The recent trade of catcher Ramon Hernandez from Baltimore to Cincinnati did more than free up a spot for top catching prospect Matt Wieters. The trade also saved a little bit of cash for Baltimore and it netted the organization some minor league depth with the acquisition of prospects Justin Turner and Brandon Waring.

Turner, a middle infielder who has played mostly second base in his pro career, has done nothing but hit since signing out of Cal State Fullerton as a seventh-round draft pick in 2006. In three seasons, he has a career batting average of .310.

Last season, Turner batted .316/.372/.390 with an ISO of .074 in 136 High-A at-bats before being promoted to Double-A. At the higher level, Turner managed a line of .286/.364/.432 with an ISO of .143 in 280 at-bats. He also posted rates of 10.5 BB% and 19.3 K%.

The 24-year-old second baseman is likely half a season away from being ready to contribute at the Major League level and he adds much-needed middle infield depth to the upper levels of the minor league system.

Waring is a powerful player. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 draft out of a small college, the third baseman slugged 20 home runs in 68 rookie league games. In 2008, the 22-year-old moved up to A-ball and hit another 20 home runs in 119 games.

Waring also posted a line of .270/.335/.467 with an ISO of .197 in 441 at-bats. He struck out an alarming 35.4 percent of the time, while walking at a rate of 8.9 percent. His current approach at the plate suggests he will not hit for average as he nears the Majors. There are also questions about his defence and he may be unable to remain at third base, which would hurt his overall value – especially with Baltimore struggling to find a future option at that position.

Cincinnati was able to part with Waring due to the presence of third base prospects Juan Francisco, who was recently added to the 40-man roster, and Todd Frazier, who was the club’s supplemental first round draft pick in 2007. Turner was expendable for the Reds because of a glut of middle infield talent, including Chris Valaika, Adam Rosales, Paul Janish, and Zack Cozart.

Prior to the trade, neither Turner nor Waring was considered to be among Cincinnati’s top 10 prospects.

The prospect most impacted by the Ramon Hernandez–Ryan Freel trade was not directly involved in the transaction. By trading Hernandez to the Cincinnati Reds, the Baltimore Orioles all but signaled that top prospect Matt Wieters will be entrusted with the starting gig in 2009.

Currently, the Orioles’ 40-man roster does not even include a catcher with Hernandez traded and 2008 back-up Guillermo Quiroz recently designated for assignment. Wieters, the top catching prospect in all of Major League Baseball, does not have overly big shoes to fill. Hernandez managed a line of just .257/.308/.406 with a wOBA of .310 in 463 at-bats in 2008. Quiroz hit just .187/.259/.269 with a wOBA of .242 in 134 at-bats.

In his first professional season after signing as a first-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech in 2007, Wieters dominated the minor leagues with a .345/.451/.576 line in 229 High-A at-bats. He then carried that hot stick to Double-A where he hit .365/.463/.625 with an ISO of .260 in 208 at-bats. The 22-year-old catcher also showed excellent plate discipline with rates of 15.4 BB% and 13.9 K%. His wOBA at Double-A was .466. The switch-hitter performs well from both sides of the plate and posted lines of .382/.446/.740 against southpaws and .341/.455/.543 against right-handed pitching.

Defensively, Wieters is an excellent handler of pitchers, he is a leader on the field and he threw out 32 percent of those trying to steal against him in Double-A. Unfortunately, at 6’5” and 230 lbs he may outgrow the position. Regardless, Wieters has the potential to be the next big marquee name in Baltimore – somewhere between Nick Markakis and Cal Ripken. There are not many players – let alone catchers – with Wieters’ combination of power, ability to hit for average, understanding of the strike zone, leadership and defensive prowess.

From the Reds’ perspective, this trade provides some insurance in case over-aged rookie Ryan Hanigan is unable to handle the full-time catching role. The 28-year-old performed well in 2008, but he has just 95 career at-bats at the Major League level. The club also has Wilkin Castillo on the 40-man roster, who was acquired last season from the Diamondbacks in the Adam Dunn trade, but he is better as a jack-of-all-trades utility player and third string catcher – and he could also benefit from some more minor league seasoning.

