Matt Harrison, LHP - Texas Rangers (#54)

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Birthdate: 9/16/85
Drafted: 3rd Round (97th Pick-ATL) - 2003 ($395,000)
High School: South Granville (Creedmoor, NC)
Acquired: Trade (ATL) - July 2007

Major League Debut: 7/8/2008
Bats: L
Throws: L
Height: 6-4
Weight: 240

Latest Player Updates
06/01/11 - scratched from tomorrow's start (blister on index finger)
07/10/10 - recalled from minors
06/30/10 - optioned to minors
05/29/10 - activated from DL
05/12/10 - placed on DL (left biceps tendinitis)

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Prospect Rankings (Organizational)
2008 Baseball America Tools: Best control
2008 Baseball Prospectus #9

Derek Holland, LHP - Texas Rangers (#45)

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Birthdate: 10/9/86
Drafted: 25th Round (748th Pick) - 2006 ($200,000)
College: Wallace State CC (Hanceville, AL)
2011 Salary: $431,810

Major League Debut: 4/22/2009
Bats: S
Throws: L
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195

Latest Player Updates
08/28/10 - recalled from minors
08/20/10 - optioned to minors
08/18/10 - recalled from minors
06/01/10 - placed on DL (rotator cuff inflammation)
05/12/10 - recalled from minors

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Prospect Rankings (MLB)
2009 Baseball America #31
2009 MLB.com #46

Prospect Rankings (Organizational)
2009 Baseball America #2 Tools: Best changeup, Best control
2009 Baseball Prospectus #3 (BP subscription required)

MLBDepthCharts.com Honors
2010 Knocking Down the Door - April 19th

Rod Barajas, C - Pittsburgh Pirates (#26)

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Birthdate: 9/5/75
Signed: Non-Drafted Free Agent (ARI) - 1996
College: Cerritos College
Acquired: Free Agent - November 2011
2012 Salary: $4,000,000
Contract: 1 years, $4M (2012), plus 2013 club option
Major League Debut: 9/25/1999
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6-2
Weight: 250

Latest Player Updates
11/10/11 - signed to one-year deal (PIT)

LAD
06/19/11 - placed on 15-Day DL (sprained ankle)
12/03/10 - re-signed to one-year deal
08/22/10 - claimed off waivers from Mets

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Juan Uribe, IF - Los Angeles Dodgers (#5)

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Birthdate: 3/22/79
Signed: Amateur Free Agent (Dominican Repbulic) - January 1997 (COL)
Acquired: Free Agent - November 2010
2011 Salary: $5,000,000
Contract: 3 years, $21M (2011-2013)
Major League Debut: 4/8/2001
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 230

Latest Player Updates
07/30/11 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to July 24th (lower abdomen strain)
06/06/11 - activated from 15-Day DL
05/22/11 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to May 21st (strained hip flexor)
04/24/11 - day-to-day with a thigh bruise
11/30/10 - signed to three-year deal

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MLB Awards and Honors
2010 World Series Championship (SF)

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Casey Blake, 3B - Colorado Rockies

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Birthdate: 8/23/73
Drafted: 7th Round (189th Pick-TOR) - 1996
College: Wichita State University
Acquired: Free Agent - December 2011
2011 Salary: $5.25M
Contract: 1 year, $2M (2012)
Major League Debut: 8/14/1999
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205

Latest Player Updates
12/20/11 - agreed to one-year deal (COL)

LAD
10/04/11 - club option for 2012 declined
07/30/11 - activated from 15-Day DL
07/03/11 - placed on 15-Day DL (cervical strain)
05/27/11 - activated from 15-Day DL
04/29/11 - placed on 15-Day-DL, retroactive to April 25th (left elbow infection)
04/12/11 - day-to-day with deep thigh bruise
04/06/11 - activated from 15-Day DL
03/30/11 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to March 22
03/18/11 - questionable for Opening Day (lower back inflammation)

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James Loney, 1B - Los Angeles Dodgers (#7)

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Birthdate: 5/7/84
Drafted: 1st Round (19th Pick) - 2002 ($1.5M)
High School: Elkins HS (Missouri City, TX)
2012 Salary: $6,375,000
Service Time: 5.012 (pre-2012)
Contract: 1 yr, $6.375M (2012)
Major League Debut: 4/4/2006
Bats: L
Throws: L
Height: 6-3
Weight: 220

