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:
Jordan Zimmermann: Syracuse Chiefs (AAA) to Washington Nationals (MLB)
Matt LaPorta: Columbus Clippers (AAA) to Cleveland Indians (MLB)
Daniel Bard: Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA) to Boston Red Sox (MLB)
Mat Gamel: Nashville Sounds (AAA) to Milwaukee Brewers (MLB)
Madison Bumgarner: San Jose Giants (A) to Connecticut Defenders (AA)
No movement so far this week. But some players have turned around slow starts in a big way this week. Omaha Royals slugger Kila Ka’aihue busted his slump big-time, going 8 for 15 and pushing his OPS over 1.000. Mets prospect Fernando Martinez hit .400 over his last five games and scored seven times.
Josh Vitters, at the Cubs’ A affiliate in Peoria, probably had the best week of all. He started off with a ridiculous showing in a double header against Quad Cities – he hit .333 in the top half, then 1.000 in the second. He blasted a home run in each of four games at Beloit to follow up, cobbling together a nice little .647 average over a six-day span, along with 9 runs and 8 RBIs.
That’s hot.
The top level. These prospects are in AAA in the prime of their youth, waiting for the call that will change their lives.
Andrew McCutchen, CF – Indianapolis Indians (Pirates): .292 AVG – 32 R – 1 HR – 13 RBI – 14 BB – 9 SB – .479 SLG – .838 OPS
Wade Davis, RHP – Durham Bulls (Rays): 8 Games – 4W – 1L – 3.10 ERA – 21 BB – 28 K
Kila Kaaihue, 1B – Omaha Royals – .285 – 30 R – 7 HR – 23 RBI – 38 BB – 0 SB – .561 SLG – 1.006 OPS
Alcides Escobar, SS – Nashville Sounds (Brewers): .273 – 29 R – 2 HR – 12 RBI – 11 BB – 18 SB – .360 SLG – .684 OPS
Carlos Carrasco, RHP – Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (Phillies): 8 Starts – 0 W – 5 L – 6.31 ERA – 11 BB – 44 K
Ramiro Pena, SS – Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees: .263 – 7 R – 0 HR – 4 RBI – 4 BB – 1 SB – .333 SLG – .645 OPS
Matt Wieters, C – Norfolk Tides (Orioles): .282 AVG – 22 R – 4 HR – 21 RBI – 17 BB – 0 SB – .479 SLG – .849 OPS
Fernando Martinez, CF – Buffalo Bisons (Mets): .287 AVG – 20 R – 7 HR – 23 RBI – 11 BB – 2 SB – .552 SLG – .892 OPS
Austin Jackson, OF – Scranton Wilkes-Barre (Yankees): .344 – 20 R – 0 HR – 14 RBI – 17 BB – 8 SB – .430 SLG – .855 OPS
These guys also have the potential to skip straight to the majors, but may get promoted to AAA first.
Antonio Bastardo, LHP – Reading Phillies (Phillies): 9 Games – 5 Starts – 2 W – 2 L – 2 SV – 1.82 ERA – 7 BB – 39 K
Lars Anderson, 1B – Portland SeaDogs (Red Sox): .229 AVG – 17 R – 4 HR – 19 RBI – 17 BB – 0 SB – .382 SLG – .697 OPS
Jhoulys Chacin, RHP – Tulsa Drillers (Rockies): 8 Starts – 3 W – 4 L – 3.77 ERA – 16 BB – 36 K
Carlos Santana, C – Akron Aeros (Indians): .294 AVG – 24 R – 6 HR – 24 RBI – 25 BB – 0 SB – .539 SLG – .970 OPS
Justin Smoak, 1B – Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers): .338 AVG – 22 R – 6 HR – 24 RBI – 29 BB – 0 SB – .534 SLG – .994 OPSMadison Bumgarner, LHP – Connecticut Defenders (Giants): 2 Start – 2 W – 0 L – .75 ERA – 3 BB – 11 K
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): .222 AVG – 8 R – 3 HR – 14 RBI – 8 BB – 0 SB – .378 SLG – .658 OPS
Mike Moustakas, SS – Wilmington Blue Rocks (Royals): .288 AVG – 25 R – 7 HR – 30 RBI – 7 BB – 2 SB – .496 SLG – .816 OPS
Pedro Alvarez, 3B – Lynchburg Hillcats (Pirates): .224 AVG – 20 R – 8 HR – 33 RBI – 24 BB – 0 SB – .433 SLG – .766 OPS
Che-Hsuan Lin, OF – Salem Red Sox: .195 AVG – 18 R – 1 HR – 12 RBI – 16 BB – 5 SB – .265 SLG – .571 OPS
Josh Vitters, 3B – Peoria Chiefs (Cubs): .371 AVG – 23 R – 7 HR – 21 RBI – 3 BB – 2 SB – .598 SLG – .998 OPS
Shooter Hunt, RHP – Beloit Snappers (Twins): 7 Games – 5 Starts – 0 W – 1 L – 10.70 ERA – 33 BB – 18 K
Collin Cowgill, OF – Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks): .299 AVG – 31 R – 5 HR – 26 RBI – 18 BB – 5 SB – .507 SLG – .897 OPS
Mauricio Robles, P – West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers): 7 Starts – 3 W – 1 L – 2.63 ERA – 14 BB – 52 K
Tim Beckham, SS – Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays): .277 AVG – 15 R – 2 HR – 23 RBI – 8 BB – 1 SB – .400 SLG – .717 OPS
Ezekiel Spruill, RHP – Rome Braves (Braves): 7 Games – 6 Starts – 6 W – 0 L – 1 SV – 1.91 ERA – 7 BB – 35 K
NCAA: Only used if a prospect in college shows really, truly, immensely, hugely inescapable potential.
Stephen Strasburg, RHP – San Diego State: 12 Starts – 12W – 0L – 1.34 ERA – 18 BB – 174 K
Visit SDSU’s Strasburg Central for more.
Prospects chosen from Diamond Cutter’s Top 25, Baseball America, and our trademark irrational sense of whimsy.
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