The 2008 season was definitely the year of the first baseman when you consider how many of them were drafted in the first round of the amateur draft: seven out of 30 players, compared to one in both 2006 and 2007.

No first baseman drafted in the 2008 first round moved quicker than St. Louis’ Brett Wallace (although Toronto’s David Cooper played at three levels at topped out at High-A ball). The hulking first baseman, though, has been assigned to play third base to address an organizational weakness and to avoid that Albert Pujols guy at the Major League level.

Wallace had a modest beginning to his pro career with an assignment to A-ball, where many top college players start out. He hit .327/.394/.490 with an ISO of .163 in 153 at-bats. He also posted a walk rate of 10 percent and a strikeout rate of 20.9 percent. The organization then skipped Wallace over High-A ball and challenged him with a promotion to Double-A. Wallace responded by hitting .367/.392/.653 with an ISO of .286 in 49 at-bats.

He wasn’t done there, though. St. Louis then decided to send him for some extra work in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). Wallace’s bat did not skip a beat and he hit .309/.381/.585 with six home runs in 94 at-bats. The negatives, which bear watching, to the left-handed hitter’s season were that he struck out 27 times in 24 AFL games and hit just .182 against southpaws.

Wallace, who was drafted by the Blue Jays out of high school, likely will not be able to remain at third base at the Major League level due to limited range thanks to his 6’1” 245 lbs frame and thick lower half. That said, he has surprised some scouts with his play at the hot corner – by handling much of what he gets to, thanks to steady hands. If he cannot handle third base in St. Louis, Wallace will be a highly-sought-after trade commodity because he is not going to push the future Hall of Famer off of first base.

The Arizona Diamondbacks organization was busy late last month when it added four interesting relief pitching names to the 40-man roster. Those prospects added included left-handers Leyson Septimo, Clay Zavada, and right-handers Kyler Newby and Jose Marte.

Septimo was originally signed as an outfielder out of the Dominican Republic but hit just .254/.305/.349 in three seasons. He was converted to the mound to take advantage of an arm that could dial a fastball up into the high 90s. Septimo also has a power slider at his disposal. His first taste of pro pitching action occurred this past season at High-A ball with ‘meh’ results. Septimo allowed 42 hits in 41 innings and posted rates of 7.24 BB/9 and 9.66 K/9. He also posted a 4.96 FIP. He’ll likely need a little more seasoning in High-A ball before being promoted to Double-A.

Zavada was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks out of university in 2006. He made 22 relief appearances that same season in Rookie Ball and then left baseball in 2007. Zavada had a change of heart and worked his way back into shape in an independent baseball league before returning to the organization. In 24 A-ball games, the lefty allowed just six hits in 35.1 innings (a .057 batting average allowed). He also posted rates of 1.27 BB/9 and 13.75 K/9, while allowing just one home run ball. His FIP was 1.02. Zavada could skip over High-A ball and begin 2009 in Double-A. His fastball reaches the upper 80s, and his repertoire also includes a curveball and change-up.

Newby is determined. How else can you explain how the team’s final draft pick from 2004 (50th round by Arizona, 1,485th overall player chosen – only 13 other players were taken after him in the entire draft). Now, he didn’t sign right away as a junior college player, but he did sign with the club as a draft-and-follow player after spending another season playing for the Mesa Community College. In four years, Newby has posted a 2.30 ERA and allowed 103 hits in 164.1 innings. This past season in High-A ball, he allowed 49 hits in 67 innings. Newby also posted rates of 4.03 BB/9 and 11.55 K/9 thanks to a repertoire that includes an 88-92 mph fastball, a curveball and change-up.

Marte was acquired from the Texas Rangers organization prior to the 2008 season and made some strides thanks to the change of scenery. He appeared in nine High-A ball games and was then promoted to Double-A where he allowed 50 hits in 49.1 innings. Marte posted rates of 4.38 BB/9 and 6.75 K/9. He is a fastball-slider pitcher who can reach the mid-90s with the heater.

