Archive for zach britton

Back on July 30, the New York Yankees shelled Baltimore Orioles’ rookie Zach Britton. The 23-year-old lefty struck out Derek Jeter to lead off the bottom of the first, but then gave up seven hits, a walk and nine runs — six of which were earned. Forty-three pitches later, Britton was done — and the Jeter K was his lone out.

Fast forward to Sunday, when Britton was going against nearly the same lineup — plus a healthy Alex Rodriguez — and tossed seven shutout innings en route to his eighth victory of the season. After such an abysmal outing last month, he allowed just four hits and a walk, while striking out five. None of Britton’s five Yankee baserunners reached second base. In fact, even after his exit, the Yankees failed to move a runner in to scoring position as Jim Johnson and Kevin Gregg worked the final two innings to preserve the combined shutout.

Read the rest of this entry »

General Manager: Andy MacPhail
Farm Director: David Stockstill
Scouting Director: Joe Jordan

FanGraphs’ Top 10 Prospects:
(2009 Draft Picks/International Signees Not Included)

Even with the graduation of quite a few pitchers in ’09, the organization is top heavy in pitching prospects. There are some hitting prospects, but their ceilings are more modest for the most part. With that said, Josh Bell could displace veteran Garrett Atkins at the hot corner before the 2010 season is up.

1. Brian Matusz, LHP, Majors
DOB: February 1987 Bats: Left Throws: Left
Signed: 2008 1st round – University of San Diego
MLB ETA: Now 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 2
Repertoire: 88-94 mph fastball, plus curveball, slider, change-up

Matusz reached the Majors in his first full pro season and showed that he belonged, thanks in part due to a 4.08 FIP and a walk rate of just 2.82 BB/9. He also struck out his fair share of batters with a rate of 7.66 K/9. Matusz struggled a bit with his command – especially with the fastball – and he allowed too many hits (52 in 44.2 innings), as well as a high home-run rate at 1.21 HR/9. The lefty needs to improve his ground-ball rate of 31.2% if he’s going to keep the ball in the yard. Batters made below-average contact against Matusz in ’09, which bodes well for his future. Once he improves the command of his pitches, he could develop into a No. 1 or 2 starter. He joins Chris Tillman at the top of a young, exciting starting rotation.

2. Josh Bell, 3B, Double-A
DOB: November 1986 Bats: Both Throws: Right
Signed: 2005 4th round – Florida HS (Los Angeles NL)
MLB ETA: mid-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3

With the loss of incumbent third baseman Melvin Mora, Bell has an outside chance of breaking camp with the club in 2010. That likelihood diminished, though, with the club’s acquisition of long-time Rockie Garrett Atkins, who is expected to keep the hot corner warm until Bell is ready. After a solid showing in double-A this past season, it should not be long for the former Dodgers prospect. Bell hit .296/.386/.497 in 334 at-bats after coming over from LA. He also posted a solid .201 ISO (.281 in the LAD system), so he has the power that most teams covet at the position. With modest speed, Bell has produced rather high BABIPs in the minors, so he may not be a .280-.300 hitter in the Majors like he was in the minors. Despite that fact, Bell has an intriguing mix of power and patience (13.0% walk rate).

3. Brandon Erbe, RHP, Double-A
DOB: December 1987 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2005 3rd round – Maryland HS
MLB ETA: Late-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3
Repertoire: 88-94 mph fastball, slider, change-up

When he was healthy in ’09, Erbe produced some interesting numbers. In 73.0 double-A innings, he was almost un-hittable by allowing just 44 hits. Erbe was particularly tough against right-handed hitters, who managed a batting average of just .150. However, he did struggle with his control and posted a walk rate of 4.32 BB/9. His strikeout rate was OK, but not great, at 7.64 K/9. The young right-hander is still learning how to pitch and develop his secondary pitches, so he has yet to take full advantage of his stuff, which is electric at times. Some doubt whether or not Erbe will be able to refine his secondary pitches enough to remain in the starting rotation. If he does head to the bullpen, he could develop into a solid late-game option.

