Casey Haerther (Photo when with the UCLA Bruins)
Hot Prospects May 14, 2010
1. Casey Haerther, 1B, Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels
Past 10 Games: 18/37 (.486), 4 Doubles, 1 Triple, 2 HRs, 6 Runs, 11 RBIs, 1 SB
Overall: .306/.352/.469 with 3 HRs and 2 SBs
What’s Up: Drafted out of UCLA in 2009, Haerther was often overshadowed last year by several of his teammates in Orem. But, this past week, Haerther overshadowed everyone with a torrid hitting streak. Haerther primarily plays 1B, but he also gets time as the Kernels’ DH. And, he has experience at 3B, where he saw time as a junior at UCLA. Haerther will need to develop more power and more patience to become a starter, but, with his present skill set, could become a valuable backup corner infielder at the least.
2. Tyler Chatwood, RHP, Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels
Past 10 Days: 2-0, 0 Saves, 0.00 ERA, 10.2 IP, 7 H, 5 BB, 15 K, 1.13 WHIP
Overall: 3-2, 0 Saves, 1.91 ERA, 37.2 IP, 33 H, 20 BB, 39 K, 1.41 WHIP, .239 BAA
What’s Up: You can’t pitch much better than Chatwood has in his past two starts. He’s shutout the competition while on the mound. Even in his worst start this season, he’s only allowed 3 earned runs, which is a remarkable feat considering the league he’s in. At only 20, he will only get better, especially with his control. As he walks fewer batters, he’ll pitch deeper into games, becoming an even more dominant pitcher.
3. Gabriel Jacobo, 1B, Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Past 10 Games: 17/40 (.425), 6 Doubles, 1 Triple, 1 HR, 11 Runs, 7 RBIs, 1 SB
Overall: .326/.359/.500 with 2 HRs and 1 SB
What’s Up: The past week has been explosive for Jacobo. He’s had 6 multi-hit games in his last 10 efforts. He’s been showing the power, posting a .425/.465/.700 line. So far, Jacobo hasn’t shown any major differences in his splits against righties and lefties, but, he has shown a tendency to hit better away from home.
4. Michael Kohn, RHP, Class AA Arkansas Travelers
Past 10 Days: 0-0, 1 Save, 0.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 BB, 6 K, 1.67 WHIP
Overall: 1-1, 3 Saves, 0.57 ERA, 15.2 IP, 9 H, 7 BB, 20 K, 1.02 WHIP, .176 BAA
What’s Up: While the walks and hits have been up over the past 10 games, the results have been the same—zero runs scored. With the way the Angels’ bullpen is imploding, it wouldn’t surprise us to see Kohn promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake to fill the gaps created by the promotions from their club to the Major Leagues. And, with the way he’s throwing, it wouldn’t surprise us to see Kohn pitching in the Angels’ bullpen by the end of this year.
5. Mike Trout, OF, Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels
Past 10 Games: 15/42 (.357), 3 Doubles, 2 Triples, 4 HRs, 14 Runs, 7 RBIs, 6 SBs
Overall: .366/.440/.557 with 4 HRs and 19 SBs
What’s Up: What’s a week without seeing Mike Trout on the Hot Prospect List? Checking the nightly box scores isn’t complete without seeing what he’s done. The good news is that Trout’s power is starting to manifest itself. And, it’s coming without a sacrifice to his batting average or on-base percentage. Trout’s still stealing bases like a cat burglar, and playing stellar defense. He should probably get a mid-season promotion if he continues to hit like this.
6. Orangel Arenas, RHP, Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels
Past 10 Days: 2-0, 0 Saves, 0.00 ERA, 13.0 IP, 8 H, 5 BB, 8 K, 1.00 WHIP
Overall: 2-4, 0 Saves, 2.27 ERA, 35.2 IP, 30 H, 10 BB, 25 K, 1.12 WHIP, .231 BAA
What’s Up: Another member of the Kernels who has been overshadowed by his peers, Arenas is a 21 year old player developed out of our Dominican Academy. He’s a control pitcher who induces a lot of ground balls. This season his GO/AO ratio is 2.50 and last year it was 2.10. Arenas was the victim of several tough-luck losses early this season, losing his first four decisions while holding the opposition to 3 earned runs or less.
7. Patrick Corbin, LHP, Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels
Past 10 Days: 2-0, 0 Saves, 1.98 ERA, 13.2 IP, 10 H, 2 BB, 7 K, 0.88 WHIP
Overall: 6-0, 0 Saves, 4.08 ERA, 46.1 IP, 40 H, 8 BB, 31 K, 1.04 WHIP, .235 BAA
What’s Up: While Corbin was the beneficiary of some run support for some of his wins, he’s been putting up quality number for most of the season. He’s shown remarkable control, only allowing 8 walks and 2 HRs on the season. He’s leading the Midwest League in wins and is second in IP and 12th in WHIP. Since Corbin isn’t an overpowering pitcher, maintaining his control as he develops will be the key to his success.
8. Luis Jimenez, 3B, Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels
Past 10 Games: 14/41 (.341), 4 Doubles, 3 Triples, 0 HRs, 11 Runs, 10 RBIs, 2 SB
Overall: ..292/.318/.458 with 0 HRs and 4 SBs
What’s Up: Like many young Dominican players, Jimenez is not a patient hitter. He missed all of last year with an injury, so, he is making up for lost time. The power should return, and, with 12 doubles and 4 triples on the season, we believe that the power, especially the homeruns will start to come. We would like to see more patience at the plate from Jimenez so that he can move up to the ranks of the elite 3B prospects.
9. Garrett Richards, OF, Class AA Arkansas Travelers
Past 10 Days: 1-0, 0 Saves, 1.00 ERA, 9.0 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 10 K, 0.78 WHIP
Overall: 2-1, 0 Saves, 3.89 ERA, 44.0 IP, 42 H, 16 BB, 43 K, 1.32 WHIP, .258 BAA
What’s Up: Richards is a bit of an enigma. He has been blessed with 4 plus pitches, which, when controlled, makes him an enigma to hitters, but when uncontrolled resulted in a 6.57 ERA during his college years. This week, he was control of everything, striking out 10 in a complete game performance. Richards has the makeup to be a true top of the rotation pitcher, and, as he continues to gain control over his pitches, will develop exactly into that.
10. Roberto Lopez, OF, Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Past 10 Games: 11/40 (.275), 3 Doubles, 0 Triples, 0 HR, 5 Runs, 3 RBIs, 1 SB
Overall: .350/.411/.537 with 3 HRs and 3 SBs
What’s Up: It finally happened Thursday night: Roberto Lopez finished the night 0 for 4. And, with that, his 25-game hit streak, the longest of the Cal League, came to an end. Still, considering that Lopez missed all of 2009, he’s shown that he still has the bat that made him a standout candidate in 2008 and earned him a spot on our Hot Prospect List. Now, if he could only find a permanent defensive position.
Minor League Notes: Reliever Ryan Aldridge and his 0.75 ERA was promoted to Salt Lake. The Southpaw Robert Fish moved up to Double-A Arkansas. Fish had posted a solid 1.13 ERA and opponents hit just .132 in the CAL League. Slugging 3B Dillon Baird (bruised wrist) and OF Randal Grichuk both went on the DL earlier in the week. Grichuk could miss up to six weeks with a sprained thumb. Freddy Sandoval not only is in Arizona rehabbing for the next two months, but if his throwing arm (elbow) doesn’t get better soon, he’s considering having Tommy John surgery.
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