Down on the farm

[nathan]

http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/story/5782608
7. Justin Upton - OF Diamondbacks - DOB: 08/25/87 - ETA: 2009
Previous rankings: 2006 #8

.278/.348/.426, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 53/27 K/BB, 9 SB in 263 AB for low Single-A South Bend

Obviously, it's still very early. Upton received a $6.1 million bonus in January after being drafted first overall in 2005. The Diamondbacks initially said that they'd develop him as a shortstop, but he was moved to center field right before the beginning of the season and seems set to stay there for the long-term. Upton shows outstanding bat speed and already has a pretty good idea of what he's doing at the plate. Expectations are that he'll eventually develop 25-homer power. Even though Chris Young should be firmly established by the time that B.J.'s younger brother is ready for the majors, Upton is still likely to advance more quickly as a center fielder than he would have as a shortstop. He could be ready as soon as 2009, when he'll be 21.

9. Carlos Quentin - OF Diamondbacks - DOB: 08/28/82 - ETA: April 2007
Previous rankings: mid-2004 #44, 2005 #21, mid-2005 #12, 2006 #17

.298/.426/.498, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 44/39 K/BB, 4 SB in 295 AB for Triple-A Tucson

Quentin is nearly duplicating his .301/.422/.520 line from last year at Tucson. He's hit for more power since a down April, and his OBP, which is inflated by his knack for getting hit by pitches, remains excellent. The Chris Young acquisition has put Quentin back in right field, which is where he belongs. The Diamondbacks tried him in center last year, but he doesn't have quite enough range for the position. The club could break in both Quentin and Young next year, with Quentin replacing free agent-to-be Luis Gonzalez. Quentin should settle in as a .290-.300 hitter and peak as a 25-homer guy. He'll probably fall short of being an All-Star, but he'll be an above average regular for a long time.

12. Chris Young - OF Diamondbacks - DOB: 09/05/83 - ETA: April 2007
Previous rankings: 2005 #137, mid-2005 #28, 2006 #24

.271/.359/.508, 14 HR, 49 RBI, 48/33 K/BB, 7 SB in 262 AB for Triple-A Tucson

Young suffered a broken bone in his right hand in February and got off to a slow start after joining Tucson on April 20, but he's back in his usual form now. Especially promising is that he's cut back on the strikeouts, which is the one thing that most held against him entering the year. Young fanned 145 times in 2004 and 129 times last year, though he had OPSs of 870 and 922 anyway. Because of his power-speed combination and his exceptional defense in center field, Young earns comparisons to Mike Cameron. He's probably not quite at that level with the glove, but he has a chance to be a better hitter than Cameron. The Diamondbacks could make him their center fielder next year if he stays at his current pace. He won't hit for average right away, but he could be good for 25 homers and 20 steals as a rookie.

16. Stephen Drew - SS Diamondbacks - DOB: 03/16/83 - ETA: Aug. 2006
Previous rankings: mid-2005 #15, 2006 #18

.285/.340/.463, 13 HR, 51 RBI, 49/32 K/BB, 3 SB in 337 AB for Triple-A Tucson

Drew seemed to be on the verge of forcing the Diamondbacks to trade Craig Counsell when he hit 340 in April, but he's struggled ever since, especially in June. He also hasn't been especially impressive on defense. There's been speculation that Drew would need to move off shortstop since before he was signed, but the Diamondbacks seemed to commit to him as a shortstop when they moved Justin Upton to center field. Drew likely will be decent enough to last a few years at the position, with a move to second perhaps coming later. He may have the 25-homer power and on-base skills to be a No. 3 hitter in the majors.

19. Carlos Gonzalez - OF Diamondbacks - DOB: 10/17/85 - ETA: 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2005 #139, 2006 #92

.315/.368/.567, 14 HR, 75 RBI, 78/22 K/BB, 11 SB in 314 AB for Single-A Lancaster

As if the Diamondbacks needed another top outfield prospect. Gonzalez blossomed in the Midwest League last year and has taken another big step forward in 2006. A toolsier player than either Quentin or Conor Jackson, Gonzalez should be a terrific defensive right fielder. He makes enough contact at the plate to be a .300 hitter, and he'll likely possess 30-homer power someday. That his K/BB ratio has gone from 86/48 in 515 AB last year to 78/22 in 314 at-bats this year would be a larger concern if he wasn't putting up such impressive numbers anyway. The Diamondbacks can afford to go slowly with Gonzalez, but if he continues to progress next year, it's possible that he'll be a replacement for Shawn Green in 2008.

