View From the Press Box: June Outlook
By Jon Skilbeck - Contributing Writer
08/02/2006
A look back on Strat-centric developments that took place heading into the All Star break. A few more callups and interesting veterans to be aware of:
Rocco Baldelli – After missing all of 2005 with a torn ACL (oh yeah, he had Tommy John surgery too), Baldelli has been positively combustible since returning to the Devil Rays in early June. He’s patrolling CF again too. Sure, he could still stand to take a few more walks, but he’s younger than Curtis Granderson and should be valued as one of the top young OFs in baseball if he can maintain his current pace.
Eric Hinske – The one time AL Rookie of the Year opened the season in an OF platoon with Alexis Rios. Once Rios started putting up All Star numbers, Hinske was relegated to a lesser role and looked to be headed out of Toronto. Quietly, however, Hinske has put together an excellent half season in part time duty. His power numbers will likely fade a bit, but his plate discipline has always been there. He’s already seen time at both of his former positions (3B and 1B) and will provide solid production and nice flexibility.
Jon Lester – Top prospect or over hyped east coast pretender? Early returns suggest more of the former, with Lester holding his own in a handful of June starts. In light of this and the injuries to the Red Sox staff, he could be up to stay. He’ll need to sharpen his command, but he has top of the rotation stuff.
Carlos Marmol – Another in a long line of mostly undistinguished Cubs prospects called up to fill in for Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, this former catcher is intriguing but not yet a finished product. His strikeout numbers are strong and his overall numbers are OK, but he still walks too many hitters to succeed in the bigs. For the strat player, he’ll have short term value as a swing man and the potential to grow into something more provided the premature callup doesn’t stunt his development.
Russ Martin – Tired of piecing together platoons out of the Gregg Zauns and Mike Mathenys of the world to fill your catcher position every year? Dodgers C Martin could be your guy come draft day. He is generally seen as above average offensively with adequate power and good on base skills. In addition, the former third baseman is now seen as above average defensively. He hasn’t had a lot of success throwing out big league baserunners yet, but offensively he has been as advertised, and the Dodger brass thought enough of him to send Dioner Navarro packing.
Zach Miner – Acquired with Roman Colon in the Kyle Farnsworth deal, Miner has been terrific filling since taking the injured Mike Maroth’s spot in the Tigers’ rotation. Some of this success can be attributed to a sinker he debuted this season. New pitches can render old scouting reports obsolete, so be sure to weigh this year’s performance more heavily than usual when making out your draft list this off season.
Mike Napoli – Napoli is a solid prospect who has provided the Angels offense with a much needed shot in the arm since his May callup. His impressive big league power and walk numbers are consistent with the skills he showed in the minors. His defense is marginal, however, and there is some question as to whether or not he’ll be able to stay at catcher over the long term. He should provide good to excellent offensive production for a catcher as long as he continues to see time there.
Pablo Ozuna – Yes, he is a lousy utility man, but he’s hitting over .400 at the All Star break. He has already played 2B, 3B and OF (he saw time at SS last year), and provided Ozzie Guillen keeps spotting him well, he won’t see enough time to drag his stats down too badly. Looks like a cheap one year target for contenders to me.