Prospect Alert
Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

Reader Response, Part III

Welcome to “Prospect Alert,” the informative new column with information regarding all aspects of the minor leagues. Throughout the course of this season, we will focus on minor leagues with the goal of informing fantasy players about the minor leagues. From player scouting to specific player breakdowns, this is the place to visit for top-notch minor league information.

Sorry for the delay in this week's column. Some unexpected events forced the writing of the column to be pushed back a few days.

Prospect evaluation can cover a wide variety of players and topics. To help eliminate some of the confusion in terms of prospects, it is best to break down a few prospects that readers have specific questions about. So, if you have any questions that you would like answered, feel free to drop a comment at the bottom of the page, and you will receive an in-depth answer in a future column.

Here are the questions for this week:

I have a question on several minor leaguers. Can you give me a brief synopsis of their strengths and weaknesses and when we may see them in the big leagues ? ? ?

1) ATL. Andy Marte
2) FLA. Jason Stokes
3) S.F. Todd Linden
4) COL. Garret Atkins
5) S.F. Boof Bonsar
6) S.F. Jerome Williams
7) ATL. Adam Wainwright
8) MIL. Corey Hart
9) PHIL. Gavin Floyd
10) ATL. Jeff Francoer

3B Andy Marte has struggled this year, and was one of the biggest disappointments in terms of underproduction over the first few weeks of the season. He has begun to post improved numbers, and he has a relatively clear path ahead of him, but he will need to increase his production even more in order to maintain his status as one of the better corner infield prospects in the game. Marte has great bat speed, which provides him with one of the best power bats in the minors. He is also above-average defensively, despite somewhat contradictory defensive statistics. His biggest weakness is plate discipline, although his walk rate has improved quite a bit since last year. If he is able to post solid numbers throughout the minors, Marte is a nice bet to settle in as the Braves’ third baseman of the future for a long time.

1B Jason Stokes has been a disappointment so far this season, as his plate discipline has been awful and his average has slumped to an abysmal rate. In terms of pure power, Stokes is one of the best minor leaguers in the game. He is decent defensively, and usually posts a solid average. However, there are two major concerns that may hamper his development. The first problem is the injury factor, as Stokes cannot seem to stay healthy. He has missed significant playing time in the past, and an old wrist injury could be hurting his production right now. That is certainly an area worth watching in terms of Stokes’ development. The other problem area is plate discipline, which has regressed this season. Stokes has experienced a decreased walk rate while striking out at a higher pace, not a good combination for a young slugger. That will undoubtedly hurt Stokes in the his rise to the majors if it is not corrected immediately. Without those two weaknesses, Stokes would be considered a top-10 prospect.

OF Todd Linden is one prospect that has not been a disappointment this year. He has posted a solid average, displayed above-average power to the gaps, and flashed a decent amount of speed. His plate discipline is encouraging, and has not been a problem in the past. Everything appears on track for Linden to develop into a solid, though not dominating, outfielder for many years. While there are no glaring weaknesses with Linden, he has yet to prove overly efficient in any aspect of the game. For that reason, he remains one of the lesser-hyped prospects, yet is one of the better bets to remain a solid producer for the long-term future.

3B Garrett Atkins is not a big-time prospect, yet has been impressive this year. Part of that production is due to the fact that he is playing in Colorado Springs, which is a similar environment to Coors Field. That said, much of that production is legitimate, and should carry over to a large extent upon his promotion to the big leagues, which could be very soon. Atkins does not walk enough, yet his low strikeout rates helps to cover for that weakness. If promoted and given a full season at the big-league level, he could hit .290 with 15-20 homers, which would be decent but nothing spectacular.

SP Boof Bonser has stepped up his production this year, adding some solid statistics to back up the hype surrounding his natural ability. He has an excellent mid-90s fastball, yet is wild at times and still walks to many batters. His fastball is complimented with an excellent curve, and a developing changeup. He has gone through a series of promotions and demotions, which might end up hurting his confidence and long-term production. One of the more interesting prospects in the game, Bonser has all the tools to succeed in the majors. Given his age and experience, it would not be a surprise to see him in the Opening Day rotation in 2005, which should give him enough time to work on his control and qualify as “big-league ready.”

SP Jerome Williams is often compared to Bonser, but I actually like Williams a little more. While his curve is not as good as Bonser’s, his changeup is much better. Williams has faced adversity at all levels, and has produced as one of the youngest pitchers in Triple-A. This year, he seems to have taken another step forward, and is posting the most encouraging season of his professional career. It would not be a surprise to see Williams join Foppert in the big leagues later this season, although it would be nice to see him remain in the minors for the remainder of 2003.

SP Adam Wainwright is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. Underrated by many, Wainwright has been developed in a system that is well-known for its success in developing young pitching prospects. Wainwright picked up this season where he left off last year, having excellent success against opposing hitters. He has three plus pitches: a fastball, curve, and changeup. He could use another couple years in the minors to build up his arm, but Wainwright should quickly develop into the next Atlanta ace.

3B Corey Hart has the ability to play first and third, yet might remain at third due to the logjam at first in the Milwaukee organization. If third is not his long-term position, Hart will likely be tried in the outfield. Regardless of defensive position, Hart’s bat is too good for him to sit on the bench due a lack of a defensive positon. He has the ability to hit for average and power, and his speed is above average for a corner infielder. The only real weakness is his plate discipline, but that is a problem for most young prospects. Hopefully the Brewers will keep him on the right track, as Hart is one of the more talented prospects in baseball.

SP Gavin Floyd has received some comparisons to Brett Myers, but Floyd might actually be the better long-term option of the two. He has been solid this season, although he has allowed a few more walks than a future of his caliber should. That is not a major problem, however, and his overall production has been encouraging. Floyd has an above-average fastball, outstanding curve, and an improving changeup. He is mentally-prepared for the psychological aspects of pitching, and has a great understanding of the game. Aside from a few minor adjustments that shouldn’t be hard to make, Floyd has no obvious weakness.

OF Jeff Francoeur has had solid results in his brief professional career. The only problem so far has been a lack of patience, but that can more than likely be corrected as his strikeout rate is rather low. He has disaplyed a nice power-speed combination, which should help as he progresses throughout the minors. In terms of hitting for contact, Francoeur has had no problems, which is another encouraging sign for a player with his walk rate. Aside from the walk rate, Francoeur has yet to show any troublesome weaknesses.

What do you know about David Espinosa? I remember him getting traded to Detroit from Cincinnati in the Brian Moehler trade last year. How’s he doing?

IF/OF David Espinosa has been converted to the outfield after previous attempts to master shortstop and second base. He has plenty of talent, but has a horrific contract much like Wily Mo Pena. He was given an eight-year major league contract, and will run out of options in 2004. That is not enough time for him to get ready, and will be a major problem for Detroit to overcome. He has a solid power-speed combination, and could eventually develop into a very solid player. His walk rate is excellent, and his strikeout total isn’t too bad. If given until 2005 or so in the minors, Espinosa would have a much better chance for success. However, that will likely not occur, as Detroit will not want to lose Espinosa. He would likely be a poor man’s Aaron Boone if promoted today, but he desperately needs to speed up his progress in the minors.

Please leave any comments/suggestions/questions using the “comment” feature at the bottom of this page, or feel free to leave a message on the Fantasy Info Central message board. The more feedback provided, the better this column can be devised. In the coming weeks, look for an in-depth look at the league’s top prospects.

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