 

[nathan]

68. Micah Owings - RHP Diamondbacks - DOB: 09/28/82 - ETA: Sept. 2006
Previous rankings: none

6-2, 2.91 ERA, 66 H, 69/17 K/BB in 74 1/3 IP for Double-A Tennessee
4-0, 3.72 ERA, 32 H, 16/12 K/BB in 29 IP for Triple-A Tucson

Owings was an excellent two-way player at Tulane, but he lasted into the third round in the 2005 draft anyway. Like most teams, the Diamondbacks preferred him as a right-handed pitcher. Given his lack of a quality third pitch, he didn't seem likely to move this quickly. However, with the way he's performing now, he could be a rotation candidate as soon as next month. Owings throws 92-94 mph and has an excellent slider. If he doesn't improve his changeup, he might fit best as a reliever. He'd likely add velocity while working an inning or two at a time, giving him a lethal fastball-slider combination.

75. Dustin Nippert - RHP Diamondbacks - DOB: 05/06/81 - ETA: May 2007
Previous rankings: 2004 #97, mid-2004 #74, 2005 ---, mid-2005 #85, 2006 #60

9-4, 5.06 ERA, 103 H, 82/39 K/BB in 89 IP for Triple-A Tucson
0-1, 10.80 ERA, 7 H, 3/4 K/BB in 5 IP for Arizona

Nippert was supposed to be a permanent member of the Arizona rotation by now, but after such a speedy comeback from Tommy John surgery in 2005, he's regressed this year. The 6-foot-7 right-hander still has a fastball that reaches the mid-90s, but he's lacked consistency with his No. 2 pitch, a knuckle-curve. Since he doesn't have a very good changeup, he needs his top two pitches to be on if he's going to have success. He's still likely to be a major leaguer, but it might be a couple of years before he's a good one.

95. Garrett Mock - RHP Diamondbacks - DOB: 04/25/83 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: 2006 #116

102. Chris Carter - 1B Diamondbacks - DOB: 09/16/82 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: none

103. Miguel Montero - C Diamondbacks - DOB: 07/09/83 - ETA: April 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2005 #115, 2006 #131

126. Greg Smith - LHP Diamondbacks - DOB: 12/22/83 - ETA: June 2007
Previous rankings: none

146. Alberto Callaspo - 2B Diamondbacks - DOB: 04/19/83 - ETA: July 2007
Previous rankings: none

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/story/5782608

The Diamondbacks had more players on that list than any other team with twelve, including 5 of the top 19. Outstanding!

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Champing at the bit: Outfielder Scott Hairston said he expects to be back in the lineup for Triple-A Tucson on Friday or Saturday "at the latest."
Hairston was recalled from Tucson on June 19 and injured his right shoulder that day when he ran into the left-field wall.
"I've been letting it go the last few days," Hairston said of swinging fully. "Throwing I've probably gone at about 85 percent. I'm going to start letting it go today to see how it feels. I'm just dying to get back on that field and start playing some games."
The 26-year-old has put up big numbers against Triple-A pitching this year, hitting .340 with 18 homers and 55 RBIs.

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...t_id=1561626&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

BA Hot Sheet:
Hot - Justin Upton

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/261968.html

 

[Espo]

Miguel Montero made his Triple-A debut last night and went 0-3 but made a great defensive play on a pop up behind the plate that was heading into the visiting dugout. It was the defensive play of the game. Plus he also looked like he took charge behind the plate and when he went to the mound for visits.

 

[nathan]

With all the position prospects in the Diamondbacks' fold--outfielders Justin Upton, Carlos Gonzalez and Carlos Quentin; catcher Miguel Montero; third basemen Brian Barden and Jamie D'Antona and recent graduate Stephen Drew just to name a few--it might be easy for players to sometimes be overlooked.

And while Drew's promotion now pushes Double-A Tennessee shortstop Alberto Gonzales to the top of the depth chart, one of the emerging names at the premium position is low Class A South Bend shortstop Pedro Ciriaco.

