The Z-Meter: 7/30/2008

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 Oakland (MLB)
Chase Headley, 3B, Portland (AAA) to San Diego (MLB)
Eulogio De La Cruz, RHP, Albuquerque (AAA) to Marlins (MLB)
Joe Koshansky, 1B, Colorado Springs (AAA) to Rockies (MLB)
Jeff Samardzija, RHP, Iowa (AAA) to Chicago Cubs (MLB)

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

Jeff Samardzija, RHP, Tennessee (AA) to Iowa (AAA)
Luke Montz, C, Harrisburg (AA) to Columbus (AAA)
Wade Davis, RHP, Montgomery (AA) to Durham (AAA)
Kila Kaaihue, 1B, Northwest Arkansas (AA) to Omaha (AAA)

Antonio Bastardo, LHP, Clearwater (A) to Reading Phillies (AA)
David Price, LHP, Vero Beach (A) to Montgomery (AA)
Matt Weiters, C, Frederick Keys (A) to Bowie Baysox (AA)
Lars Anderson, 1B, Lancaster JetHawks (A) to Portland SeaDogs (AA)

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

Ian Gac, 1B, Clinton (A) to Bakersfield (Advanced A)
Jhoulys Chacin, RHP, Asheville (A) to Modesto (Advanced A)

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

Whew! Now we’re talking. Jeff Samardzija bought his first-class ticket out of the Z-meter by notching two saves (so far) for the NL-Central leading Chicago Cubs, who are trying to figure out who should close in the absence of Kerry Wood. I’m replacing him with Futures Game pitcher Trevor Cahill, who is 6-1 for the Midland, TX affiliate of the Oakland As. I also decided to replace Jacob McGee with Tulsa speed merchant Dexter Fowler so I didn’t have to pay royalties to Rays Index. We’ve still got plenty of their fantastic pitching prospects in the rotation.

The other promotion was hot-hitting Kila Kaaihue from Northwest Arkansas to Omaha. Think the Royals like the look of the Hawaiian’s 26 homers in double-A? I wouldn’t be surprised if KC doesn’t call him up for the annual push to get out of the AL Central basement.

In general, when a player gets called up to the bigs from now on, he’ll be replaced with someone in A or AA on the meter. That way, we can start getting a look at guys who might still be here for next year’s edition, instead of those who will be in the majors in September.

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.

Andrew McCutchen, CF – Indianapolis Indians (Pirates): .276 – 56R – 9HR – 40RBI – 26SB – 50BB – .404 SLG – .769 OPS

Matt Tuiasosopo, 3B – Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners): .255 – 60R – 6HR – 52RBI – 37BB – 2SB – .398 SLG – .740 OPS

Colby Rasmus, LF (injured) – Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals): .249 – 56R – 11HR – 36RBI – 15SB – 49BB – .395 SLG – .741 OPS

Nelson Cruz, RF – Oklahoma Redhawks (Rangers): .349 – 91R – 37HR – 96RBI – 24SB – 56BB – .729 SLG – 1.171 OPS

Luke Montz, C – Columbus Clippers (Nationals): .181 – 4R – 0HR – 10RBI – 4BB – 0SB – .236 SLG – .460 OPS

Wade Davis, RHP – Durham Bulls (Rays): 2GS – 2W – 0L – 2.08 ERA – 6BB – 12K

Kila Kaaihue, 1B – Omaha Royals (Royals): stats reset with promotion

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These guys also have the potential to skip straight to the majors, but may get promoted to AAA first.

Austin Jackson, OF – Trenton Thunder (Yankees): .295 – 64R – 9HR – 57RBI – 53BB – 15SB – .448 SLG – .823 OPS

Dexter Fowler, OF – Tulsa Drillers (Rockies): .337 – 86R – 9HR – 61RBI – 61BB – 20SB – .514 SLG – .944 OPS

Cameron Maybin, CF – Carolina Mudcats (Marlins): .262 – 56R – 12HR – 38RBI – 45BB – 17SB – .456 SLG – .814 OPS

Elvis Andrus, SS – Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers): .291 – 60R – 2HR – 45RBI – 26BB – 41SB – .352 SLG – .700 OPS

Trevor Cahill, RHP – Midland RockHounds (Oakland): 6GS – 6W – 1L – 2.19 ERA – 19BB – 33K

Travis Snider, RF – New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays): .258 – 57R – 16HR – 63RBI – 46BB – 1SB – .456 SLG – .808 OPS

Antonio Bastardo, LHP (injured) – Reading Phillies (Phillies): 9GS – 2W – 3L – 3.11 ERA – 29BB – 39K

Matt Wieters, C – Bowie Baysox (Orioles): .326 – 16R – 5HR – 21RBI – 18BB – 0SB – .547 SLG – .981 OPS

Lars Anderson, 1B – Portland SeaDogs (Red Sox): .192 – 3R – 0HR – 1RBI – 3BB – 0SB – .231 SLG – .507 OPS

Matt LaPorta, CF – Akron Aeros (Indians): .277 – 60R – 21HR – 73RBI – 48BB – 2SB – .534 SLG – .915 OPS

Mat Gamel, 3B – Huntsville Stars (Brewers): .360 – 82R – 16HR – 84RBI – 40BB – 5SB – .588 SLG – 1.005 OPS

David Price, LHP – Montgomery Biscuits (Rays): 7GS – 5W – 0L – 2.20 ERA – 12BB – 38K

Fernando Martinez, CF – Binghamton Mets (Mets): .292 – 37R – 5HR – 25RBI – 14BB – 5SB – .420 SLG – .752 OPS

Alcides Escobar, SS – Huntsville Stars (Brewers): .334 – 76R – 7HR – 61RBI – 22BB – 25SB – .437 SLG – .802 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 – Bakersfield Blaze (Rangers): .291 – 15R – 6HR – 23RBI – 12BB – 0SB – .496 SLG – .866 OPS

Jhoulys Chacin, RHP – Modesto Nuts (Rockies): 6GS – 5W – 1L – 2.23 ERA – 7BB – 36K

Rick Porcello, RHP – Lakeland Flying Tigers (Detroit): 20GS – 6W – 6L – 2.83 ERA – 29BB – 60K

Mike Moustakas, SS – Burlington Bees (Royals): .258 – 55R – 15HR – 49RBI – 32BB – 5SB – .435 SLG – .757 OPS

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