Minor League Shortstops for next year

[Mr Southpaw]

The major league free agent options are very limited for next year, so I decided to go minor league shopping Oakland has multiple SS prospects, so we might be able to deal with them. I don't think the A's will trade their #1 prospect, Grant Green who is at AA, but they have a AAA shortstop they might trade who has decent numbers. Eric Sogard, 25 years old 2nd round pick out of Arizona State. He looks like he would project into a Jonathon Lucroy type at shortstop (maybe .265 .345 .385 .730). I don't know what type of defense he has, but as a 2nd rounder he has to have some sort of athleticism. Here are his numbers....

 

AAA 2011

 

.2987931555941625371294034133.381.410.791

AAA 2010

 

.300137514821542865652097568149.391.407.798

AA 2009

 

.293117457791342536511835847106.370.400.771

Anybody know anything about this guy or know of other players out there that might be an option?

[MNBrew]

I was thinking the past several days about the Brewers' SS position for 2012. I'm not big on knowing other teams' minor leaguers, but I wondered about someone unspectacular at the plate but solid (Brendan Ryan came first to mind) and about a great hitter whose future with his present team has previous been tenuous (specifically Michael Young, a career SS until a couple years ago and still only 34). . . . . If the Brewers REALLY felt Peralta or Fiers (or maybe even Estrada) could become their #5 starter, would a Wolf-for-Young deal with the Rangers be feasible?

[DHonks]

I'd consider Reyes, furcal, or another stopgap until we find a better option. I do love the idea of trying to acquire some B-level minor league talent

[brewmann04]

Brewers will look maybe to the rule 5 draft to find a ss.

[TooLiveBrew]

Anybody know anything about this guy or know of other players out there that might be an option?

 

I don't, but this is a great topic & exactly the kind of move the Brewers should be exploring this offseason.

[Mr Southpaw]

A trade with the White Sox would make sense. They have Alexia Ramirez at short for the next four years and a quality SS at AAA. Eduardo Escobar (22 years old) stats are as follows...

 

2011 AAA

 

.2661374895513023444917327104138.303.354.657

2010 AA

 

.262492022253833227693530.294.376.670

2009 A+

 

.256128464641191073411522991206.300.328.627

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JohnBriggs12]

A trade with the White Sox would make sense. They have Alexia Ramirez at short for the next four years and a quality SS at AAA. Eduardo Escobar (22 years old) stats are as follows...

 

2011 AAA

 

.266

137

489

55

130

23

4

4

49

173

27

104

13

8

.303

.354

.657

2010 AA

 

.262

49

202

22

53

8

3

3

22

76

9

35

3

0

.294

.376

.670

2009 A+

 

.256

128

464

64

119

10

7

3

41

152

29

91

20

6

.300

.328

.627

 

 

 

Eduardo hasn't hit at any level as well as Alicides did and posted OBP of .294 and .303 the last two seasons. He's a marginal prospect at best and certainly not ready to assume a starting SS job in the major leagues. Gordon Beckham played SS at the University of Georgia and in his first two minor league stops. He's been a major disappointment with the bat the past two seasons, but he's been sterling with the glove at 2B. If you think he can play SS (and I do), that's the guy I'd target from the White Sox.

 

 

 

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[GAME05]

i question how much DM and RR even want a new SS for next year. the Rule 5 idea of Brewmann's i think is the most accurate, for someone who can come in and be the next Counsel to back up 3b, SS and 1B. assuming it's going to be Green and Gamel manning the corners next year, that's a lot to ask of DM and RR to be giving 3/4 of our infield slots to young (experience-wise) players.

[Never Outhustled]

I don't see the Brewers going with a minor leaguer at SS. I think Mat Gamel for Justin Sellers makes too much sense. Then again, maybe it doesn't, Sellers had a higher OPS in AAA this year than Gamel.

[dadofandrew]

I could put up those numbers in Albuquerque. He'll also be 26 next year. Is he a better prospect than Gamel? You could argue so, but at first glance, I'd take Mat's future.

 

EDIT: Splits for Justin here. While I was joking about me matching his AAA stats...I might be able to give his road numbers a run for their money.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

His size, or lack thereof, is a red flag too.

[Never Outhustled]

I could put up those numbers in Albuquerque. He'll also be 26 next year. Is he a better prospect than Gamel? You could argue so, but at first glance, I'd take Mat's future.

 

EDIT: Splits for Justin here. While I was joking about me matching his AAA stats...I might be able to give his road numbers a run for their money.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

His size, or lack thereof, is a red flag too.

