Progress!
The long wait finally paid off. For close to a year, we’ve had James Loney on our roster. AAA player for the Dodgers with a lot of promise to make the Majors. He had 9 RBI in a game last season during a late season callup to the Majors. Then he batted over .400 in Spring Training and was sent down to AAA anyway. Well the Dodgers, with their flagging fortunes at third base, decided to move the suddenly Punch n’ Judy Nomar Garciaparra from first to third, opening up the spot for Loney. So far he’s hitting .450!, with a few homers to boot.
My other minor leaguers — seven of them! — remain on the farm (don’t forget, this is a rebuilding year). Here are their chances of movin’ on up:
Ryan Sweeney (OF-White Sox)-the Sweenster had a quick visit with the Sox this spring and only batted .250. He hasn’t done much better since being sent down to Charlotte … except for a brief power burst. He’s only 22 though.
Andy Marte (3B-Indians)-the Tribe’s opening day starter did well for a while at Buffalo and has tailed off. That darned journeyman Casey Blake stole his spot in Cleveland and doesn’t appear to be giving it up anytime soon.
Matt Murton (OF-Cubs)-he shouldn’t be in the minors, but two straight Cubs managers, Dusty Baker, and now Lou Piniella, didn’t play him regularly … so his average and everything else suffered. I’m hoping he gets traded.
Wladimir Balentien (OF-Mariners)-I really like this guy. Hits for power and average. May get called up late in the season. Crossing my fingers.
Eric Campbell (2B/3B Braves)-He’s a long term option. Only playing in Single A ball with lots of potential. Not showing it yet though.
Joe Koshansky (1B Rockies)-He’s doing great in Colorado Springs … hitting over .300 and his power has come back after an early season slump in that department. Could be our best hope of reaching the Majors soon if the Rockies trade current first sacker Todd Helton … who has been mentioned in a lot of trade rumors. Crossing my fingers!
Colby Rasmus (OF Cardinals)-It has been an up and down, but good season for this top prospect. He began hitting for average without power, then had a power surge, then the average dropped. He’s what’s known as a “Five Tool” player … and could be ready for ‘09.
The problem is, even in a league where we can keep 20 of our 25 players through the winter, I may have to drop some of these guys. The trick is holding on as long as you can stomach having a non-productive spot taken up on your roster. But as you can see in the case of James Loney, it looks like it pays to wait!
FYI: The best way to monitor the stats on guys like this is to go to BaseballAmerica.com
