Down on the farm

[coyoteshockeyfan]

"When Andy Green envisions what the Diamondbacks might look like next season, he doesn't see himself in the picture.

That's why he met with Byrnes on Friday to discuss the possibility of the Diamondbacks selling his rights to a Japanese team.

"It's a situation where I don't have much control over it," Green said. "I have to wait and see what they do."

Byrnes said: "Where we are with Andy, we want to look at a few scenarios and one of them is Japan. In fairness to him, we'll look to resolve some things as quickly as we can.""

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1001dbnotes1001.html

 

[boondockdrunk]

California League Top 20 Prospects
1. Reid Brignac, ss, Visalia (Devil Rays)
2. Carlos Gonzalez, of, Lancaster (Diamondbacks)
3. Franklin Morales, lhp, Modesto (Rockies)
4. Nick Adenhart, rhp, Rancho Cucamonga (Angels)
5. Eric Hurley, rhp, Bakersfield (Rangers)
6. Travis Buck, of, Stockton (Athletics)
7. Jose Arredondo, rhp, Rancho Cucamonga (Angels)
8. Greg Reynolds, rhp, Modesto (Rockies)
9. Greg Smith, lhp, Lancaster (Diamondbacks)
10. Jonathan Herrera, ss, Modesto (Rockies)
11. Emilio Bonifacio, 2b, Lancaster (Diamondbacks)
12. Sean Rodriguez, ss, Rancho Cucamonga (Angels)
13. Mark Reynolds, if, Lancaster (Diamondbacks)
14. Ben Harrison, of, Bakersfield (Rangers)
15. Landon Powell, c, Stockton (Athletics)
16. Yung Chi Chen, 2b, Inland Empire (Mariners)
17. Fernando Perez, of, Visalia (Devil Rays)
18. Samuel Deduno, rhp, Modesto (Rockies)
19. Cesar Ramos, lhp, Lake Elsinore (Rockies)
20. Chase Headley, 3b, Lake Elsinore (Padres)

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/262542.html

A year after Brandon Wood, Stephen Drew and Howie Kendrick headlined a banner class in the high Class A California League, the talent level dipped quite a bit in 2006. There were a few very good prospects at the top of the league--namely 20-year-old sluggers Reid Brignac and Carlos Gonzalez and 20-year-old righthanders Franklin Morales, Nick Adenhart and Eric Hurley--but there were plenty of question marks after that.

Depth of talent was severely lacking, as there were just five position players whom a consensus of scouts and managers projected as future big league regulars. Besides Brignac and Gonzalez, that group included Stockton outfielder Travis Buck, Modesto shortstop Jonathan Herrera and Lancaster second baseman Emilio Bonifacio.

The league received an infusion of talent from the draft, as No. 2 overall pick Greg Reynolds, No. 3 choice Evan Longoria and No. 10 selection Tim Lincecum reached high Class A in a hurry.

Among that trio, only Reynolds qualified for this list, as Longoria quickly smashed his way to Double-A and Lincecum's strict pitch count kept him from reaching the minimum innings threshold. Both Longoria and Lincecum would have been locks for the top 10 and made strong cases for the top five had they qualified.Though neither Lancaster nor Modesto made the playoffs, they tied for the league high with four prospects on this Top 20 list. They featured the league's two breakthrough performers, Herrera and JetHawks infielder Mark Reynolds.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

• How good a prospect is Diamondbacks second baseman Emilio Bonifacio? I know it came in the hitter-friendly California League, but a .321 average, .824 on-base plus slugging percentage and 61 steals seem awfully strong for a 21-year-old in high Class A. His 44-104 BB-K ratio wasn't strong, but it improved quite a bit (23-43) in the last two months. Will he make BA's Arizona Top 10 Prospects list, even as deep as that farm system is?
  
  Justin Riddick
  Nashville

Second base isn't exactly a prospect haven, but Bonifacio is one of the better up-and-coming minor leaguers at his position. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2001, he has made steady improvement in his three years in full-season ball. Though Diamondbacks still have a deep farm system, he could sneak onto the bottom of their Top 10 when we unveil it early next year.
Bonifacio just missed the Top 10 in the Cal League, checking in at No. 11. We'll have the full Top 20 posted on Tuesday, but I'll give you a sneak preview of what Aaron Fitt wrote about him:
After spending the previous two years at low Class A South Bend, Bonifacio continued to improve significantly as he moved up to Lancaster, leading the league with 61 stolen bases (in 75 attempts) and finishing second with 117 runs. He draws comparisons to Twins second baseman Luis Castillo for his game and his body, and though his slugging percentage rose 119 points from a year ago, Bonifacio knows his game is keeping the ball on the ground and using his plus-plus speed.
"Whenever he pops a ball up, you can see his body language--he knows that's not him," an American League scout said. "He's a switch-hitter, a slap contact guy, he knows his game and looks very teachable and receptive. There's no doubt in my mind he'll play in the big leagues. He's got all the tools you look for in an All-Star second baseman. He may be the most exciting player I've seen in a while."
Bonifacio has been clocked between 3.4 and 3.6 seconds up the line from the left side on a bunt, giving him a chance for a hit on any grounder to the left side. He's always hustling and putting pressure on the defense, and his instincts on the basepaths are outstanding.
Bonifacio has the tools to be a plus defender at second base, with soft hands, good quickness and improving range. He still plays out of control at times and tends to rush his throws, but his arm strength is adequate and his exchange is very smooth.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/askba/262539.html

Top 10 in the Dbacks farm system for Bonifacio? That's very high praise.

