Down on the Farm - 2007 edition

[coyoteshockeyfan]

By the way, the Diamondbacks traded farmhand Danny Richar to the White Sox for outfielder Aaron Cunningham. Cunningham was a sixth rounder in 2005 and an All-Star selection in the A level Carolina League. He was also rater by BA as Chicago's 6th best prospect. I wonder why the White Sox were willing to let go a seemingly decent prospect in exchange for Richar?

 

[BC867]

Well Max Scherzer had another impressive outing today pitching 5 innings giving up 3 hits with 9 k's. It brought his ERA down to 0.53 over 3 games.

And a promotion to Double-A.

It will be interesting to see how he make the adjustment.

 

[CardEd]

From azcentral.com

--Diamondbacks outfield prospects Justin Upton and Carlos Gonzalez were selected to play in the Futures Game on July 8 in San Francisco, where the All-Star Game will be played two days later. Both players are in Double-A. Upton will be on the U.S. team, the Venezuelan-born Gonzalez the World team

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Max Scherzer and Brooks Brown are now pitching in AA for Mobile, and Brett Anderson will get his first start in High A tomorrow for Visalia.

 

[overseascardfan]

Max Scherzer and Brooks Brown are now pitching in AA for Mobile, and Brett Anderson will get his first start in High A tomorrow for Visalia.

The success of Scherzer & Anderson is well documented. I remember I was a little disappointed that we passed on Chamberlain & Huff and took Brown. How has his development coming along? Is he projecting as a RP or SP?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

BA Hot List - #11 Max Scherzer

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/264420.html

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Interesting, two guys that had disappeared have resurfaced for short season Yakima. Jason Neighborgall has managed to go an entire 1.2 innings (thats 5 enormous outs, people!) without giving up a run! He's still Jason Neighborgall though, so naturally he's walked six guys in that time span. Jason Urquidez is with the team as well, who was drafted in 2005 out of ASU but for whatever reason didn't pitch at all last year.

 

[nathan]

Upton goes deep

 

[Stallion]

Upton goes deep

USA! USA! USA!

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Around the Farm for July:

Tucson:
As it turns out, Carlos Quentin (.385/.467/.615 in 11 games), Robbie Hammock (.381/.468/.537), and Alberto Callaspo (.341/.404/.488) really hate being demoted. Quentin's early success is quite promising. Ever since his injury back in spring training his swing had been totally lost, but getting back on track in Tucson would be a huge step in the right direction for him. Chris Carter (.336/.397/.524 with 12 HRs) has dialed it up offensively, but 15 errors at first base is excruciating.

Mobile:
Justin Upton (.302/.382/.589 with 10 HR) is still doing his thing, but one would like to see him find a groove with his plate discipline (46 K's to 27 walks). Carlos Gonzalez (.264/.305/.463) slowly but surely is waking as well. Matt Green has been the top starter for Mobile, as the 2005 second rounder has an ERA of 3.73 and 101 strikeouts in 116.1 innings. The jury is still out on Max Scherzer (5.23 ERA, 31 IP) and Brooks Brown (4.50 ERA, 26 IP) as they get their first exposure to AA batters.

Visalia:
Aaron Cunningham (.356/.380/.535) was acquired in exchange for Danny Richar about a month ago and could be a nice little steal for Josh Byrnes. However, his four walks in 101 at bats hurts. Brett Anderson (5.84 ERA in 24.2 IP) is still getting used to pitching in High A ball. 2005 supplemental first rounder Matt Torra's (7.66 ERA, 20 starts) stock continues to plummet.

Dan Stange has been promoted from Visalia to AA, the 21 year old pitcher was drafted in 2006 and is regarded as one of the best relievers in the Diamondbacks farm system.

 

[overseascardfan]

Looks like our pitching prospects are hitting a rough patch after their early success, but given their talent level and skill set they will make the necessary adjustments, as they mature.

Matt Torra, the guy came pretty well hyped but doesn't look like he will get it together, hurts considering he was a supplemental first round pick.

 

[Stallion]

Carlos Quentin (.385/.467/.615 in 11 games)

OK, he's healthy. Bring him back up and start him every single game in RF. That is all.

 

[Mulli]

I just heard about the Richar for Cunningham deal. Any thoughts?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

BA Hot Sheet:
Hot: Justin Upton (#2) -- "A great week for everyone else on the planet translates to a good week for Upton. The Diamondbacks phenom batted .391 with three homers, but also added nicely to his on-base with 10 walks last week. With Upton and Carlos Gonzalez leading the way, and now Aaron Cunningham in Mobile, it gives the BayBears arguably the best outfield in the minors."

