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 John Barbato, Short-season Eugene (SD)
season stats: 1-1, 3.82 ERA, 33 IP, 23 H, 18 BB, 33 K in 8 starts
July 20-July 26: 0-0, 6 IP, ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 10 K in 1 start
The San Diego Padres have placed a decent nucleus on the field and have had many near misses in making the playoffs in recent years. So when Friarhood.com’s Steve Adler asked Padres fans via social media outlets on their thoughts about renewing their 2012 season tickets, the replies and opinions struck me as very odd. From most of the responses, it's apparent that they are unaware of some of the young pitchers who should be making their way to America’s Finest City over the next few years. Maybe most are still feeling the sting of missing out on Karsten Whitson, who was selected 9th overall in 2010 and couldn’t come to an agreement before heading to the University of Florida. Another pitcher who was heading for Gainesville and was deemed unsignable due to his strong commitment toward the Gators may make many forget about Whitson, whose loss turned out to be Barbato’s gain. The Padres forked over a 1.4 million dollar signing bonus to lure the 9th Round pick to San Diego after Whitson turned down big money.
After giving up a single in the first inning of his most recent start, Barbato proceeded to retire 14 straight batters - 10 by way of strikeout - and finished with just 1 ER allowed in 6 IP. The 19 year-old, who was named the 25th best prospect in the organization by Baseball America before the season, has an interesting set of raw tools. He has a low 90’s fastball that can touch mid-90’s with great movement and he accompanies that with two moderately advanced off-speed pitches, a 12-6 curve in the mid 70’s and a deceptive slider that can be nasty. The right-hander's change-up needs the most work, as he very rarely needed to throw it in high school considering his other plus offerings. It worries some that the organization might fast-track Barbato, given they didn’t sign the premiere arm they wanted in Whitson, but with his flashes of command and pitchability, Barbato may be up to the task in 2012.
Relief Pitcher of the Week
RHP Cody Hall, Short-season Salem-Keizer (SF): 2-1, 4.38 ERA, 12.1 IP, 14 H, 6 BB, 21 K, Sv in 11 appearances; 1-0, 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, Sv in 3 appearances over the past week
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UTR Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
UTR Minor League AL Performances of the Week
Under the Radar 2011 Archive
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