Ciriaco, who was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2003, spent his first two seasons in the Dominican Summer League. His bat came to life in 2004 when he hit .349/.401/.437 in 252 at-bats. He played for the first time in the States last season, batting just .240/.264/.331 in 254 at-bats at Rookie-level Missoula.

A solid-average to above-average shortstop defensively, Ciriaco's bat has been just OK in his first full season with the Silver Hawks--he's hitting .265/.307/.337 in 359 at-bats. But defense is his calling card, and likely his ticket to the big leagues.

Several pro scouts have given Ciriaco rave reviews in the Midwest League this season. We hooked up with a pro scout from an American League club to get the lowdown on the latest Diamondback climbing the ladder.

"He's legit. I wrote him up as an 80 runner with a 50 arm, 70 range, 70 fielder--he's just legit. Good first-step quickness to both sides and has enough arm to stay there, I believe.

"The bat? You can toss it up--is he going to be an average hitter or is he going to be a touch below, but he's a freakin' shortstop, there's no doubt.

"He's got a chance to be something. He's 20 years old and he can do it all defensively. As a runner, I had him at 4.02 times down the line from the right side on a full swing and he had more left in him. He was pulling off at the end, but he's legit. He's one of the best shortstops I've seen this season, hands down."

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/features/261971.html

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Good news on Torra...

The Diamondbacks have assigned Matt Torra, a supplemental first-rounder in 2005 out of Massachusetts, to low Class A South Bend. The righthander has been out all year while recovering from surgery to repair a slight labrum tear. He will not be pitching in games right away, but the Diamondbacks want him to finish his rehab while part of a team atmosphere . . . Diamondbacks outfielder Chris Rahl hit his California League-leading 34th double (the fourth-most in the minors) as part of his three-hit day for high Class A Lancaster. Rahl, a fifth-round pick out of William & Mary in 2005, is on fire in July, batting .375 in 72 at-bats. He has five multi-hit games in his last seven . . .

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/news/261986.html

 

[nathan]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/...d=milb&t=g_box&gid=2006_07_23_tucaaa_slcaaa_1

No Drew. No Quentin. That is pretty amazing.

 

[Stallion]

Holy cow, the Winders are playing some BALL!

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Drew trying to disprove doubters of his defense
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0724dbacknotes0724.html

 

[boondockdrunk]

2B Alberto Callaspo, Triple-A Tucson (Diamondbacks)

Callaspo is on another roll, with Sunday's five-hit performance as part of Tucson's 28-5 drubbing of Salt Lake representing his fifth consecutive multi-hit game. It's a streak in which he's gone 15-for-27 with a pair of doubles, three triples, a home run, seven runs scored, and nine RBI, upping his season averages to .338/.406/.465. On Friday he played shortstop, on Saturday he played second base, and on Sunday he played third. He probably will have to wait until 2007 to get a crack at a fulltime job, but he could be getting some big at-bats for the once-again contending Diamondbacks in September.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5334

 

[HooverDam]

^how is Albertos defense? I love Hudsons glove, but perhaps we can trade him for something and replace him w/ Alberto. If we could get a decent pitching prospect for Hudson, I'd be thrilled.

 

[boondockdrunk]

Here is a scouting report on him.

Acquired by the D'Backs right at the beginning of the '06 spring training from the Angels in return for reliever Jason Bulger, Callaspo immediately moves toward the top of the second baseman in the system. A slick fielder with an incredible batting eye and an amazing ability to make contact (he struck out once every 22.65 at bats in a 2005 season split between Double and Triple-A, which was good enough to lead all of minor league baseball) he can play both middle infield spots and was, many believe, the real reason the Diamondbacks were comfortable moving Alex Cintron. Will step into the starting second baseman's role if anything happens to Orlando Hudson.

Other reports have him as a talented defensive player at second base, but state that he can play other positions and might be a 'super' utility player.

With that said, I think I would rather sign Hudson long term and then package Callapso with another prospect for pitching help. Hudson's fielding is just too good to let go.

