RotoExperts

Home

Pitchers

A Pitchers Stats through 8/24/08

Written by Jason Revelia, RotoExpert.com Baseball Operations

If you're asking yourself why you need to know about or read up on the minor leagues, then there is a good chance you missed out on guys like Ryan Braun and Fausto Carmona last year, which probably cost you a title. The Minor League Review will focus on most of the top talent in the minor leagues and what they have done over the past week. This is great to let you see how the studs everyone else already knows about are doing...but we are going to take it even a step further and dig a little deeper in our "Diamond in the Rough" section. Here you will also see guys that may not be on everyone's Top Prospect List, but should be. We will look at players that are hot and cold, those that you should know about and those you need to know about and why. I know a lot of guys in ten or twelve team leagues with shallow benches that don't worry about minor league players. That is why guys like you and me will always kick their ass in Fantasy Baseball. So let's go take a look at the building blocks of future Fantasy Championship Teams.

Diamond in the Rough

7/1/08

RP Anthony Slama, 24 (RHP), Fort Myers Miracle (Minnesota Twins)

It’s the first day of July and this is the second Minor League relief pitcher (Chris Perez was the first) we have reviewed this year.

Anthony Slama was selected in the 39th round of the 2006 draft by the Minnesota Twins. Unless you are a rabid Twins fan you’ve never heard about this guy so listen up!

First off, minor League relief pitchers aren’t typically going to be of interest to the fantasy fan because, frankly, they don’t have much value. It’s not so much lack of talent, although even the majors are littered with mediocre arms that should be replaced, but lack of opportunity that supresses their value. The fact is most scoring systems are not geared towards rewarding middle relief pitcher. While they can bring you a nice ERA, WHIP, and a few Ks, their impact is minimal due to low innings pitched, and the best you can often hope for is that they are in the mix with a shaky bullpen and on the ledge closer. Take a peek at Paul Bourdett’s weekly column “Pecking Order” for a cast of suspects.

With a name like Slama it seems he should be destined for a closers role. Take a look at his stats, and you’ll see why this kid has the stuff to be a RotoExperts Diamond in the Rough. Slama is knocking the socks off opposing batters to the tune of 74.1 IP, 22 BB and 122 Ks. THAT’S RIGHT 122 Ks. For you Sabermatricians that’s a 14.77 K/9 and a 5.55 K/BB ratio.

While it’s still only Advanced A ball, anyone with those lofty numbers should get your full attention. They’ve certainly opened my eyes, and I’m not that easily impressed.

Slama’s repertoire includes a slider, changeup and his out pitch, an 88-92 MPH fastball. It seems strange to me that it’s his out pitch, but some guys just have the mindset that they’ll bring their best pitch when needed and dare hitters to beat them on it. You have to love a guy with that kind of tenacity.

Slama could have that bull-like attitude necessary for a closer, and the fact that he has yet to give up a HR in 74.1 IP is impressive.

Slama is a 24 year old in Advanced-A ball, often a sign that he’s not progressed quickly enough to be a big league pitcher. We are willing to over look that since he was drafted in 2006 and and his first minor league year was last year (2007). So it’s not like he has been wasting away in the minors putting up bad numbers. In 42.2 IP for the Fort Myers Miracle this year he has a ridiculous .160 BAA. That number doesn’t seem like a fluke considering opposing batters hit .156 against him in his rookie year. And, while the Twins did lock Joe Nathan up this past offseason former incumbent closer Pat Neshak’s injury could open the door for Slama at some point in the future. Nathan is a stud closer but he isn’t getting any younger and won’t stay healthy forever.

For all you guys in the deep roster dynasty leagues make sure you keep tabs on him by checking back at RotoExperts.com from time to time because we will certainly be keeping tabs on this up and coming fireballer. Let us do the digging for diamonds so you don’t have to get your hands dirty.

2007 Rookie and A (23)
1 W 1 L 1.71 ERA 27 G 0 GS 14 SV 31.2 IP 17 H 6 R 6 ER 0 HR 10 BB 49 Ks 1.65 GO/AO .156 BAA

2008 A+ (24)
3 W 0 L 0.42 ERA 29 G 0 GS 16 SV 42.2 IP 24 H 4 R 2 ER 0 HR 12 BB 73 SO 1.79 GO/AO .160 BAA

Graduates of the A-Ball Minor League Review

The following players have been promoted to Double-A for what should be an extended period of time.

