Balls, Bulls, Bears!

I’ve posted up the current list of Non-Roster Invitees here, but occasionally it’s difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Some teams have their prospects already on the roster; other teams just enjoy inviting 42-year old grizzly Canadians over prospects. As is generally the case, any catcher with a pulse will get an invite to Spring Training so there’s a decent amount of 2009 Draft Picks that’ll make the list.

Boston Red Sox

Casey Kelly: Elite Prospect. Focusing Solely on Pitching.
: 2007 Draft, 3rd Round, 320K Signing Bonus. Mid-90′s fastball w/ life.
: Solid Catcher. Some Power. Impressive late showing in AA and the AFL. Should arrive in 2011.
: Stock’s dropped. K’s too much. Power Frame not producing expected results.
: Interesting prospect. AA wasn’t kind to him in 2009. Moves around defensively. Solid build for MI.
Che-Hsuan Lin: 2007 Int’l FA, 400K Sign. Athletic. Plus defensive tools. Contact needs improving. Swing needs simplifying.

(Read the rest of this entry…)

When it comes to pitching prospects, the Baltimore Orioles really know how to stash ‘em. The AL East is stacked full of top-notch, five star, prospects and the Orioles are responsible for the majority of the men on the mound.

Marc Hulet takes a peek at the entire Orioles system:

1. Brian Matusz, LHP, Majors
DOB: February 1987 Bats: Left Throws: Left
Signed: 2008 1st round – University of San Diego
MLB ETA: Now 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 2
Repertoire: 88-94 mph fastball, plus curveball, slider, change-up

2. Josh Bell, 3B, Double-A
DOB: November 1986 Bats: Both Throws: Right
Signed: 2005 4th round – Florida HS (Los Angeles NL)
MLB ETA: mid-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3

3. , RHP, Double-A
DOB: December 1987 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2005 3rd round – Maryland HS
MLB ETA: Late-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3
Repertoire: 88-94 mph fastball, slider, change-up

4. , RHP, Double-A
DOB: March 1986 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2007 5th round – Texas Christian University
MLB ETA: Late-2010 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 87-93 mph fastball, slider, change-up

5. , LHP, High-A
DOB: December 1987 Bats: Left Throws: Left
Signed: 2006 3rd round – Texas HS
MLB ETA: Mid-2011 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 88-93 mph fastball, slider, curveball, change-up

6. , 1B, Triple-A
DOB: November 1986 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2005 1st round – Virginia HS
MLB ETA: Mid-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3

7. Caleb Joseph, C, High-A
DOB: June 1986 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2008 7th round – Lipscomb University
MLB ETA: Late-2011 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3

8. , RHP, Majors
DOB: May 1984 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2006 18th round – Utah Valley State College (Seattle)
MLB ETA: Now 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 2
Repertoire: 89-95 mph fastball, slider, change-up

9. Troy Patton, LHP, Triple-A
DOB: September 1985 Bats: Both Throws: Left
Signed: 2004 9th round – Texas HS (Houston)
MLB ETA: Mid-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 2
Repertoire: 87-91 mph fastball, slider, change-up

10. , 3B, Double-A
DOB: January 1986 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Signed: 2007 7th round – Wofford College (Cincinnati)
MLB ETA: Late-2010 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3

The Orioles system is lookin’ damn fine. You need a left handed pitcher? What about a righty? Power? Control? They’ve got it all.

Will Lingo over at Baseball America puts together the Orioles Top-10 Prospects.

1. Brian Matusz, lhp
2. Josh Bell, 3b
3. , lhp
4. , rhp
5. , rhp
6. , 1b
7. , rhp
8. , rhp
9. Mychal Givens, ss
10. Caleb Joseph, c

John Sickels put together his version of the Baltimore Orioles top prospect list, but originally and inexplicably had Matusz as a B+. Thankfully Sickels has moved Brian Matusz to an A and all is right with the world.

1) Brian Matusz, LHP, Grade A
2) , RHP, Grade B+
3) , LHP, Grade B+
4) Josh Bell, 3B, Grade B
5) , RHP, Grade B
6) , 1B, Grade B-
7) , RHP, Grade B-
8) Mychal Givens, SS, Grade B-
9) , 3B-1B, Grade C+
10) , RHP, Grade C+

(Read the rest of this entry…)

Kevin Goldstein breaks down an Orioles system that contains one of the best lefties out there: Brian Matusz.

Five-Star Prospects
1. Brian Matusz, LHP
Four-Star Prospects
2. Josh Bell, 3B
3. , RHP
4. , LHP
Three-Star Prospects
5. , RHP
6. , RHP
7. Brandon Synder, 1B
8. Mychal Givens, SS
9. Caleb Joseph, C
Two-Star Prospects
10. , 1B/3B
11. Cameron Coffey, RHP

(Read the rest of this entry…)