 

[FinleyLover]

Okay, so... an article on the Bullpen site (which I still can't access due to it saying that my password/name is incorrect) was linked that said the AA players were being shipped to Mobile BayBears. Does that mean that they will stay affiliated with the Dbacks if they were drafted by them previously? I am so confused.

 

[nathan]

Okay, so... an article on the Bullpen site (which I still can't access due to it saying that my password/name is incorrect) was linked that said the AA players were being shipped to Mobile BayBears. Does that mean that they will stay affiliated with the Dbacks if they were drafted by them previously? I am so confused.

The Diamondbacks sign player development contracts with minor league affiliates. The Diamondbacks agree to provide players to the affiliate for the length of the contract. Once the contract expires, the Diamondbacks are free to renew the deal or sign a deal with a new affiliate. In the case of the Diamondbacks' AA affiliation, they signed a deal with Mobile instead of renewing with Tennessee (who wanted the Cubs). There's nothing to worry about. Carlos Gonzalez will be playing in Mobile not Tennessee.

 

[FinleyLover]

It's not Carlos Gonzales that I'm worried about. It's my friend AJ Shappi. I will be crushed if I don't get to see him play for the Sidewinders and Dbacks. I don't know the status on his contract, I will have to ask.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Arizona re-ups their deal with Tucson (as if there was any doubt)

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...t_id=1701080&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

 

[Arizona's Finest]

After spending the previous two years at low Class A South Bend, Bonifacio continued to improve significantly as he moved up to Lancaster, leading the league with 61 stolen bases (in 75 attempts) and finishing second with 117 runs. He draws comparisons to Twins second baseman Luis Castillo for his game and his body, and though his slugging percentage rose 119 points from a year ago, Bonifacio knows his game is keeping the ball on the ground and using his plus-plus speed.
"Whenever he pops a ball up, you can see his body language--he knows that's not him," an American League scout said. "He's a switch-hitter, a slap contact guy, he knows his game and looks very teachable and receptive. There's no doubt in my mind he'll play in the big leagues. He's got all the tools you look for in an All-Star second baseman. He may be the most exciting player I've seen in a while."
Bonifacio has been clocked between 3.4 and 3.6 seconds up the line from the left side on a bunt, giving him a chance for a hit on any grounder to the left side. He's always hustling and putting pressure on the defense, and his instincts on the basepaths are outstanding.
Bonifacio has the tools to be a plus defender at second base, with soft hands, good quickness and improving range. He still plays out of control at times and tends to rush his throws, but his arm strength is adequate and his exchange is very smooth.

Now this is an exciting turn of events. If i recall we havn't really had a top prospect like this guy (high speed stolen base guy who makes contact) and he could be the tru leadoff hitter this team has looked for for ages. He would probably be ready at just the right time as Hudson would be on the wrong side of thirty. Potentially we would have two high speed guys at the top in Emilio and Chris Young. Combine that with the projected power numbers of guys like Drew, Jackson, Quentin and maybe even Upton.

Now give me a rising dominant pitcher and I'l be VERY happy....

 

[nathan]

Went to the Scorpions (AFL) game tonight.

Richar played the entire game. He doubled once and scored a couple of times. Seemed like he has average tools. Matt Elliott pitched one inning and gave up a couple of runs. He's short with average stuff and decent control. Mike Schultz struck out all three batters he faced. Decent fastball but odd mechanics.

No sign of Mark Reynolds, Jamie D'Antona, or Stephen Jackson.

Big names that played were Ryan Braun, Gavin Floyd, Gio Gonzalez, and Eric Duncan.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Excerpt from azcentral article "Upton Mildly Satisfied With First Season":

"I learned a lot," he said. "But I really didn't perform to the ability that I think I could. It's a learning process, and I think I'm here working on the stuff that I need to work on."

The Diamondbacks are ecstatic about Upton's hard-driving attitude - if anything, they'd like him to be less demanding of himself - and though his first-year statistics don't jump off the page (.263, 12 homers, 66 RBIs), the club is pleased with his development.

"Every time I've seen him, he's gotten better from the last time I saw him," said Jack Howell, who oversees on-field activities in the Diamondbacks farm system. "His attitude is outstanding. He's a great kid."