Tyler Herron RHP STL, Jesse Todd RHP STL, Antonio Bastardo LHP PHI, Thomas Hanson RHP ATL, Luis Marte RHP DET, Daniel Bard RHP BOS, Blake Wood RHP KC, Ryan Reid RHP TB, Aaron Poreda LHP CHW, Trevor Cahill RHP OAK, Jermey Hellickson RHP TB, Jose Ceda RHP CHC, David Price LHP TB, Robert Delaney RHP MIN, Brett Anderson LHP OAK, Ben Snyder LHP SF, Neftali Feliz RHP TEX, Bryan Dumesnil LHP ATL, Jared Lansford RHP OAK, James Adkins LHP LAD, Jeremy Jeffress RHP MIL, Heath Rollins RHP TB, Derek Holland LHP TEX, and Henry Rodroguez RHP OAK.

The following players have been promoted to Triple-A for what should be an extended period of time.

Josh Ellis RHP ARI

All of the pitchers below are in A+ or A and are sorted by age youngest to oldest. They are not ranked in any order according to talent or skill level. Stats are updated through 8/24/08.

HIGH A FANTASY PROSPECTS
Player	POS	TM	AGE	LVL	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GO/AO	BAA
Deolis Guerra	RHP	MIN	19.4	A+	10	8	5.44	24	23	1	1	0	120.2	128	79	73	12	67	62	0.63	.271

Edward Cegarra	RHP	KC	19.5	A+	6	7	4.90	17	17	0	0	0	101	112	59	55	15	19	52	0.78	.284
				A	2	4	2.67	9	8	0	0	1	54	46	18	16	4	5	53	1.06	.225

Rick Porcello	RHP	DET	19.7	A+	7	6	2.80	23	23	0	0	0	119	113	51	37	7	32	68	2.35	.247

Tim Alderson	RHP	SF	19.8	A+	12	4	2.91	25	25	0	0	0	139.1	122	48	45	4	34	117	1.04	.238

Kelvin De La Cruz	LHP	CLE	20.7	A+	3	2	6.08	7	7	0	0	0	26.2	32	18	18	1	22	31	1.09	.296
				AA	1	0	7.20	1	1	0	0	0	5	4	4	4	1	3	4	0.83	.222
				A	8	4	1.69	18	18	1	0	0	95.2	71	23	18	2	34	96	1.89	.207

Jhoulys Chacin	RHP	COL	20.7	A+	8	2	2.35	11	11	0	0	0	61.1	56	19	16	3	11	57	2.88	.246
				A	10	1	1.86	16	16	2	0	0	111.1	82	30	23	3	30	98	2.83	.205

Brandon Erbe	RHP	BAL	20.7	A+	9	12	4.51	27	27	2	0	0	143.2	118	82	72	21	49	142	0.73	.222

Tyler Robertson	LHP	MIN	20.7	A+	5	3	2.72	15	15	1	0	0	82.2	78	36	25	3	31	73	1.71	.247

Zachary McAllister	RHP	NYY	20.7	A+	8	6	1.83	15	14	1	1	1	88.2	74	24	18	6	13	62	1.21	.225
				A	6	3	2.45	10	10	0	0	0	62.1	59	28	17	3	8	53	2.16	.245

Clayton Tanner	LHP	SF	20.7	A+	10	7	3.78	23	23	0	0	0	112	119	57	47	1	38	81	1.71	.274

Kasey Kiker	LHP	TEX	20.8	A+	5	4	4.39	21	19	0	0	0	112.2	124	63	55	12	33	100	1.06	.285

Omar Poveda	RHP	TEX	20.9	A+	4	4	4.73	16	16	0	0	0	83.2	75	55	44	10	39	88	1.00	.238

Sean O'Sullivan	RHP	LAA	21.0	A+	15	7	4.70	26	23	1	0	0	143.2	153	85	75	6	45	107	1.22	.267

