Diamond in the Rough

5/1/08

CF Gorkys Hernandez, 20 (R), Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Atlanta Braves)

Gorkys (cool name) was pilfered from the Tigers’ system and has been an almost daily feature in Baseball America’s Prospect Report. Hernandez is an intriguing CF prospect who I didn't pay much attention to until Jordan Schafer tested positive and was suspended for 50 games. The Braves have a hole in CF should have been filled by Schafer. That is no longer a certainty, and the way Hernandez is playing has quickly raised his stock into focus. He has good stolen base potential, and his walk to strikeout ratio isn't bad.

2007 A (19)
481 AB .293 BA 84 R 25 2B 5 3B 4 HR 54 SB

2008 Advanced A (20)
81 AB .309 14 R 5 2B 5 3b, 2 HR 5 SB, 14 SO, 6 BB 14 R 11 RBI

He has a very good chance, given his age, to develop more power. If so, he could be the kind of speed/power combo that fantasy owners salivate over.

 Diamond in the Rough

4/29/08

2B Emilo Bonifacio, 23 (L/R), Tucson Sidewinders (Arizona Diamondbacks, AAA)

Emilo's skill set will help roto leagues...that value is steals.  He is a sleeper to take over for Orlando Hudson one day.  Last year in Double-A, Emilo hit .285 in 551 AB's with 84 R, 21 2B and 41 SB's.  He had a brief cup of coffee at the end of last year getting 23 AB's netting 5 hits, but had a promising 4 walks.  In 2006 he led the High-A California league with 61 SB’s, was second in runs (117) and hit for a .321 AVG.  He has started off on the right foot this year hitting .280 AVG with 9 SB and only 1 CS.  Emilo has a chance to make a big impression this year.  If he does, Arizona may have to find a place for him to play.

 Diamond in the Rough

4/24/08

1B Mike Carp, 21 (R), Binghamton Mets (New York Mets, AA)

This week our man is Mike Carp, a 21 year-old first baseman for the Binghamton Mets, the double-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Take notice now, because Carp will be at the top of prospect lists after this season. His whole game has started to come together this year. After his first 18 games, Carp has 69 AB's, .449 AVG, 31 H, 14 R, 6 2B, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 5 BB, 10 SO, .487 OBP, .754 SLG and a 1.240 OPS. He spent all last year (2007) in double-A so he is repeating the level, but considering he turns 22 in June, that doesn't bother me since he is still at the younger side of what you would like to see. What has impressed me is his marked improvement so far. Last year he struggled against left-handed pitching, hitting just .173 (19-for-110) with 25 strikeouts. This year so he is batting .400 (12 for 30) with only three strikeouts against southpaws. In the power department, he hit only 11 HR (359 ABs) last year, while this year already 5 HR in just 69 AB's. Carlos Delgado isn't getting any younger, so Carp may not have much time to wait for his shot at a big league job, which is a typical problem for most first base prospects. He won't have any impact for your fantasy team this year, but next spring he could be the talk of Mets camp.