Full article here:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1013upton1013.html

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Southern League Top 20 Prospects:

#11 - Miguel Montero
#15 - Alberto Gonzalez

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/262562.html

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Pacific Coast League Top 20 Prospects:

#1 - Stephen Drew
#7 - Chris Young
#10 - Carlos Quentin
#17 - Miguel Montero

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/262623.html

 

[boondockdrunk]

Mark Reynolds hit his third and fourth homers Saturday for Scottsdale of the Arizona Fall League.
Both were solo shots. Reynolds had one of the biggest breakout seasons in the minors this year, batting .318/.401/.633 with 31 homers in 387 at-bats between Single-A Lancaster and Double-A Tennessee. Unfortunately, he stopped playing shortstop after moving up, splitting time between second, third and left field. He's also seeing most of his action in the AFL in left. It appears likely that he'll be a utilityman in the majors.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&filter_teams=N&id=4649

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Update on how the Dback prospects are doing in the Fall/Winter leagues

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...t_id=1738280&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

Seems like Reynolds is the only one of our AFL guys doing well

 

[nathan]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/...t_id=143094&vkey=news_t516&fext=.jsp&sid=t516

 

[overseascardfan]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/...t_id=143094&vkey=news_t516&fext=.jsp&sid=t516

Looks like position playerwise we are in good shape for the next 10 years. Funny how Nippert and Owings can have good years (Nippert's ERA is pretty high) and be considered back of the rotation starters/long relievers, mst be the offensive muscle of the Sidewinders this year. What I found most amazing is how Max Scherzer would be considered 4th on the list, he's probably got the best stuff out of the P's but he hasn't proven anything yet and is not a lock to sign with us anytime soon. BTW where is Cyle Hankerd (sp??) on this list?

 

[devilfan02]

Looks like position playerwise we are in good shape for the next 10 years. Funny how Nippert and Owings can have good years (Nippert's ERA is pretty high) and be considered back of the rotation starters/long relievers, mst be the offensive muscle of the Sidewinders this year. What I found most amazing is how Max Scherzer would be considered 4th on the list, he's probably got the best stuff out of the P's but he hasn't proven anything yet and is not a lock to sign with us anytime soon. BTW where is Cyle Hankerd (sp??) on this list?

Nippert is garbage, that's why he's considered back of the rotation material. And thats being nice

 

[overseascardfan]

Nippert is garbage, that's why he's considered back of the rotation material. And thats being nice

That's why I mentioned Tuscon's offense that covered him kind of how the Yankees offense covered their terrible pitching.

 

[devilfan02]

That's why I mentioned Tuscon's offense that covered him kind of how the Yankees offense covered their terrible pitching.

True. Nippert just seems like a wreck whenever he gets called up. IMO it's mental with him

 

[Espo]

True. Nippert just seems like a wreck whenever he gets called up. IMO it's mental with him

Outside of the few call ups Nippert has had have you seen him pitch? It is true that Tucson's offense bailed him out on numerous occasions but when he was on he was very very very dominant in Tucson and was a strikeout machine. The guy is young and still has a good chance of proving himself in the bigs.

 

[devilfan02]

I watched 2 of his games last season on TV while he was with the Sidewinders. One of the games, against Colorado Springs, he was up 4 nothing and was pitching great. Had something like a 2 hitter going through 4 innings. He had 2 outs in the 5th and gave up a double and completely lost it. He got pissed off, walked a couple batters, gave up a couple hits and just like that he was out of the game and the lead was gone. They ended up losing the game.

I fully realize that I have not seen him pitch much outside of his short big league stints. However, he shown me zero signs of being a big league pitcher. He has ZERO CONTROL and he doesn't seem to have an above avg pitch for the next level. To be honest, I could care less about his AAA numbers because he never shows a hint of his ability when it's needed the most. At some point he needs to do what Enrique did last year- come up and take advantage of his opportunity. Enrique has a ways to go but at least he's shown he can contribute.

The other thing that irks me is that people think Nippert is our saving grace because he's supposedly our #1 pitching prospect. Just because he's been tabbed that, in a very weak pitching farm system, doesn't neccesarily mean that he's a big time prospect.


I could very well be dead wrong on this topic (and I hope I am) but to me he seems to be all hype. He's gonna need to figure it out soon

 

[Espo]

The other thing that irks me is that people think Nippert is our saving grace because he's supposedly our #1 pitching prospect. Just because he's been tabbed that, in a very weak pitching farm system, doesn't neccesarily mean that he's a big time prospect.


I could very well be dead wrong on this topic (and I hope I am) but to me he seems to be all hype. He's gonna need to figure it out soon

I completely agree with that assessment. Being the number 1 pitching prospect in this system isn't that big of an accomplishment their isn't much pitching at all. I was just saying that I've seen Nippert be dominant at times and accomplish a lot in triple-a but you are correct in saying he hasn't taken advantage of his opportunities like Enrique Gonzalez did.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Brett Butler to coach Mobile.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/...21&content_id=145813&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

 

[overseascardfan]

Anybody have the latest news on Scherzer? Haven't heard anything in months, that can't be good.

 

[devilfan02]

We still have a while, it's fine. Byrnes is busy with FA. This is standard for us