 

[Espo]

Callaspo is solid defensivly at Short, Second and Third. His defense this season has been just as impressive as his offense. He has filled in a lot at Short since Drew went up and has looked very good. He has good arm strength and good range at all three positions.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

BA Hot Sheet
Hot - Brian Barden (#5)
Honorable Mention - Alberto Callaspo
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/261998.html

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

"One night after Triple-A Salt Lake got bombed 28-5 by Tucson, the Bees got a solid start from lefthander Joe Saunders, who allowed just three runs over eight innings. It wasn't enough. Tucson righthander Dustin Nippert went seven innings while surrendering just one run. He struck out 11 and walked only one, and the Sidewinders won 3-2. Tucson manager Chip Hale was sympathetic to Salt Lake's plight, telling The Salt Lake Tribune: "Saunders might be the best pitcher in the league. This is the best (Nippert) has thrown in a while.""
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/news/262003.html

 

[Lefty]

http://www.azstarnet.com/sports/139503

By Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.26.2006
Considering who they have sent to the big leagues this month, the Sidewinders were due to get an impact player in return.
Diamondbacks outfielder Scott Hairston joined the club on a rehab assignment over the weekend with hopes of returning to the form that made him a contender for Pacific Coast League MVP honors earlier this year.
Hairston announced his return Tuesday by knocking a home run and a double in the Sidewinders' 10-7 victory over Iowa at Tucson Electric Park. Though he missed a month's worth of Triple-A games, Hairston still leads the Sidewinders with 20 home runs and is second with a .328 batting average.
"It's good to be back playing again and staying with the team," said Hairston, who had been out since June 20 with a strained shoulder. "The first couple games back, I've been trying to do too much. But I'm going to try to keep things simple now that I'm back."
The former Canyon del Oro High School star was only supposed to be a short-term solution when he was summoned for the D'backs' make-up game against Pittsburgh on June 19. But Hairston injured his right shoulder running into the left field wall during the 10th inning of that game and was sent directly to the disabled list.
Hairston's last month has been a blur of trips down Interstate 10 — he rehabbed in Phoenix when the Diamondbacks were home and returned to Tucson when the major-leaguers went on road trips.
"That was tough," he said.
Hairston's return is good news for a Sidewinders team that remains in first place despite being decimated by call-ups in recent weeks. Former Tucson stars Stephen Drew, Carlos Quentin and Tony Peña are all enjoying success with the Diamondbacks after being summoned in the last two weeks.
Hairston, with some quality at-bats, could conceivably follow the trio to Phoenix.
"On the field, when he's healthy, Scott's capable of vying for the Triple Crown and a (PCL) MVP award," Sidewinders manager Chip Hale said. "And healthwise, he's pretty much 100 percent."
A Bacsik steal
Mike Bacsik had admirers in the D'backs organization when he signed as a free agent during spring training. But few thought the journeyman left-hander would turn into the Sidewinders' ace.
Bacsik improved to 10-0 as a Sidewinder on Tuesday by throwing six innings, allowing five runs and nine hits. Bacsik threw 86 pitches and likely could have gone an extra inning but was lifted for pinch hitter Jon Weber with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth.
Bacsik, 28, appeared in the big leagues for the Indians (2001), Mets (2002-03) and Rangers (2004). The Sidewinders signed Bacsik after he was cut by the Nationals in spring training.
"He gives us quality outings all the time here," said Hale, who called Bacsik the most pleasant surprise of the season. "We're going to try to get him to pitch into the seventh inning or later. If he can do that, he could potentially go up to our big-league club."

 

[nathan]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/news/262005.html
Going, Going, Gone For C-Go

Diamondbacks outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has cooled off a bit in July after tearing up the high Class A California League at a .424 clip in June, but his home run numbers have actually increased. The 20-year-old slugged two homers in Lancaster's 10-7 win against Inland Empire on Tuesday, giving him 17 long balls on the season and seven in July after he hit just two in June. But Gonzalez is hitting just .270 this month with two doubles (down from 12 last month) while striking out 22 times (up from 12 in June).

Still, he has impressed Cal League managers, even drawing comparisons to another Venezuelan outfielder: Bob Abreu. His confident approach also evokes a couple of other big leaguers.

"Gonzalez reminds me of Hank Blalock and Ian Kinsler. The thing that stands out to me about all three is they think they can hit anybody," said Bakersfield manager Carlos Subero, who coached Blalock and Kinsler as they came up through the Rangers system. "Gonzalez, he has better tools than those two. He loves fielding, loves throwing the ball, likes runners trying to take the extra base so he can show off his arm.

"I think Carlos Gonzalez might be one of the best outfielders coming out of Venezuela. He can have a long career if he stays healthy."