Zach Braddock	LHP	MIL	21.0	A+	4	7	5.72	19	11	0	0	0	61.1	53	43	39	6	42	73	0.71	.231
				A	0	0	0.00	2	2	0	0	0	6	2	1	0	0	3	13	4.00	.095

Cole Rohrbough	LHP	ATL	21.3	A+	1	1	4.82	3	3	0	0	0	18.2	20	11	10	0	5	17	0.94	.290
				A	3	4	4.94	13	12	0	0	0	58.1	55	37	32	3	31	76	1.19	.248

Pedro Beato	RHP	BAL	21.9	A+	4	9	5.78	18	18	0	0	0	90.1	110	69	58	10	32	48	1.10	.304
				GCL	0	0	2.53	2	2	0	0	0	10.2	10	3	3	1	1	3	1.55	.244

Player	POS	TM	AGE	LVL	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GO/AO	BAA

Kyle Ginley	RHP	TOR	22.0	A+	7	7	4.74	16	16	1	0	0	76	89	45	40	7	32	55	0.99	.293
				A	5	0	1.24	6	6	0	0	0	36.1	40	10	5	1	6	36	1.61	.280

Craig Italiano	RHP	OAK	22.1	A+	4	9	5.78	18	18	0	0	0	90.1	110	69	58	10	32	48	1.10	.304
				A	7	0	1.16	14	14	0	0	0	70	43	16	9	2	35	79	1.23	.177

Bryan Augenstein	RHP	ARI	22.1	A+	2	4	3.86	7	7	0	0	0	35	43	22	15	3	4	21	2.48	.307
				A	5	1	2.16	13	13	0	0	0	87.1	73	21	21	2	9	69	1.91	.224

Drew Naylor	RHP	PHI	22.3	A+	3	7	5.20	12	12	1	0	0	71	81	42	41	8	31	53	0.82	.289
				A	5	3	2.99	14	14	2	0	0	87.1	69	32	29	8	21	97	1.56	.214

John Ely	RHP	CHW	22.3	A+	9	12	4.68	26	26	0	0	0	140.1	138	80	73	17	44	128	1.47	.260

Anthony Carter	RHP	CHW	22.4	A+	6	4	4.52	15	14	0	0	0	73.2	76	41	37	10	27	33	0.83	.264
				A	5	2	2.77	11	11	0	0	0	61.2	47	22	19	5	11	66	1.05	.213

Ross Detwiler	LHP	WAS	22.5	A+	7	8	5.03	25	25	0	0	0	118	136	71	66	8	54	108	1.52	.293

Jake Arrieta	RHP	BAL	22.5	A+	6	5	2.87	20	20	0	0	0	113	80	44	36	7	51	120	1.14	.199

Fautino De Los Santos	RHP	OAK	22.5	A+	2	2	5.87	5	5	0	0	0	23	29	17	15	3	11	26	1.63	.309
7-Day Disabled List
Joe Savery	LHP	PHI	22.8	A+	8	10	4.10	26	23	0	0	0	145	164	81	66	7	59	117	1.84	.286

Player	POS	TM	AGE	LVL	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GO/AO	BAA

Oswaldo Sosa	RHP	MIN	22.8	A+	2	2	5.57	16	6	0	0	0	42	45	32	26	0	30	33	1.73	.281
				AA	2	5	5.81	13	13	0	0	0	62	70	41	40	4	43	47	1.62	.294
Has been sent down from AA.
Cody Crowell	LHP	TOR	23.0	A+	6	0	3.52	21	0	0	0	0	23	12	11	9	1	15	17	1.08	.156
				A	1	2	1.76	28	0	0	0	9	41	22	9	8	1	20	65	1.15	.153

Spencer Steedley	LHP	MIN	23.3	A+	1	3	6.92	14	3	0	0	1	26	31	23	20	4	19	18	3.92	.301
				A	5	3	2.14	31	0	0	0	8	46.1	35	16	11	2	17	59	2.17	.208

Kyle Parker	RHP	SEA	23.4	A+	5	3	4.27	16	16	0	0	0	84.1	75	46	40	7	39	67	1.27	.233
7-Day Disabled List
Michael Anton	LHP	LAA	23.4	A+	6	5	5.40	13	13	0	0	0	71.2	86	46	43	8	31	48	1.24	.305
				A	7	3	2.13	12	12	3	2	0	84.1	68	22	20	4	19	50	1.02	.228

