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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #20-16

Will Lonnie Chisenhall meet his potential and be a long-term
fixture at 3B for the Cleveland Indians?
(photo courtesy of Mike McCann)



20. Will Middlebrooks--3B--Boston Red Sox
  • 2012 Outlook: "Hits for power; might get called up in 2012."
  • 2012 Achievements: Garnered 267 at bats for the Red Sox.
  • Conclusion: Unfortunately, Middlebrooks' season ended early last year due to a fractured wrist he suffered on August 10, 2012.  He posted a Major League Slash Line of .288/.325/.509 to go with 12 homeruns, but posted a dismal .19 BB:K.  He posted similar numbers throughout his career in the Minors (.276/.333/.454/.787) where he hit only 1 homerun every 30 at bats, but was able to show off his gap power as he hit 1 extra-base hit (minus homeruns) every 14 at bats.  He will definitely come back as the everyday 3B in Boston and is projected to hit between 3-6

19. Nate Eovaldi--SP--Miami Marlins
  • 2012 Outlook: "Might make it to Big Leagues out of spring training, but needs more seasoning in Triple-A."
  • 2012 Achievements: Made 22 pitching starts combined for the Dodgers and Marlins.
  • The Marlins were able to flip Hanley Ramirez for former
    Dodger pitching prospect, Nate Eovaldi
    (photo courtesy of Mike McCann)
  • Conclusion: Eovaldi was traded to Miami in the deal that shipped Hanley Ramirez to L.A. His 2012 in the Majors is as follows: K/9 5.9; BB/9 3.55; K:BB 1.66; WHIP 1.51.  Just to have a basis of comparison, here are his numbers after 138 innings pitched in Double-A: K/9 8.4; BB/9 3.8; K/BB 2.19; WHIP 1.20.  He is supposed to have the inside track to start at the back end of the Marlins' starting rotation.  
18. Lonnie Chisenhall--3B--Cleveland Indians
  • 2012 Outlook: "Competing for 3B job.  Described as a 'complete hitter.'"
  • 2012 Achievements: Garnered 142 at bats with the Indians. 
  • Conclusion: Missed about three months due to a right wrist injury after getting hit by a pitch.  He finished the 2012 Major League campaign with a BB:K of .30; .311OBP%; .430SLG%. Numbers at Triple-A were solid: BB:K .46; .282/.349/.458/.808.  Has inside track to to win 3B job with the Indians for 2013
17. Yonder Alonso--1B--San Diego Padres
  • 2012 Outlook: "Competing for 1B job.  Numbers might suffer at Petco Park."
  • 2012 Achievements: Played 155 games for the Padres last season.
  • Petco Park: where balls fly only to die and end up in
    outfielders' gloves.
    (photo courtesy of Felipe M.)
  • Conclusion: Alonso will highly likely break camp with the Padres as the starting 1B.  That much is for sure.  How much will Alonso benefit from the fences being moved in at Petco?  It remains to be seen, but he can't be as bad as he was last season: 9 homeruns and 62 RBIs in his first full season with San Diego.  Based on his Triple-A stats, he should be able to produce big at the Major League level: .61 BB:K; .296/.364/.478/.842.  So he obviously does have the potential to be a big bat in the middle of the order.  The rest of his 2012, Padres, stats: .61 BB/K (not a type), .273/.348/.393.  Despite the weak SLG%, Alonso did hit 39 doubles last season (1 in 14 at bats).  Hopefully that's a positive sign that he can take advantage of a less, spacious Petco Park.   
16. Drew Pomeranz--SP--Colorado Rockies
  • 2012 Outlook: "Might win job out of spring training.  Can be effective."
  • 2012 Achievements: Started 22 games for the Rockies, but was on a very limited innings count (finished with 96.2 IPs in 2012).
  • Conclusion: Pomeranz not only struggled with the Rockies last season, but he was already struggling in Triple-A: 10 GS, K/BB 2.38; WHIP 1.52; BB/9 3.7; K/9 8.9; H/9 9.9.  Last season with the Rockies, he posted K/BB 1.80; WHIP 1.49; BB/9 4.3; K/9 7.7; H/9 9.1.  Somewhat similar numbers, but despite last year's struggles, the Rockies are still hoping that he can make it back to the Big Leagues as, at the very least, a #5 starter. 
To check out Mike McCann's "Field of Fotos" and check out other great baseball pics, click here.

Prospects #25-21 are available here.





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