Hey! CD, I am so excited about the upcoming season that I
already bought three baseball magazines. In the magazines, they mentioned three
pitchers I am unfamiliar with, Elizardo Ramirez, Keith Bucktrot and Alfredo
Simon. Are they top prospects and can you tell me a bit about each one? Thanks in advance, love your
column!
CD
says...
Thanks
for the question, Chad, and you have mentioned three pitchers that often fly
under the radar screen because of the exploits of mega-prospects Cole Hamels,
Gavin Floyd and Ryan Madson.
However, the three you have asked about are in the next tier of pitching
prospects, all would seem to have a bright career in
Philadelphia.
Perhaps the most talented is Elizardo Ramirez, 21 years of
age and affectionately known as the Lizard. Tall and wafer thin, he has burst onto
the American scene from the Dominican Republic with a big splash in only two
seasons.
After a few years at the Phillies DR camp, Ramirez began his
career pitching for the GCL Phillies in 2002. To say that he took the league by
storm would be an understatement.
His spectacular 7-1 record with a 1.10 ERA was just part of the
story.
Even more mind-boggling was his amazing total of only 2 walks in
73 innings of pitching. His control
has often been compared to Greg Maddux, and not without merit.
The Phils
felt confident enough in his development to advance him two levels to full
season Clearwater in the FSL.
Although his ERA predictably climbed, he still finished the season with a
13-9 record and only 33 BB’s in 157 innings of work.
Ramirez is expected
to open the 2004 season at Reading and help anchor a staff lead by Floyd and
Bucktrot. If all goes according to
plan, he should make his ML debut sometime in 2006.
Speaking of Bucktrot,
he is a former 3rd round draft pick in 2000 whose development has
been slow but steady. Possessor of an outstanding fastball and great athletic
instincts, he was actually considered a potential OF prospect coming out of HS.
Now 23 years old, Bucktrot has advanced slowly through the system, with
stops in the GCL, Lakewood, Clearwater and Reading along the way. With records of 3-2, 6-11 and 8-9
entering the ’03 season, his sudden progress last year was very
rewarding.
After starting the year 7-7 at Clearwater in high A ball, he
was advanced to Reading in Double A where he flourished with a 3-1 record and a
solid ERA. This is where he will
begin the 2004 season. Although he
is expected to remain at Reading all year, it would not surprise Phillie scouts
if he was moved the SWB by August.
Expect to see Bucktrot in Philadelphia
sometime in 2006.
When it comes to fastballs, two names in the Phils
organization stand out. Of course,
lefty reliever Billy Wagner, possessor of an occasional 100 MPH fastball is
tops, but close behind is Alfredo Simon, formerly known as Carlos
Cabrera.
Although his name and age have changed, his sheer pitching stuff
hasn’t, and he regularly tops out at 95 MPH with an occasional burst to
97.
Another product of the revitalized Latin American program, Cabrera
began his professional career in 2001 with a 2-2 record in the GCL Rookie
League. From there, he advanced to
a breakout 9-2 record in ’02 at Batavia.
Expectations were high for him
coming into the 2003 season when he ran into visa problems back home in the
Dominican Republic. It turns out that he was a bit older than previously
thought, but also was not Carlos Cabrera, but Alfredo Simon.
It seems
that he had used the identification of his cousin to enter the US and this took
quite some time to sort out. When he finally arrived in the US in July, he
immediately displayed the form that he had previously showed.
Pitching
for a very weak Lakewood club, he finished with a spectacular 5-0 record, and
the raves of coaches and scouts throughout the league. With a combined 16-4
record over 3 partial seasons of play, Simon is prepared for breakout season in
2004.
Expect him to begin the year at Clearwater, pitching for former
Phillie great Mike Schmidt, where his advances will be determined by his
performances, but a 2007 debut in Philadelphia would not shock Phillie
organizational brass.
Phillie fans have much to be optimistic about as we
enter what could be another golden era of Philadelphia baseball. With a new stadium, a solid major league
team, and great young pitchers like Hamels, Floyd, Madson, Ramirez, Bucktrot and
Simon, the future looks bright for the Fightin’s!
Thanks for the question,
Chad, and hope to see you again soon, at the Phillie
Pulse!
Q: On the Outlook for
Vicente Padilla in 2004, from Neil Dorval, a California Phillies
die-hard
Hey!
CD, I am
worried about Vicente Padilla this year.
What do you think about his chances of doing
well?
CD
says…
Neil, it
is not surprising that you might be concerned about Padilla, both mentally and
physically, after his somewhat difficult off-season.