It’s rare for a team to devote so many roster spots to young relievers but with the value of pitching at an all-time high, the Diamondbacks could very well have lost any one of them in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

Like kids on Christmas morning tearing open their presents while bleary-eyed parents are still walking downstairs from their bedroom, general managers Frank Wren and Kenny Williams could not wait for the 2008 MLB Winter Meetings, which begin on Monday. The Atlanta Braves organization, pending physicals, has acquired Major League starting pitcher Javier Vazquez and southpaw reliever Boone Logan for a collection of prospects headed to the Chicago White Sox. Dave Cameron tackled the Vazquez breakdown, while this article will highlight those four prospects obtained by the White Sox.

Catcher Tyler Flowers is the headliner in the deal from the White Sox’ perspective. The 22-year-old just finished up his third professional season after being selected by the Braves out of Chipola Junior College with a 33rd round pick in 2005 (He had also been drafted by the club the previous year in the 27th round but declined to sign).

Flowers finally put his name to a contract as a draft-and-follow and began his pro career in 2006 in Rookie Ball. He hit immediately and managed a line of .279/.373/.465 with an ISO of .186 in 34 games. The next season at A-ball, his stats line increased to .298/.377/.488 with an ISO of 190 in 389 at-bats. Flowers also posted rates of 11.2 BB% and 19.0 K%, along with a wOBA of .367. This past season, the power-hitting catcher played in High-A ball and posted a line of .288/.425/.494 with an ISO of .206 and a wOBA of .393. His rates included a 19.2 walk percentage (98 walks in 2008) and a 24.7 strikeout percentage.

Although he had a great regular season in 2008, Flowers’ value took a huge jump when he was assigned to the Arizona Fall League and exploded. He hit .387/.460/.973 with a league-leading 12 home runs in just 75 at-bats (one home runs every 6.25 at-bats). If the Braves organization did not have Brian McCann behind the plate already – along with defence expert Clint Sammons to serve as the back-up – Flowers would not have been going anywhere.

The downside to Flowers, though, is his defence. Scouts are split on whether he’ll be able to stick behind the dish. He made 12 errors in 84 games this past season and threw out 43 of 155 base stealers (28%). Flowers is considered an excellent receiver, but he is still working on his game calling. Even if he doesn’t stick behind the plate, it appears as though Flowers will have more than enough bat to play first base. If he does remain behind the plate, though, the right-handed hitter could become one of the best offensive catchers in the game.

The most advanced player in the deal, Brent Lillibridge had a poor offensive season in 2008, which decreased his overall value. The middle infielder, who has played mostly shortstop in his career, spent last season splitting time between Atlanta and Triple-A. Despite having a career batting average of .270, the 25-year-old hit just .220/.286/.344 with an ISO of .124 and a wOBA of .280 in 355 Triple-A at-bats in his second season at that level. He also posted rates of 8.5 BB% and 25.4%. In 29 Major League games, Lillibridge hit .200/.238/.338 with an ISO of .138. The former fourth round draft pick (by the Pirates), does have quite a bit of speed and in the past three seasons he has stolen 120 bases, including 25 in 2008. He has the range and arm strength to play shortstop at the Major League level, although he could compete for the second base job in spring training depending on how the middle infielder story plays out this winter.

Jon Gilmore was a 2007 supplemental first round selection out of an Iowa high school. He has spent the past two seasons playing in Rookie Ball, although he received a late-season promotion to A-ball in 2008. At the lower level, the third baseman hit .337/.369/.473 with an ISO of .136 and a wOBA of .357. His walk rate was just 4.8% but his strikeout rate was a respectable 15.9%. Upon his promotion to A-ball, Gilmore hit just .186/.202/.196 in 102 at-bats. Although he did not display above-average, in-game power in 2008, the 20-year-old has excellent raw power. A former football player, Gilmore is a good athlete and is an average defensive third base, with an outside shot of becoming a plus defender.

Santos Rodriguez is the least-known name of the quartet. The 20-year-old southpaw is in his second season in North America and has spent both years in Rookie Ball. After posting a 6.67 ERA in 2007 (but a FIP of 4.75), Rodriguez allowed just 16 hits in 29 relief innings this past season. He posted rates of 4.07 BB/9 and 13.97 K/9 with no home runs allowed. More than just a LOOGY-in-the-making, the Dominican held right-handed batters to a .138 batting average. He has that power arm that Chicago covets in relievers, but he is extremely raw and needs to develop reliable secondary pitches.

