AZZenny
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From BA: #1 Midwest League prospect -
The low Class A Midwest League has been good for at least one star hitting prospect each year this decade, with an alumni list that includes Albert Pujols and Adam Dunn (2000), Miguel Cabrera (2001), Joe Mauer (2002), Prince Fielder (2003) and Brandon Wood (2004).
The latest addition is South Bend outfielder Carlos Gonzales, who led the Silver Hawks to the league championship while catching the eye of everyone who saw him. He won the league MVP award and managers rated him the MWL's best batting prospect, defensive outfielder and outfield arm as well its most exciting player.
"I've seen all the guys who came through the league the last five years," a National League scout said, "and I'm not sure Gonzales isn't better than all of them except Joe Mauer. He's better than Daric Barton and Casey Kotchman. He's better than Justin Morneau, Jason Stokes and Adrian Gonzalez.
"That bat is so special. He's an easy, easy great bat."
1. CARLOS GONZALES, of, South Bend Silver Hawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 19 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 180 B-T: L-L Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks FA '02 (Venezuela)
The Diamondbacks had enough faith in Gonzales to send him to South Bend to start the 2004 season at age 18, but he broke his right wrist in the second week. He spent last summer instead in the short-season Northwest League, where he ranked as the No. 3 prospect behind outfielders Javier Herrera and Ryan Harvey—whom he outclassed in the MWL this year.
Gonzales has an effortless swing and balls soar off his bat. He keeps the bat in the strike zone for a long time and has proven he can hit all types of pitching to all fields. Managers raved about his ability to make two-strike adjustments as a teenager.
His only below-average tool is his speed, but he uses it well on the bases and in right field. He shows good jumps and routes on fly balls. Though runners quickly learned not to challenge his cannon arm, he ranked fourth in the league with 13 outfield assists.
"This guy looks like Carlos Beltran when Beltran is going good," an American League scout said. "He doesn't run as well but he's a better hitter. And he's got that great arm. He has the highest ceiling in the league."
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
515 91 158 28 6 18 98 48 86 7 3 .307 .371 .489
Hee hee!! WHEEEEE!!!!!
The low Class A Midwest League has been good for at least one star hitting prospect each year this decade, with an alumni list that includes Albert Pujols and Adam Dunn (2000), Miguel Cabrera (2001), Joe Mauer (2002), Prince Fielder (2003) and Brandon Wood (2004).
The latest addition is South Bend outfielder Carlos Gonzales, who led the Silver Hawks to the league championship while catching the eye of everyone who saw him. He won the league MVP award and managers rated him the MWL's best batting prospect, defensive outfielder and outfield arm as well its most exciting player.
"I've seen all the guys who came through the league the last five years," a National League scout said, "and I'm not sure Gonzales isn't better than all of them except Joe Mauer. He's better than Daric Barton and Casey Kotchman. He's better than Justin Morneau, Jason Stokes and Adrian Gonzalez.
"That bat is so special. He's an easy, easy great bat."
1. CARLOS GONZALES, of, South Bend Silver Hawks (Diamondbacks)
Age: 19 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 180 B-T: L-L Drafted/Signed: Diamondbacks FA '02 (Venezuela)
The Diamondbacks had enough faith in Gonzales to send him to South Bend to start the 2004 season at age 18, but he broke his right wrist in the second week. He spent last summer instead in the short-season Northwest League, where he ranked as the No. 3 prospect behind outfielders Javier Herrera and Ryan Harvey—whom he outclassed in the MWL this year.
Gonzales has an effortless swing and balls soar off his bat. He keeps the bat in the strike zone for a long time and has proven he can hit all types of pitching to all fields. Managers raved about his ability to make two-strike adjustments as a teenager.
His only below-average tool is his speed, but he uses it well on the bases and in right field. He shows good jumps and routes on fly balls. Though runners quickly learned not to challenge his cannon arm, he ranked fourth in the league with 13 outfield assists.
"This guy looks like Carlos Beltran when Beltran is going good," an American League scout said. "He doesn't run as well but he's a better hitter. And he's got that great arm. He has the highest ceiling in the league."
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
515 91 158 28 6 18 98 48 86 7 3 .307 .371 .489
Hee hee!! WHEEEEE!!!!!
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