Kyle Blanks has certainly made a name for himself in the past two seasons by hitting more than .300 with in both High-A and Double-A, while driving in a total of 207 runs in 251 games. His OPS was above .900 at each level.

The slugging first baseman also won’t be missed on the field, as he checks in 6’6” and 270 lbs. But the big question (pun intended) with Blanks is: “Does he have a future in San Diego?”

The Padres team plays in a spacious stadium that puts an emphasis on pitching and defence. The club already employs a talented offensive and defensive first base in Adrian Gonzalez, who is only 26 years of age and hit .279/.361/.510 with an ISO of .231 in 616 games. He also won his first Golf Glove in 2008.

Blanks is a step below Gonzalez both offensively and defensively – although he quite possibly possesses more raw power. The hulking player is not going to play anywhere on the diamond other than first base or DH, although he is a little more athletic than he looks and did manage to steal 11 bases in 13 attempts in 2007. He also has a strong arm in the field.

It’s possible that Blanks could eventually serve as a pinch hitter and spell Gonzalez – a left-handed batter – at first base during games when the Padres face a tough southpaw, but his potential would be ruined by a bench job – and it might hinder his conditioning efforts.

Blanks’ future is also further muddled by the fact that the Padres organization spent its 2008 first round draft pick on Allan Dykstra, a college first baseman. He made his debut in High-A ball and could be in Double-A before the end of 2009, if all goes well.

The best-case scenario for Blanks is likely a trade out of San Diego to a stadium where his best asset – his power – can be fully realized. But the main problem with that is that San Diego is a long way from contending and clubs rarely trade prospects for prospects. It’s possible, though, they he could be used in a package to help acquire some young MLB pitching, which would benefit the Padres more than a slugging one-dimensional first baseman.

It’s safe to say the Seattle Mariners organization has made some interesting moves and decisions in the last year or more. One of those transactions – re-signing Kenji Johjimas to a three-year, $24-million contract extension in April of 2008 – continues to have ripple effects throughout the minor league system.

The club’s top pick from the 2005 draft, Jeff Clement, has seen his MLB catching career come to a screeching halt thanks to the presence of Johjima, whose career line of .272/.313/.412 and three-year offensive slide, fails to instill fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers (and the .227 batting average in 2008 just adds insult to injury). The move also keeps the underrated Rob Johnson from receiving the opportunity that he deserves.

Johnson, 25, was selected out of college in the fourth round of the 2004 draft. After his second pro season, he was jumped all the way to Triple-A to begin 2006 despite having played just 19 games above A-ball – due to his excellent leadership skills and developing defence.

Johnson has now been stuck at Triple-A for the last three years. His numbers have increased significantly each of those past three seasons and he finished 2008 with a line of .305/.361/.441 with an ISO of .137 in 417 at-bats. He also posted rates of 8.1 BB% and 14.6 K%. Johnson struggled in a brief MLB call-up with a .127 batting average in 31 at-bats.

The right-handed hitting catcher has struggled to hit well against right-handed pitching in his career, but he improved in 2008 and managed a line of .316/.367/.466 in 320 at-bats. Johnson did, however, revert to his old ways in the Arizona Fall League when he posted a batting average of .195 in 41 at-bats against right-handers.

Defensively, he threw out 37 percent of base stealers in Triple-A with his strong arm. Johnson also calls a good game, but is still working on his receiving skills.

It’s possible that Johnson could back-up Johjima in 2009 with Clement seeing time as the third-string catcher, as well as a part-time player at DH and first base. But Clement needs to play behind the dish at least three times a week to avoid tarnishing his already questionable catching skills – and Johjima is making a lot of money to justify sitting more than two or three times a week. Johnson has the ability to be an above-average defensive catcher and at least an average offensive backstop – if he can play more than once of twice a week.

Prospect Adam Moore, an offensive-minded catcher, should spend the season in Triple-A and is not far from being ready for the Majors – and his offensive upside is stronger than everyone this side of Clement. The Mariners have a bit of a mess behind the dish with three MLB-worthy catchers (and a Triple-A prospect)… and it could have all been avoided by letting Johjima walk after the 2008 season.

