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)
Travis Snider, DH, New Hampshire (AA) to Syracuse (AAA)
David Price, LHP, Montgomery Biscuits (AA) to Durham Bulls (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)
Not a lot to say this week, as Olympic rosters have depleted much of our meter.
The big mover is Rays prospect David Price, who is very close to fulfilling the full promise of the Z-meter. He’s already risen all the way to triple-A in his first season as a pro. He has yet to lose a game. Yeesh. Travis Snyder has jumped from the Florida State League to triple-A in one season as well, but with less fanfare. And hey, look everyone! Antonio Bastardo is finally back!
Let’s see who else is hot this week:
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 – 65R – 9HR – 44RBI – 28SB – 62BB – .393 SLG – .764 OPS
Matt Tuiasosopo, 3B – Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners): .270 – 75R – 10HR – 63RBI – 43BB – 2SB – .429 SLG – .784 OPS
Colby Rasmus, LF (injured) – Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals): .249 – 56R – 11HR – 36RBI – 15SB – 49BB – .395 SLG – .741 OPS
Nelson Cruz, RF (injured) – Oklahoma Redhawks (Rangers): .344 – 93R – 37HR – 98RBI – 24SB – 56BB – .710 SLG – 1.144 OPS
Luke Montz, C – Columbus Clippers (Nationals): .225 – 11R – 2HR – 14RBI – 8BB – 0SB – .325 SLG – .598 OPS
Wade Davis, RHP – Durham Bulls (Rays): 5GS – 3W – 0L – 2.32 ERA – 13BB – 27K
Kila Kaaihue, 1B – Omaha Royals: .375 – 15R – 7HR – 12RBI – 10BB – 0SB – .813 SLG – 1.295 OPS
Travis Snyder, DH – Syracuse Chiefs: .400 – 1R – 1HR – 6RBI – 0BB – 0SB – .733 SLG – 1.133 OPS
David Price, LHP – Stats reset with promotion
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): .287 – 69R – 9HR – 61RBI – 53BB – 15SB – .431 SLG – .789 OPS
Dexter Fowler, OF (Olympics) – Tulsa Drillers (Rockies): .337 – 86R – 9HR – 61RBI – 61BB – 20SB – .514 SLG – .944 OPS
Cameron Maybin, CF – Carolina Mudcats (Marlins): .276 – 63R – 13HR – 43RBI – 50BB – 18SB – .466 SLG – .834 OPS
Elvis Andrus, SS – Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers): .287 – 67R – 4HR – 53RBI – 30BB – 47SB – .360 SLG – .702 OPS
Trevor Cahill, RHP (Olympics) – Midland RockHounds (Oakland): 7GS – 6W – 1L – 2.19 ERA – 19BB – 33K
Antonio Bastardo, LHP – Reading Phillies (Phillies): 10GS – 2W – 4L – 3.49 ERA – 29BB – 41K
Matt Wieters, C – Bowie Baysox (Orioles): .366 – 29R – 9HR – 42RBI – 28BB – 0SB – .641 SLG – 1.102 OPS
Lars Anderson, 1B – Portland SeaDogs (Red Sox): .315 – 14R – 4HR – 19RBI – 13BB – 0SB – .75SLG – .989 OPS
Matt LaPorta, CF (Olympics) – Akron Aeros (Indians): .277 – 60R – 21HR – 73RBI – 48BB – 2SB – .534 SLG – .915 OPS
Mat Gamel, 3B – Huntsville Stars (Brewers): .333 – 89R – 17HR – 86RBI – 51BB – 6SB – .545 SLG – .945 OPS
Fernando Martinez, CF – Binghamton Mets (Mets): .286 – 40R – 7HR – 30RBI – 18BB – 5SB – .432 SLG – .764 OPS
Alcides Escobar, SS – Huntsville Stars (Brewers): .343 – 84R – 8HR – 67RBI – 27BB – 31SB – .452 SLG – .829 OPS
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): .272 – 23R – 9HR – 34RBI – 13BB – 0SB – .462 SLG – .792 OPS
Jhoulys Chacin, RHP – Modesto Nuts (Rockies): 9GS – 6W – 2L – 2.81 ERA – 10BB – 50K
Rick Porcello, RHP – Lakeland Flying Tigers (Detroit): 23GS – 7W – 6L – 2.80 ERA – 32BB – 68K
Mike Moustakas, SS – Burlington Bees (Royals): .265 – 66R – 20HR – 63RBI – 34BB – 5SB – .464 SLG – .790 OPS
Prospects chosen from Diamond Cutter’s Top 25, Baseball America, and my own irrational sense of whimsy.