--AARON FITT

 

[Lefty]

http://www.azstarnet.com/sports/139650

Catcher makes impact quickly
By Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.27.2006
When Miguel Montero tells you there's not much difference between Triple-A and Double-A, you roll your eyes.
Then you look at his numbers.
The Sidewinders' new starting catcher is hitting .417 with two home runs and 12 RBIs since being called up July 19. More than that, the left-hand-hitting Venezuelan is a main reason why the Sidewinders have not skipped a beat since losing Stephen Drew, Carlos Quentin and Tony Peña to the Diamondbacks.
The Sidewinders raised their record to 67-36 with a 4-3 victory over Iowa in 12 innings at Tucson Electric Park on Wednesday night. Tucson remains 13 games ahead of Sacramento in the PCL's Pacific Southern Division.
"Miguel, he's been a big part of our wins," Sidewinders manager Chip Hale said. "He's been doing a great job for us, both offensively and defensively. He's been great behind the plate, calling games. He bounces around, and he has a lot of energy."
Just don't expect Montero to exert much of it trying to explain his success. He claims that calm nerves and hard work have been the key to success at every level of minor-league ball. Montero said thinking about the future just clouds his present approach.
"You don't expect anything in baseball," he said prior to sitting out Wednesday's game. "You do the best you can. You don't try to overdo it. Everything's been the same here as it was in Double-A. The pitchers might throw more strikes or have more command, but I don't see too much of a difference.
"That might be the key — not to do too much. I'm not trying to do too much."
Montero has climbed the minor-league ladder since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He struggled his first two years in the minors. But solid seasons at Rookie League Missoula (Mont.) and low Single-A South Bend (Ind.) earned him a call-up to high Single-A Lancaster (Calif.) in 2005. He enjoyed a breakthrough year with the JetHawks, nailing 24 home runs while leading the California League with a .349 batting average. Montero spent the latter half of 2005 and the first three months of this season with Double-A Tennessee before joining Tucson.
Now that he's at Triple-A, Montero, 23, is being watched closely by the Diamondbacks' brass, Hale said.
"The reason he got called up was because the organization and the people in our front office thought this was the time to challenge him for his next move," Hale said. "He's a high-priority guy for the organization. If he can hit like he's hitting right now, then he'll put himself in a really good position, major-league-wise."
Inside pitch
● Pitcher Adam Bass was cruising toward Sidewinders history Wednesday night before losing a would-be perfect game in the seventh inning. Bass retired the first 18 Iowa hitters before allowing a single to Augie Ojeda to lead off the seventh.
● Robby Hammock added to his "Mr. Versatility" label when he made his first career start at first base. Hammock started to give Chris Carter — who is mired in an 0-for-13 slump — a day off. "It's a good chance for Robby, and it's a good chance to give Chris a day off from starting," Hale said.
Hammock has played catcher, first base, left field and right field this season.

 

[Lefty]

Dustin Nippert had a 2nd straight quality start and Brian Barden drove in 6 with 4 hits as the Sidewinders blew by the Royals.
Barden gave the Sidewinders the lead with a 3-run homer in the 3rd. He doubled in 2 more runs in the 6-run 5th and added an RBI single in the 4-run 6th when the team blew open the game. Barden came up in the bottom of the 8th looking for the cycle. He hit the ball into the gap but Barden, who has 2 triples this season, could only make it as far as 2nd base. That didn’t remove the shine from a 4-5 night that raised his average to .315. Robby Hammock was 3-5 with a homer while Scott Hairston was 3-5 with a double and 2 RBIs for the Sidewinders who got hits from everyone in the starting lineup. Chris Carter went 1-4 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored to snap out of an 0-16 slump.
With all the run support, Nippert cruised to his 12th win of the season by scattering 11 hits and 3 runs across 7 innings. He struck out 3 and walked 2. He tied Jason Hirsh for the league lead in wins.

