Archive for Vince Mazzaro

The Kansas City Royals possess one of the most fertile farm systems in recent memory. In addition to top position prospects Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Will Myers, K.C. has unparalleled pitching talent — Mike Montgomery, John Lamb, Danny Duffy and Christopher Dwyer are potential top-of-the-rotation lefties. From the right, there’s Aaron Crow and two of the four youngsters acquired in the Zack Greinke deal, Jeremy Jeffress (likely headed to the ‘pen) and Jacob Odorizzi. Pitching prospects are more volatile than their position player counterparts, so some of the arms listed above will almost assuredly flame out due to injury or attrition. But by sheer volume, Dayton Moore should soon be able to fill out the front of the Royals’ rotation with talented, cost-controlled pitchers.

Before the prospect cavalry arrives, though, things could get ugly. Post-Greinke, Kansas City’s Opening Day rotation figures to include Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, Vin Mazzaro and Sean O’Sullivan, with Gil Meche a long shot to log significant innings due to a damaged shoulder (he may just stay in the bullpen). Chances are, the team adds a low-level free agent starter or two to compete for the fifth spot.

Dan Szymborski has released 2011 ZiPS projections for K.C. Here are the forecasts for the four guys currently penciled into the rotation, as well as Meche. I’d recommend that fans keep their noses buried in Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook this season, because Royals games might look like Charlie Brown’s All-Stars running on a loop until those celebrated arms arrive:

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The Graduate: Daric Barton | Born: August 1985 | First Baseman

Daric Barton was being counted on to help carry the offence in 2008, but he regressed significantly after a promising minor league career and brief cup of coffee in the Majors in 2007. The former catcher, who was acquired in the trade with St. Louis for Mark Mulder, hit just .226/.327/.348 in 446 at-bats after posting a career minor league line of .299/.411/.455. He likely put too much pressure on himself to drive in the big runs. He should get a second chance in 2009 and is still only 23 years old.

The Riser: Vince Mazzaro | Born: September 1986 | Right-Handed Pitcher

Vince Mazzaro made huge strides in 2008 after struggling in both 2006 and 2007. He began the year in Double-A, where he was dominating. Mazzaro posted an ERA of 1.90 and allowed just 115 hits 137.1 innings. He posted rates of 2.36 BB/9 and 6.82 K/9 with his repertoire of a low-90s fastball, plus change-up and developing curveball. He was roughed up a bit during a late-season promotion to Triple-A and allowed 49 hits in 33.2 innings of work. On the plus side, Mazzaro’s other rates held and his BABIP was .404.

The Tumbler: Henry Rodriguez | Born: February 1987 | Right-Handed Pitcher

The hard-throwing Venezuelan took a big step backward last season after getting pounded in Double-A, in part due to inconsistent command and in part due to the lack of a reliable breaking ball. Henry Rodriguez can throw 92-96 mph and even touch 100 mph, but better hitters can sit on the pitch. He second best pitch is a change-up. He has a ways to go to harness his stuff after posting a rate of 9.66 BB/9 in 41 Double-A innings.

The ’08 Draft Pick: Rashun Dixon | Born: August 1990 | Outfielder

Rashun Dixon is not a typical A’s draft pick. The athletic, but raw, outfielder was considered the best hitting prospect in Mississippi and had committed to play football in college. He has the potential to be a 30-30 player if he can harness his abilities. He struck out far too much in his debut in rookie ball (38 K%) but he slugged 10 triples and posted an ISO of .263. Patience is required, as Dixon should move slowly through the minor league system.

The ’09 Sleeper: Andrew Carignan | Born: July 1986 | Right-Handed Pitcher

A 2007 fifth round pick, Andrew Carignan has done nothing but post solid numbers in his pro career. The late-game reliever spent most of 2008 in Double-A, in his first full pro season. Carignan allowed just 36 hits in 52.2 Double-A innings but walked too many (6.66 BB/9), while striking out a ton (11.45 K/9). Once he develops better command, Carignan could challenge for a set-up role in Oakland.

Up Next: The Florida Marlins

The Oakland Athletics organization has one of the most talent-laden minor league systems in the game. The majority of those prospects, though, have been collected from other organizations through various transactions including trades.

Even so, the Athletics organization has been successful, to a degree, at drafting promising arms. In 2005, despite its reputation for favoring advanced college products, the club focused its efforts on selecting some talented prep arms early in the draft. In the first seven rounds, the organization selected five high school pitchers in nine selections.

Kevin Bunch, a right-hander drafted out of a California high school, was the last of those players selected. He managed just two pro seasons and ended his career in 2006 by allowing 31 hits and nine walks in 16.1 Short Season innings.

Scott Deal was selected in the fifth round out of a Washington high school. The right-hander spent two OK seasons in Short Season ball and has been in the Midwest League for the past two seasons. Still only 21, Deal has served a variety of roles for Kane County this season and has made 10 starts in 21 appearances. He has a 3.73 ERA and has allowed 79 hits in 82 innings.

Vince Mazzaro was drafted in the third round out of a New Jersey high school. He signed late and did not make his pro debut until 2006 when he was assigned to the Midwest League. Mazzaro, a right-hander, had two unspectacular seasons in A-ball before being challenged with a promotion to Double-A to begin 2008. He has thrived at the level and currently has a 2.11 ERA and has allowed 103 hits in 119.1 innings. Mazzaro has struck out just 89 batters with 32 walks. He has become less hittable the last three seasons as he ascended through the minors: 11.01 H/9, 9.31 H/9, 8.00 H/9.

Right-handers Jared Lansford and Craig Italiano were both selected in the second round of the 2005 draft. Jared, 21, is the son of former A’s third baseman Carney Lansford. Jared has had an up-and-down career and followed up a solid 2006 season (2.86 ERA, 87 hits in 104 innings) by missing all of 2007 due to an injury. This season in High-A ball, he has been pitching out of the bullpen and has allowed 57 hits in 60.1 innings. He has walked 20 and struck out 73. Left-handers are hitting .330 against him, while right-handers are batting just .188.

Italiano is the most promising of the five early round prep pitchers. His success is a testament to his dedication and commitment, as he managed to throw less than 54 innings in his first three pro seasons due to injuries, which included shoulder surgery and a fractured skull after he was hit by a line drive. He began 2008 in the Midwest League and posted a 1.16 ERA with 43 hits allowed in 70 innings. Italiano also walked 35 and struck out 79. He then took his mid- to high-90s fastball to High-A ball where he has posted an ERA of 13.81 in 14.1 innings. Italiano has allowed 23 hits and 13 walks during that span of time.

The A’s organization has had varying degrees of success with its selections from the 2005 prep pool. Given that the club is still seeing progress from four of its five top selections, the club should be pleased with the results.