4. Jake Arrieta, RHP, Double-A
DOB: March 1986 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2007 5th round – Texas Christian University
MLB ETA: Late-2010 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 87-93 mph fastball, slider, change-up

Arrieta split the ’09 season between double-A and triple-A and posted solid numbers overall. The right-hander posted a 3.08 FIP and strikeout rate of 10.68 K/9 in 11 starts in the junior league before moving up to triple-A, where he posted a 4.15 FIP and strikeout rate of 7.66 K/9. His control actually improved with the promotion and dropped from 3.51 to 3.24 BB/9. Arrieta also did a nice job of keeping the ball in the park, although it rose a bit upon his promotion (from 0.61 to 0.88 HR/9). The right-hander projects as a solid No. 3 starter.

5. Zach Britton, LHP, High-A
DOB: December 1987 Bats: Left Throws: Left
Signed: 2006 3rd round – Texas HS
MLB ETA: Mid-2011 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 88-93 mph fastball, slider, curveball, change-up

This left-hander is quietly developing into one of the best young pitchers in the minor leagues. Britton posted a solid 3.26 FIP in high-A in ’09 while also allowing just 123 hits in 140.0 innings. He also posted a solid strikeout rate of 8.42 K/9 and an OK walk rate of 3.54 BB/9. He allowed just four homers all season and posted a crazy ground-ball rate of 65%. Britton did a nice job of battling both right-handed (.229 average allowed) and left-hander (.232) batters, although he showed a better strikeout rate (10.98 K/9) against the latter. He could develop into a No. 2 starter if he can keep the ground balls coming and retain the fastball velocity.

6. Brandon Snyder, 1B, Triple-A
DOB: November 1986 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2005 1st round – Virginia HS
MLB ETA: Mid-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3

Losing their catching eligibility can be the kiss of death for a lot of prospects (Just ask Neil Walker), but Snyder has shown that he just might survive the move. The right-handed hitter has moved to first base, where his average projects to be below-average for the position, but he has shown solid gap power and the ability to hit for a solid average. He could develop into a solid Lyle Overbay-type of first baseman. Snyder got off to a great start in double-A in ’09 and hit .343/.421/.597 with an ISO of .254 in 201 at-bats. That momentum cooled after a promotion to triple-A and he hit just .248/.316/.355 with an ISO of .107 in 262 at-bats. His true value likely lies somewhere in the middle. He does a nice job of getting on base (almost 10% in ’09), as well, but it would be nice to see him trim the strikeout rate (24.4% in triple-A).

7. Caleb Joseph, C, High-A
DOB: June 1986 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2008 7th round – Lipscomb University
MLB ETA: Late-2011 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3

Joseph has an up-hill climb to acquiring the starting catcher gig in Baltimore thanks to the presence of Matt Wieters, but he could develop into an above-average backup – if he’s not used as trade bait. The backstop had a solid first full year in the minors and hit .284/.337/.450 in 380 at-bats. His ISO of .166 suggests that there could be some more power to come as the 6’3” hitter adds more muscle to his 180 lbs frame. Joseph’s strikeout rate was impressive at 16.8%, but he could stand to show some more patience after posting a walk rate of just 6.4%. Defensively, he has some work to do in throwing out runners after his caught-stealing rate dropped from 43% in his debut to just 27% in ’09.

8. Kam Mickolio, RHP, Majors
DOB: May 1984 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2006 18th round – Utah Valley State College (Seattle)
MLB ETA: Now 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 2
Repertoire: 89-95 mph fastball, slider, change-up

Mickolio has come a long way in a short period of time, but the 6’9” monster is still far from a finished product. His control is mainly to blame and he posted a walk rate of 4.61 BB/9 in the Majors in ’09. He also relies heavily on one pitch (his fastball at 80.3% of the time) but his slider also has a lot of promise. Mickolio’s ground-ball rate has been all over the map. It dropped heavily in the minors from ’08 to ’09 when it went from an outstanding 58.6% to a scary 28.6%. If everything clicks – and he can get his ground ball numbers back to a reasonable rate – then Mickolio could develop into the O’s closer.

