Hector Sanchez, C, San Francisco Giants – Coming into 2011 Hector Sanchez was a bit of an afterthought in the catcher pecking order in the Giants system with Buster Posey firmly entrenched in San Fran and Tommy Joseph being the new kid on the block (even though he was coming off a poor first season). Sanchez has always been known for his glove (career 35% caught stealing in the minors) but 2010 saw him put together a solid, though unspectacular, offensive season in the Sally League. In 2011 he was set to split time with the more prominent Tommy Joseph in the California League, but the Buster Posey injury shook the whole organization and Sanchez split time between three levels including a callup to San Francisco. Here is what Mike had to say about him:

Offense: Sanchez displays impressive power potential in batting practice, but has yet to translate that ability into game action.  A switch hitter, his swing appears natural from both sides of the plate.  There’s a little length there, but his bat head speed and swing plane allow him impressive plate coverage.  In game action, he showed the ability to drive pitches into the right-centerfield gap, but will need to learn how to stay inside pitches on the inner half to drive balls to the pull side.  His approach also needs refinement as his load includes extra wiggle and movement which can hurt his timing.  Additionally, he’s often out front of offspeed pitches and runs the risk of being carved up by pitchers who can spin a breaking ball with any consistency.

And further:

In all honesty, Hector Sanchez was my favorite prospect on a weak Augusta GreenJackets roster.  At 1-2 years Tommy Joseph’s senior, I can see Sanchez being promoted to the California League with Joseph returning to Augusta for further development.  If the Giants organization truly believes that both have the ability to catch at the big league level, they should be split up to maximize the innings each can work on the finer points of catching.  On tools alone, Sanchez has the ability to catch at the big league level in at least a backup role.  However, until his conditioning improves, it’s hard to see San Francisco in his future.

Mike hits the nail on the head in a couple of spots here. Though Joseph and Sanchez did start the year together, Joseph exploded once Sanchez was promoted to AAA and posted a .918 OPS for San Jose in the second half. Sanchez did begin to translate some of his batting practice power into game situations as he posted a .231 ISO in 212 San Jose at bats. It is difficult to say how much effect the inflated offense of the Cal League played into his numbers because the Giants skipped Sanchez past AA to their PCL team in Fresno where he posted more typical offensive numbers (.261/.315/.340). His defense remains solid as he threw out around 35% of base thieves in the minors this year. His walk rate dipped from an already low 8% last season and will need to improve (and it has in limited ABs in San Francisco) for him to be an effective hitter.

Though 2011 hasn’t gone quite the way Giants fans would have envisioned with Buster Posey’s injury and the team missing the playoffs after winning the World Series, there is hope on the horizon at the catching position if Buster Posey’s health remains in question. Sanchez will most likely return to AAA to start 2012, but he has the defensive tools to be a solid backup for Posey down the line and could start for some second division teams if his power develops and he can learn to take a pitch or two.

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As I clear out video from the 2010 season, it’s worth mentioning a scout commented San Francisco Giants farmhand Kyle Vazquez had one of the better curveballs he saw all season. At 75 MPH, the pitch had tight, sharp break and was really the only weapon in his arsenal.

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Vazquez worked off the pitch due to a fastball which registered at 87-90 MPH. I’m not sure his present velocity will be enough to keep opposing hitters honest and his arm action may not allow for much more.

At this point, Vazquez is more organizational depth than prospect as evidenced by his struggles as a 22/23 year old in the “Sally”. However, his curveball might be enough to earn him continued looks as a potential ROOGY.

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Earlier in 2010, I had a first look at San Francisco Giants prospect, and former first rounder, Zack Wheeler out of the bullpen in Savannah. In that appearance, he was “electric” as his fastball reached 96 MPH multiple times which he paired with a tight, power curveball.

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In his late season appearance, Wheeler took the hill as a starter which allowed me a different look as a multiple inning appearance would be less adrenaline-filled than his prior single inning stint.

And while Wheeler was not quite as dominant, he still worked 92-94 throughout on a day he was definitely not at his best. His curveball was less impressive, but still sharp at times, and Wheeler flashed a changeup with some potential.