Not: Max Scherzer -- "After signing a four-year major league contract worth $4.3 million in guaranteed money as a 2006 first-rounder, Scherzer made just three starts in high Class A--striking out 30 in 17 innings--before the Diamondbacks promoted him to Double-A. "He's sick," Mobile outfielder Carlos Gonzalez said at the Futures Game. "Everything moves--he's got a lot of life to all his pitches." Well, Scherzer's stuff might have been sick when he arrived, but as the season goes on, there has been a major dropoff. In July, Scherzer went 1-2, 6.04 with a 22-19 strikeout-walk ratio."

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/264578.html

 

[Lefty]

I heard the Diamondbacks might bring up Upton in September.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I just heard about the Richar for Cunningham deal. Any thoughts?

Richar was shredding the ball in AAA. I'm not convinced he sticks in the big leagues, but he was just called up and Chicago will keep an eye on him. Cunningham at the beginning of the season was more well known at the beginning of the season than Richar. He's been bumped up to AA after an impressive stint in Visalia. He has excellent tools all across the board and is a sleeper that's one of my picks to climb his way up the Diamondback prospect charts.

 

[Mulli]

Richar looked good in his debut. Against Roy Halliday/Holliday he went 2 for 3. 0-6 since I think. Good move for the Sox to unload Iguchi and give this guy a shot.

 

[The Commish]

I heard the Diamondbacks might bring up Upton in September.

Sounds like we might bring him up on Friday with the injury to Quentin...

 

[nathan]

I just heard about the Richar for Cunningham deal. Any thoughts?

Richar has surpassed expectations this season, but I agree with coyoteshockeyfan that he won't stick in the big leagues. I saw him a bunch of times of the AZFL and I don't think he'll hit for average or contact. His defense is subpar (even for 2nd base).

Here's the scouting report for Cunningham

Spoiler

6. Aaron Cunningham, of Born: April 24, 1986 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 5-11 • Wt: 195
Drafted: Everett (Wash.) CC, 2005 (6th round) • Signed by: Joe Butler/Adam Virchis
Background: Undrafted out of high school and unknown when he arrived at Everett (Wash.) CC, Cunningham tore the cover off the ball as scouts flocked to see his teammates, pitchers Zach Simons and J.T. Zink. Cunningham hit .465 in his wood-bat league and joined Simons and Zink in the first eight rounds of the 2005 draft. He has batted .301 since signing as a sixth-rounder.

Strengths: A muscular, compact athlete, Cunningham produces above-average bat speed and drives the ball to all fields. He stepped up his power production in 2006, and the White Sox believe there's more to come. He crowds the plate and handles the bat well. He has above-average speed and arm strength.

Weaknesses: Cunningham is a born hitter but still a bit green in terms of rounding out his game. He must work better counts and curb some of his aggressiveness at the plate. He doesn’t get good jumps and probably won't be a basestealer at higher levels. He's probably going to be a left fielder because his jumps, throwing mechanics and accuracy all need work.

The Future: Easily Chicago's best position prospect in the lower minors, Cunningham is at least a couple of seasons away from being ready for the majors. He should start 2007 in high Class A and could hit his way to Double-A with a strong spring and fast start.

 

[Mulli]

First Chris B Young and now Aaron Cunningham. Sheesh. But I did like what a I saw in the one at bat by Richar that I watched.

 

[nathan]

Best Tools

PCL (AAA)
* Best Defensive Third Baseman: Brian Barden (DFA)

SL (AA)
* Best Batting Prospect: Justin Upton
* Best Strike Zone Judgement: Justin Upton
* Fastest Baserunner: Emilio Bonifacio
* Best Defensive Second Baseman: Emilio Bonifacio
* Best Outfield Arm: Carlos Gonzalez
* Most Exciting Player: Justin Upton

California League (High A)
* Best Reliever: Daniel Stange
* Best Outfield Arm: Leyson Septimo

Midwest league (Low A)
* Best Batting Prospect: Gerardo Parra
* Best Changeup: Brett Anderson
* Best Outfield Arm: Gerardo Parra

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

BA Hot List:

Hot - Carlos Gonzalez (#3)

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/264617.html

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

BA Hot Sheet

Hot - Clayton Conner (#16)

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/264664.html

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Very promising news from Mobile as both Max Scherzer and Brooks Brown have started to turn it around after rough starts. Scherzer has his ERA down to 3.91 (10 starts) and Brown to 4.28 (9 starts).

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

BA Hot Sheet:

Hot - Gerardo Parra (#12)

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/264693.html