For those unfamiliar
with Padilla’s problems, he was in a very tragic auto accident during the
off-season in Nicaragua, and his best friend, who was driving the vehicle, was
killed. Padilla also suffered some injuries, which proved relatively
minor.
Besides that unfortunate mishap, Padilla was also the unfortunate
victim of some rumors started by a local newspaper reporter. It serves no
purpose to rehash these rumors, as the Phils found them unfounded, and Padilla
denied them all.
What is important is how
this off-season will affect his performance in 2004 and if Pitching Coach Joe
Kerrigan is correct, the affect will be minimal. In fact, Kerrigan still believes that
Padilla has the best stuff on the staff… Pedro Martinez-like stuff and this may
translate into a breakout year for him.
With back-to-back 14 win seasons,
and over 400 innings of work; Padilla has been a veritable workhorse for the
Phils. Yet, truth be told, the best may be yet to come and it is quite possible
that Padilla will win between 15-17 games this year if he remains
healthy.
Lost in the concern about his off-season was the fact that
Padilla was denied 3-4 wins in 2003 by a bullpen that continually gave up leads
that they had inherited. Of particular consternation was that highly forgettable
August game in Montreal when Padilla had leads of 8-0 and 10-3.
After departing the game, the
lead and the game were quickly lost. With ace lefty, Billy Wagner in to close
out ballgames this year, Padilla may be a willing and happy beneficiary of this
talent.
So, Neil, there are legitimate concerns about the ’04 Phillies,
from the condition of David Bell’s back to the condition of Pat Burrell’s bat.
However, rest easy about Vicente Padilla. On a staff of such luminaries as Kevin Millwood, Randy Wolf, Brett Myers and Eric Milton, Padilla may emerge as the
best.
To follow the year of Padilla and the Philadelphia Phillies, stay
with the Pulse to answer your Phil’s questions this season! Take care.
Q: On the
1st Round Draft Pick in the Upcoming June Amateur Draft, from Adam Cole, Wynnewood, PA
Hey! CD,
with the
absolute dirth of catching prospects at the minor league level, do you think we
will draft a catcher in the first round of the June amateur
draft?
CD
says…
Adam, as
a new member to the Pulse, let me welcome you aboard! Hope you will stay awhile!
To answer your question,
you are correct that there has been much consternation in the Philadelphia ranks
about a seeming lack of catching prospects in the organization.
In truth,
this has been the case, and the inability to sign top C prospect, Rob Johnson
last summer was particularly painful.
However, before I answer your question about the June ’04 draft, let me
say that the Phils feel that the catching at the minor league level may improve
rapidly this season for several reasons.
The first reason is the
off-season signing of free agent AJ Hinch.
A former College All-American, Hinch was a former can-t miss prospect
that seems to have missed often in his career. However, the Phils appear
confident that they can turn his career around and he will get his chance at SWB
this year.
Also, catcher Russ Jacobson, a former U. of Miami All-American and 3rd round pick of the
Phils, seems about to resurrect his career after a few near misses. Reports out
of Clearwater say that Jacobson looks like he is in the best shape of his
career, and may be ready to fulfill his once abundant promise.
He will
begin the year at Reading in Double A, but could join Hinch at SWB before the
season ends. This is quite possibly a make or break season for both Hinch and
Jacobson so it will be interesting to watch their progress.
In regards to
the June draft, the Phils have said that they expect to address their catching
need situation, but it would be very surprising if they used their top pick on a
catcher.
Historically, catchers have not been picked quite so high, so
it would seem that the Phils are more likely to use their top two picks on a HS
pitcher and a college OFer.
However, it will be a major surprise if the Phils get through the first
five rounds of the draft without selecting a catcher.
Some collegiate
catchers to keep an eye on for this upcoming draft are Mike Nickeas of Georgia Tech, Donny Lucy of Stanford, Jason Jaramillo of Oklahoma State and Landon
Powell of South Carolina.
Traditionally, high school backstops are more
problematical so the chances are strong that if and when the Phils select a
catcher, it will be from the collegiate ranks. Of the four catchers mentioned,
two are of special interest, Jaramillo and Powell.
Jaramillo is a former
Phillie 39th round pick, and would be a most welcome addition to the
Phils while Powell is the player represented by agent Scott Boras. Powell will be a very tough player to
sign so if the Phils hope to bring in a youngster quickly the chances are that
they will stay away from him.
Thanks for the great question, Adam, and
stay with the Pulse for all your pre and post draft news concerning the
Phils!
Q: On Chase Utley’s
Chances of Making the Phillies, from Al Cooper, San Francisco,
CA
Hey! CD,
do you
think that Chase Utley will make the 25-man roster and if so, how much will he
get to play?