Barden 3B 4-5, HR (16), 2 2B, BB, 6 RBI, 2 R (.315)
Hammock RF 3-5, HR (16), RBI, R (.309)
Hairston LF 3-5, 2B, BB, 2 RBI, 2 R (.325)
Carter 1B 1-4, 2 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R (.305)
Alberto Callaspo DH 2-3, 2B, 2 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R, CS (5) (.333)
Chris Young CF 1-5, BB, 2 R, K (.275)
Miguel Montero C 1-6, 2B, RBI, 2 K (.436)

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

BA Hot Sheet:
Honorable Mention - Dustin Nippert
Helium Watch - Chris Rahl

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/262093.html

 

[Lefty]

http://www.azstarnet.com/sports/140452

Pitcher a hit at all his baseball stops
By Bruce Pascoe
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.02.2006
Only 14 months have passed since Micah Owings last pitched in New Orleans.
Yet when the right-hander starts for the Sidewinders on Thursday at Zephyr Stadium, the reunion is already bound to seem a bit blurry.
When Owings last appeared in New Orleans, he was Conference USA's MVP — a power-hitting utilityman who also pitched.
In one C-USA tournament game against Memphis, he went 2 for 3 with a home run and five RBIs — while striking out nine batters in six innings. Now, he returns — already at the highest level of minor-league baseball — solely as a pitching prospect.
Where Owings' Tulane baseball team rode a memorable 2005 season from its Turchin Stadium home into the College World Series in Omaha, the Green Wave was lucky just to find a temporary dwelling at Zephyr Stadium this spring.
Turchin Stadium was on the long list of Hurricane Katrina victims, and it was still unplayable this spring after the campus experienced major flooding. Another victim was a close teammate of Owings'.
"He was hit pretty hard," Owings said. "It was tough to see him and his family go through it. This is a family that stuck most of the hurricanes out, but for some reason they left the night before the flooding came in, and their property was hit by oil-(tainted) water and ruined. It's tough to even talk about it."
Though Owings spent only the 2005 season at Tulane after having spent his first two years of college baseball at Georgia Tech, he bonded with several teammates and coaches there. He said he is anxious to pitch in New Orleans on Thursday, as he was to appear there in early February at a Tulane alumni game.
"I couldn't wait to get down there and see a bunch of the team," Owings said. "It was good to get back and see a lot of the guys. There's still a lot of devastation in the area. There was always talk about what would happen and what could happen — and then it happened. It was unreal."
Ironically, just as New Orleans was blown away by Katrina, Owings professional career was taking off. The Diamondbacks made him their third choice in the 2005 draft, then sent him to Class A Lancaster to throw out of the bullpen.
Working as a reliever saved wear and tear on an arm that threw 130 collegiate innings last year, but the transition also initially wore on Owings' mind: One, he was suddenly playing before crowds one-tenth the size of Omaha's; two, relief work kept him out of the field and away from the plate.
"I was playing every day if not pitching, at first base'' at Tulane, Owings said. "Then when I got to Lancaster, it was kind of a tough adjustment."
But, Owings said, the important thing was to get going and start his professional career. He had no trouble doing that.
Owings was 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 16 appearances for Lancaster last season and became named Baseball America's No. 9 Diamondbacks prospect. He's 7-0 with a 4.80 ERA this season for Tucson. There is now little question whether he will land in the big leagues. The only question is when, and where.
Owings could be a starter, could be a reliever and could even build a case as a position player if he had the chance. He's so good a hitter, for a pitcher, that he may be best suited to start simply because he can take advantage of the at-bats.
Which way, Owings doesn't care. With the options he has, thinking about the possibilities could clutter his mind.
"I try not to think about it too much," Owings said.
"Luckily, I don't have to make the decision."

 

[Nasser22]

So the guy can hit too huh? That 4.80 ERA scares me but he's a top prospect for a reason so I'd love to see him come up. Having a pitcher in the rotation who is a decent hitter would be great.

 

[boondockdrunk]

Carlos Gonzalez rated #3 corner OF prospect (behind Delmon Young and Jay Bruce) by baseball prospectus.

3. Carlos Gonzalez, Diamondbacks

Age: 20.8 Hitting: .310/.367/.566 in 95 G (Hi A)

When talking to scouts about Gonzalez, one word comes up in every conversation: easy. Gonzalez just makes everything look incredibly simple. His swing is fluid and looks seemingly effortless--with plenty of power already, and more to come in the future. In the field, he's has the defensive instincts to play center in a pinch, but is better suited for right field because of his average speed and strong arm. There are some concerns that he's become a little too aggressive at the plate, as his walk rate is down from last year and with 91 strikeouts in 364 at-bats, he's already eclipsed last year's total of 86 whiffs. Nonetheless, this is a five-tool player with the stats to back it up, and he's still nowhere near done improving.