In reviewing my notes from the game, a couple of things which stood out to me which are worth mentioning. The first being his attempts to guide the changeup instead of simply throwing the pitch. Another was his varying release points, especially when trying to release the changeup out front.

Even with his so-so performance, I still came away feeling he had the second highest ceiling of any prospect I’ve scouted at the level behind Julio Teheran. And with the ability to reflect on other pitching prospects scouted, I’d place him amongst the top four overall alongside the aforementioned Teheran, Casey Kelly, Manuel Banuelos, and Julio Teheran.

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To my surprise, Chris Dominguez was named one of the top 25 prospects in the South Atlantic league after the 2010 season came to a close. Perplexed, I wondered how a a 23-year old could garner such attention based on a good, but not great season in a league where he was older than the competition and posted a line of .272/.326/.456.

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And while Dominguez is an imposing physical presence with power to spare, major holes in his approach make for serious red flags considering his advanced age and extensive college experience.

• Man among boys physically compared to other players at the level
• Listed height/weight of 6-foot-3, 215 lbs. looked on the light side; Best estimate is 230 lbs. or so
• Solid athleticism for his size; Decent downhill speed once he gets moving
• Quiet load in the batter’s box; Mechanics appear repeatable
• Relatively short swing; Wrists lack explosiveness; Negatively affects bat whip through the zone
• Classic mistake hitter; Launched mammoth home run on 88 MPH belt high fastball
• Dead pull hitter; Tried to turn on both inside and outside pitches
• Significant problems catching up to 90+ MPH fastballs in the zone
• Significant problems adjusting to breaking pitches; Even below average breaking balls gave him fits
• Slow first step hurts Dominguez on defense
• Limited range; Booted a couple of routine ground balls late in the season
• Arm was quite strong; Throws prone to arm side run
• Stolen bases unlikely to be a part of his game as he continues up the ladder

After watching him play, I referred back to a scouting report on Dominguez by Frankie Piliere back in 2008 to find little had changed in the two years since that report was written. Dominguez seemed like the same player he was as a junior in college which leaves me questioning his ability to adjust at a more advanced age than the average “Sally” prospect.

At 19, I wouldn’t be concerned about his progress or lack thereof yet. But at 24, Dominguez needs to mash his way through High-A and finish the season doing the like in Double-A for me to really take him seriously as a prospect. Unfortunately for Dominguez, I suspect he will hit a buzzsaw in Bridgeport against pitchers who can spin a breaking pitch with any consistency whatsoever, dooming him to organizational status.

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San Francisco Giants catching prospect Hector Sanchez spent the 2010 season splitting time behind the dish with former second round pick Tommy Joseph.  In comparing both young catchers tool-for-tool, Sanchez held an advantage over Joseph in all areas except raw power leaving him the better all-around prospect.  However, Sanchez is not without flaws as his physical conditioning and receiving skills are weak areas which require serious attention.  The potential is there for him to be a big leaguer, but Sanchez will continue to be little more than an interesting sleeper until he develops are more professional approach.

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Physical Projection: Listed at 6’1″, 185 lbs., he appeared to be more in the 230 lb. range leaving one scout to suggest Sanchez needs to shed 30 or so pounds in excess weight.  Even with the extra baggage, his athleticism is readily apparent as his movements combine both agility and explosion leaving him with significant potential.  I can’t help but wonder if any organization would identify a handful of prospects like a Sanchez who could provide significant return on what appears to be a small investment and provide them with the additional dietary and conditioning support needed to reach the big leagues.  In terms of WAR, a salary of a personal trainer would cost about 1% of a win above replacement which is tantamount to a 2-4 major league debut.

Offense: Sanchez displays impressive power potential in batting practice, but has yet to translate that ability into game action.  A switch hitter, his swing appears natural from both sides of the plate.  There’s a little length there, but his bat head speed and swing plane allow him impressive plate coverage.  In game action, he showed the ability to drive pitches into the right-centerfield gap, but will need to learn how to stay inside pitches on the inner half to drive balls to the pull side.  His approach also needs refinement as his load includes extra wiggle and movement which can hurt his timing.  Additionally, he’s often out front of offspeed pitches and runs the risk of being carved up by pitchers who can spin a breaking ball with any consistency.