Overall, the White Sox organization is receiving an outstanding offensive catcher, a middle infielder with average offensive potential and two very raw players who are still in Rookie Ball – for a number three starter who has pitched more than 200 innings each of the last four seasons and has struck out more than 200 batters in each of the past two seasons.

The Detroit Tigers organization is not known for its minor league depth. In fact, its system ranks as one of the worst in all of Major League Baseball. Regardless, a number of interesting minor league pitchers were added to the Tigers’ 40-man roster recently, in order to protect those players from the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 11.

Zach Simons, who was originally drafted by the Rockies in the second round of the 2005 draft and traded to Detroit this past season for veteran reliever Jason Grilli, had an intriguing season. In High-A ball for Detroit, Simons allowed just 29 hits (.166 average) in 53.1 innings of work. Oddly though, he allowed more walks than hits, with 30. Simons also fanned 61 batters. He has a low-90s sinking fastball that tops out around 94 mph, along with a slider and change-up. Coming out of community college, Simons was a starter who was converted to the bullpen after a disastrous 2006 season, when he allowed 134 hits in 111.2 innings and posted an ERA of 6.29. After the 2008 regular season, Simons was assigned to the Arizona Fall League where he allowed 12 hits and seven walks in 13 innings. He struck out just six batters but impressed Detroit enough to earn a spot on the 40-man roster.

Guillermo Moscoso was another name that came out of left field for a lot of Tigers fans, when he was added to the 40-man roster. His name was not even mentioned in the winter of 2007 or spring of 2008 as one of Detroit’s top prospects. Moscoso’s 2008 season changed that, though. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed just 36 hits in 52 High-A innings, as well as rates of 2.25 BB/9 and 12.46 K/9. Upon a promotion to Double-A, Moscoso allowed 24 hits in 34.2 innings, with rates of 2.08 BB/9 and 12.98 K/9. The talent was always obvious, as he pitched a perfect game in Short Season ball in 2007. He throws an 88-92 mph fastball, along with an average curveball and change-up.

The third pitcher added to the 40-man roster was Alfredo Figaro, a right-hander who posted a 12-2 record in A-ball before struggling upon a promotion to High-A. At the lower level, he allowed 99 hits in 123 innings of work. He also posted rates of 2.20 BB/9 and 7.02 K/9. In High-A, Figaro allowed 37 hits in 29.1 innings and his walk rate jumped significantly to 3.68 BB/9. He is still raw but Detroit likes his fastball (which touches 94 mph) and curveball. He also has as developing change-up.

All three pitchers remain raw but they offer some much-needed talent to the weak system.

Pittsburgh Pirates’ and Houston Astros’ right-hander Doug Drabek was one of the better National League pitchers in the late ’80s and early ’90s. In total, he won 155 games over the span of 13 seasons, which also included two seasons in the American League with Chicago and Baltimore. He won the 1990 National League Cy Young award after going 22-6.

Doug and his wife celebrated the beginning of his second season in the Majors by conceiving son Kyle Drabek in the spring of 1987. He was born on Dec. 8 of that year. Eighteen years later, he was selected 18th overall by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2006 amateur draft out of a Texas high school (Father Doug was selected by the New York Yankees in the 11th round of the 1983 draft out of the University of Houston, after turning Cleveland down in the fourth round out of high school).

Doug spent just over three seasons in the minors before making his pro debut. Kyle, three years younger when he made his pro debut, has already spent three seasons in the minors but he missed part of 2007 and most of 2008 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He has looked impressive upon his return.

Kyle allowed just 17 hits in 32.1 innings of work and posted rates of 2.66 BB/9 and 4.43 K/9 in four starts in Short Season ball (He also made four starts in Rookie Ball) this past season. The strikeouts are down, but he allowed just one home run in the 32.1 innings. Needing more work, the Phillies organization sent Kyle to the Hawaii Winter Baseball league after the World Series concluded. There, facing many players older and more advanced than him, Kyle allowed just eight hits in 20.2 innings. He walked four and struck out 19 batters. The right-hander also followed his season trend of inducing almost two ground ball outs for every fly ball out.