 

What future does Mat have here? He is out of options, and this contending team won't settle for him as our 1B. Sellers doesn't need to hit as well as Gamel, he's a SS. Sellers OPS at SS will be al ot closer to average for the position than Gamel's at 1st, and Sellers is an asset defensively.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I like Sellers, and was just coming in here to bring up his name. Yes, he put up some power numbers in a league in which they don't really mean a whole lot, but he takes a fair share of walks, and I liked the little bit I've read about his glove. An average fielding ss who could put up a .330 OBP with even a hint of power would be a nice upgrade over Betencourt for next year.

[JohnBriggs12]

Sellers hasn't hit much in the majors and he posted only a .955 fielding percentage at Albuquerque. I don't think he's the guy I'd go all out to get.

 

I still think the Brewers will bring in a vet on a one year deal to play SS, perhaps even Yuni (at less than his option price), rather than risk dealing for an iffy proposition at best.

 

Yuni has been far from the disaster defensively he was being portrayed on here.

[endaround]

Sellers hasn't hit much in the majors and he posted only a .955 fielding percentage at Albuquerque. I don't think he's the guy I'd go all out to get.

 

I still think the Brewers will bring in a vet on a one year deal to play SS, perhaps even Yuni (at less than his option price), rather than risk dealing for an iffy proposition at best.

 

Yuni has been far from the disaster defensively he was being portrayed on here.

No he has pretty much been exactly the disaster as portrayed here.

[dadofandrew]

As I talked about today at Ramblings, Yuni is -7 UZR for the year, and many SS's are worse, both in UZR and DRS.

 

Saying it over and over does not make it so.

[endaround]

As I talked about today at Ramblings, Yuni is -7 UZR for the year, and many SS's are worse, both in UZR and DRS.

 

Saying it over and over does not make it so.

Being contrary for no reason doesn't make you smart. 5 is not many. Of the 5, 3 are Jeter, Castro, and Asbrudal Cabrera who are great hitters for SS. Another is Pennington who is a good hitting shortstop. The only one comparable to Betancourt is Orlando Cabrera and he at least was decent in the not too distant past.

People expected Yuni to be a win below average defensively over a full season and he looks to be just that.

[Mr Southpaw]

Osvaldo Martinez 23 years old Marlins

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB

2010

22

Jacksonville

SOUL

AA

FLA

130

587

516

90

156

28

4

5

54

13

9

49

64

.302

.372

.401

.773

207

10

9

11

2

0

2011

23

New Orleans

PCL

AAA

FLA

88

371

339

43

83

15

1

3

26

11

4

21

57

.245

.296

.322

.618

109

9

5

3

3

0

 

Not bad. Anybdy know anything about him?

 

 

 

[Mr Southpaw]

Lemahieu, D.J. 22 years old Cubs

 

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB

2011 22 Tennessee SOUL AA CHC 50 202 187 32 67 15 2 2 27 4 3 11 22 .358 .386 .492 .878 92 4 0 0 4 0 2011 22 Iowa PCL AAA CHC 58 247 227 23 65 7 1 3 23 5 5 14 27 .286 .328 .366 .694 83 10 2 0 4 0

Castro, Barney looks like he might get lost.

[dadofandrew]

Top one, under .300 OBP is unacceptable. In AAA, especially so. Escobar hit ok in AAA, and he's struggling in his 2nd year. That kid would be lucky to have a Yuni OBP, with no power. Doesn't walk nearly enough either.

 

Second one better, but no speed, walks, or power. PCL .328/.366 is horrible, even Farris did far better.

 

Granted, these guys are young, but if you're talking next year, neither would be any better than Counsell.

 

If nothing else, this exercise shows how tough it is to find a SS.

[Hate those Rodents]

I wouldn't mind bringing Paul Janish in if this exercise is more or less throwing excraments at the wall to find something sticky.

[reillymcshane]

Coming to 2011, I wondered about Janish. But, wow, his hitting has been awful this year. Almost counselesque.

 

I like his glove. Just not sure if he will ever hit enough.

[PilprinBuddha]

I'm not jacked about a Minor league SS...I'd almost lean towards the older 1 year options.

[jmeks23]

I'm not jacked about a Minor league SS...I'd almost lean towards the older 1 year options.

Yeah I'd much rather have Barmes.

[yoshii8]

I agree, I'd like to see the Brewers pursue Omar Infante or Clint Barmes. I also wouldn't mind Jamey Carroll, as long as we brought back Jerry Hairston as insurance.

[JohnBriggs12]

Top one, under .300 OBP is unacceptable. In AAA, especially so. Escobar hit ok in AAA, and he's struggling in his 2nd year. That kid would be lucky to have a Yuni OBP, with no power. Doesn't walk nearly enough either.

 

Second one better, but no speed, walks, or power. PCL .328/.366 is horrible, even Farris did far better.

 

Granted, these guys are young, but if you're talking next year, neither would be any better than Counsell.

 

If nothing else, this exercise shows how tough it is to find a SS.

Which is why there's a reasonable chance Betancourt will be back, likely at a lower rate after his option is declined.