Top 20 prospects in the California League, and Lancaster put up a good showing (if anybody's interested):
4. CARLOS QUENTIN, of, Lancaster JetHawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 22 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 220 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks '03 (1)
AB: 242
R: 64
H: 75
2B: 14
3B: 1
HR: 15
RBI: 51
BB: 25
SO: 33
SB: 5
CS: 1
AVG: .310
OBP: .428
SLG: .562
After taking Quentin 29th overall in the 2003 draft, the Diamondbacks knew that his pro debut would be delayed until this year because of impending Tommy John surgery. He made up for lost time by earning a promotion to Double-A in late June.
Quentin is a complete hitter, showing the ability to hit for average and power as well as strong plate discipline. While he set a minor league record by getting hit by 43 pitches in 2004, one scout saw a weakness in his ability to get plunked.
“He’s already right on top of the plate,” the scout said. “When he swings, his whole body lunges over the plate. I fear he could struggle once pitchers start busting him inside.”
Quentin has average speed and good instincts in right field. He's regaining the plus arm strength he had before his elbow was reconstructed.
5. CONOR JACKSON, of, Lancaster JetHawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 22 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 205 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks '03 (1)
AB: 258
R: 64
H: 89
2B: 19
3B: 2
HR: 11
RBI: 54
BB: 45
SO: 36
SB: 4
CS: 3
AVG: .345
OBP: .438
SLG: .562
Drafted 10 slots ahead of Quentin last year, Jackson teamed with him in Lancaster and again in Double-A. They figure to patrol Arizona's outfield corners together for several years, likely starting sometime next season.
Jackson reached base in all but six games he played for Lancaster, thanks to what was considered the Cal League's best strike-zone recognition. He has a quick bat, a willingness to use the entire field and developing power. He should hit for average and produce 20-30 homers annually.
“He doesn’t swing at bad pitches,” Inland Empire manager Daren Brown said, "and he doesn’t miss good ones."
Seen by many as the offensive mirror image of Quentin, Jackson doesn't offer as much with the glove. His below-average speed and arm strength had some observers predicting an eventual move to first base, where he'd still have enough bat.
9. JON ZERINGUE, of, Lancaster JetHawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 21 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 205 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks '04 (2)
AB: 230
R: 36
H: 77
2B: 14
3B: 3
HR: 10
RBI: 41
BB: 14
SO: 53
SB: 9
CS: 5
AVG: .335
OBP: .374
SLG: .552
The Diamondbacks' second-round pick in June, Zeringue was challenged out of the box with an assignment to the Cal League. He passed the test easily, as his average never dipped below .327 and he smacked seven homers in his final 14 regular-season games. He didn't cool off in the playoffs, batting .447 with 12 RBIs in nine games despite being limited to DH duties because of a broken finger.
“You know how everyone is talking about Jackson and Quentin this year?” Meacham asked. “Well, that’s how they’re going to be talking about Zeringue next year.”
Zeringue has classic right-field tools. He generates excellent bat speed and hits for power to all fields, though he needs to be more selective and must make adjustments against breaking pitches. He has a solid arm and surprising speed for his size.
16. JAMIE D'ANTONA, 3b, Lancaster JetHawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 22 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 210 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks '03 (2)
AB: 273
R: 45
H: 86
2B: 18
3B: 1
HR: 13
RBI: 57
BB: 16
SO: 36
SB: 2
CS: 3
AVG: .315
OBP: .353
SLG: .531
The third of the "Three Amigos" on this list, D’Antona was in the running for the Cal League triple crown before the trio was promoted to Double-A, where shoulder problems limited him to just 19 more games.
D’Antona has more power than either Quentin or Jackson, generating long-distance shots from gap to gap thanks to above-average bat speed. He lacks their patience, however, and his long swing leaves him susceptible to good fastballs.
D’Antona makes the routine plays well and shows a plus arm at third base, but his poor footwork and below-average range have some predicting an eventual move to first base. He is a below-average runner.
20. ENRIQUE GONZALEZ, rhp, Lancaster JetHawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 22 Ht: 5-10 Wt: 195 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks FA '98 (Venezuela)
W: 13
L: 6
ERA: 3.22
G: 42
SV: 0
IP: 142.1
H: 128
HR: 13
BB: 44
SO: 110
AVG: .242
Gonzalez spent the first two months in the Lancaster bullpen, where he posted an uninspiring 5.45 ERA. Shifted to the rotation in June, he went 10-2, 2.46 as a starter and finished tied for the league lead in wins with 13.
Despite lacking the build of a classic power pitcher, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Gonzalez works consistently at 92-96 mph and maintains his velocity deep into games. His slider has developed into a plus pitch at times, but still can get slurvy at others. Both pitches finish low in the strike zone, generating lots of grounders.
