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(7/31/03 10:39 pm)
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 Sickels On (All) The New Farm-Hands.....
espn.go.com/mlb/columns/d...80231.html
Wednesday, July 23
Updated: July 31, 1:24 PM ET
Sizing up prospects involved in trades
By John Sickels
Special to ESPN.com
Jeremy Hill, RHP (Royals to Mets in Graeme Lloyd trade)
The Royals drafted Hill in the sixth round in 1996, out of high school in Texas. A former catcher, he was converted to pitching two years ago. Hill had an excellent season in Double-A last year, but had severe problems with his command and control this spring. He posted a poor 7.44 ERA with a lousy 41/42 K/BB ratio in 40 innings for Triple-A Omaha this year, and was recently demoted back to Double-A to try and get things back in gear. At his best, Hill combines a 92-95 mph fastball with a hard slider, and can be very overpowering. His mechanics are currently fouled up, his confidence is down, and the change of scenery will probably help him. Hill is 25 years old.
Kenny Kelly, OF (Mariners to Mets in Rey Sanchez trade)
Originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the second round in 1997, Kelly is a great athlete who played quarterback at the University of Miami in the mid-1990s. He's never been able to fully translate his athletic tools into baseball skills however. Tampa sold him to the Mariners in 2001, but Seattle hasn't been able to get much out of him, either. Kelly does have 13 homers and 20 steals at Triple-A Tacoma this year, but was hitting just .246, and continues to struggle with the strike zone. Age 24, he projects as a reserve outfielder unless he makes significant progress refining his skills.
****He's no Drew Henson!!!****
Jason Anderson, RHP (Yankees to Mets in Armando Benitez trade)
Anderson was drafted in the 10th round from the University of Illinois in 2000. A starter initially, he moved to the bullpen in '02, and gained several mph on his fastball to emerge as a very interesting prospect. He's been bouncing between the majors and Triple-A Columbus this year. Anderson has greater diversity in his arsenal than many relievers, featuring a slider, a cut fastball, and a decent changeup to go with the 90-95 mph heater. If he can develop consistent command in the majors, he'd make an excellent middle reliever.
Anderson Garcia, RHP (Yankees to Mets in Benitez trade)
A Dominican signed in 2001, Garcia has one of the best power arms in the Yankees system, capable of hitting 95 mph. He doesn't have a breaking ball, and does not change speeds well at this point, but so far he's done well in A-ball, with a 3.32 ERA and 62/36 K/BB in 76 innings for Battle Creek in the Class A Midwest League. Garcia is being used as a starter, but could end up in the bullpen eventually if he doesn't learn a changeup. His command needs work, but he has a lot of potential, although at 22 he isn't young for the Midwest League. I would rate him as a Grade C+ prospect.
Ryan Bicondoa, RHP (Yankees to Mets in Benitez trade)
Bicondoa was a successful pitcher at Western Kentucky University. Signed as a free agent by the Yankees last May (he was a fifth-year senior and thus eligible to sign before the draft), Bicondoa posted a 1.90 ERA and 94/7 K/BB ratio in the New York-Penn League last summer. He has been less successful this year, with a 3.54 ERA and 30/20 K/BB in 48 innings for Tampa in the Class A Florida State League. Bicondoa's stuff is average; his fastball is mediocre, but he has a very good changeup, and his control is usually good. He'll have to prove himself at higher levels, and is a Grade C prospect at this point.
Victor Diaz, 2B (Dodgers to Mets in Jeromy Burnitz trade)
Diaz was drafted in the 37th round in 2000, out of Grayson County JC in Texas. A right-handed hitter with a quick bat, he entered 2003 with a .320 career batting average, and was hitting .291/.353 OBP/.462 SLG at Double-A Jacksonville before the trade. Diaz has line-drive power, and obviously hits for average. He could use better patience at the plate, but he runs pretty well for a big guy. His defense at second base is erratic, and some scouts think he'll end up at first base or the outfield in the long run. He is 21 years old.
Joselo Diaz, RHP (Dodgers to Mets in Burnitz trade)
A 23-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic, Joselo Diaz played under the name "Jose Diaz" in previous seasons, and was a catcher until this year. He has a very strong arm, but couldn't hit, so moving him to the mound made sense. Used as a starter this year at Class A Vero Beach, Diaz has a 3.50 ERA in 62 innings, with 69 strikeouts but 48 walks. He throws very hard, and limited right-handed hitters to a .127 average this year. Diaz will have to improve his control, but so far his pitching career is off to a decent start.
Kole Strayhorn, RHP (Dodgers to Mets in Burnitz trade)
The Dodgers drafted Strayhorn in the second round in 2001, from high school in Shawnee, Okla. Clocked in the mid-90s in high school, he's been in the 90-92 range more often as a pro. He has a very good breaking ball to go with the fastball. Used as a closer this year at Class A Vero Beach, Strayhorn is 5-2 with seven saves and a 2.93 ERA. His K/BB of 44/13 in 46 innings is solid, and he's shown a good balance of stuff and command.
Royce Ring, LHP (White Sox to Mets in Roberto Alomar trade)
Ring was drafted by the White Sox in the first round in 2002, out of San Diego State. Ring's fastball has been clocked as high as 96 mph, though 89-93 readings are more usual. He has a sharp breaking ball that keeps left-handed hitters off-balance, and he has a changeup that's good enough to use against right-handers. Although he is a southpaw, he does well enough against righties to be a regular closer. He's perhaps a half-year away from being ready to substantially help in the majors, although a rebuilding team like the Mets could push him to The Show more quickly than that. Overall, Ring is one of the most promising relief prospects in the minors today.
Edwin Almonte, RHP (White Sox to Mets in Alomar trade)
Almonte was drafted in the 26th round in 1998, from St. Francis (N.Y.) College. He saved 26 games in Triple-A in 2002, with a 2.24 ERA, but has struggled this year, with a 6.68 ERA and a sharp drop in his strikeout rate. His fastball is mediocre, 87-89 mph, but when he is sharp he can get people out by changing speeds very well. He projects as a middle reliever down the road, provided he can fix whatever is bothering him this year.
Andrew Salvo, INF (White Sox to Mets in Alomar trade)
Salvo is a University of Delaware product, drafted in the 22nd round in 2001. A left-handed hitter, he can play second base or third base, and his versatility is his best skill. He is willing to take a walk, but lacks power and hasn't hit for much of an average. At this point, he looks like just an "organization player," a useful roster-filler.
John Sickels is the author of the 2003 Baseball Prospect Book, which can be ordered from his Web site, JohnSickels.com. His biography of Bob Feller will be published this fall by Brassey's. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife, son, and two cats. You can send John questions or comments at JASickels@aol.com.
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"He's been selected to the Hall Of Fame five years in a row." ~Ralph Kiner on Daryll Strawberry |
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