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)
Fernando Martinez: Buffalo Bisons (AAA) to New York Mets (MLB)
Matt Wieters: Norfolk Tides (AAA) to Baltimore Orioles (MLB)
Antonio Bastardo: Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (AAA) to Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
Andrew McCutchen: Indianapolis Indians (AAA) to Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
Antonio Bastardo: Reading Phillies (AA) to Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (AAA)
Madison Bumgarner: San Jose Giants (A) to Connecticut Defenders (AA)
Yonder Alonso: Sarasota Reds (A) to Carolina Mudcats (AA)
I know a few people who live in Pittsburgh, and they are spitting, cussing mad that Nate McLouth – a rare All-Star for the Buccos – has been traded to Atlanta. From my somewhat vulturine Z-meter perch, however, I am pleased that this has happened, because it means that we finally get to see what Andrew McCutchen can do in PNC Park. Andy Mac is a pretty classic table-setter; he gets on base, is a threat to steal, and scores more than he drives in. His range in the outfield should be a serious boon to the Pirates as well. In fact, he already went 3/4 with a swipe and three runs in his debut.
To replace him, we’re going with a legacy pick. Kyle Drabek is the son of 1990 Cy Young winner (in Pittsburgh!) Doug Drabek. He appears to be following in dad’s windup, piling up enough strikeouts at Sarasota to earn a promotion to Reading just this week. This whole edition of the Z-meter has a very Pennsylvania feel to it, doesn’t it?
Wade Davis has had middling numbers so far this year, but the Rays might take a closer look at him after this week’s start. Davis threw 13 strikeouts in a game that ended up as a loss for the Durham Bulls. Still… thirteen! Poor old Carlos Carrasco finally got his first win in Lehigh, beating the McCutchen-less Indianapolis Indians on June 4th. Keep ya head up, Carlos!
The top level. These prospects are in AAA in the prime of their youth, waiting for the call that will change their lives.
Wade Davis, RHP – Durham Bulls (Rays): 11 Games – 5W – 3L – 3.51 ERA – 26 BB – 45 K
Kila Kaaihue, 1B – Omaha Royals – .278 – 36 R – 8 HR – 25 RBI – 49 BB – 0 SB – .521 SLG – .955 OPS
Alcides Escobar, SS – Nashville Sounds (Brewers): .296 – 41 R – 2 HR – 15 RBI – 13 BB – 22 SB – .399 SLG – .737 OPS
Carlos Carrasco, RHP – Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (Phillies): 11 Starts – 1 W – 6 L – 5.14 ERA – 17 BB – 63 K
Austin Jackson, OF – Scranton Wilkes-Barre (Yankees): .348 – 29 R – 1 HR – 26 RBI – 20 BB – 11 SB – .465 SLG – .885 OPS
These guys also have the potential to skip straight to the majors, but may get promoted to AAA first.
Lars Anderson, 1B – Portland SeaDogs (Red Sox): .243 AVG – 26 R – 6 HR – 30 RBI – 23 BB – 0 SB – .405 SLG – .734 OPS
Jhoulys Chacin, RHP – Tulsa Drillers (Rockies): 10 Starts – 3 W – 4 L – 3.38 ERA – 20 BB – 45 K
Carlos Santana, C – Akron Aeros (Indians): .284 AVG – 35 R – 9 HR – 37 RBI – 37 BB – 0 SB – .547 SLG – .964 OPS
Justin Smoak, 1B (injured) – Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers): .325 AVG – 28 R – 6 HR – 25 RBI – 32 BB – 0 SB – .503 SLG – .947 OPS
Andrew Locke, OF – Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros): .363 AVG – 35 R – 10 HR – 57 RBI – 16 BB – 0 SB – .585 SLG – .987 OPS
Madison Bumgarner, LHP – Connecticut Defenders (Giants): 5 Games – 4 Starts – 4 W – 0 L – 1.86 ERA – 8 BB – 29 K
Jeanmar Gomez, RHP – Akron Aeros (Indians): 6 Starts – 4 W – 2 L – 2.77 ERA – 5 BB – 33 K
Yonder Alonso, 1B – Carolina Mudcats (Reds): .313 AVG – 3 R – 0 HR – 3 RBI – 3 BB – o SB – .500 SLG – .921 OPS
Kyle Drabek, RHP – Reading Phillies (Phillies): 1 Start – 1 W – 0 L – 0.00 ERA – 3 BB – 4 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): .231 AVG – 15 R – 7 HR – 20 RBI – 12 BB – 0 SB – .440 SLG – .729 OPS
Mike Moustakas, SS – Wilmington Blue Rocks (Royals): .263 AVG – 33 R – 7 HR – 35 RBI – 11 BB – 2 SB – .433 SLG – .734 OPS
Pedro Alvarez, 3B – Lynchburg Hillcats (Pirates): .240 AVG – 26 R – 9 HR – 41 RBI – 31 BB – 1 SB – .448 SLG – .792 OPS
Che-Hsuan Lin, OF – Salem Red Sox: .217 AVG – 24 R – 1 HR – 16 RBI – 21 BB – 7 SB – .289 SLG – .600 OPS
Josh Vitters, 3B – Peoria Chiefs (Cubs): .348 AVG – 33 R – 13 HR – 34 RBI – 5 BB – 2 SB – .610 SLG – .995 OPS
Shooter Hunt (injured), 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): .273 AVG – 37 R – 6 HR – 33 RBI – 23 BB – 9 SB – .459 SLG – .822 OPS
Mauricio Robles, P – West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers): 10 Starts – 4 W – 3 L – 3.91 ERA – 23 BB – 70 K
Tim Beckham, SS – Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays): .291 AVG – 21 R – 3 HR – 29 RBI – 14 BB – 1 SB – .413 SLG – .757 OPS
Ezekiel Spruill, RHP – Rome Braves (Braves): 10 Games – 9 Starts – 7 W – 2 L – 1 SV – 3.05 ERA – 9 BB – 46 K
Brad Brach, RHP – Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres): 23 Games – 0 Starts – 1.13 ERA – 3 W – 2 L – 15 SV – 5 BB – 32 K
NCAA: Only used if a prospect in college shows really, truly, immensely, hugely inescapable potential.
Stephen Strasburg, RHP – San Diego State: 14 Starts – 13 W – 1 L – 1.32 ERA – 19 BB – 195 K
Strasburg and the Aztecs were eliminated from postseason play in their regional. Let the draft watch begin.
Prospects chosen from Diamond Cutter’s Top 25, Baseball America, and our trademark irrational sense of whimsy.
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