Defense: In game action, Sanchez beamed a 1.93 to second base to gun down a Sand Gnats baserunner attempting to steal second base which left scouts looking at each other speechless.  Between innings, Sanchez continued to display a strong arm and quick feet.  His transfer needs a bit of work, but behind Christian Bethancourt, Sanchez had the best pop times I saw all season.

On the receiving side, Sanchez stabs at the ball with his glove leading one scout to call him a “butcher”.  At 20, he has time to work on the finer points of receiving, but I worry his splitting time could impede his progress.  As for blocking, I saw no real issues, but shedding the extra weight through his mid section will do nothing but allow him to become even more agile.

Speed: 0/2 in the Sally in stolen base attempts.  Need I say more?

In all honesty, Hector Sanchez was my favorite prospect on a weak Augusta GreenJackets roster.  At 1-2 years Tommy Joseph’s senior, I can see Sanchez being promoted to the California League with Joseph returning to Augusta for further development.  If the Giants organization truly believes that both have the ability to catch at the big league level, they should be split up to maximize the innings each can work on the finer points of catching.  On tools alone, Sanchez has the ability to catch at the big league level in at least a backup role.  However, until his conditioning improves, it’s hard to see San Francisco in his future.

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San Francisco Giants prospect Tommy Joseph entered the 2010 season with helium having been considered by some to have the best high school power bat in the entire 2009 draft class.  After a season in which he posted a .236/.290/.401 line, Joseph’s prospect stock has taken a hit.  With sixteen home runs, it’s difficult to question his power, but what about his all-around game?  Having played more than half the season as an 18-year old in full season baseball, what can San Francisco Giants prospect followers expect in 2011 and beyond?

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Physical Projection: When speaking to a scout about Tommy Joseph, he commented, “Joseph moves around like an old man.”  With legs like tree trunks, it’s easy to see why.  Listed at 6’1″, 215 lbs., Joseph’s upper body looked noticeably smaller than his lower half.  And while he seemed to have a little more room to fill out through his shoulders, his already strong core leaves me wondering how much, if any additional projection is left in Joseph.

At times, his swing looked mechanical and a lack of athleticism is apparent throughout his overall game.  Pilates or yoga might be an option for Joseph to increase his agility.  However, Joseph’s raw power is real.  If baseball doesn’t work out, I can definitely see him as one fantastic lumberjack.

Offense: While he has above average bat speed, Joseph appears to take the same swing at every pitch illuminating major holes which can be seen in the prospect video I took of him.  Additionally, his 116/26 K/BB ratio matches the twenty to thirty at bats I witnessed as his approach was hyper-aggressive with a ton of swing-and-miss.  An uptick in second half numbers (.260/.298/.466) is supported in my mind by the fact his hitting mechanics were much more fluid late in the season which left him looking comfortable at the plate, instead of lost which was apparent early on.  Early in the season, he was amongst the most disappointing prospects I had seen in person.  In August, I could see a little of what made him a second round pick.

In general, I see no red flags with his swing mechanics and appreciate his being so quiet at the plate.  And while slight, it’s worth mentioning that Joseph has a small weight shift and appears to drift onto his front foot a bit at times.

Defense: Drafted as a catcher, I’m under the impression he is unlikely to stick there over the long haul.  With his present agility rating below average, it is likely to only become worse in time.  And while his arm was plenty strong for the position (Keith Law graded it a 60 in a recent tweet), Joseph’s mechanics on throws to second base included poor footwork and a tendency to stand straight up instead of fire out towards the base.  This not only hurts his pop times, but causes undue stress on the shoulder which could lead to injury.  Additionally, his transfer was sloppy which hampered his release.  With Joseph appearing a number of times at first base and designated hitter, the San Francisco Giants organization may already see the writing on the wall.

Speed: Joseph’s speed is non-existent.  If he breaks through to the big leagues, it will likely be as one of the slowest players around.

Quite simply, Joseph’s prospect value will be dictated by his bat alone as he projects to contribute little in other areas.  Having recently turned 19, Joseph’s strong second half is a positive sign considering most prospects his age are freshmen in college or getting their feet wet in short season baseball.  Joseph has time, but he’s a three outcomes type of player whose pitch recognition will have to improve considerably to continue progressing through the system.  At present, he projects as more of a AAAA superstar than major league contributor.

