Baseball America Hot Prospect Sheet Thread

[TheCrew07]

The lowest FB velocity I saw from Frederickson was 89, the upper was 92, mostly 90-91. I was peaking on probably 80% of his pitches, so he may have had some more extreme pitches, I'm not sure. Velocity wise he was very similar to Scarpetta... the Time Warner Field gun doesn't like the delivery of either player I just mentioned as it's usually 4-5 MPH off, but for some reason it was right on Peralta. At least early in the game, his 94s and 95s that I saw were the same on both guns, I didn't even bother charting his pitches, he brings gas.

 

X nailed Frederickson's delivery, here's the video I shot.

[Mass Haas]

One Brewer in the Hot Sheet's "team photo" section this week.

[battlekow]

Angel Salome made the "In the Team Photo" section this week:

Triple-A Nashville C Angel Salome (Brewers) isn't a guy you expect to hit many triples, but that's just what the stocky 23-year-old catcher did Wednesday in Albuquerque. The triple was his first of the year and fifth of his career in 1,589 professional at-bats, but it was just part of a strong week for Salome. His hitting has gotten better each month of the season and this week he hit .423/.423/.769 (11-for-26) with a home run and four doubles to go with that triple.

[TooLiveBrew]

Now, if he can actually see some playing time in his inevitable September call-up. I'd be curious to get others' takes on whether or not they think Angel can force Melvin's hand to call him up sooner if he keeps mashing.

[YoungGeezy]

Now, if he can actually see some playing time in his inevitable September call-up. I'd be curious to get others' takes on whether or not they think Angel can force Melvin's hand to call him up sooner if he keeps mashing.

If his defense is ready then maybe but I don't think from what I've heard it is yet.

[yoshii8]

I haven't heard much about Salome's defense this season, do you have any links to stories saying that he is struggling?

[TheCrew07]

every pre game audio with Don Money for the most part...

[TooLiveBrew]

I know that's been discussed at BF's minor league forum recently, yoshii8, but I don't have the links. I recall someone mentioning that Don Money still felt Angel had a lot of work to do defensively.

[TheCrew07]

Linkification

[battlekow]

Here's a direct quote from a recent Money audio link:

Is he gonna catch in the big leagues? We don't know yet. He shows a strong arm, and he gets frustrated at times very easy, especially when he don't hit. It's part of getting to the big leagues, is handling pitchers, which he's got a lot to learn. Chris talks to him a lot between innings, between the games, and during the games, and sometimes I think they get a little frustrated with it because I think it's a little bit too much, but he's coming along. It's gonna take him time. Is he ready to go next year? Probably not. Maybe the following year? Maybe-we just never know.

[pogokat]

I want Lucroy in AAA just so we can here Money compare him to Salome---

[jjfanec]

I want Lucroy in AAA just so we can here Money compare him to Salome---

I doubt it happens this year but next year is a definite possibility. Lucroy has righted the ship in AA and is starting hit well. If Salome's defense is that much of a question I doubt he will be in the majors next and that leaves us with both Lucroy and Salome at AAA. I wonder what the plan would be there.

[yoshii8]

Thanks guys, thats too bad that he seems to be struggling so badly.

[pogokat]

There exactly the same age, so it's not like Lucroy is really behind Angel---I think it's possible they bump Lucroy up for the latter half of the season---or just look at them as competing now...i suspect one of these guys is going to split time with rivera in the majors next year...and based on those comments, it isn't going to be Angel...

[jjfanec]

There exactly the same age, so it's not like Lucroy is really behind Angel---I think it's possible they bump Lucroy up for the latter half of the season---or just look at them as competing now...i suspect one of these guys is going to split time with rivera in the majors next year...and based on those comments, it isn't going to be Angel...

I would love to see Lucroy get bumped up. I have always seen him as the safer prospect with more chances of catching the majors. Salome's upside is high but his defensive questions scare me. Lucroy's numbers this year are misleading because his BAbip has been awful. He still has an OBP 100 higher than his BA and more walks than K's. The problem is splittling time in AAA would limit the defensive development of Salome and Lucroy to a lesser extent.

[TheCrew07]

I don't see Salome and Lucroy splitting time in AAA, there's not enough ABs for either player that way, nor is Salome learning how to handle pitchers.

 

I'm not sure why this game calling issue bothers me so much but it does, and I've been moaning about Salome's lack of prospect love for a long time, maybe it's because it seems like something one should just pick up overtime. For Bosio to be as involved as he is I'm lead to believe that it actually causes disruption between Salome and the pitchers. I can see where if they are constantly shaking him off it could disrupt their rhythm on the mound.

