20 innings, Liz has allowed just nine base hits and given up only three runs, good for a 1.35 ERA, and we're not even at the good stuff yet. Averaging just short of two punchouts per inning (1.95 K/IP to be exact), Liz has already tallied 39 strikeouts while walking eight. Most people consider Liz to be somewhat raw, and while his eight walks show he has room to improve his control, he has thrown his mid-90s fastball very well and has made great use of his secondary pitches. Liz is a strikeout machine wherever he goes, and the most pressing question surrounding him is whether he'll reach Baltimore as a starter or reliever. Look for him no sooner than late 2007." (Rototimes)
Through 6/9
W-L IP H BB SO
A 5-3 64 39 32 80
#5 Chuck Lofgren (Cleve) No relation to Nils Lofgren. Another pitcher pick in hopes of getting a starter. He may very well move up quickly based on this year.
... Lofgren, a Kinston Indians lefthander ... trying to master a curveball to go along with a fastball that touches 96 miles per hour and is offset by an effective changeup. Through spring training, he said, he was getting there. “It’s one of the major issues that (Cleveland’s player development staff) discussed with me,” said Lofgren, 20, who likes to feed hitters a steady diet of first-pitch strikes. “They said to be successful in the (Carolina League), you need to start buckling down on your breaking ball, and I’ve made a lot of good strides in spring training working out that pitch.” ... 2005 season on the baseball diamond. For low Class A Lake County, the 6-foot-3-inch, 205-pounder went 5-5 with a 2.81 ERA in his first full pro season. The Indians see much bigger things ahead. “He’s what we feel is a prototypical big league starting prospect,” farm director John Farrell said. “He’s got good stuff. He’s got the ability to get quite a bit of swing-and-miss with both the fastball and changeup. The breaking ball is one area that we’ll continue to focus on from a developmental standpoint.” Kinston pitching coach Steve Lyons agreed, even using the same “swing-and-miss” term to describe Lofgren’s two best pitches. “He’s trying to solidify a breaking ball,” Lyons said. “He’s a great competitor, a high-energy kid. He’s young, but I think he’s going to definitely hold his own in that league.” (David Hall, Kinston Free Press)
I think he's a Top 100 guy once we re-visit that this season, yes. His stuff in his last start wasn't as great it was over his first few, but he still battled. That's key for him--learning to pitch without his best stuff, as it is with any young pitcher. Very high ceiling." (Chris Kline, Baseball America chatroom)
Through 6/9
W-L IP H BB SO
A 9-3 65 50 22 58 .....and 0 hr's allowed !!
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Fun player to follow:
He could look DOWN on Randy Johnson: Loek Van Mil (MIN) could become the majors first 7-footer:
... He stands three inches taller than 6-10 All-Star Randy Johnson, and two inches taller than 6-11 Washington Nationals pitcher Jon Rauch ... Twins director of baseball operations Rob Antony refers to Van Mil as "a project." The club plans to start him in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League this year, to let him gain a professional foundation. Three days into his first camp, he already has made a decent impression. "You're thinking a 7-foot guy is going to be long and lanky, with a delivery that looks like a train wreck," said Rick Knapp, the Twins' minor league pitching coordinator. "That's certainly not the case with this fellow." Van Mil's fastball has topped out at 91 miles per hour. He also throws a slider and a change-up ... never played organized basketball, only pickup games in his back yard. Baseball became his passion when he was growing up in Oss, a city of about 80,000 people. In the Netherlands, baseball isn't as popular as basketball, but Van Mil is quick to note that the Dutch play some of the best baseball in Europe ...Even though Van Mil turns 22 in September, the Twins don't want to rush him through the low minor-league levels." (Minneapolis Star Tribune)