9. Troy Patton, LHP, Triple-A
DOB: September 1985 Bats: Both Throws: Left
Signed: 2004 9th round – Texas HS (Houston)
MLB ETA: Mid-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 2
Repertoire: 87-91 mph fastball, slider, change-up

Patton has had some tough times and he no longer projects to be a top-of-the-rotation star like in his early Astros days. The southpaw has lost velocity thanks to injuries and he now projects as a solid back-of-the-rotation starter, if he can remain healthy. Now 24, Patton made 11 solid starts in double-A this past season and posted a 3.53 FIP. He moved up to triple-A, though, and got hit around and posted a 6.80 FIP. He allowed 62 hits in 44.2 innings and tossed up a home-run rate of 2.42 HR/9. If he cannot recover, Patton could be headed to the bullpen as a middle reliever, but he shouldn’t be written off quite yet.

10. Brandon Waring, 3B, Double-A
DOB: January 1986 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2007 7th round – Wofford College (Cincinnati)
MLB ETA: Late-2010 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3

Waring is a slugger. He’s hit 20 or more home runs in each of his three pro seasons. He’s not higher on this list because of a lot of people doubt his ability to hit for average at the MLB level. The right-handed hitter had a solid year in ’09 and batted .273/.354/.520 in 473 high-A at-bats. The 23-year-old third baseman posted an ISO rate of .247 and slugged 26 homers, as well as 35 doubles. His walk rate was OK at 9.7% but his strikeout rate was high – but not unexpected for a slugger – at 25.6%. Waring’s defense at third base is shaky so he split the ’09 season between the hot corner and first base. At either position, the right-handed hitter will have to balance other prospects (Bell and Snyder) for playing time.

Up Next: The Atlanta Braves

This week we’re taking a look at some of the leader boards in double-A and high-A ball. Today, we’ll take a look at the leaders in Strikeouts Per 9 Innings (K/9) and Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) among the three high-A leagues: the California League, the Carolina League and the Florida State League.

As with the high-A hitters, I want to add a caution with this league. The California League, is an extreme hitter’s league, so many of the pitchers’ numbers are more impressive than they appear. The Carolina League is also a difficult league to pitch in, although not quite as bad as the Cal League. The Florida State League is widely considered a pitcher’s league.

11.20- Chris Withrow, RHP, Los Angeles NL

Elbow soreness limited this former first-round pick to just four innings in 2008. His control has been off in 2009 (4.93 BB/9) but Withrow is still racking up the Ks. The 20-year-old has a 4.82 ERA, but his FIP is just 3.03. In 80.1 innings, he’s allowed 73 hits and just three homers.

10.24- Corey Kluber, RHP, San Diego

Kluber, 23, had a rough introduction to high-A in 2008 when he posted a 6.01 ERA (4.08 FIP) with 93 hits allowed in 85.1 innings of work. The right-hander was still a little too hittable in 2009 at the same level when he allowed 110 hits in 109 innings. Kluber did, though, post a strikeout rate of 10.24 K/9, as well as a walk rate of 2.97 BB/9. He’s now pitching in double-A, where he’s made just one start.

9.75- Connor Graham, RHP, Colorado

Graham has posted some good ERAs (and FIPs) in his first three minor-league seasons but his control has been less than impressive (5.07 BB/9 in ’08, 4.59 in ’09). This season he’s allowed just 68 hits in 80.1 innings of work, while also posting a strikeout rate of 9.75 K/9. With a mid-90s fastball and good slider (and not much else), Graham is probably a late-game reliever in the long run (a role he held in college).

2.58- Cory Luebke, LHP, San Diego

Luebke joins teammate Kluber on this list. Whereas Kluber was borderline old for the league, Luebke was certainly an over-ager at 24. The left-hander also struggled during his first taste of the California League in 2008 with a 6.84 ERA (3.93 FIP) and 97 hits allowed in 72.1 innings of work. This year, he allowed 73 hits in 88.1 innings, while also posting a walk rate of 1.73 BB/9 and a strikeout rate of 8.15 K/9. He’s now pitching in double-A with Kluber and has made three starts.

2.84- Jake Wild, RHP, Seattle

A senior sign out of college in 2007, Wild will be 25 in August so he’s definitely old for the league. He’s bounced between the starting rotation and the bullpen in 2009, while showing good control (2.23 BB/9) and modest strikeout numbers (7.92 K/9). He’s been hittable with 104 hits allowed in 88.2 innings of work.

