By Michael N
February 3, 2003
I would like to start off this column by saying thank you to all the readers who spent the inordinate amount of time it took to read this year’s version of the prospect report. Furthermore, I’d like to thank all of you who restrained yourselves from sending me nasty emails about how much time you wasted. You are all swell.
There’s some good news to report on the prospect front. The visa problems for Venezuelan players trapped by the political turmoil in that country look to be resolved. Those whose visas were not processed by the American Embassy before it was closed in late January can get visas to work in the United States by making their way to the Dominican Republic, where the U.S. State Department has agreed to assist in this matter. Hopefully no other roadblocks occur between now and then.
Now, on to the list and then the winner of the second annual reader contest!
1. Brad Lidge
At this point, the only way I see Lidge not making the Astro 25-man Opening Day roster is if he’s hurt, totally ineffective in Spring Training or if the Astros decide they’d be better served by having him spend a little more time as a starter in New Orleans. Gerry Hunsicker has not spent a lot of time pursuing middle relief guys, though, and a healthy, confident Lidge could well serve as the understudy to Octavio Dotel this season.
After seeing a steady diet of slop from the likes of Shane Reynolds, Brian Moehler, Kirk Saarloos and the other pop gun wielding candidates for the bottom of the Astro rotation, a 7-8-9 inning dose of Lidge, Dotel and Wagner has a delicious ring of fast death for the opposition.
2. Jason Lane
Except for in the rosiest of scenarios for Lane fans, where Hunsicker unloads a couple of outfielders and the Craig Biggio in CF experiment is a bust, it seems highly improbable Jason will make the 25-man roster to start the season. While that may be disappointing to him and his fans, all should take heart in that Lane is the primary insurance policy should any projected starter falter.
Lane’s a level-headed guy and I can only expect he understands and accepts this role. Unlike the brooding done by Keith Ginter when he was sent back down to AAA after ST in 2001, Lane is more likely to handle the situation professionally, bust his rear end and bide his time until his break comes.
3. John Buck
Word continues to be that Buck will be the starting catcher for the New Orleans Zephrys at the start of the 2003 season. I keep hoping that the organization will change its mind and send him back to Round Rock for another year in the Texas League, but it’s understandable with Brad Ausmus’ contract expiring at the end of this season that the Astros fast-track Buck.
At 22, big John is almost assured to be the youngest player on the AAA squad. I don’t worry much about his ability to handle duties behind the dish or establish a rapport with his pitchers. However, I do worry somewhat about how the enormous expanses of Zephyr Field will affect him at the plate.
In any event, smart money is on this kid being in Houston near the end of the 2003 campaign and fighting for the starting role in 2004. Re-emergence of his bat will eventually determine if Buck will be a serviceable player or a potential All-Star.
4. Hector Gimenez
Whoa! A guy who has only 85 games of experience in low-A ball vaults all the way to #4 on the list?
My defense of this ranking is simple. Never before have I heard nearly universal acclaim of an Astro farmhand by people both within and outside of the Astro organization. Friends, I heard and read scouts, managers and press folk rag on the likes of Lance Berkman before he was drafted and even while he was ripping up A and AA ball. Not so with this kid.
The possibility Gimenez might eventually be the finest catcher the Astro system has ever produced is undeniable. Yes there are many, many obstacles between low-A and the major leagues and these factors cannot be underestimated or blindly ignored. Yet, in spite of them, Gimenez’s star is so bright one is compelled to look beyond developmental track-records and acknowledge his enormous potential.
His makeup combined with the physical tools and skills he exhibits at such a young age (he’ll play all of 2003 at 20) brand him as the foremost position player to watch in the entire system over the next 2-3 years.
5. Tommy Whiteman
Some might have been frustrated at only getting two weeks to prove their worth at the AA level, but when Adam Everett was sent down last year and the ripple effect in the chain sent Whiteman back to Lexington he continued to work hard. Those who read the prospect reports know the results.
The Houston organization is to be given credit for collecting young ballplayers who not only have talent but true character. For those of you interested, a glimpe of the character of young Mr. Whiteman can be found at the following link:
http://www.turtletrack.or…/CO_07272002_Baseball.htm
If, as expected, Whiteman shows what he is made of at Round Rock this year, Houston will have a load of quality options in the middle infield over the next couple of years unlike they’ve had in many years.
6. Rodrigo Rosario
I really do hope this guy is healthy and my nagging suspicions are totally unfounded. If so, I’d suspect he will get a bump up to AAA where we can all hope he returns to the form of 2001 and early 2002.
Should that occur, Rosario is very solid protection against collapse of the rotation or bullpen as he clearly has the pitching repertoire to succeed in the majors.
7. Chad Qualls
Despite bumps in the road last year at Round Rock and while in Arizona, Qualls’ arm is just too hard to ignore. If he’s able to gain consistency, he joins a healthy Rosario in giving Houston a pair of solid young arms right behind the likes of Lidge, Saarloos, Redding and Carlos Hernandez.
8. Jimmy Barrett
Given his addition to the 40-man roster this off-season, it seems entirely probable Barrett will be given every opportunity to prove he can earn a spot on the Round Rock roster coming out of Spring Training. It’s all a matter of control and consistency with Barrett. If he inches closer to mastering those key elements of pitching during 2003, he could very well rocket up this list.
9. Chris Burke
Despite everything I saw last season, I refuse to believe the scouts who witnessed this young man destroy the SEC and play well in his first exposure to pro ball were so far off the mark. Heading into a repeat AA season in 2003, Burke’s disappointing season last year is wiped clean as far as I am concerned and it’s going to be interesting to see what kind of player Burke is this year after the tutelage he got at the FIL this fall.
10. Tony Pluta
Despite the ugliness of his campaign with Michigan, it’s just too hard to ignore the kind of arm Tony Pluta possesses and the fact that he’ll play all of 2003 as a 20-year old. This will be his third full year of play in the system and it’s time for him to step to the fore. Just throw strikes, kid.
Before I announce the winner of the top ten contest, thanks go out to all who took the time to send entries. Last year there were some really whack entries but this year the vast majority of readers did a fantastic job and while none correctly named all ten on the list, many of you were able to correctly identify nine of ten and so the decision came to a tie-breaker.
Emerging at the head of the class is the man we know as Spiers for Hall of Fame from the Talk Zone! He correctly tabbed nine of ten players on the list and slotted 5 of the first 6 in order to defeat runner-up David Cameron of strikethree.com. Congrats to SfHoF and better luck next year to all the contestants.
Lastly I’d like to give word of thanks to Stephen Burson, who sent in a note and contest entry two days ago. Over the years of doing MO I’ve received email from people all over the United States, Europe and Latin America. Mr. Burson’s email now ranks as the note from the furthest distance as he is currently doing missionary work in Papua New Guinea.
Best of luck to you, Mr. Burson, and we at OWA will continue to try and provide the best information on Houston Astros baseball we can gather for you folks so far from the Juice Box.