Comments on: Daily Farm Report – 6/18/12

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:32:53 +0000

Yeah, I believe Law was *quite* skeptical of Pedroia and Altuve, too — until they were absolutely murdering the ball in the upper minors. Many “scouting types” still adhere to the outdated Nothing Really Matters Until Double-A rule, and damn near all scouts like short players even less than Randy Newman.

Wong’s short, and a very hard worker. Neither of those facts in any way preclude his having excellent baseball tools, which he does. ;)

By: tom s.

tom s. — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 01:06:53 +0000

i seem to remember keith law tweeting something about wong to the effect of: “no speed, no power. what’s to like?”

By: Forsch31

Forsch31 — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:54:40 +0000

Correct about Wong. Before his draft year, he was more of utility player (and Team USA used him as such) and I think may have played outfield more at first during his college career. He eventually settled in at 2nd during his junior year. He played there long enough to establish he was solid with the glove, with some scouts saying that he had the potential to develop into a plus defender. Also, Wong stole 22 bases during his MVP Cape Cod League season, so I seriously doubt that his ability on the base paths comes as a surprise to many people. As Cj said, some didn’t like the pick because it was perceived as a safe pick of a polished player at a traditionally low-profile position (as opposed to short, catcher, and center field) while there were still high-upside pitchers on the board.

Cj–DanUp has a fun piece over at VEB today about the Cardinals and their non-perfect centerfielders. Jon Jay’s defensive ability to play center was once as “well regarded” as Taveras’s when he was a prospect. The point being…sometimes first impressions don’t count.

By: turntwo32

turntwo32 — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:59:10 +0000

Players don’t get paid in spring training or extended spring training, solely meal money and/or living out money.

By: turntwo32

turntwo32 — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:56:47 +0000

Kiekhefer throws low 3/4, not sidearm or submarine. His fastball sits 86-89 and will touch 90. Very good changeup and a decent breaking ball. His fastball has a great plane with a ton of sink.

By: rj

rj — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:50:28 +0000

In 2004 Joe Mather was beginning his 4th season of short season ball at this time and he was a year older than Washington is now. Mather did, however, get a quick callup to Peoria that season. mather is now back in the majors so there is hope for Washington. as for Bibona, he was quad cities best pitcher the 2nd half in 2010 on a staff that included Miller, Kelly, and Fornataro. i always thought that he was sent to qc while Gast went to Batavia because he was a 4 year college guy.

By: Cj

Cj — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:07:14 +0000

No one thought Wong was a defensive failure at 2nd base. He was just seen to be average, people questioned that pick because he had only average tools across the board besides his hit tool. I’m not sure about OT stayin in CF either, he dosent have great speed or anything I don’t think he has the range. I think he’s gotten a little better but ultimatly he will get bigger most likely as he gets older and think he is destined for corner spot

By: DT Flush

DT Flush — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:00:48 +0000

Wow Starlin Rodriguez has improved his numbers .404 BABIP has a better Walk Rate now at 9.5 BB% better OBP at .391 SLG and wOBA are improved over last season. Wonder what kind of numbers he would put up if he were healthy all season for Palm Beach because he has been a hit machine for them in that lead off spot.

By: DT Flush

DT Flush — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:52:20 +0000

A lot of people though the Wong selection in 2011 was going to be a “bust” pick because they thought he was a defensive failure at 2B and had average speed. Well we all knew he would hit at all levels but he has really improved his game defensively becoming more of a liability also has improved his quickness and speed on the base paths swiping already 12 this season you could see likely a career 20-25 steals per season out of Wong.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:51:35 +0000

Johnson City has some very exciting starters. I don’t even think Lopez is a real starter as they didn’t want to use one during a exhibition game. They have Victor DeLeon who is a Top 40 prospect and can hit 96. Juan Bautista who was in the DSL last year and the Cardinals Brass were talking about before last year. They also have Bryan Martinez who missed last year but has been very productive before that. Luhnow really liked him when he was here he’s 6-3 throws low 90′s with a hard slider and pitchability.