Latest Player Updates
01/17/12 - agreed to one-year deal, avoiding arbitration
02/11/11 - agreed to one-year deal, avoiding arbitration

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Prospect Rankings (Organizational)
2007 Baseball America #4 Tools: Best hitter for average
2007 Baseball Prospectus #4

Matt Kemp, OF - Los Angeles Dodgers (#27)

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Birthdate: 9/23/84
Drafted: 6th Round (181st Pick) - 2003 ($130,000)
High School: Midwest City HS (Midwest City, OK)
2012 Salary: $10,000,000
Contract: 8 years, $160M (2012-2019)
Major League Debut: 5/28/2006
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6-2
Weight: 225

Latest Player Updates
11/14/11 - agreed to eight-year contract extension
01/18/10 - signed to two-year deal, avoiding arbitration

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Prospect Rankings (Organizational)
2006 Baseball America #8

MLB Awards and Honors
2011 NL All-Star, NL Gold Glove, NL Silver Slugger
2009 NL Gold Glove, NL Silver Slugger

Andre Ethier, OF - Los Angeles Dodgers (#16)

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Birthdate: 4/10/82
Drafted: 2nd Round (62nd Pick-OAK) - 2003 ($580,000)
College: Arizona State University
Acquired: Trade (OAK) - December 2005
2012 Salary: $10,950,000
Service Time: 5.153 (pre-2012)
Contract: 1 yr, $10.95M (2012)
Major League Debut: 5/2/2006
Bats: L
Throws: L
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210

Latest Player Updates
01/17/12 - agreed to one-year deal, avoiding arbitration
09/08/11 - out for the season because of knee pain
05/31/10 - activated from DL
05/18/10 - placed on DL (broken finger)
01/22/10 - signed to two-year deal

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MLB Awards and Honors
2010 NL All-Star
2009 NL Silver Slugger

Xavier Paul, OF - Washington Nationals

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Birthdate: 2/25/85
Drafted: 4th Round (121st Pick) - 2003 ($270,000)
High School: Slidell HS (Slidell, LA)
Acquired: Minor League Free Agent - December 2011
Major League Debut: 5/7/2009
Bats: L
Throws: R
Height: 5-9
Weight: 205

Latest Player Updates
12/20/11 - signed to minor league deal (WAS)
11/28/11 - cleared waivers and released (PIT)
11/18/11 - designated for assignment (PIT)
04/26/11 - claimed off waivers from Dodgers (PIT)
04/18/11 - designated for assignment (LAD)

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Prospect Rankings (Organizational)
2009 Baseball America Tools: Best outfield arm
2009 Baseball Prospectus #11
2009 Baseball Intellect #10

Tommy Hunter, RHP - Baltimore Orioles (#39)

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Birthdate: 7/3/86
Drafted: 1st Round Supplemental (54th Pick) - 2007 ($585,000)
College: University of Alabama
Acquired: Trade (TEX) - July 2011
Major League Debut: 8/1/2008
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6-3
Weight: 280

Latest Player Updates
07/30/11 - acquired from Texas
07/01/11 - activated from 15-Day DL (TEX)
05/09/11 - re-aggravated groin injury in rehab start; will undergo MRI (TEX)
03/31/11 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to March 25th (strained groin); could miss six weeks (TEX)

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Back to team page

Colby Lewis, RHP - Texas Rangers (#48)

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Birthdate: 8/2/79
Drafted: 1st Round Supplemental (38th Pick-TEX) - 1999 ($862,500)
College: Bakersfield College
Acquired: Free Agent - January 2010
2012 Salary: $3,250,000
Contract: 2 years, $5M (2010-2011), plus 2012 club option
Major League Debut: 4/1/2002
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6-4
Weight: 230

Latest Player Updates
10/31/11 - club option for 2012 exercised
04/18/11 - reinstated from Paternity Leave-list
04/15/11 - placed on Paternity-Leave list
01/29/10 - agreed to two-year deal

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C.J. Wilson, LHP - Los Angeles Angels (#33)

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Birthdate: 11/18/80
Drafted: 5th Round (141th Pick) - 2001 ($200,000)
College: Loyola Marymount University
Acquired: Free Agent - December 2011
2011 Salary: $7,000,000
Contract: 5 years, $77.5M (2012-16)
Major League Debut: 6/10/2005
Bats: L
Throws: L
Height: 6-1
Weight: 210