You cannot help but be impressed by the Colorado Rockies’ middle infield depth. The Major League club has infielders Troy Tulowitzki and Clint Barmes, as well as the likes of Omar Quintanilla, Jeff Baker and Ian Stewart (the latter two profile better as corner infielders, though) serving as back-ups.

At the minor league level, the club has Jonathan Herrera, Chris Nelson, Eric Young Jr., and Hector Gomez – all of whom are currently on the 40-man roster. The Rockies also lost speedy A-ball infielder Everth Cabrera to the San Diego Padres in the recent Rule 5 draft (although he could be returned if he is unable to stick in the Majors for all of 2009). Two more interesting minor league infielders were also left unprotected during the Rule 5 draft – Corey Wimberly and Daniel Mayora – mainly due to the overwhelming depth in the organization.

Of the six players who do not have (all but) guaranteed roles in the Majors in 2009, Herrera is the closest to helping out at the Major League level. He made his MLB debut in 2008 and appeared in 28 games for Colorado, while posting a line of .230/.277/.279. The 24-year-old spent the majority of 2008 in Triple-A, where he managed a batting average of .310 and stole 15 bases.

Young is not far behind Herrera. Although he has yet to appear in the Majors, Young had a solid 2008 season in Double-A where he hit .290/.384/.392 with 46 stolen bases in 105 games. He broke out in a big way in the Arizona Fall League after the regular season concluded. Young hit .430/.504/.640 with another 20 stolen bases (in 21 attempts) in 31 games.

Nelson was the club’s first-round draft pick in 2004 and he realized his potential in 2007 with an excellent offensive season in High-A ball. Unfortunately, he struggled with injuries in 2008 and hit just .237/.321/.346 in 283 Double-A at-bats. He should return to that level in 2009, but could move quickly if he is fully healthy.

Wimberly has almost zero power but he can run like the wind and has stolen 181 bases in 354 career games. He hit .291 in Double-A last season and showed a willingness to get on base via the walk – at least more so than in other seasons. Daniel Mayora will likely begin 2009 in Double-A with Nelson, while Hector Gomez should visit High-A ball.

Every single one of those minor league middle infielders has enough potential to be considered amongst the organization’s top 25-30 prospects. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what you call depth.

Nationals: Terrell Young RHP, formerly of the Reds.

Naturally, Jim Bowden takes a Red. Young is 23 and spent last season in High-A ball. Young’s FIPs have improved in increments, but his strikeout and walk rates are bad, and that is bad meaning bad not bad meaning good. From rookie ball up: 7.71 BB/9 (23.3 IP), 8.10 (6.6), 5.60 (35.3), 5.26 (25.6), and 3.48 (33.6). Young is a career reliever and throws his fastball hard.

Mariners: Reegie Corona, MIF, formerly of the Yankees

Corona gets the award for “Name most likely to be misspelled”. In Double-A Corona hit .274/.345/.365, which is a close mimic of his career line, .264/.336/.336. Corona also stole some bases, and was 24 for 28. Dave likens him to the Mariners new version of Willie Bloomquist.

Padres: Everth Cabrera, MIF, formerly of the Rockies

Another young middle infielder, Cabrera has yet to touch Double-A, but has some success in the lower levels. Most notable about Cabrera are his steal totals: 104 of 132, or about 79%. Of his seven career homeruns, six came in 2008. He’ll probably see some time with the Padres, if only in a role similar to Corona.

Pirates: Donald Veal, LHP, formerly of the Cubs

Veal throws a mid-90’s fastball and has control issues. The Pirates seem to love taking gambles on those types and did so last year as well with Evan Meek. Considering their alternatives, it’s easy to see Veal sticking all season, perhaps as John Grabow’s replacement.

Orioles: Lou Palmisano, C, formerly of the Brewers

Injuries zapped Palmisano’s 2008, limiting him to a little over 100 at-bats. The Orioles later traded him to the Houston Astros for cash. In the minors Palmisano possesses a career .760 OPS,

Amongst some other notable picks:
The Mets selected RHP Darren O’Day from the Angels.
The Brewers selected RHP Eduardo Morlan from the Rays.
The Diamondbacks selected C James Skelton from the Tigers.

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 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.