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With a heat index of 99 degrees and in the midst of a 9-0 ballgame, my only thoughts were of heading home and cooling off. However, I wasn’t sure if it was Zack Wheeler’s night to pitch, but suspected it might be due to his throwing every third game. As I became more antsy, I decided to find a picture of Wheeler on my Blackberry and see if he was awaiting his turn to throw in the bullpen down the third base line. Disappointed to see him in the dugout, I hung out hoping to record an at bat of Mets prospect Robbie Shields before leaving. While waiting, Wheeler surfaced from the dugout and I figured why not just ask him? His answer forced me to stick around a few extra innings, but it was certainly worth it.

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Physical Projection: The ideal pitcher’s frame, Wheeler looked longer than his listed height of 6’3″. His limbs are long and lean, with a body which can hold an additional thirty pounds at a minimum. However, he may struggle adding the weight as he lacks the shoulders, quads, and calves to project as a player who is going to have an easy time filling out his frame.

As an athlete, Wheeler combines fluid movements with explosive leg drive. With such easy velocity, he could gain a few MPH on his fastball which could leave him pushing triple digits at his peak. His motion was clean and repeatable, and no red flags were easily noticeable.

Mound Presence: From the moment he hit the bullpen to his last pitch in game action, Wheeler was all business. He worked his entire arsenal in the pen, but only had the opportunity to throw his fastball and a handful of curveballs at most in game action. While warming up, he hit 95 MPH on a very accurate stadium radar gun which left me in awe. He then proceeded to attack Sand Gnats hitters, overpowering them with relative ease.

Fastball: At 94-96 MPH, Wheeler’s fastball exploded on top of Sand Gnats hitters. His long stride created excellent downward plane with a touch of arm side fade. In this outing, he appeared to be rearing back trying to light up the radar gun instead of working to command the pitch. With only an inning to showcase his stuff, it’s easy to understand why. The fastball may already be a plus offering and has plus-plus potential with improved command.

Curveball: Thrown in the low-80′s, Wheeler’s curveball is a harder offering than I normally see at the level. With tight, sharp break, the pitch exhibits wipeout potential in the bullpen. although he hung it a couple of times in game action, Wheeler creates plenty of depth with enough glove side run to make it more of a 11-5 offering.

Changeup: A third offering with plenty of potential, Wheeler’s changeup features some arm side run and a good amount of velocity separation from the fastball. However, in reviewing his side angle video, I was able to pick up on a slight slowing of his arm action which will have to be corrected.

While it’s not easy producing a report off of a single inning of relief work, I felt it important to let readers know Wheeler is still a fantastic prospect even after missing a couple of months due to injury. Wheeler had a definite “wow” factor which the overwhelming majority of prospects simply do not have. Behind Julio Teheran, he’s the second best pitcher I have ever seen at the level and has true impact starter upside. I look forward to seeing him again in a couple of weeks in what I hope will be for multiple innings.

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Ehire Adrianza (0-3, 2 BB) – Prior to the 2009 season, Ehire Adrianza received significant prospect buzz as a Latin American shortstop prospect primed for a break out campaign. Due to a slow start, he became more of an afterthought than premium talent which tempered my expectations prior to watching him play.

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Physique and Athleticism – At a very lean 6’1″, Adrianza will never be a strapping physical specimen. However, he has plenty of room to add strength which could bring his weight up to the 175-180 range. At present, he swims in his uniform, but this should change with time.

In all aspects of his game, Adrianza is very fluid. He looks extremely comfortable gliding both deep into the 5/6 hole and up the middle and has the ability to make difficult plays look easy. His sweeping left-handed swing could be shorter, but his load and swing mechanics were almost as fluid as what he showed on defense.

Offense – With a line of .258/.333/.327, Adrianza was about league average statistically. In game action, Adrianza showed a solid two-strike approach and was able to consistently drop the barrel on the ball. With natural backspin, he showed enough pop for me to project him as a double-digit home run threat should he fill out and add strength. My only knock on Adrianza is his load and swing path to the ball are a little long for a player with a limited power ceiling.