Latest Player Updates
12/08/11 - agreed to five-year deal (LAA)
01/18/11 - agreed to one-year deal, avoiding arbitration (TEX)

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MLB Awards and Honors
2011 AL All-Star

Craig Gentry, OF - Texas Rangers (#23)

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Birthdate: 11/29/83
Drafted: 10th Round (298th Pick) - 2006
College: University of Arkansas
Major League Debut: 9/6/2009
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190

Latest Player Updates
08/11/11 - activated from 7-Day DL
07/28/11 - placed on 7-Day DL, retroactive to July 25th (concussion)
05/07/11 - recalled from minors

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Prospect Rankings (Organizational)
2010 Baseball America Tools: Best defensive outfielder

Andres Blanco, IF - Washington Nationals

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Birthdate: 4/11/84
Signed: Amateur Free Agent (Venezuela) - August 2000 (KC)

Acquired: Minor League Free Agent - December 2011
Major League Debut: 4/17/2004
Bats: S
Throws: R
Height: 5-10
Weight: 190

Latest Player Updates
12/16/11 - signed to minor league deal (WAS)

TEX
11/02/11 - outrighted to minors
09/01/11 - activated from 15-Day DL
08/09/11 - placed on 15-Day DL (lower back inflammation)
07/31/11 - activated from 15-Day DL
07/08/11 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to July 7th (stress reaction in lower back)
03/27/10 - acquired from Cubs

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Chris Davis, 1B/3B - Baltimore Orioles (#19)

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Birthdate: 3/17/86
Drafted: 5th Round (148th Pick) - 2006 ($172,500)
College: Navarro College (Corsicana, TX)
Acquired: Trade (TEX) - July 2011
Major League Debut: 6/26/2008
Bats: L
Throws: R
Height: 6-3
Weight: 230

Latest Player Updates
09/06/11 - activated from 15-Day DL
08/16/11 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to August 15th (small tear in right shoulder); likely out for the season
07/30/11 - acquired from Texas
07/23/11 - recalled from minors (TEX)
06/11/11 - optioned to minors (TEX)
06/08/11 - recalled from minors (TEX)
05/23/11 - optioned to minors (TEX)
04/13/11 - recalled from minors (TEX)

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Prospect Rankings (MLB)
2008 Baseball America #65 

Prospect Rankings (Organizational)
2008 Baseball America #2 Tools: Best power hitter
2008 Baseball Prospectus #6

MLBDepthCharts.com Honors
2010 Knocking Down the Door - June 21st

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Rafael Furcal, SS - St. Louis Cardinals (#15)

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Birthdate: 10/24/77
Signed: Amateur Free Agent (Dominican Repbulic) - November 1996 (ATL)
Acquired: Trade (LAD) - July 2011
2011 Salary: $12,000,000
Contract: 2 years, $14M (2012-2013)
Major League Debut: 4/4/2000
Bats: S
Throws: R
Height: 5-8
Weight: 185

Latest Player Updates
12/10/11 - agreed to two-year deal
10/31/11 - club option declined for 2012
07/31/11 - acquired from Dodgers
LAD
07/03/11 - activated from 15-Day DL (LAD)
06/04/11 - placed on 15-Day DL (strained oblique-LAD)
05/22/11 - activated from 15-Day DL (LAD)
04/12/11 - placed on 15-Day DL (LAD)
04/11/11 - out 4-6 weeks with a broken thumb (LAD)

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MLB Awards and Honors
2011 World Series Championship (STL)
2010 NL All-Star
2003 NL All-Star
2000 NL Rookie of the Year

Edwin Encarnacion, 1B/3B - Toronto Blue Jays (#10)

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Birthdate: 1/7/83
Drafted: 9th Round (274th Pick-TEX) - 2000
High School: Caguas (Caguas, PR)
Acquired: Free Agent - December 2010
2012 Salary: $3,500,000
Contract: 1 year, $2.5M (2011), plus 2012 club option
Major League Debut: 6/24/2005
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6-2
Weight: 231

Latest Player Updates
10/31/11 - club option exercised for 2012
04/17/11 - reinstated from Bereavement list
04/15/11 - placed on Bereavement list
12/16/10 - signed to one-year deal

