By Michael N
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on February 18, 1999.
Things are finally starting to get heated up in Kissimmee, thank goodness, and that means it is time to review some of the kids who might have an impact on this year’s club or in the future. Over the next month or so, I (with help from my cohort Tom S) will be giving my own perspective on the state of the Astros’ minor league system, who should play where this season and the prospects to monitor closely.
We will begin the ’99 version of Minor Opinions with a brief review of the Astros’ 1998 draft and the players who made an impact in their first experience with professional baseball.
Draft Overview
The Astros signed only 2 of their top 4 picks, continuing a trend of not spending huge sums of money on American-born players. One of the signed players, top pick Brad Lidge, only pitched 11 innings of pro ball in ’98. On the other hand, the Astros drafted and signed a bunch of mature college hitters with picks 6-15, most of whom came through very well, and propelled Class A Auburn to a share of their league title. Remember, though, college hitters have a shorter window of opportunity to make an impression with the club. The guys from Auburn last year need to make a quick transition to A and AA ball to have a chance at long careers in the majors.
There are no sure things from this draft (ala Lance Berkman). But there are signs that this could be one of the deepest and most sucessful drafts in recent memory even if none of the guys becomes a superstar. Lidge has great potential but must learn very quickly. Supplemental #1 pick Mike Nannini had a very successful debut as did several of the college players. If they continue to progress, then a lot of the depth in the system lost in recent trades can be replaced quicker than we might have expected. However, if Lidge busts and none of the collection of last year’s Auburn club successfully make the transition to high A ball – we could also have a bust on our hands. In my opinion, this is a very important development year in the Astros’ system.
Player-by-Player Review
Format: Round – Name – Position – Age (as of September 1, 1998) – Team (QC = Quad Cities, AD = Auburn Doubledays, GCA = Gulf Coast Astros) – Stats (followed by a short paragraph of comments). Player stats taken from the Astros’ web site at http://www.astros.com.
1 – Brad Lidge – RHP – 21 – QC – 3.27 ERA, 6 K, 5 BB in 11 IP
Signed fairly early, went down to the mid-level A-ball club and threw 11 innings. There is no word of an arm injury, but one has to wonder. If he’s OK, he has a mid-90s fastball and is very raw. Big plus is he has not thrown very many innings and does not have the natural worry about arm problems for the future. High upside, big bust potential.
1 – Michael Nannini – RHP – 18 – GCA – 1.49 ERA, 39 K, 13 BB in 36.1 IP
Did what you’d hope for from a first-round pick in the lowest professional level – dominate. Throws very hard but he is, unfortunately, about the same size as Billy Wagner. Here’s to hoping the kid hits a growth spurt. Someone to watch for in the future. The distant future, say 3-4 years.
3 – Brad Busbin – RHP – 18 – did not sign
I believe he is playing at Georgia Tech.
4 – John Vanmeetren – CF – 18 – did not sign
Not sure where this kid is playing.
5 – Scott Barrett – LHP – 19 – AD – 5.88 ERA, 58 K, 27 BB in 49 IP
Seems to have some control problems (13 wild pitches), but the strikeouts show that he’s got the arm to succeed. Besides, he’s a lefty and we all know that lefthanders who throw hard have a chance in baseball.
6 – David Matranga – SS – 21 – AD – .306/.423/.493, 25 BB, 38 K in 144 AB
There were (apparently) some questions about his offense coming out of college. I think they might have been answered. Good speed (16 SB, only 3 CS). Needs to make jump to Kissimmee this year.
7 – John Buck – C – 18 – GCA – .286/.362/.429, 13 BB, 22 K in 126 AB.
Decent power and plate discipline for a high-school player. The 3rd-best hitter on his team, which ain’t bad for a catcher. Adds to Astros virtual embarrassment of riches at catcher.
8 – Jesse Joyce – 3B – 22 – AD – .306/.351/.465, 9 BB, 26 K in 144 AB.
Finished hot, but a 22-year-old in short-season A has to be dominant to be much of a prospect. Must learn to take a walk.
9 – Morgan Ensberg – 3B – 23 – AD – .230/.388/.367, 46 BB, 51 K in 196 AB.
Old for a draftee, and hasn’t done anything spectacular. Nice plate discipline and speed (15-3 SB), though. If he could get his batting average up to remotely acceptable levels, he might make some noise. Probably not a great prospect.
10 – Keith Ginter – 2B – 22 – AD – .315/.461/.515, 60 BB, 68 K in 241 AB.
Player of the year for the 1998 Auburn Doubledays. What wood bat? The Astros ought to promote this Texas Tech product very aggressively, at least to Kissimmee if not Jackson next year, since he’s manifestly ahead of the curve in his current league.
Lower Draftees Of Note
12 – Jeremy Ryan, 20 years, P, 1.69 ERA, 18 K, 0(!!!) BB in 16 innings for the Gulf Coast Astros.
13 – Doug Sessions, P, 22 years, 2.30 ERA, 41 K, 10 BB in 31.1 innings for Auburn.
15 – Charley Carter, 22 years, 1B, .330/.388/.560, 22 BB, 35 K in 218 AB for Auburn.
20 – Anthony Ramirez, 17 years, 3B, .354/.432/.415, 7 BB, 13 K in 65 AB for Gulf Coast. (runner-up for “Steal of the Draft”)
22 – Garrett Zyskowski, 22 years, 3.67 ERA, 45 K, 24 BB in 54 innings for Quad City (also 12 scoreless innings for Auburn)
26 – Jacob Whitney, 22 years, LHP, 2.98 ERA, 64 K, 16 BB in 84.0 innings for Auburn. (kind of a low K rate, which probably means he doesn’t have the pitches to get higher-level hitters out)
Steal of the draft: Keith Ginter (#10)
Bust of the draft: Brad Lidge (#1), if there’s something seriously wrong. Otherwise, Brad Busbin (#3, did not sign).
Soonest to arrive: Keith Ginter, David Matranga.