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Prospect Stock Watch: Kyle Hendricks

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August 13, 2013

I’ve received more emails asking about Kyle Hendricks than any other prospect in recent weeks. Everyone seems to be curious about the Cubs’ right-handed pitching prospect who posted a 1.85 ERA in 21 Double-A starts. Due to popular demand, he leads off this edition of the Prospect Stock Watch.

Kyle Hendricks, RHP, Chicago Cubs: The hurler’s numbers immediately jump out: 1.85 ERA, 107 hits allowed in 126.1 innings (7.72 H/9) and just 26 walks (1.85 BB/9). The catch with Hendricks, though, is that he has a fringe-average fastball in the 87-91 mph range. He’s dominated hitters in the minors due to above-average control and command of his four-pitch repertoire (fastball, curveball, cutter, changeup).

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Marc Hulet Prospects Chat – 8/9/13

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August 9, 2013
11:52
: I’m running a couple minutes behind but we’ll get started in about 10-15 minutes… Get your prospect questions in now!
12:04
Comment From Camp
I traded Jose Fernandez and Granderson for Kershaw in a year to year mixer. Good deal for me?

12:05
: It’s hard to get better than Kershaw and if your league uses wins then he’s definitely more likely to help you than Fernandez…
12:05
Comment From Anthony
Do you expect the Pirates will call up Lambo any time soon, and, if so, will he be a valuable contributor?

12:06
: I mentioned this last week, too… Lambo is more of a quad-A guy and possible bench contributor at the big league level than true starting marterial
12:06
Comment From Roger
Is Bogaerts ready for a major-league trial? And is there any risk to his development by bringing him up?

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Prospect Stock Watch: Minnesota Twins

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August 7, 2013

The Minnesota Twins’ Double-A affiliate in New Britain, CT features a plethora of top prospects, including three of the best hitting prospects in the system. They were on full display during a late July series against the Philadelphia Phillies’ Double-A affiliate in Reading, PA.

Eddie Rosario, 2B

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Prospect Stock Watch: Philadelphia Phillies

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August 5, 2013

Top prospects for both the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins collided in a late-July series in the Double-A Eastern League. In the July 28 matchup, the Phillies Double-A affiliate, from Reading, Pa., fielded the top two talents in the system, as well as a former top pitching prospect whose career is currently is in flux.

Jesse Biddle, LHP

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Marc Hulet Prospects Chat – 8/2/13

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August 2, 2013
11:45
: We’ll get started in about 15 minutes… get your questions in!
11:58
Comment From leaping hurdles
Has Andrew Lambo slugged himself into the conversation as decent prospect again?

11:58
: Not really… he’s still somewhat young so he could perhaps provide some left-handed pop off the bench but he has little to no defensive value and some pretty big holes in his swing.
11:59
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Is Sonny Gray destined to be a reliever?

12:00
: That was the concern early in his career and when he was in college but he’s made enough adjustments to suggest he could be an impact starter — as long as he can keep a good downward plane on his fastball.
12:01
Comment From Andrew
What do you make of the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks? Ceiling and floor?

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The Prospect Stockwatch featuring Tony Wolters

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July 29, 2013

It’s never easy to develop impact catchers. When FanGraphs rolled out the recent mid-season Top 50 prospects list there were only three catchers represented on the list: Travis d’Arnaud, Austin Hedges, and Gary Sanchez. Cleveland is an organization that has certainly struggled to develop big league catchers. The 40-man roster currently features three catchers and all three were developed by other organizations: Carlos Santana (Dodgers), Yan Gomes (Blue Jays), and Lou Marson (Phillies). The club’s Top 20 prospect list didn’t feature a catcher until the announcement was made that Tony Wolters — who ranked ninth on the list as a middle infielder — was being converted to catcher.

The move has caused the California native’s value to skyrocket. His above-average athleticism has allowed him to smoothly transition into his new position. A talent evaluator I spoke with recently said Wolters has a good chance to be an everyday catcher at the big league level. “Tony has embraced it completely and every coordinator, scout or coach that has seen him catch has been extremely impressed with how quickly he’s taken to the position and how natural it appears to be to Tony,” he said. “He has shown more than enough potential to remain there.”

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Marc Hulet Prospects Chat – 7/26/13

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July 26, 2013
11:42
: We’ll get started in about 15 minutes…. get your questions in early!
11:54
Comment From Dr. Met
Can you name 3 guys who immediately jump out at you as likely to be promoted once the trading smoke clears next week?

11:55
: I wrote a piece for Prospect Insider looking at five AL prospects that could get called up in the second half (with the NL coming next week) and mentioned Taijuan Walker, Asher Wojciechowski, Marcus Stroman, Nick Castellanos and Xander Bogaerts.
11:55
Comment From dgco
I hear varying opinions on Jose Ramirez (NYA). Any thoughts?

11:56
: I saw him pitch in May… good fastball, excellent change up — the breaking ball will determine his eventual role: starter or reliever… I have hope for him as a No. 3/4 guy but time will tell.
11:56
Comment From Milhouse
Does a prospect come to mind who could be a Matt Carpenter type? Kevin Pillar maybe though he’s an OF vs. IF?

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Miami Adds Top Prospects to Outfield Mix

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July 23, 2013

The Miami Marlins organization made a bold move on Monday night when it was announced that outfield prospects Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick were promoted from Double-A to the big league squad. In return, 2013 rookies Derek Dietrich, an infielder, and Marcell Ozuna, an outfielder, were returned to the minor leagues. Interestingly, Ozuna checks in with the highest WAR (1.9) of any Marlins hitter in 2013. On the recent Top 50 prospects list at FanGraphs, Yelich came in 12th overall, while Marisnick checked in at 46.

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Cubs Strengthen Organizational Depth with Garza Deal

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July 23, 2013

The Matt Garza sweepstakes finally ended on Monday, with the Texas Rangers emerging victorious in their long pursuit of the Chicago Cubs veteran hurler. In return for the 29-year-old right-hander, Chicago obtained three young players — third baseman Mike Olt, as well as pitchers Justin Grimm and C.J. Edwards — and one or two players to be named later (depending on who the first PTBNL is).

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Marc Hulet Prospects Chat – 7/19/13

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July 19, 2013
11:40
: We’ll get started in 15-20 minutes so get your prospect questions in now… lots to talk about with the trade deadline looming.
11:57
Comment From Woods
What will Oswaldo Arcia’s 2014 look like?

11:58
: I’m hoping he can hit around .270 with 15-20 homers… a very solid season…
11:58
Comment From Howie
What Rookie ball and Short Season prospects appear to be breaking out?

11:59
: We still have about a month and a half until I’m comfortable really commenting on that… still too small of a sample. Three really good or bad games can really mess with the stats and the same can be said for the display of tools.
11:59
Comment From James
If the Mets were to move Byrd or Buck, what type of prospects could they expect in return? Could they land a top 50 prospect for Murphy, Parnell, and/or Gee?

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