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)
Just a quickie update in the wake of Mat Gamel’s callup to Milwaukee. Gamel and Matt LaPorta were teammates before LaPorta got traded. It always seemed like they’d both be in the majors this year, and it sure worked out that way. Good luck to the Wonder Mat(t)s!
Replacing Mr. Gamel will be Ezekiel Spruill, who makes it on merit (6-0 start with a 1.91 ERA), and on name quality. That’s right, double threat.
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): .276 AVG – 29 R – 1 HR – 12 RBI – 13 BB – 7 SB – .488 SLG – .833 OPS
Wade Davis, RHP – Durham Bulls (Rays): 7 Games – 3W – 1L – 3.71 ERA – 20 BB – 25 K
Kila Kaaihue, 1B – Omaha Royals – .240 – 24 R – 5 HR – 18 RBI – 33 BB – 0 SB – .470 SLG – .880 OPS
Alcides Escobar, SS – Nashville Sounds (Brewers): .265 – 23 R – 2 HR – 10 RBI – 10 BB – 18 SB – .346 SLG – .665 OPS
Carlos Carrasco, RHP – Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (Phillies): 7 Starts – 0 W – 4 L – 6.62 ERA – 8 BB – 37 K
Ramiro Pena, SS – Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees: .280 – 5 R – 0 HR – 4 RBI – 4 BB – 1 SB – .360 SLG – .693 OPS
Matt Wieters, C – Norfolk Tides (Orioles): .270 AVG – 18 R – 3 HR – 16 RBI – 16 BB – 0 SB – .430 SLG – .798 OPS
Fernando Martinez, CF – Buffalo Bisons (Mets): .273 AVG – 12 R – 3 HR – 17 RBI – 7 BB – 0 SB – .479 SLG – .795 OPS
Austin Jackson, OF – Scranton Wilkes-Barre (Yankees): .360 – 17 R – 0 HR – 13 RBI – 12 BB – 7 SB – .441 SLG – .870 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): 8 Games – 4 Starts – 2 W – 1 L – 2 SV – 1.63 ERA – 6 BB – 32 K
Lars Anderson, 1B – Portland SeaDogs (Red Sox): .232 AVG – 14 R – 2 HR – 15 RBI – 12 BB – 0 SB – .357 SLG – .661 OPS
Jhoulys Chacin, RHP – Tulsa Drillers (Rockies): 7 Starts – 3 W – 3 L – 3.23 ERA – 13 BB – 28 K
Carlos Santana, C – Akron Aeros (Indians): .270 AVG – 21 R – 6 HR – 22 RBI – 23 BB – 0 SB – .528 SLG – .945 OPS
Justin Smoak, 1B – Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers): .345 AVG – 20 R – 5 HR – 20 RBI – 26 BB – 0 SB – .534 SLG – 1.003 OPS
Madison Bumgarner, LHP – Connecticut Defenders (Giants): 1 Start – 1 W – 0 L – 1.50 ERA – 0 BB – 2 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): .217 AVG – 7 R – 2 HR – 13 RBI – 7 BB – 0 SB – .349 SLG – .621 OPS
Mike Moustakas, SS – Wilmington Blue Rocks (Royals): .275 AVG – 23 R – 5 HR – 25 RBI – 7 BB – 2 SB – .467 SLG – .779 OPS
Pedro Alvarez, 3B – Lynchburg Hillcats (Pirates): .200 AVG – 16 R – 6 HR – 26 RBI – 20 BB – 0 SB – .383 SLG – .694 OPS
Che-Hsuan Lin, OF – Salem Red Sox: .175 AVG – 15 R – 0 HR – 5 RBI – 12 BB – 4 SB – .216 SLG – .491 OPS
Josh Vitters, 3B – Peoria Chiefs (Cubs): .309 AVG – 15 R – 3 HR – 13 RBI – 3 BB – 1 SB – .445 SLG – .793 OPS
Shooter Hunt, RHP – Beloit Snappers (Twins): 6 Games – 0 W – 1 L – 10.34 ERA – 30 BB – 15 K
Collin Cowgill, OF – Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks): .298 AVG – 26 R – 5 HR – 25 RBI – 14 BB – 5 SB – .529 SLG – .912 OPS
Mauricio Robles, P – West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers): 6 Starts – 2 W – 1 L – 2.56 ERA – 13 BB – 47 K
Tim Beckham, SS – Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays): .298 AVG – 13 R – 2 HR – 23 RBI – 4 BB – 1 SB – .439 SLG – .758 OPS
Ezekiel Spruill, RHP – Rome Braves (Braves): 7 Games – 6 W – 0 L – 1 SV – 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: 11 Starts – 11W – 0L – 1.24 ERA – 17 BB – 164 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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