Kyle certainly has the stuff to succeed. Prior to the surgery, he was touching 97 mph with his fastball and his out-pitch was a wicked curveball. He is also working to develop a reliable change-up as his third pitch. With his combination of an electric repertoire, a heavy ball and a lifetime around the game, Kyle is well on his way to making his own name in Major League Baseball – perhaps as soon as 2010.

It wasn’t long ago that the Atlanta Braves organization had the best pitching in baseball, with a staff that included John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Greg Maddux, among other talent hurlers. The starting rotation, to a degree, has fallen into disarray in recent seasons.

But help is on the way.

Right-hander Tommy Hanson was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2005 draft out of Riverside Community College. He signed as a draft-and-follow (a now extinct process) prior to the 2006 season and made his pro debut that same year in a Rookie Ball league. He then spent 2007 split between two A-ball affiliates.

Hanson entered 2008 in the rotation for the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans. He allowed just 15 hits in 40 innings, over seven starts. He walked 11 batters (2.48 BB/9) and fanned 49 (11.03 K/9). Atlanta then promoted the talented hurler to face more challenging situations in Double-A. He allowed 70 hits in 98 innings. Hanson’s control wavered a bit and he posted rates of 3.77, with 10.47 strikeouts per nine innings. One obvious downside to his 2008 numbers was the fact that he was an extreme flyball pitcher and had just a 32 GB% during his first stop of the season and 41 GB% in Double-A.

Although he was not quite as dominating in Double-A overall, Hanson showed he was on the cusp of helping the big league club. Sensing that, the organization sent Hanson to get some extra work in the Arizona Fall League – which pits some of the best prospects in baseball against one another for more than a month. Players also receive extra instruction and drills to help further develop their skills. Hanson decided to make his fellow prospects look foolish.

In seven starts, he allowed 10 hits in 28.2 innings. Hanson struck out 49 batters and allowed just seven free passes. He was also lit up for just one home run. Right-handed batters hit .090 against him, while lefties managed just a .143 average. With runners in scoring position, Hanson held batters to a .067 average and struck out 11 of the 18 batters he faced.

The Atlanta Braves’ 2009 starting rotation currently features only two pitchers guaranteed of roles: Jair Jurrjens and Jorge Campillo. As a result, Hanson has a legitimate shot at breaking camp with the club in April, although a little more development time in Triple-A certainly would not hurt. Either way, as long as he stays healthy, Hanson should make his Major League debut in 2009.

The Graduate: Max Scherzer | Born: July 1984 | Right-Handed Pitcher

Max Scherzer found much success at the Major League level in 2008, which was made all the more impressive by the fact he held his own regardless of the role assigned to him. He started seven games and also made nine relief appearances. In total, he allowed 48 hits in 56 innings of work. Scherzer posted rates of 3.38 BB/9 and 10.61 K/9, along with a 3.33 FIP. One warning sign with his season, though, is a high line-drive rate at 28.1%. Scherzer certainly has the stuff to have a dominating career, with a fastball that averages 94.2 mph, as well as a slider and change-up.

The Riser: Cesar Valdez | Born: March 1985 | Right-Handed Pitcher

A recent addition to the 40-man roster, Cesar Valdez split the year between High-A ball and Double-A. In total, he used his fringe fastball and excellent secondary pitches (curve and change) to strike out 140 batters in 160.1 innings of work. Valdez’ plus control, though, struggled a bit upon the promotion, as it increased from 1.50 to 3.22 BB/9. His K/BB ratio also dropped from 5.00 to 2.61. The 2009 season will be a big year for Valdez as it will help to determine whether his stuff will play against more advanced hitters.

The Tumbler: Barry Enright | Born: March 1986 | Right-Handed Pitcher

A 2007 second-round draft pick out of college, Barry Enright made his pro debut that same year out of the bullpen and did not allow an earned run over three minor league levels (15 innings). Moved back into the starting rotation in 2008, which is the role he held in college, Enright struggled in High-A ball and allowed 185 hits in 164.1 innings. He posted rates of 1.92 BB/9 and 7.83 K/9. His fastball is in the upper 80s and peaks at 92 mph. His slider is his second best offering and the change-up is lacking. Enright is probably best suited for the bullpen.