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John Buck, C - Florida Marlins (#14)

Birthdate: 7/7/80
Drafted: 7th Round (212th Pick-HOU) - 1998
High School: Taylorsville HS (Salt Lake City, UT)
Acquired: Free Agent - November 2010
2012 Salary: $6,500,000
Contract: 3 years, $18M (2011-2013)
Major League Debut: 6/25/2004
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6-3
Weight: 230

Latest Player Updates
11/17/10 - signed to three-year deal

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2010 AL All-Star

Adam Lind, OF - Toronto Blue Jays (#26)

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Birthdate: 7/17/83
Drafted: 3rd Round (83rd Pick) - 2004
College: University of South Alabama
2011 Salary: $5,000,000
Contract: 4 years, $18M (2010-2013), plus 2014-16 club options
Major League Debut: 9/2/2006
Bats: L
Throws: L
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215

Latest Player Updates
06/04/11 - activated from 15-Day DL
05/16/11 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to May 8th (lower back soreness)
04/03/10 - signed to four-year deal

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MLB Awards and Honors
2009 AL Silver Slugger

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Knocking Down the Door (Pitchers) - May 31, 2010

posted 5/31/10 4:59 PM PST
by Jason Martinez

*Players on the verge of a big league call-up are considered to be 'Knocking Down the Door'.

For previous 'Knocking Down the Door' features, click on the following links: April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24

Douglas Arguello, LHP - Double-A Corpus Christi (HOU): In case you have yet to hear, Astros ace Roy Oswalt has requested a trade. It doesn't mean it's going to happen but with the team at least shopping Oswalt and with Brett Myers also expected to be a hot commodity around the trade deadline, there appears to be opportunity ahead for any starting pitchers having success in AA or AAA.

Read more »

Aaron Hill, 2B - Arizona Diamondbacks (#2)

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Birthdate: 3/21/82
Drafted: 1st Round (13th Pick) - 2003 ($1.675M)
College: LSU
Acquired: Trade (TOR) - August 2011
2012 Salary: $5,500,000
Contract: 2 years, $TBD (2012-13)
Major League Debut: 5/20/2005
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 5-11
Weight: 205

Latest Player Updates
11/13/11 - agreed to two-year deal
10/31/11 - club option declined for 2012
08/23/11 - acquired from Toronto
05/07/11 - activated from 15-Day DL (TOR)
04/24/11 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to April 20th (strained hamstring)

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MLB Awards and Honors
2009 AL All-Star, AL Silver Slugger

Knocking Down the Door (Position Players) - May 31, 2010

posted 5/31/10 11:57 AM PST
by Jason Martinez

*Players on the verge of a big league call-up are considered to be 'Knocking Down the Door'.

For previous 'Knocking Down the Door' features, click the following links: April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24

Pedro Alvarez, 3B - Triple-A Indianapolis (PIT): Despite 5 HR's and 15 RBI's in the month of April, Alvarez' first month in Triple-A was not all that impressive. The 23 year-old power hitter hit just .224 with 25 K's in 85 AB's while teammates Steve Pearce, Jose Tabata, and Neil Walker were each hitting their way onto the 'Knocking Down the Door' lists in previous weeks.

Read more »

Taking Risks in the Draft

posted 5/28/10  8:30 AM PST
by Jeff Moore

Every draft pick comes with some level of risk. Even the Stephen Strasburg’s and Bryce Harper’s of the world are far from a guarantee. The road from draft pick to the big leagues is too long and too treacherous.

But there are levels of risk. Sure, Strasburg might not be the best pitcher since sliced bread (who I hear had a wicked slider), but odds are the Nationals are at least going to get something out of their investment. Other players, however, come with question marks built in and the biggest of those question marks surround pitchers with arm injuries.

Read more »

'Under the Radar Minor League AL Pitching Performance of the Week' (May 19 - May 25)

posted 5/26/10 1:17 PM PST
by Jason Martinez

*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.

Under the Radar Minor League AL Pitching Performance of the Week

LHP Anthony Vasquez, Hi-A High Desert (SEA)

season stats: 3-2, 1.11 ERA; 56.2 IP, 35 H, 7 BB, 51 K in 9 starts (8 starts for Lo-A Clinton, 1 start for Hi-A High Desert)

May 19-May 25 stats: 8 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K

Read more »

'Under the Radar Minor League AL Hitting Performance of the Week (May 19 - May 25)

posted 5/26/10 1:03 PM PST
by Jason Martinez

*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.

