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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The Baseball Analysts: 2008 Rule 5 Draft Pitchers

I heard this guy has some real punch to his fastball.

J. Brent Cox | New York (AL)
Position: Right-Handed Reliever
Born: May 1984
2008 Level: Double-A

The Yankees are putting a lot of faith in the hopes that teams will be scared away from intriguing prospects by medical reports. J. Brent Cox was a top college reliever when he was selected in the second round of the 2005 draft. He was on the cusp of a Major League call-up after a solid 2006 season at Double-A but those hopes were derailed by Tommy John surgery. He returned in 2008 and allowed 30 hits in 36 Triple-A innings. His rates were poor at 4.25 BB/9 and 4.00 K/9 but command and control are the last things to return after the surgery. Based on his past performances, Cox is worth a look.

Harold Reynolds: An Erotic Life (AG#1F) Posted: November 26, 2008 at 03:18 PM | 18 comment(s)
Related News: Minor Leagues, Prospect Reports, Chi Cubs, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Minnesota, NY Yankees, Oakland, Seattle, Tampa Bay

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1. Steve Sparks Flying Everywhere Posted: November 26, 2008 at 05:03 PM (#3016579)

Morlan and Veal are the two guys that interest me the most. After reading about Morlan and watching some clips of him pitch, I think that he has a real good chance of sticking around. It's the scout inside of me that says someone will be real happy after they pick him up.

Of course I also though Jim Fasano would pan out and that Danks would become a LOOGY after I watched them during the summer of 2006.

2. Tim Lincecum-stain (SuperBaes) Posted: November 26, 2008 at 05:35 PM (#3016590)

I'm a real big Daniel Mayora fan. Similar thinking to the "let Freddy Garcia go because we have Hanley Ramirez" surplus of a position in a system. Fortunately for Colorado, that whole Clint Barmes thing sorted itself out.

3. Tim Lincecum-stain (SuperBaes) Posted: November 26, 2008 at 05:36 PM (#3016592)

Before someone else mentions it, I should have began with "I don't like any of the Rule 5 pitchers, but..."

4. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM (#3016691)

BA pointed out that Erik Cordier is eligible. He's a long way from the bigs, but still kind of interesting.

5. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: November 26, 2008 at 11:49 PM (#3016721)

I was a little disappointed by the article - it seemed a little generic, but I'm a tough guy to please on this subject. BA has a subscriber only preview up - lots of unexpected names (along with a few I've been meaning to pimp, like Cordier) - I think I prefer some of those I've seen bantered about naively online over some of their listings...

6. Alan S Posted: November 27, 2008 at 12:21 AM (#3016731)

Anyone know where to find these types of articles from past Rule 5 Drafts? I'm curious to see if anyone says Santana can even be a middle of the rotation starter or that Uggla could play every day at second.

7. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: November 27, 2008 at 12:32 AM (#3016733)

Google.
BA mentioned Uggla in the preview for the draft in which he was eventually taken, within the Kevin Howard comment (who many thought was the best guy in the pool).
Here's an '01 preview (don't think it's RR), the oldest I found at first stab.

8. All Bets are Mad Off Posted: November 27, 2008 at 10:19 AM (#3016808)

Me thinks Alan Horne is worth a flyer. He is a kind of a underrated pitching prospect, with the Yankees other 3 pitching prospects getting the hype.

J.Brent Cox..ha! remember when the Red Sox fans were beign insufferable and were crying shame on the Yankees for passing on Hansen and picking him. And The Yankees fans were being insufferable and saying that he would be the next big thing!

Nothing like scahdenfreude on thanksgiving! In fact, there should be a schadenfreude day!

9. Mike Emeigh Posted: November 27, 2008 at 12:08 PM (#3016834)

Me thinks Alan Horne is worth a flyer. He is a kind of a underrated pitching prospect, with the Yankees other 3 pitching prospects getting the hype.

Horne had a partial rotator cuff tear and some labrum fraying repaired in August. The surgery was minor, and he's supposed to be ready to go in ST, but I'd be very nervous about that.

-- MWE

10. Mike Emeigh Posted: November 27, 2008 at 12:09 PM (#3016837)

I'm a big Morlan fan. I wouldn't touch Veal, at this stage; his mechanics are a mess.

-- MWE

11. Golfing Great Mitch Cumstein Posted: November 27, 2008 at 04:09 PM (#3016905)

From the 2001 BA preview:

The Red Sox opted to protect seven first basemen, Izzy Alcantara, Tony Clark, Brian Daubach, Juan Diaz, Luis Garcia, Calvin Pickering and Dernell Stenson instead of a pair of power arms in Miniel and Francisco.

12. 1k5v3L Posted: November 27, 2008 at 04:22 PM (#3016914)

Izzy Alcantara, Tony Clark, Brian Daubach, Juan Diaz, Luis Garcia, Calvin Pickering and Dernell Stenson

Who would've bet back in 2001 that Tony Clark would outlast them all...

13. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: November 28, 2008 at 12:28 AM (#3017007)

Morlan is Mr. Most Likely To Succeed, I think. If I have a spot free and my staff thinks they can fix him, I'd consider Veal. Antonio Bastardo has a lower ceiling, but is more likely to be able to help now (I think) as a swingman/LOOGY today - and he's only 23.

14. Cowboy Popup Posted: November 28, 2008 at 12:46 AM (#3017012)

Some guys at RLYW are going to be heartbroken if someone picks up Cox. I will not be.

15. Rocco's Not-so Malfunctioning Mitochondria Posted: December 01, 2008 at 09:22 PM (#3018440)

I love how everyone keeps reporting Morlan as being able to hit mid-90's, despite the fact that he never threw harder than 92 the entire season and sat 88-90 last year.

16. Mike Emeigh Posted: December 01, 2008 at 09:56 PM (#3018454)

I love how everyone keeps reporting Morlan as being able to hit mid-90's, despite the fact that he never threw harder than 92 the entire season and sat 88-90 last year.

I think most people are aware of that - and also that his slider is his real out pitch.

-- MWE

17. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: December 03, 2008 at 05:25 PM (#3020177)

The hitters article is up. I'd forgotten about Wimberly - I like the versatility (he can make errors all over the middle of the diamond) and speed - he's probably better than Eric Yelding was (not that that's all that).

18. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: December 03, 2008 at 05:47 PM (#3020199)

"I love how everyone keeps reporting Morlan as being able to hit mid-90's, despite the fact that he never threw harder than 92 the entire season and sat 88-90 last year."

In BA's Rule 5 preview, they said that his velo came back after the season.

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The Baseball Analysts: 2008 Rule 5 Draft Pitchers

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