Kevin Pucetas	RHP	SF	23.8	A+	10	2	3.07	23	23	0	0	0	120.1	111	45	41	6	23	99	1.20	.247

William Harris	RHP	COL	24.0	A+	3	5	2.77	49	0	0	0	3	61.2	51	20	19	4	20	70	1.92	.221

Alfredo Figaro	RHP	DET	24.2	A+	0	4	4.26	5	4	1	0	0	25.1	31	17	12	1	10	18	1.08	.307
				A	12	2	2.05	19	19	2	2	0	123	99	35	28	0	30	96	1.62	.218

Anthony Slama	RHP	MIN	24.7	A+	3	1	1.07	47	0	0	0	24	67	43	12	8	0	24	106	1.53	.181
Diamond in the Rough
LOW A FANTASY PROSPECTS
Player	POS	TM	AGE	LVL	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GO/AO	BAA
Kyle Lotzkar	RHP	CIN	18.9	A	2	3	3.58	10	10	0	0	0	37.2	29	19	15	2	24	50	0.74	.215
7-Day Disabled List
Madison Bumgarner	LHP	SF	19.1	A	14	3	1.45	23	23	1	1	0	136.2	108	27	22	3	20	155	0.84	.217

Blake Beavan	RHP	TEX	19.6	A	10	6	2.45	22	22	0	0	0	117.2	103	42	32	12	20	70	1.22	.236

Phillippe Aumont	RHP	SEA	19.7	A	4	4	2.75	15	8	0	0	2	55.2	46	22	17	4	19	50	1.73	.224
7-Day Disabled List
Jarrod Parker	RHP	ARI	19.8	A	11	5	3.59	23	23	0	0	0	112.2	112	56	45	8	33	110	1.03	.258

Colton Willems	RHP	WAS	20.1	A	5	9	3.70	20	20	0	0	0	109.1	103	58	45	7	31	60	1.56	.254

Matt Latos	RHP	SD	20.7	A	0	3	3.28	7	5	0	0	0	24.2	24	12	9	3	8	23	1.00	.250
7-Day Disabled List
Jeff Locke	LHP	ATL	20.8	A	5	12	4.06	25	24	1	0	0	139.2	150	75	63	6	38	113	1.59	.269

Steve Evarts	LHP	ATL	20.9	A	2	0	1.50	3	3	0	0	0	18	15	5	3	0	1	14	6.67	.234
7-Day Disabled List
Jonathan Kibler	LHP	DET	22.1	A	14	5	1.75	23	23	2	1	0	154.1	103	39	30	4	32	126	1.87	.190

Player	POS	TM	AGE	LVL	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GO/AO	BAA

Jeremy Hefner	RHP	SD	22.5	A	10	5	3.48	28	23	0	0	0	134.1	117	53	52	12	38	139	0.95	.235

Connor Graham	RHP	COL	22.7	A	11	6	2.29	25	25	2	2	0	141.1	97	49	36	3	77	130	1.49	.193

Jonathan Ortiz	RHP	NYY	22.8	A	4	2	2.15	54	0	0	0	32	58.2	45	19	14	2	11	83	1.10	.205

Randall Taylor	RHP	COL	23.3	A	3	1	3.88	50	0	0	0	31	48.2	48	23	21	7	15	53	0.51	.262

Brant Rustich	RHP	NYM	23.6	A	3	4	3.62	20	8	0	0	0	49.2	42	26	20	1	16	48	1.22	.231

John Mariotti	RHP	BAL	24.0	A	3	2	3.74	8	6	0	0	0	33.2	27	18	14	2	7	26	5.64	.213

Player	POS	TM	AGE	LVL	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GO/AO	BAA

Jason Revelia is addicted to minor league baseball and doesn't understand why everyone isn't. This isn't for baseball prospects- it's strictly fantasy prospects. If you don't see a player listed here you would like to keep tabs on this season- let him know who and why at revelia@rotoexperts.com.

Add Comment (0)

[ Back ]