Gonzalez' changeup is still in the developmental stages, but he showed confidence in it as a starter.
4. CARLOS QUENTIN, of, Lancaster JetHawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 22 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 220 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks '03 (1)
AB: 242
R: 64
H: 75
2B: 14
3B: 1
HR: 15
RBI: 51
BB: 25
SO: 33
SB: 5
CS: 1
AVG: .310
OBP: .428
SLG: .562
After taking Quentin 29th overall in the 2003 draft, the Diamondbacks knew that his pro debut would be delayed until this year because of impending Tommy John surgery. He made up for lost time by earning a promotion to Double-A in late June.
Quentin is a complete hitter, showing the ability to hit for average and power as well as strong plate discipline. While he set a minor league record by getting hit by 43 pitches in 2004, one scout saw a weakness in his ability to get plunked.
“He’s already right on top of the plate,” the scout said. “When he swings, his whole body lunges over the plate. I fear he could struggle once pitchers start busting him inside.”
Quentin has average speed and good instincts in right field. He's regaining the plus arm strength he had before his elbow was reconstructed.
5. CONOR JACKSON, of, Lancaster JetHawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 22 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 205 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks '03 (1)
AB: 258
R: 64
H: 89
2B: 19
3B: 2
HR: 11
RBI: 54
BB: 45
SO: 36
SB: 4
CS: 3
AVG: .345
OBP: .438
SLG: .562
Drafted 10 slots ahead of Quentin last year, Jackson teamed with him in Lancaster and again in Double-A. They figure to patrol Arizona's outfield corners together for several years, likely starting sometime next season.
Jackson reached base in all but six games he played for Lancaster, thanks to what was considered the Cal League's best strike-zone recognition. He has a quick bat, a willingness to use the entire field and developing power. He should hit for average and produce 20-30 homers annually.
“He doesn’t swing at bad pitches,” Inland Empire manager Daren Brown said, "and he doesn’t miss good ones."
Seen by many as the offensive mirror image of Quentin, Jackson doesn't offer as much with the glove. His below-average speed and arm strength had some observers predicting an eventual move to first base, where he'd still have enough bat.
9. JON ZERINGUE, of, Lancaster JetHawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 21 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 205 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks '04 (2)
AB: 230
R: 36
H: 77
2B: 14
3B: 3
HR: 10
RBI: 41
BB: 14
SO: 53
SB: 9
CS: 5
AVG: .335
OBP: .374
SLG: .552
The Diamondbacks' second-round pick in June, Zeringue was challenged out of the box with an assignment to the Cal League. He passed the test easily, as his average never dipped below .327 and he smacked seven homers in his final 14 regular-season games. He didn't cool off in the playoffs, batting .447 with 12 RBIs in nine games despite being limited to DH duties because of a broken finger.
“You know how everyone is talking about Jackson and Quentin this year?” Meacham asked. “Well, that’s how they’re going to be talking about Zeringue next year.”
Zeringue has classic right-field tools. He generates excellent bat speed and hits for power to all fields, though he needs to be more selective and must make adjustments against breaking pitches. He has a solid arm and surprising speed for his size.
16. JAMIE D'ANTONA, 3b, Lancaster JetHawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 22 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 210 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks '03 (2)
AB: 273
R: 45
H: 86
2B: 18
3B: 1
HR: 13
RBI: 57
BB: 16
SO: 36
SB: 2
CS: 3
AVG: .315
OBP: .353
SLG: .531
The third of the "Three Amigos" on this list, D’Antona was in the running for the Cal League triple crown before the trio was promoted to Double-A, where shoulder problems limited him to just 19 more games.
D’Antona has more power than either Quentin or Jackson, generating long-distance shots from gap to gap thanks to above-average bat speed. He lacks their patience, however, and his long swing leaves him susceptible to good fastballs.
D’Antona makes the routine plays well and shows a plus arm at third base, but his poor footwork and below-average range have some predicting an eventual move to first base. He is a below-average runner.
20. ENRIQUE GONZALEZ, rhp, Lancaster JetHawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 22 Ht: 5-10 Wt: 195 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks FA '98 (Venezuela)
W: 13
L: 6
ERA: 3.22
G: 42
SV: 0
IP: 142.1
H: 128
HR: 13
BB: 44
SO: 110
AVG: .242
Gonzalez spent the first two months in the Lancaster bullpen, where he posted an uninspiring 5.45 ERA. Shifted to the rotation in June, he went 10-2, 2.46 as a starter and finished tied for the league lead in wins with 13.
Despite lacking the build of a classic power pitcher, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Gonzalez works consistently at 92-96 mph and maintains his velocity deep into games. His slider has developed into a plus pitch at times, but still can get slurvy at others. Both pitches finish low in the strike zone, generating lots of grounders.
Gonzalez' changeup is still in the developmental stages, but he showed confidence in it as a starter.