Defense – Adrianza’s lapse of concentration in booting a routine ground ball overshadowed an otherwise impressive defensive performance. On other chances, Adrianza showed above average range, solid hands, footwork, and impressive arm strength. Of shortstops I’ve seen this season, he and Red Sox prospect Oscar Tejeda were the two best defenders hands down. However, all of Adrianza’s value is currently tied to his staying at shortstop which adds quite a bit of risk to his prospect status.

Speed – An average runner, Adrianza will swipe 8-10 bags per year in his prime. Defensively, his agility and anticipation, not speed, help him cover plenty of ground.

In seeing Adrianza in person, Adrianza showed the tools and projection for me to rank him as the top pure shortstop prospect in the “Sally”. One would be quick to point out both Tim Beckham and Wilmer Flores, and both are better prospects, but Adrianza can and should stay at shortstop long term which is a guarantee I can not make for the other two aforementioned players.

Francisco Peguero (0-5, 1 K) – At 20, Francisco Peguero posted a .285/.330/.393 line across two levels while swiping 25 bags in 29 attempts during the 2008 season. Currently scheduled for short season baseball once again, Peguero lasted only 25 at bats in the Sally before being demoted. While a .280/.333/.320 line isn’t a horrendous micro sample from a lead off type hitter, I was not particularly impressed with his all around game.

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On offense, I was pleased with Peguero’s first two at bats as he worked deep counts and hit ground balls back up the middle which I believed at the time to be the work of a speedster attempting to play up to his strengths. However, as he showed the inability to lay down a bunt, or make solid contact, I began to think his first couple of at bats were more the product of a player not being able to get around on a good fastball than anything else. With his lanky build, I openly wonder if pitchers wouldn’t be well served to just throw fastballs in in an attempt to knock the bat out of his hands.

When trying to leg out a couple of ground balls, Peguero showed above average foot speed, but nothing to make me say “wow.” However, I may be downplaying his running ability a bit as it’s quite possible his longer strides could make him seem slower than he actually was.

I wasn’t able to really gauge Peguero on defense as it takes 3-4 games to accurately judge an outfielders range and arm strength due to lack of fielding opportunities. With his long stride and foot speed, I would assume Peguero is able to cover gap to gap. If my memory serves me correctly, he did attempt to throw a runner out at third base from center field charging a single and the throw itself wasn’t particularly strong for a player whose momentum was taking him in the direction of the play.

Overall, Peguero did nothing to stand out as a player worthy of much attention. His contact skills left much to be desired and he looked to me like an eight or nine hitter in the making. Players like Peguero who rely on speed simply need to get on base more than he does. Additionally, he needs to show the ability to drive the ball a little bit or else opponents will show him little respect leading to fewer bloopers and line drives falling in.

Kelvin Marte – (3 1/3 IP, O ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K) – Listed as a 6’0″ righty on many sites, I was a bit surprised to see a small, lefty take the mound for the GreenJackets. Information on Marte is hard to find, but his 2.53 ERA over two levels in 2008 including a 41/14 K/BB ratio was deserving of a closer look. Currently 21 1/2, Marte has been on the minor league disabled list for three weeks. At the time of his injury, Marte had a 3.00 ERA in five starts with a 11/8 K/BB ratio in 21 innings. Those numbers don’t tell the whole story, however, as Marte held opponents scoreless in four of his five outings.

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• Well under 6′; Likely in the 5’9″ range
• Medium build; Very little in the way of physical projection
• 88-90 in the first inning; Worked fastball in and out with some effectiveness
• Climbed the ladder with a 3 pitch strikeout; Fastballs registered 87-88-89 consecutively
• From third inning on, fastball dropped to 85-87 MPH
• Threw curve/slurve at 76 MPH
• Hung a number of breaking balls to start the game
• Changeup 80-82 MPH; Late drop and fade; Kept the ball low and outside well; Out pitch?
• Threw too many pitches; Struggled with efficiency throughout

Overall, Marte threw well, but tired quickly. I can see a scenario where he becomes the prototypical LOOGY out of a big league bullpen scrapping his rudimentary breaking ball and relying heavily on a two pitch mix featuring a potential plus changeup and average fastball.