August 12, 2009

Future Shock Blog

August 12

by Kevin Goldstein

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Impressing his new bosses

Carlos Carrasco, RHP, Indians (Triple-A Columbus)
Tuesday's stats: 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 10 K
One of four players the Indians received from Philadelphia in return for Cliff Lee, Carrasco allowed nine runs over 13 innings in his first two starts for the Clippers, but showed why he was so valued going into the season while a dominating start on Wednesday. 71 of the 100 pitches he threw went for strikes. If he keeps it up, he could get a September audition.

I'll take Matt Holliday for the block

Allen Craig, 1B/OF, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis)
Tuesday's stats: 2-for-3, 2 HR (20), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, K, SB; 1-for-3, HR (21), R, RBI, K
An eighth-round pick in 2006 out of the University of California, Craig has always hit at every level, but he's also struggled to find a position that he can play at even an average level. Finally settled into left field, Craig is one of the hottest hitters in the minors, batting .446 since the All-Star break with 13 home runs in 101 at-bats. He was all lined up for a possible big league look, but he'll be no more than a September addition at this point after the Cardinals traded for Matt Holliday. Them's the breaks..

What's he doing here again?

Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals (High-A Wilmington)
Tuesday's stats:0-for-5, 3 K
The third overall pick in last year's draft, Hosmer was finally showing a few signs of life at Low-A Burlington, but nothing that merited a promotion to the Carolina League, especially in a strong pitcher's park. On a night when the Blue Rocks erupted for ten runs on 12 hits, Hosmer was nowhere to be found, lowering his Wilmington numbers to a lowly .194/.256/.278 in 19 games.

I didn't know if I should go with an 'Utz' reference or 'Nutz', but both were lame ideas

Zach Lutz, 3B, Mets (High-A St. Lucie)
Tuesday's stats: 3-for-5, 2B, HR (10), R, 3 RBI, K
A fifth-round pick in 2007, Lutz played in just 25 games during his first two seasons because of a broken bone in his foot and strained quad, but the Mets always had faith in his bat, and he's finally showing what he can do on the field every day. Batting .355 with 29 RBIs in his last 30 games while playing a solid third base, Lutz's quick bat, patient approach, and solid-average power has been earning high praise from scouts of late.

Look who's back

Cory Rasmus, RHP, Braves (Rookie-Level Danville)
Tuesday's stats: 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K
A supplemental first-round pick in 2007 and the younger brother of Cardinals rookie Colby Rasmus, like Lutz, Cory had barely played entering the year, pitching just 13 innings in his first two years because of major shoulder surgery. Finally healthy, he pitched a career-high in innings on Tuesday and added a shortened no-hitter to boot. His velocity hasn't been back to his high school days, but he's throwing strikes and flashing a good slider, and the Braves are optimistic.

Sleeper alert!

Danny Rams, C, Twins (Low-A Beloit)
Tuesday's stats: 2-for-3, HR (7), 3 RBl, RBI, BB, K
A second-round pick in 2007 out of a Miami-area high school, Rams' calling card has always been his power, but he did little to establish himself until this year. After hitting .355/.444/.790 in 16 Appy League games, he's having little trouble adjusting to a full-season league. Last night's home run was his 13th of the year in just 173 at-bats, and while he strikes out way too much, catchers with this kind of pop are hard to find.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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