Prospect Analysis: Clay Buchholz

Name: Clay Buchholz
Organization: Boston Red Sox
Position: Pitcher
Born: 8/14/1984
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2005, 1st Round (45th Overall)

Technically he's still considered a prospect, even though he threw a no-hitter against Baltimore last season. SoxProspects.com says that "Buchholz has a low-to-mid 90s four-seam fastball, a two seam fastball with decent movement, a slider, a hard 12-6 curveball, and a changeup." His best pitch is the curveball, followed by the changeup, then the 90 mph fastball.
In an early 2008 spring training session, according to rotowire.com, "Red Sox hitters were raving about Buchholz' 40-pitch batting practice session on Tuesday, the Boston Herald reports. "He has a fastball that moves, a really good changeup, and a good curveball," third baseman Mike Lowell said. "That's a pretty good mix to have when you can throw them all for strikes, and I think that's what separated him when he came up last year, that he threw them all for strikes." Kevin Cash caught Buchholz during the session and was equally impressed. "He was filthy." Cash said, "His changeup and curveball were great, but his changeup was even better than his curve. He really has them all, a 12-to-6 curveball, the changeup, and his slider is really nasty, too. He pretty much had it all going today." Buchholz, who is competing for the fifth starter spot in the rotation, will make his spring debut Sunday against Minnesota.

Prospect Analysis: Eric Hurley

Name: Eric Hurley
Organization: Texas Rangers
Position: Pitcher
Born: 9/17/1985
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2004, 1st Round


Eric Hurley, for the second consecutive season, was named the top prospect in the Rangers organization. Oddly enough, Hurley was passed on for a late 2007 September call up.
Hurley throws a fastball that averages anywhere between 94-96 mph, and is developing a slider and a changeup, both being good candidates for out-pitches in the major leagues someday.
Hurley started last season in Double-A, posting a 7-2 record with a 3.25 ERA. He was promoted to Triple-A where he struggled a bit (4-7, 5.52 ERA). His strikeout to walk ratio also dipped with the move, but was still consistent (he walked 27/28 in AA/AAA).
What Scout Magazine likes most about Eric Hurley is his mound presence; "The former first-round pick never appears flustered in any situation, and refuses to back down to any hitter."
We're not sure what to make of Hurley; his numbers fluctuate whenever he is initially promoted to another level, but eventually level off after spending another season at that level. Evidence located here courtesy of First Inning.

Prospect Analysis: Travis Snider

Name: Travis Snider
Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Position: Outfield
Born: 2/2/1988
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 2006, 1st Round (14th Overall)


Snider has been given the honor by multiple big league scouts of being the best hitting prospect selected in the 2006 draft. We like him just for the fact that he played for the Lansing Lugnuts, leading them offensively as he tore through minor league pitchers.
Selecting Snider was a major organizational shift for the Blue Jays, who previously frowned upon selecting players right out of high school. Consider this a wise move. According to Scout Magazine, one National League Scout had this to say of Snider; "The Blue Jays have themselves a legitimate threat. He's going to be a 10-time All-Star in the American League. I see him causing havoc in the major leagues within the next two years."
Snider is expected to begin the 2008 season with Dunedin, but will most likely be promoted to New Hampshire come the summer. The Jays are taking their time with Travis, but once he reaches the majors, lookout.

Prospect Analysis: Tyler Colvin

Name: Tyler Colvin
Organization: Chicago Cubs
Position: Outfield
Born: 9/5/1985
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 2006, 1st Round (13th Overall)

Immediately thrust into High A-Ball, promoted to Double-A, Floorida State League All-Star, selected to Team USA, walk-off grand slam against Oral Roberts in the College World Series Super Regional Round; Colvin's career has been peppered with highlights and accolades, and he's just 22-years old.
Colvin finished the season batting .299 with 16 home runs and 81 RBIs, all while nursing a sore shoulder.
According to Scout Magazine, the 6'3'' Colvin "has drawn comparisons to such big league outfielders as Steve Finley and Shawn Green." If Colvin adds some muscle to his lanky frame, he'd be capable of going yard 20-30 times a season.
It may be another year or two before you see Colvin in the majors, with the Cubs having a crowded outfield.