CD
says…
Nice to
see another Phillie fan out here on the Left Coast. Al, your question is one that is on many
fanatics’ minds this spring. The
reasons are simple, but the answer is a bit more complex.
Chase Utley has already
had two very successful seasons at the Triple A level and is now 25 years old.
There is really very little that he can learn at the minor league level.
Clearly, his time has come.
Although his defense may
never be more than just average, he has a very solid bat that can lend itself
very nicely to the Phillie attack, whether its coming off the bench, or as the
starting 2nd baseman.
However, manager Larry Bowa has indicated that if 3rd baseman David Bell is ready to start
the season, then either Utley or outfielder Jason Michaels will probably not
make the club. Bowa has indicated that Utley might be better served by playing
everyday at SWB.
Although I understand this
logic, I do not agree with it, for several reasons. For one thing, we are now
dealing not just with a player’s physical skills, but his psyche as well. By all
accounts, Utley has come to camp and impressed everyone with his talent, hustle
and determination.
Bowa has even nicknamed
him “Dirtball” for the way he goes all out on the baseball diamond. This would
seem to preclude any reason to send him back and I hope that he remains with the
club. Ironically, ageless reliever Roberto Hernandez, age 39, just was quoted
yesterday as commenting that at some point you learn more by just being around
major league players than any other way.
It is my opinion that Utley
would be very upset and frustrated if he had to spend a third summer at SWB and
the Phils could lose him emotionally.
Even if Bell is healthy, the option of interchanging Bell, Utley and
Placido Polanco at 2nd and 3rd base would seem to be a
reasonable option for Bowa.
If Bell is unable to play, then Utley becomes
the starting 2nd baseman, but even if Bell plays 125 games this year,
the opportunities for Utley would be plentiful and the experience
priceless.
I believe Utley will not only make the club, but also end up
being a starting 2nd baseman for Philadelphia, if not on opening day,
then soon thereafter. If this happens, I would expect a season of between 10-15
home runs, a .270 average and decent defense. I also think that Utley’s youthful
enthusiasm could be an invaluable tool for the Phils in their efforts to win the
NL East title.
Once again, thanks for the
question, Al, and hope to see you on a regular basis all season… here at the
Pulse!
Q: On the Possible
Destination of Jason Michaels, from Dominick Patrone, Richmond,
Virginia
Hey!
CD, if
Jason Michaels is traded, as has been rumored in the Philadelphia press, where
do you think he might end up, and what could we reasonably expect to receive in
return?
CD
says…
It is
highly doubtful that when Jason Michaels left Veterans Stadium for the final
time last October that he could have ever imagined the questions his name would
bring this spring.
After a successful year as
a 4th outfielder, with a team leading .330 batting average, Michaels
may well have expected his role to expand in 2004. Indeed, it is very possible that he will
have an increased role this season, but the location of this role is
problematical at the current time.
Michaels faces three
scenarios, as February soon becomes March. He could well stay with the Phillie
club for the entire ’04 season and get reduced playing time as the probable
6th outfielder behind starters Pat Burrell, Marlon Byrd, Bobby Abreu
and subs Ricky Ledee and Doug Glanville.
Another scenario, though
highly unlikely, is that he could begin the upcoming season at Triple A with
SWB. This seems very slim, as he is much too talented a player to not be able to
perform at the big league level.
The third, and possibly
most likely scenario would see the Phils trade him to another club. Given Michael’s solid bat and decent
defense, it does not seem far-fetched to picture an American league club valuing
him as a combination outfielder and designated hitter.
Teams such as Baltimore
(where he hit a game winning home run last season). Detroit, Tampa Bay and Texas
could all use a player of his talents as a starter. A team like Seattle might make good use
of him as a platoon outfielder, while the Chicago White Sox might show interest
if they end up trading outfielder Magglio Ordonez to the
Dodgers.
As for what the Phils
would ask in return? I would hope
that they would want a position player, preferably a young catcher or
outfielder. Given GM Ed Wade’s preference for major league ready talent, the
chances are great that the player would have played some major league
ball.
Whatever happens, I am
quite sure that Michaels will forever remember the winter of 2003, when a
reserve outfielder on a team that didn’t even make the playoffs, was the subject
of so much speculation and discussion!
As always, Dom, my friend,
thank you for the question, and I hope you continue to send your questions The
Pulse as the Phils make their move in 2004!
To My Co-Fans: Thank you for your continued patronage
and undying interest on our beloved Phillies. Keep the questions coming and I’ll keep
responding. Until next time! CD
from the Left Coast