Yesterday, I wrote about the 2009 Non-Roster Invitee pitchers and today I am concluding with the position players, categorized as either suspect or prospect.
Here is the list of NRI hitters:
C Mark Johnson
C Welington Castillo
C Steve Clevenger
SS Darwin Barney
SS Andres Blanco
SS/3B Erick Almonte
2B/SS Luis Rivas
2B/3B Bobby Scales
OF Doug Deeds
OF Jason Dubois
OF So Taguchi
C-Mark Johnson-The 33-year old former 1st round pick of the Chicago White Sox. He is a suspect that is likely competing for a spot at Iowa’s AAA roster alongside Tony Richie if Koyie Hill ends up as Soto’s back-up. Johnson won’t hit for average or power as he lacks bat speed, as one of the best eyes in the minors, decent arm strength, and pitchers generally like pitching to him.
C-Welington Castillo-Definite prospect. Baseball America has him ranked #5 in their 2009 Baseball Handbook (which is always a must buy for any baseball fan) and it appears he made strides offensively since last seen at Peoria. With that said, I’m not as sold on him even though it was two years ago. He does have a strong arm, but I wasn’t impressed with his footwork as his pop time to 2B was league average around 1.95 seconds from home to 2B and did not show good mobility behind the plate, appearing to get lazy at times. Offensively, he showed fair bat speed and an ability to hit to all fields. I doubt he’ll ever be a hitter that will hit for a high average or much power, his ceiling is that of a starting major league catcher, but I think he is more likely to end up in the Henry Blanco mold of back-up catchers.
C-Steve Clevenger-Prospect. Right now, he is behind Castillo as the 2nd best C in the organization. Depending on whether or not you consider Sam Fuld a prospect, Clevenger has the best approach and eye of any Cubs minor leaguer and his ability to improve defensively will determine whether or not he can continue his climb through the minors. He swings a level bat with great contact spraying the ball to all fields and lacks power. If he progresses defensively, he can become an everyday catcher or he might mold into a Tyler Houston type of role with the ability to both C and play the infield as a reserve.
SS-Darwin Barney-Prospect. A 4th round pick out of Oregon St., Darwin Barney reminds of Ryan Theriot in some ways. I don’t think he has the bat of Theriot but is very similar as far as having tools to carry him through the minors without any of them standing out much. Barney’s best tool is his hands as he fields the ball extremely clean with fair range and average to slightly below average arm strength. He is extremely instinctive in the field. Offensively, he struggles to center the ball and will not hit for power, this will likely put him as a projected utility player brought in for defensive purposes. As a baserunner, he has average running speed and good instincts on the basepaths. I wasn’t a fan of the drafting of Theriot out of LSU in 2001 as a 3rd round pick and I was wrong. Hopefully I will be wrong about Barney as well given that 4th round picks shouldn’t be used on marginal players.
SS-Andres Blanco-Suspect. Blanco is a 24 year old SS who spent his first 7 years with KC after being singed as a free agent by the Cubs last year. One of the more spectacular fielding shortstops around with a strong arm and good range, his ability to field is overshadowed by his bat. Offensively, there’s not much there as he’s not physically strong enough to generate any bat speed or center the ball. I don’t see him beating out Matt Camp or Matt Matulia at Iowa for the SS spot.
SS-Erick Almonte-Suspect. Soon to be 31-year old SS has spent the majority of his career with the Yankees and played with Detroit at AAA last year. He shows decent pull power, won’t hit for a high average, has decent hands and arm strength. Like Ronny Cedeno, he will get careless on routine plays.
2B/SS-Luis Rivas-Suspect. Former top prospect of the Twins who, as a career major league back-up, has amassed well over 2000 major league ABs. His best year was probably in 2001 when hit .266/.319/.362 and stole over 30 bases. He is a plus defender in all areas (arm, hands, and range) but at the plate he doesn’t for power since he isn’t particularly strong and will strike out too often for someone who doesn’t drive the ball.
2B/3B-Bobby Scales-Suspect. 31-year old 2B/3B who played at Iowa last year and hit .320 with 15HRs. Scales is one of the guys that you always root for, one of the nicer guys in all of baseball, and he is someone that hasn’t had that call-up yet. He is undersized with good hands, not a strong arm with decent range, generates power his good bat speed, and an average runner. Personally, I know the odds of him making the 25 man roster aren’t very good and that he’ll likely go to Iowa and fight for a roster spot, but he’s the one that I am hoping makes the biggest impression down in Mesa.
OF-Doug Deeds-Suspect-26 year old RF who has a nice short compact stroke from the left side, who doesn’t generate enough power to play at the corners at the major league level. Defensively, he has a strong and accurate arm with good instincts but is a slightly below average runner.
OF-Jason Dubois-Former Cubs prospect who has bounced around a few times since leaving the Cubs. One of the stronger guys in the game who when he centers the ball will send it a long ways. He is built like a Mack truck at 6’5†230LBs of mostly muscle and with that strength comes the flaws in his game. Mechanically, his swing is long and rigid and he lacks the speed, range, and mobility of a decent OF’er despite the strong arm. Dubois is likely to return to Iowa to destroy the thin Pacific Coast League air.
OF-So Taguchi-39 yo. former Cardinal, and Phillies OF’er who is unlikely to beat out Gathright for that 5th OF’er and more likely in Mesa being a confidant for Fukudome. Fundamentally sound CF’er who can hit lefties at a decent clip, won’t hit for power or draw many BBs.