Prospect Analysis: Andrew McCutchen

Name: Andrew McCutchen
Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates
Position: Outfield
Born: 10/10/1986
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2005, 1st Round (11th Overall)

The Pirates, mired in a "culture of losing", did everything necessary to purge the organization of the old regime this offseason. GM's, managers, farm directors, and the team president were fired, replaced, or eased out. The only holdover was the hot dog salesman in section 39.
The future for the Bucs, however, may begin to get a little brighter. McCutchen is the jewel of an otherwise barren farm system, outside of 1B/OF masher Steve Pearce.
Despite struggling in Double-A last season, McCutchen was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis, playing in seventeen games. McCutchen caught a fire, batting .313, up from .258 in Altoona. In the Arizona Fall League, McCutchen helped his team win the championships, but his numbers again fluctuated. He finished the season batting .286, but hit .342 in the last 10 games of the season.
To say McCutchen is streaky, is an understatement.

Prospect Analysis: Jay Bruce

Name: Jay Bruce
Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Position: Outfield
Born: 4/3/1987
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 2005, 1st Round (12th Overall)

LOOKOUT! An expression that Ken Griffey, Jr will be hearing all season long if Jay Bruce doesn't break camp with the Reds in 2008. At the ripe old age of 20, Jay Bruce is slated to become Junior's replacement, its just a matter of "when".
Bruce was named Cincinnati's Minor League Player of the Year in 2007, hitting .319 with 46 doubles, 8 triples, and 26 home runs to go along with 89 RBI. Those numbers were combined stats resulting from time spent in Single, Double, and Triple-A ball. No matter where Bruce went, he hit.
Much of the same could be expected if Bruce heads north with the Reds this season. Scout Magazine describes Bruce as a five tool player without many flaws; "Add to that an impressive work ethic, and Bruce may have fans pushing to see the 20-year-old in Cincinnati by the end of the 2008 season."

Prospect Analysis: Manny Parra

Name: Manny Parra
Organization: Milwaukee Brewers
Position: Pitcher
Born: 10/30/1982
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 2001, 26th Round



If we said "future of the Brewers organization" and you immediately thought of Prince Fielder, keep reading. If you thought Manny Parra, you're way ahead of everyone else.
Parra is a 6'3", left handed, fire-balling (95mph consistently), young gun who occasionally dabbles in the fine art of the knuckleball. Oh yeah, and he pitched a perfect game in Triple-A last June.
Parra throws an assortment of pitches; a four seam fastball, a cutter, a nasty curve, and he's working on developing a better changeup.
Parra has been plagued throughout his career with odd injuries; stress fracture from weightlifting, shoulder problems that led to surgery in the 2005 season, and a broken thumb right after he was called up by the Brewers.
Parra, when healthy, is exciting. His minor league numbers (34-16, 528/147 K/BB ratio) just give a glimpse into what looks to be a promising career.

Prospect Analysis: Evan Longoria

Name: Evan Longoria
Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Position: Third Base
Born: 10/7/1985
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2006, 1st Round (3rd Overall)

Longoria looks to be the last of the once plentiful Rays Minor League talent. With all their jewels and stars lining their opening day roster, (or the Twins' roster) the Rays have finally taken their youth movement to the Major League level.
The Rays like Longoria so much, that they've decided to move Akinori Iwamura, last year's starting third basemen, over to second base. Baring injury or a chance in front office policy, Longoria is slated to play third for the Rays this season.
Longoria projects as a low .300 hitter with some nice pop in his bat. Look for him to hit at least 20 HRs this season, while Scout Magazine suggests he could easily knock around 30.
If you're looking for a third basemen in your fantasy league, Longoria might be your answer. In an interview with RaysDigest.com, a veteran scout said of Longoria; "Evan is the est hitting prospect out there, in my eyes. Look for him to hit 20-plus home runs as a rookie, and then consistently for years to come."

Prospect Analysis: Colby Rasmus

Name: Colby Rasmus
Organization: St. Louis Cardinals
Position: Centerfield
Born: 8/11/1986
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2003 (Cardinals), 1st Round (28th Overall)

Actions tend to speak louder than words, so watching St. Louis ship Jim Edmonds to San Diego is pretty F***ing loud. You can't say much more about a minor leaguer than trading away your franchise (albeit aging) center fielder.
Rasmus won't be scared off by the bright lights of the Major Leagues. Rasmus led off for the 2007 Gold Medal winning USA World Cup team, batting a scorching .382.
According to Scout Magazine, Rasmus has the tendency to become pull happy, and the Cardinal Organization wants him to "continue to work on going the other way."
Rasmus will likely be handled with kid gloves, since he represents the only jewel in a depleted farm system. The Edmonds opens up a spot for Rasmus to fill, but Rotowire.com suggests that since the Cardinals are loaded in the outfield, Rasmus starting every day is just short of a sure thing.
Rasmus is a wiz defensively, and has a canon for an arm (he was a pitcher in high school, and was routinely clocked in the low 90's).

