Under-the-radar rookies who could shine

Kobayashi makes the list of five who could shine ... and then Atom Miller makes the list of five more to watch.

On Masa: "Kobayashi is a strike-thrower with a plus fastball in the 93-96 mph range, an average slider and a forkball that flashes plus."

On Atom: "I hate to even conjure the image, but if there's a minor league pitcher likely to go Joba on the AL if he comes up midsummer, Miller would be my pick."

2 months ago Jay Comment 17 comments 0 recs |

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Seriously? 93-96 for the Hot Dog man? ESPN is such a nightmare. Some asspimple yesterday included Peralta in a list of players who would make a good designated fielder. Kravich, or somebody like that. Seriously, who’s running the research department over there? I mean, Peralta might not be the best hitter, but he’s average or better, and the same cannot be said about his work at SS. All is forgiven if Miller proves him right.

by pdxtribefan on Apr 15, 2008 11:53 PM EDT 0 recs

Pretty sure the Peralta thing was simply a mistake; they meant to include someone else.

by Jay on Apr 16, 2008 7:51 AM EDT up 0 recs

I don’t know if I’ve seen Masa hit 90 yet?

by ASP on Apr 15, 2008 11:55 PM EDT 0 recs

Holy crap, we got the wrong Kobayashi! They pulled the old bait and switch game on us!

by Toxicadam on Apr 15, 2008 11:57 PM EDT 0 recs

Masa has not broken 90 yet…and his fastball is very hittable. Good slider, though.

by TribeJay on Apr 16, 2008 6:48 AM EDT 0 recs

Hodges hit HR number 5 this morning, and Huff had a nice start.

by dgcambridge on Apr 16, 2008 2:23 PM EDT 0 recs

Also, Barfield trying to put up a 6th straight game without a walk.

by dgcambridge on Apr 16, 2008 2:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

But, he’s a leadoff hitter .. they aren’t supposed to wal…. oh.

by Toxicadam on Apr 16, 2008 3:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

Is Hodges the best 3B in the system as of today? Maybe but probably not; but to me, he is clearly the best hope.

by oxforddave on Apr 16, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

Let’s just be glad he’s doing well. And it might be noted that Marte is only 9 months older.

by dgcambridge on Apr 16, 2008 2:38 PM EDT up 0 recs

At least he is younger. College guys are necessarily going to arrive later. He did have a .466 OBP as a 20-yr old in the ACC. Maybe that doesn’t match Marte’s 20-yr old season, but it is probably not far off.

Personally, I’m hoping for the Asdrubal path. Great half season in AA, show up in Cleveland in late July.

by oxforddave on Apr 16, 2008 3:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don’t know, I’m not someone who demands a full year at each level or anything, but even at the most optomistic outlook for him, how is he leaping past Blake and Marte?

by dgcambridge on Apr 16, 2008 4:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

I assume you are not joking, but I found the concept of “leaping past” Blake and Marte extremely comical. I think “limping past” would qualify.

Coming into this season I was most worried about 3B. (Yes, the corner outfielders could be below average, but I figured at least 2 of Delucci, Michaels, Gutierrez, Choo, or Francisco could provide adequate performance.) This is why I was advocating for someone like Inge or Crede. Hodges was my only internal hope, but was far far away. With Hodges start, he is now just far away; the only bright spot on this black, black April.

by oxforddave on Apr 17, 2008 9:51 AM EDT up 0 recs

He certainly has the most momentum.

by afh4 on Apr 16, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

Here’s the box score.

The Aeros play against the Baltimore affiliate in Bowie, MD. tomorrow (Thursday) night at 7:00. I’m going to try to skip out of work early to make it.

by jhon on Apr 16, 2008 3:12 PM EDT up 0 recs