Prospect Perspective: Fernando Martinez

Well, since there has been a lot of talk recently about Fernando Martinez being sent to Minnesota in a deal for Johan Santana, I've decided to add him to my list of "Prospect Perspective" posts.

Value: Fernando's value may have taken a bit of a hit following his .265 Average between A and AA ball. However, it's very hard to say that an average season could hinder the value of a 19-year-old outfielder who has the tools to someday become a great outfielder. Any player being discussed as the centerpiece in a trade for the greatest pitcher in baseball, before their twentieth birthday, has to have tremendous value. Overall Value: A

Ability: Fernando may only be 19, but he has the pitch recognition and strike zone awareness of a ten year veteran. His major flaw; however, is his tendency to press whenever he goes into a slump; but, this is common among young players and should not take anything away from the way he is perceived as a stud prospect. He hits well to all fields, which some scouts projections say, will lead to him having home run power to all fields once his body fills out. Also Martinez struggles up against strong left-handed pitching. Unlike Carlos Gomez, the man F-mart is so wrongly compared to, Fernando isn't all that great defensively. He'll get bad reads on balls periodically, causing him to take peculiar routes after making questionable first steps. Scouts also believe he'll possibly lose some of his above-average speed as he continues to grow. These flaws in his defense lead most to believe he'll end up as an average corner outfielder defensively. Overall Ability: B+

Future: There's hardly any doubt that Martinez has a future in the majors. The real question is what kind of major league career will he have. It is very hard to determine the future of a 19-year-old who hasn't seen the Majors. But, I'll try to anyway. I see F-Mart as an above-average, everyday player. He'll mostly have years of 20-25 HR's, 80-90 RBI's, 280-310 AVG., 350-380 OBP. That's a pretty solid line, though not as dominate as some ignorant Met fans perceive. Bottom line, he isn't the centerpiece the Twins are looking for; but, is he close enough? Overall Future: A

Overall Prospect Rating: A, F-Mart is a true "prospect." He'll either pan out or he won't. While he is still young, that doesn't guarantee he'll improve a lot. However, I have little doubt he'll be a major presence on a big league club someday; whether that's for the Mets, Twins, or someone else, that is yet to be determined.

For "Prospect Perspective" posts on Phil Hughes, Lastings Milledge, and Joba Chamberlain, scroll down the page!

Prospect Perspective: Joba Chamberlain

A couple of weeks ago I walked into Models and saw something that made me sick to my stomach... A Joba Chamberlain jersey. Here in New York, they are selling the jersey of a player who hasn't proved anything other than the fact that he is afraid of bugs. I mean, they still aren't selling John Maine shirts here. Now, I know I sound a little biased, however, say you're a Yankee fan and you walked into Models and saw a Joe Smith jersey but couldn't find a Robinson Cano jersey. You'd be upset too, wouldn't you? So I've decided to discuss Joba Chamberlain in this addition of "Prospect Perspective."



Value: Yes Chamberlain had a great end of the season. He showed that he could be dominate. Which is the sole reason he has the type of value he has today. Maybe he will be a lights out pitcher some day (highly unlikely). However, there is no reason to have him off limits at what I believe to be his peek value. Still, he would be a more valuable trading chip than any other pitcher in baseball. Overall Value: A+

Ability: There are many people who believe Chamberlain is a bonafide ace. Those people belong locked up in an insane asylum. Sure, he dominated in the Majors; but, he dominated people who were burned out and really playing for nothing. I mean, what major contenders were there for the playoffs in the AL: Red Sox (had it wrapped up early), Indians (wrapped up fairly early), Angels (No other good team in their division), Yankees (played for them), Mariners (did anybody really consider them a contender), Tigers (faded rather early). So as you see, he faced people who were either trying to save their energy for the post season, or people who didn't care about the season. We'll see his true ability in April, but until then his ability is nowhere near A caliber. Overall ability: B

Future: Unlike his teammate, Phil Hughes, Joba's future is not too bright. He will not post an ERA under 4 as a starter unless he makes some real improvements. However, I do see him as an above-average reliever. If the Yankees kept him in the pen he could be a Jason Isringhaussen type closer. So, I'll give him two separate future ratings. Starter Future: B-; Reliever Future Rating: A-



Overall Prospect Rating: A- This rating would be a lot lower if it wasn't for his value. Part of being a good prospect is having a high trade value. However, come May, his value probably will take a bit of a plunder, and the Steinbrenners are too obstinate to put him in a package for Santana. If a package of Melky Cabrera, Joba Chamberlain, and a no-name prospect could get a Santana deal done, why not do it?

Prospect Perspective: Phil Hughes

It was decided last night that the Yankees are willing to include Phil Hughes in a package for Johan Santana. The package seems set at Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and another pitching prospect (Alan Horne?). So I'll be decided to discuss Hughes this morning.

Value: There's obviously no doubt that Hughes has tremendous value. If he didn't, the Yankees wouldn't be able to come close to pulling a deal off with just Cabrera and another pitcher alongside Hughes. You can't get much more valuable than a 21-year-old who has potential to be an all time great. Overall Value: A+

Ability: Hughes was gifted with tremendous ability as well. He has a fastball that sits in the mid 90's, with good movement; and, he can place it well too. He also can place his two-seamer well with good speed (low 90's). His best pitch is an amazing curve. He trows it in the mid to low 80's with excellent movement.
Hughes also possesses great presence and poise on the mound, and is extremely hard to rattle.
Overall ability: A+

Future: It's clear as day that Hughes will be a bonafide Ace in the next few years. Personally, I see him winning 250-300 games, whether for the Yanks or Twins. He will probably win at least one Cy-young. His average season should be about 16-5 3.25 ERA and 200 K's. It's extremely possible he'll be better than Santana in a few years. Overall Future: A+

Overall Prospect Rating: A+
Clearly, Hughes is the definition of a blue-chip prospect. However, if I were the Yankees I would refuse to trade him. Even with Santana, they might not be able to beat the Red Sox this year.

Prospect Perspective: Lastings Milledge

Welcome to C-Gouds' Ultimate Baseball Blog. As this is my first post, feel free to provide some constructive criticism for me in the comments section. I feel obligated to cover my favorite team, The New York Mets in my first post. "Prospect Perspective" is the name I will use for the posts where I discuss the value, ability and future of certain prospects. Today I will discuss the controversial, Lastings Milledge.
Value: I remember the day where the Mets let Milledge's upside keep them from acquiring Manny Ramirez. Now sometimes it feels as though Omar and the media are trying to run him out of town. It's amazing how quickly embracing your home fans and rapping can send one's reputation in a downward spiral. Most GM's in baseball see no value in Lastings anymore. However, Athletics GM Billy Beane seems awfully fond of him. He alone, may be able to land a #3 Starter. Overall Value: B
Ability: There's no doubt Lastings has tremendous ability. His major flaws are baserunning, off-speed stuff, and getting good jumps on fly balls. He however, is extremely athletic and charismatic. He has the speed to make up for his bad reads on fly balls and just has to learn the zone to become a star. Overall Ability: A
Future: It's pretty hard to tell what Lastings future holds. I, for one, believe he can become a 40HR 100RBI .260AVG. 25SB player. I see him as a future Mike Cameron type fielder. However, if he isn't given the chance to flourish, I could see him as a 18HR 60RBI .260AVG. 10SB type player. Since it is so hard to determine I''ll place him in the middle. Future: B+

Overall Prospect Level: B+