2.96- Joshua Collmenter, RHP, Arizona

The Diamondbacks organization really needs some prospects, so Arizona has to be encouraged with Collmenter’s season, even if he is 23 and pitching in high-A. The right-hander has allowed 87 hits in 104.1 innings, while also posting a walk rate of 2.85 BB/9 and a strikeout rate of 9.06 K/9. The 6’4” 235 pound Collmenter has a big, strong pitcher’s frame and he has an outside shot of developing into a No. 4 starter.

9.92- Eammon Portice, RHP, Boston

The Boston organization is flush with prospects and Portice is one name that does not get a ton of attention, in part because he’s pitching in high-A at the age of 24. The right-hander has made 17 starts but he projects as a reliever in the Majors due to a his violent delivery and lack of a third reliable pitch. Portice has shown improved control and he induces a lot of groundballs when he’s sharp.

8.70- Danny Duffy, LHP, Kansas City

One of the most promising pitchers in the entire league, Duffy is just 20 years old. He’s allowed 83 hits in 90 innings, while posting a walk rate of 2.90 BB/9 and a strikeout rate of 8.70 K/9. On the downside, his K rate has dropped each year of his three-year pro career, while his ERA (and FIP) has risen each season.

8.53- Zach Britton, LHP, Baltimore

Like Boston, Baltimore is another organization that is rich in pitching depth and Britton often gets lost behind the likes of Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz, and Jake Arrieta. The southpaw, though, is extremely talented and has allowed just 87 hits in 101.1 innings of work. The 21-year-old hurler has allowed four homers. He has, though, struggled with his control a little bit (3.74 BB/9).

2.72- Bradley Meyers, RHP, Washington

Meyers was considered a possible supplemental first-round draft pick (in both high school and college) before his poor showing in his draft year of college. The Nationals got him in the fifth round and it’s taken him a little while to get acclimatized to professional baseball. Things have clicked for Meyers, 23, in 2009, and he allowed 71 hits in 88.1 innings, while also posting a walk rate of 2.14 BB/9 and a strikeout rate of 6.62 K/9. He also had a 1.43 ERA (but 2.72 FIP) before his promotion to double-A, where he’s made just one start. He has a fastball that can touch 93 mph, a slider, and a changeup.

2.96- Danny Duffy, LHP, Kansas City

See Above.

3.06- Eammon Portice, RHP, Boston

See Above.

8.87- Evan Anundsen, RHP, Milwaukee

Anundsen has had one of the biggest jumps in value among any pitcher in high-A ball in 2009. The right-hander has seen his K rate jump by about 2 Ks per nine innings over his career norm, while also maintaining a solid walk rate (2.60). He’s also allowed just 67 hits in 93.1 innings of work. The right-hander is just 21 years of age.

8.75- David Newmann, LHP, Tampa Bay

Newmann was a fourth round pick coming out of college, but he did not get into game action after signing in 2007 and then he blew out his knee in the spring of 2008 and missed the entire season. As a result, the southpaw made his pro debut in 2009 at high-A ball. Considering the amount of time that he’s missed, you have to be impressed with his numbers, including his control at 3.67 K/9.

8.50- Darin Downs, LHP, Tampa Bay

A former Cubs prospect, Downs has seen his walk rate improve significantly (1.77 BB/9) over his 2008 season, when he posted a rate of 6.17 BB/9 in 22 double-A games. The left-hander has been too hittable with 104 hits allowed in 101.2 innings and he’s also 24 years old.

2.39- Evan Anundsen, RHP, Milwaukee

See Above.

2.57- Jose Rosario, RHP, Florida

Rosario is 23 years of age and he’s having his first successful season in pro ball since coming over to North America from the Dominican Republic. The right-hander has shown excellent control with a walk rate of 1.59 BB/9. He also has a strikeout rate of 7.75 K/9 and has allowed just two homers on the year. Rosario, though, is an extreme fly-ball pitcher who has been aided by the big parks.

2.76- Lance Pendleton, RHP, New York AL

Pendleton was a fourth round pick out of Rice University in 2005, but he missed almost all of the 2006 and 2007 seasons with injuries (surprise, surprise). The right-hander has looked good this season, but he’s also turning 26 in September. He has walk rate of 2.76 BB/9 and a strikeout rate of 7.65 K/9. At best, he profiles as a middle reliever in the Majors.