The Z-Meter: 6/12/2008

The Z-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 one year.

Promoted:

Evan Longoria, 3B, Durham (AAA) to Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)
Luke Hochevar, RHP, Omaha (AAA) to Kansas City Royals (MLB)
Max Scherzer, RHP, Tucson (AAA) to Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Jacksonville (AA) to Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
Jay Bruce, OF, Louisville (AAA) to Cincinnati Reds (MLB)
Homer Bailey, RHP, Louisville (AAA) to Cincinnati Reds (MLB)
Ian Stewart, 3B, Colorado Springs (AAA) to Colorado Rockies (MLB)
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Sacramento (AAA) to Oaklans (MLB)

Justin Masterson, RHP, Portland (AA) to Boston (MLB)

Antonio Bastardo, LHP, Clearwater (A) to Reading (AA)

Travis Snider, OF, Dunedin (A-Advanced) to New Hampshire (AA)

Josh Vitters, 3B, Boise (Short A) to Peoria (A)

Now that I’ve finally caught up with who’s in the show and who isn’t, I’ve added a few new faces around here. Austin Jackson is a hot-hitting center fielder in the Yankees organization, and he happens to play for the Trenton Thunder, who have been featured in these pages many times. Also, OMDQ’s selection, David Price, a left-hander in the Rays organization (man, are they loaded!). Nice to see the Vero Beach A-ball club isn’t afraid of the religious fundamentalists in Florida – they’re still Devil Rays, according to their site.

Let’s see who else is hot this week:

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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.

Chase Headley, LF – Portland Beavers (San Diego): .301 – 44R – 10HR – 35RBI – 0SB – 27BB – .522 SLG – .897 OPS

Andrew McCutchen, CF – Indianapolis Indians (Pirates): .289 – 40R – 8HR – 26RBI – 19SB – .446 SLG – .823 OPS

Joe Koshansky, 1B – Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies): .305 – 41R – 14HR – 25BB – 61RBI – 0SB – .619 SLG – 1.000 OPS

Colby Rasmus, LF – Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals): .225 – 39R – 9HR – 25RBI – 9SB – .371 SLG – .696 OPS

Nelson Cruz, RF – Oklahoma Redhawks (Rangers): .330 – 51R – 19HR – 47RBI – 14SB – .684 SLG – 1.128 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.

Kila Kaaihue, 1B – Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals): .270 – 24R – 13HR – 40RBI – 37BB – 1SB – .535 SLG – .942 OPS

Austin Jackson, OF – Trenton Thunder (Yankees): .275 – 35R – 3HR – 37RBI – 10SB – 33BB – .410 SLG – .771 OPS

Fernando Martinez, CF (injured) – Binghamton Mets (Mets): .280 – 19R – 3HR – 16RBI – 3SB – .408 SLG – .721 OPS

Jacob McGee, LHP – Montgomery Biscuits (Rays): 12GS – 6W – 3L – 3.84 ERA – 27BB – 60K

Cameron Maybin, CF – Carolina Mudcats (Marlins): .264 – 45R – 12HR – 29RBI – 13SB – .498 SLG – .864 OPS

Wade Davis, RHP – Montgomery Biscuits (Rays): 13GS – 6W – 4L – 3.80 ERA – 28BB – 54K

Elvis Andrus, SS – Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers): .268 – 31R – 0HR – 19RBI – 12BB – 19SB – .316 SLG – .638 OPS

Jeff Samardzija, P – Tennessee Smokies (Cubs): 13GS – 3W – 5L – 5.32 ERA – 37BB – 41K

Luke Montz, C – Harrisburg Senators (Nationals): .314 – 26R – 12HR – 46RBI – 19BB – 0SB – .597 SLG – .981 OPS

Travis Snider, RF – New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays): .273 – 30R – 8HR – 35RBI – 26BB – 0SB – .459 SLG – .832 OPS

Antonio Bastardo, LHP – Reading Phillies (Phillies): 8GS – 2W – 2L – 3.35 ERA – 25BB – 35K

Matt LaPorta, CF – Huntsville Stars (Brewers): .298 – 46R – 18HR – 54RBI – 1SB – .617 SLG – 1.028 OPS

Mat Gamel, 3B – Huntsville Stars (Brewers): .376 – 59R – 14HR – 59RBI – 5SB – .654 SLG – 1.097 OPS

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

Ian Gac, 1B – Clinton LumberKings (Rangers): .325 – 46R – 17HR – 52RBI – 32BB – 1SB – .641 SLG – 1.072 OPS

Lars Anderson, 1B – Lancaster JetHawks (Red Sox): .316 – 35R – 7HR – 33RBI – 0SB – .505 SLG – .914 OPS

David Price, LHP – Vero Beach Devil Rays (Rays): 4GS – 2W – 0L – 1.16 ERA – 3BB – 23K

Rick Porcello, RHP – Lakeland Flying Tigers (Detroit): 13GS – 3W – 6L – 2.94 ERA – 19BB – 41K

Matt Wieters, C – Frederick Keys (Orioles): .340 – 44R – 14HR – 37RBI – 34BB – 1SB – .588 SLG – 1.025 OPS

Mike Moustakas, SS – Burlington Bees (Royals): .225 – 27R – 8HR – 29RBI – 4SB – .375 SLG – .656 OPS

Jhoulys Chacin, RHP – Asheville Tourists (Rockies): 13 GS – 10W – 1L – 1.96 ERA – 24BB – 80K

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