Under the Radar Minor League AL Hitting Performance of the Week

3B/OF Nate Tenbrink, Hi-A High Desert (SEA)

season stats: .379 BA (66-for-174), 9 HR, 42 RBI, 10 2B, 5 3B, 22 BB, 33 K, 14 SB

May 19-May 25 stats: .375 BA (9-for-24), 2 HR, 10 RBI, 2 2B, 3B, 5 BB, 6 SB

Read more »

'Under the Radar Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week' (May 19 - May 25)

posted 5/26/10 9:57 AM PST
by Jim Brown

*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.

Under the Radar Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week

RHP Kyle McPherson, Lo-A West Virginia (PIT)

season stats: 3-4, 3.70 ERA, 48.2 IP, 42 H, 9 BB, 48 K in 9 starts

May 19-May 25 stats: 12 IP, 7 H, ER, BB, 19 K in 2 starts

Read more »

'Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week' (May 19 - May 25)

posted 5/26/10 9:36 AM PST
by Marc Hefferan

*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.

Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week

OF Alex Presley, Double-A Altoona (PIT)

season stats: .382 BA (60-for-157), 4 HR, 35 RBI, 9 2B, 5 3B, 9 BB, 21 K, 3 SB

May 19-May 25 stats: .483 BA (14-for-29), 2 HR, 4 2B, 2 3B, 14 RBI

Read more »

Knocking Down the Door (Pitchers) - May 24, 2010

posted 5/24/10 1:02 PM PST
by Jason Martinez

*Players on the verge of a big league call-up are considered to be 'Knocking Down the Door'.

For previous 'Knocking Down the Door' features, click on the following links: April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17

Read more »

Knocking Down the Door (Position Players) - May 24, 2010

posted 5/24/10 10:37 AM PST
by Jason Martinez

*Players on the verge of a big league call-up are considered to be 'Knocking Down the Door'.

For previous 'Knocking Down the Door' features, click the following links: April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17

Read more »

The Most Disappointing Prospects of 2010…and Whether You Should Be Worried

posted 5/21/10  8:50 AM PST
by Jeff Moore

Not every prospect is going to be a star. Not every player lives up to their potential. In fact, most don’t. But the difficult part of projecting future major league players is distinguishing a player who is struggling from a player who is never going to figure it out.

Is this a player who can make the necessary adjustments or will his talents never be harnessed? Is this a player with a track record of success who is in a funk or a player whose potential is based on things shown in a batting cage or in a bullpen? Why is this player struggling, and should we be worried?

Read more »

Volunteer with MLBDepthCharts.com

originally posted 5/15/10
by Jason Martinez

MLBDepthCharts.com is seeking volunteers to help with the following:

1. Minor League Roster Updates - My goal is to find a minor league correspondent for every major league team that can help me keep their four full-season minor league rosters updated on a more frequent basis. While it is fairly easy to keep the major league rosters nearly up-to-the-minute, minor league rosters are much more difficult to keep up with. At this point, I browse the MiLB.com team pages and box scores as often as possible but I'm certain that there are teams that I've ignored for weeks at a time.

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'Under the Radar Minor League AL Pitching Performance of the Week' (May 12 - May 18)

posted 5/19/10 3:42 PM PST
by Jason Martinez

*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.

Under the Radar Minor League AL Pitching Performance of the Week

RHP Steven Hensley, Double-A West Tennessee (SEA)

season stats: 4-1, 1.03 ERA; 35 IP, 19 H, 15 BB, 29 K in 6 starts

May 12-May 18 stats: 8 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K

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'Under the Radar Minor League AL Hitting Performance of the Week' (May 12 - May 18)

posted 5/19/10 10:33 AM PST
by Jason Martinez

*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.

Under the Radar Minor League AL Hitting Performance of the Week

2B Alexi Amarista, Hi-A Rancho Cucamonga (LAA)

season stats: .354 BA (56-for-158), HR, 17 RBI, 10 2B, 4 3B, 9 BB, 19 K, 9 SB

May 12-May 18 stats: .419 BA (13-for-31), 2 2B, 2 3B, 5 RBI, 3 SB

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'Under the Radar Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week' (May 12 - May 18)

posted 5/19/10 9:25 AM PST
by Jim Brown

*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.

