The Zimmerman-o-meter: 4/10/08

The Zimmerman-o-meter tracks the story arcs of 25 top prospects (or players we just like) on their way to the bigs. It is named after current Washington Nationals star Ryan Zimmerman, who made the transition from anchoring the University of Virginia to starring in MLB in just over one year.

OK, a week ago, I introduced this feature as the Zimmermeter. As our friends at Rays Index pointed out, this could be misconstrued to be directed at Don Zimmer. And we’re not planning on measuring anybody or anything relative to ol’ Zim any time soon. So now, it’s the Zimmerman-o-meter, in which we chart 25 prospects in their attempts to rise to The Show. If a prospect’s line is in red, he’s en fuego and bucking for a promotion.

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The top level. These prospects are in AAA in the prime of their youth, and ready for the call that will change their lives.

Jay Bruce, CF – Louisville Bats (Reds): .250 – 4R – 1HR – 4RBI – 1SB – .464 SLG – .740 OPS

Evan Longoria, 3B – Durham Bulls (Rays): .136 – 2R – 0HR – 1RBI – 0SB – .136 SLG – .406 OPS

Homer Bailey, RHP – Louisville Bats (Reds): 2GS – 1W – 1L – .71 ERA – 2BB – 9K

Andrew McCutchen, CF – Indianapolis Indians (Pirates): .214 – 6R – 2HR – 6RBI – 1SB – .464 SLG – .798 OPS

Carlos Gonzalez, RF – Sacramento River Cats (Athletics): .250 – 2R – 1HR – 1RBI – 0SB – .400 SLG – .650 OPS

Ian Stewart, 3B – Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies): .308 – 5R – 1HR – 4RBI – 2SB – .615 SLG – 1.015 OPS

Joe Koshansky, 1B – Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies): .304 – 4R – 1HR – 4RBI – 0SB – .652 SLG – 1.060 OPS

Colby Rasmus, OF – Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals): .258 – 5R – 1HR – 2RBI – 1SB – .387 SLG – .701 OPS

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These guys also have the potential to skip straight to the majors, but are more likely to get promoted to the top of this meter first.

Clayton Kershaw, LHP – Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers): 1GS – 0W – 1L – 3.00 ERA – 2BB – 4K

Fernando Martinez, CF – Binghamton Mets (Mets): .192 – 5R – 1HR – 2RBI – 1SB – .385 SLG – .626 OPS

Jacob McGee, LHP – Montgomery Biscuits (Rays): 2GS – 0W – 1L – 2.25 ERA – 4BB – 11K

Cameron Maybin, CF – Carolina Mudcats (Marlins): .474 – 4R – 2HR – 4RBI – 3SB – .895 SLG – 1.510 OPS

Lars Anderson, 1B – Lancaster JetHawks (Red Sox): .233 – 7R – 1HR – 4RBI – 0SB – .433 SLG – .715 OPS

Wade Davis, RHP – Montgomery Biscuits (Rays): 1GS – 1W – 0L – 7.20 ERA – 2BB – 1K

Elvis Andrus, SS – Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers): .333 – 2R – 0HR – 4RBI – 0BB – 0SB – .417 SLG – .777 OPS

Jeff Samardzija, P – Tennessee Smokies (Cubs): 1GS – 1W – 0L – 1.80 ERA – 2BB – 1K

Pedro Powell, CF – Altoona Curve (Pirates): .333 – 0R – 0HR – 0RBI – 0BB – 0SB – .333 SLG – .667 OPS

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These guys have vast potential but need to work out some kinks in A-ball before they can advance.

David Price, LHP – (Rays): No 2008 Stats

Rick Porcello, RHP – Lakeland Tigers (Detroit): 2GS – 1W – 1L – 0.00 ERA – 2BB – 7K

Travis Snider, RF – Dunedin Blue Jays (Blue Jays): .227 – 4R – 1HR – 2RBI – 1SB – .455 SLG – .775 OPS

Josh Vitters, 3B – Boise Hawks (Cubs): No 2008 Stats

Matt Wieters, C – Frederick Keys (Orioles): .500 – 6R – 2HR – 6RBI – 5BB – 0SB – 1.083 SLG – 1.694 OPS

Mike Moustakas, SS – Burlington Bees (Royals): .185 – 0R – 0HR – 1RBI – 0SB – .185 SLG – .399 OPS

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Prospects chosen from Diamond Cutter’s Top 25, Baseball America, and my own irrational sense of whimsy.