Prospect Analysis: Daric Barton

Name: Daric Barton
Organization: Oakland Athletics
Position: First Base
Born: 4/5/1985
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2003 (Cardinals), 1st Round (28th Overall)


The Big Gun in the Mark Mulder trade, Barton has heavy expectations laid on his shoulders. According to Scout Magazine; Barton "came to the A's with the reputation of being one of the best pure hitters in the minor leagues".
After being injured for most of the 2006 season (elbow injury), Barton's 2007 season was widely considered successful. During a three week call up with the A's, Barton batted .342 and crushed four homers.
Barton fits the mold Billy Beane tries to instill in his minor leaguers. He's walked more than he's struck out, and his plate patience has drawn rave reviews from within the organization.
Barton is slated to become the A's everyday first baseman in the upcoming 2008 campaign. Don't be fooled by those four home runs that Barton hit during his first "cup o' joe". Barton isn't really known for his defense or for wielding a powerful bat, just his ability to hit for average and get on base. First base is such a deep position in most fantasy leagues, so don't take a huge gamble on Barton.

Prospect Analysis: Ian Stewart

Name: Ian Stewart
Organization: Colorado Rockies
Position: Third Base
Born: 4/5/1985
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2003, 1st Round

Rotowire.com says that "The Rockies' top hitting prospect put together a strong season in Triple-A in 2007. He hit .304 with 15 home runs and 65 RBI in 112 games but he still strikes out too much (once every 4.5 at-bats).
Ian Stewart will be competing for the starting second base job this year, with the departure of Kaz Matsui opening up a hole in the infield. Naturally a third baseman, Stewart would be the Major's biggest second baseman (6'3'') if he wins the starting job.
Scout Magazine projects Stewart to be a 25 plus home run hitter in Coors Field, and should he win the starting job, a candidate for Rookie of the Year honors in 2008.
Fantasy wise, Stewart is a great option, hitting in Coors Field with a potent Rockie lineup. Colorado has also hinted at having Stewart start the season in Triple-A to get him regular at-bats, buying the Rockies time to figure out what to do with him.

Prospect Analysis: J.R. Towles

Name: J.R Towles
Organization: Houston Astros
Position: Catcher
Born: 2/11/1984
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2004, 20th Round



After a September call up, Towles proved to the Astros organization that he's qualified to handle the catching duties on the Major League Level.
Towles set a Astro record last season against the Cardinals, driving in eight runs in an 18-1 stomping.
Towles, initially was slow to move through the farm system, spending three seasons bouncing between rookie ball and Lexington.
2007 led to a horrific offensive start (Towles batted .200 in 90 at-bats in Salem) but was promoted twice before joining the Astros in September of that year. Astro pitchers have praised Towles' work behind the plate, but he could stand to work on his footwork and keeping would be base stealers quiet.
J.R. also has his own website and is a devout follower of the Christian Faith. He even has his own wristbands that are inscribed with "IBBWJ", or Taking an Intentional Walk With Jesus:
" These cool wrist bands are an exciting way to promote the unique message JR and staff had come up with. In a score book for baseball an "IBB" is an intentional walk. What a wonderful thought to have an "IBB" by your name in the book of Life, as you travel on your "Intentional Walk with Jesus"."

Prospect Analysis: Clayton Kershaw

Name: Clayton Kershaw
Organization: LA Dodgers
Position: Pitcher
Born: 3/19/1988
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 2006, 1st Round, 7th Overall


Mixing in the wily veterans with a youth corps, the Dodgers are more than excited over the prospects of this 20 year old lefty tossing the pelota in Chavez Ravine this season. Scout Magazine lists him as the number one prospect in the Dodger organization, ahead of masher Andy Laroche and Double A reliever of the year award winner Jon Meloan.

Kershaw started his career in Low A-Ball (Great Lakes) and finished last year in Double A Jacksonville. Kershaw was a combined 8-7, but had an ERA of 2.95 , and batters hit at a .204 clip against the southpaw.

Will Kershaw be wearing Dodger blue this season? It depends. If he comes out firing on all cylinders in Vero Beach or if a Dodger starter gets hurt early in the season, there's reason to believe Kershaw will be considered for a call up.