 

It's really too bad because Angel seems like an excellent young man... he's well spoken and so engaging in all his interviews I find it very difficult to hold onto some measure of objectivity and not just passionately root for him like I did for players when I was a little kid.

[Never Outhustled]

Money's comments need to be taken in context. Money isn't complementory of anyone. Money expects everyone to be the awesome defender he was, which is a good thing for a coach, but doesn't give us an accurate view of the player. Sam Narron commented this year how improved Salome is defensively this year from there time together early last year. His defensive stats are improved.

 

As for having the 2 at AAA, I'd say the odds of one of the 2 getting traded at the deadline is pretty good. I bet Jack Z would love to add a guy with Angel's upside. I've always preferred the safer option in Lucroy, but Salome could develop into something special, hopefully he can get past the constant injuries that have dogged his development.

[TooLiveBrew]

Great to hear that about Salome's personality, Crew.

 

 

i suspect one of these guys is going to split time with rivera in the majors next year

 

What makes you so confident that the Brewers won't prolong the reign of Kendall, pogo?

[battlekow]

As for having the 2 at AAA, I'd say the odds of one of the 2 getting traded at the deadline is pretty good. I bet Jack Z would love to add a guy with Angel's upside.

Definitely. Hardy+Salome is a hell of a package to dangle to an AL team (or even an NL team that believe's in Salome's defensive tools) for a pitcher.

[jjfanec]

Not exactly their hot-sheet but Baseball America put out their mid-season minor league all-star team and their all-surprise team. No Brewer made the All-star team although i would have to guess Escobar had to have been close to Dee Gordan who is only in Low A ball, has not put up much better numbers (outside of SB's) and is just 1 1/2 year younger than Alcides.

 

However the All-Surprise teams boast two Brewers pitchers. Both Evan Anundsen and Rob Wooten made the list.

 

"Anundsen put himself on the radar after throwing a no-hitter April 28, but he hasn't slowed down since. He's not overpowering, but keeps the ball on the ground. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any start all season.'

 

"Wooten anchored the back of the bullpen for the FSL's best team in the first-half, going 18-for-19 in saves before a recent promotion. His 18 saves were nearly double his nearest competitor's total."

 

Nice to see some of our pitches getting some love.

[battlekow]

Forgot to post this yesterday, but Scarpetta was 10th on yesterday's Hot Sheet:

Scarpetta is an unusual case as a low Class A pitcher who's already on his organization's 40-man roster. An 11th-round pick in 2007, his orgiginal contract was voided due to a finger injury, forcing the Brewers to re-sign him and add him to their 40-man to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. If all that put any pressure on Scarpetta, he hasn't pitched like it. His record is an underwhelming 2-6, but he has a solid 3.08 ERA and has racked up 77 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings. Scarpetta rarely pitches deep into games-the six innings he threw Wednesday matched his longest outing of the year-but he's big and strong at 6-foot-3, 242 pounds and features a sinking fastball that reaches the mid 90s. He backs it up with a tough curveball.

[YoungGeezy]

That a boy Cody! I know some people think I'm crazy for ranking him 3rd overall when I talk about pitchers (behind Braddock and Jeffress) but I have a lot of faith in this kid. Cody started out the season with a bumpy April and May but his stats since June 1 have been great. Hope he keeps it up!

[battlekow]

Not a Hot Sheet, but BA says that Evan Anundsen has been one of the biggest risers in MiLB this year:

He didn't crack our Brewers' top 30 in the offseason, and at times the velocity on his sinker dips into the low 80s. But he can sit average as well, and the 21-year-old hadn't allowed a home run in 81 innings at high Class A Brevard County.

And, of course, Jeremy Jeffress is on the other side:

From Prospect No. 100 to a 100-game suspension, reportedly because of repeated marijuana use. Baseball's Ricky Williams is one failed test away from a lifetime ban.

[battlekow]

Anundsen made the Hot Sheet again, this week at #11:

Anundsen keeps on rolling. The sinkerballer still hasn't allowed a home run all season in 87 1/3 innings. For that matter, he still hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any start. He doesn't throw hard, but Anundsen has shown he can miss bats. And now he's got a real shot at the FSL's pitching triple crown. He ranks first in the league in ERA (1.85), third in strikeouts (83) and fifth in wins (8).

[Mass Haas]

There's a Brewer farmhand at #12 this week, we'll let you guess who before peeking.

 

There's a former Brewer in the "Team Photo" as well.