The ’08 Draft Pick: Bryan Shaw | Born: November 1987 | Right-Handed Pitcher

The Diamondbacks’ second round selection in 2008, Bryan Shaw had an up-and-down debut. He started his pro career in Rookie ball but struggled by allowing 24 hits in 17.1 innings. Shaw was then promoted to A-ball, where he improved by allowing 18 hits in 22.1 innings. The reliever also walked six and struck out 16. Shaw should begin 2009 in High-A ball, where he could dominate with a mid-90s fastball and wipe-out slider.

The ’09 Sleeper: Evan Frey | Born: June 1986 | Outfielder

The Diamondbacks organization has had a lot of success with developing outfielders and Evan Frey is no different. The speedy outfielder stole 37 bases between two A-ball levels. At High-A ball, Frey hit .297/.395/.402 with an ISO of .105. A left-handed batter, Frey understands the value of getting on base to utilize his speed. He posted rates of 13.9 BB% and 20.1 K%. At the very least, he should be a valuable fourth outfielder at the Major League level.

This concludes the two-month, 30-team review of the 2008 minor league season. Thanks for reading!

The Graduate: Ian Stewart | Born: April 1985 | Infielder

Only 23, Ian Stewart has been on the prospect radar since being selected 10th overall in 2003 out of a California high school. His ceiling is not as high as it used to be, but Stewart still has a lot of promise and should have a full-time gig in Colorado in 2009 at either second base, third base… or maybe even first base… depending on how the off-season plays out. In 2008 at the MLB level, Stewart hit .259/.349/.455 with an ISO of .195 in 266 at-bats. To have long-term success, he needs to produce better rates than those he accumulated in 2008: 10.1 BB% and 35.3 K%.

The Riser: Jhoulys Chacin | Born: January 1988 | Right-Handed Pitcher

In just his first full season in North America, the Venezuela native absolutely exploded and spent the second half of the season in High-A. Jhoulys Chacin will likely open 2009 in Double-A at the age of 21. This past season, he allowed just 82 hits in 111.1 innings with rates of 2.43 BB/9 and 7.92 K/9 at A-ball. Upon a promotion to High-A, Chacin allowed 61 hits and rates of 1.63 BB/9 and 8.41 K/9 in 66.2 innings. Although he was a little more hittable against better competition, his BABIP increased from .268 to .317 and his K/BB ratio was an eye-popping 5.17. With improving command, a low-90s fastball and developing secondary stuff, he has the potential to be a dominating Major League starter.

The Tumbler: Chaz Roe | Born: October 1986 | Right-Handed Pitcher

A supplemental first round selection from the 2005 draft, Chaz Roe has recently been passed by a number of pitching prospects in the system. He struggled through some injuries in 2008, a year after pitching a career-high 170 innings. Roe spent the majority of the season in Double-A, where he allowed 98 hits in 105.1 innings with rates of 2.91 BB/9 and 5.98 K/9. His walk rates have improved each of the last three seasons, but his strikeouts rates have dropped over that same period. Roe may be suited to the bullpen with a low-90s fastball and plus curveball. His change-up is lacking.

The ’08 Draft Pick: Delta Cleary | Born: August 1989 | Outfielder

Delta Cleary is your basic high-risk, high-reward player. He went undrafted until the 37th round of the 2008 draft out of junior college and the Rockies organization got him under contract thanks to a $250,000 investment. In his debut in Rookie Ball, Cleary hit .276/.315/.400 with an ISO of .124 in 105 at-bats. He posted rates of 5.4 BB% and 18.1 K%. He has a lot of work to do, but Cleary has 30-30 potential.

The ’09 Sleeper: Eric Young Jr. | Born: May 1985 | Second Baseman

Eric Young Sr. patrolled second base for the Rockies for parts of five seasons beginning in 1993 and son Eric Young Jr. could be next in line for the second base job in Colorado. The younger Young missed some time with injuries in 2008 but still managed to hit .290/.384/.392 with 46 stolen bases in 403 at-bats. He has hit more than .290 in each of the past three seasons and stolen 87 bases in 2006 and 73 bases in 2007. Young embraces the small-ball game, gets on base and is a smart base runner. After the 2008 season, he headed to the Arizona Fall League where he hit .430/.504/.640 with another 20 stolen bases in 31 games.

Up Next: The Arizona Diamondbacks