Under the Radar Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week

LHP Dallas Keuchel, Hi-A Lancaster (HOU)

season stats: 1-3, 3.88 ERA, 48.2 IP, 56 H, 9 BB, 40 K in 8 starts

May 12-May 18 stats: 17 IP, 10 H, ER, 3 BB, 15 K in 2 starts

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'Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week' (May 12 - May 18)

posted 5/19/10 8:33 AM PST
by Marc Hefferan

*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.

Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week

1B Brandon Belt, Hi-A San Jose (SF)

season stats: .381 BA (48-for-126), 3 HR, 29 RBI, 14 2B, 3B, 25 BB, 20 K, 9 SB

May 12-May 18 stats: .375 BA (12-for-32), 3 2B, 3B, 13 RBI, 6 BB, SB

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Knocking Down the Door (Pitchers) - May 17, 2010

posted 5/17/10 12:14 PM PST
by Jason Martinez

*Players on the verge of a big league call-up are considered to be 'Knocking Down the Door'.

For previous 'Knocking Down the Door' features, click on the following links: April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10 

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Knocking Down the Door (Position Players) - May 17, 2010

posted 5/17/10 10:41 AM PST
by Jason Martinez

*Players on the verge of a big league call-up are considered to be 'Knocking Down the Door'.

For previous 'Knocking Down the Door' features, click the following links: April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10 

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Five Reasons to Believe in the Padres ...

posted 5/14/10  10:25 AM PST
by Jason Martinez


... and one big reason to have doubts. Even someone like myself, who has watched or listened to practically every Padre game since 1982, is still finding it hard to get too excited about this team's start. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of reasons to believe that their 22-12 start is no fluke. Here are my top five reasons why Padre fans should be excited:

1. The Padres have a three-headed beast waiting in the bullpen for any opponent who fails to hold a lead after the sixth inning. Luke Gregerson (1.45 ERA; 18.2 IP, 7 H, 2 BB, 19 K, 9 holds), Mike Adams (3.38 ERA; 16 IP, 9 H, 5 BB, 17 K, 10 holds), and Heath Bell (1.13 ERA; 16 IP, 13 H, 6 BB, 20 K, 10 Sv) are really good, in case you haven't noticed. But they were really good last year so this shouldn't be too much of a surprise and it was probably my #1 reason for not buying into the offseason talk of the Padres headed for a horrible season.

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An early look at the trade market

posted 5/14/10  8:20 AM PST
by Jeff Moore

If a baseball season was like life, then this season would be in it’s Tweener stage. Not old enough to drive yet, but just starting to get an attitude. Not quite far enough along to know exactly where it’s heading, but old enough to get a decent idea.

We see teams like the Padres in first place and the Nationals in second, but we know it is far too early in the season to take them seriously just yet. Talk to me on July 4th and let me know how they’re doing.

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'Under the Radar Minor League AL Pitching Performance of the Week (May 5 - May 11)

posted 5/12/10 12:29 PM PST
by Jason Martinez

*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player. Charles Furbush t.j. macfarland terry doyle

Under the Radar Minor League AL Pitching Performance of the Week

RHP Terry Doyle, Lo-A Kannapolis (CHW)



season stats: 3-2, 1.13 ERA, 40 IP, 29 H, 11 BB, 48 K in 6 starts

May 5-May 11 stats: 7 IP, ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 14 K in 1 start 



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'Under the Radar Minor League AL Hitting Performance of the Week (May 5 - May 11)

posted 5/12/10 11:22 AM PST
by Jason Martinez

*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.

Under the Radar Minor League AL Hitting Performance of the Week

OF Brandon Short, Hi-A Winston-Salem (CHW)

season stats: .393 BA (59-for-150), 4 HR, 28 RBI, 13 2B, 3B, 3 BB, 26 K, 3 SB

May 5-May 11 stats: .515 BA (17-for-33), HR, 6 RBI, 4 2B

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'Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week' (May 5 - May 11)

posted 5/12/10 10:22 AM PST
by Marc Hefferan

*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.

Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week

SS Ozzie Martinez, Double-A Jacksonville (FLA)

season stats: .383 BA (49-for-128), 2 HR, 20 RBI, 6 2B, 14 BB, 15 K

May 5-May 11 stats: .414 BA (12-for-29), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 SB

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