Triple AAA all star game- some prospects info

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Baseball America's Daily Dish

Complete Daily Dish Archive

Compiled by Kevin Goldstein, Chris Kline and Matt Meyers

July 13, 2005

Today is traditionally one of the quietest days in sports, but there is still a place to see prospects.

The International League will square off against the Pacific Coast League in the 18th Triple-A all-star game at Raley Field in Sacramento, Calif., tonight. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 2 beginning at 10 p.m. eastern.

While the game doesn't normally boast a bevy of prospects, tonight's matchup features some potential impact players that will be coming to a big league ballpark near you in the near future--including five prospects (and one manager) who participated in Sunday's Futures Game in Detroit.

Here are the players to keep an eye on tonight:

International League All-Star Prospects

ABE ALVAREZ LHP, Pawtucket (Red Sox)

Age: 22. Drafted: Second round, 2003, Long Beach State

The Red Sox believed Alvarez' exceptional feel for pitching would allow him to move quickly, and he made his big league debut in an emergency start against the Orioles just 13 months after they drafted him. A childhood infection left him legally blind in his left eye, and he wears his cap askew to shield his right eye from too much light. Alvarez' command and his changeup--his main weapons--are the best in the organization. Though his fastball won't wow you at 85-88 mph, he gets outs with precision. His curveball is also a solid-average pitch. Righthanders have a history of doing well against Alvarez, and he's done more to pitch them inside this season and keep them honest. He projects as a No. 3-5 starter in the big leagues. This season, Alvarez is 7-4, 4.67 in 94 innings for the Paw Sox.

TRAVIS BOWYER RHP, Rochester (Twins)

Age: 23. Drafted: 20th round, 1999, Liberty HS; Bedford Va.

Three years into his career, Bowyer wasn't considered much of a prospect. But a rigorous offseason conditioning program implemented after the 2001 season at Rookie-level Elizabethton created a 225-pound frame and his velocity spiked upwards of 98 mph as a result. His heavy fastball has great late life and he uses his changeup to keep hitters off-balance. A starter for much of his career, Bowyer was moved to the bullpen in 2002 and has flourished, posting his best numbers yet this season at Triple-A Rochester. His secondary numbers have also improved with the jump to Rochester--he's getting more than a strikeout per inning. Bowyer is 3-1, 1.09 in 50 innings and has recorded 18 saves for the Red Wings.

EDWIN ENCARNACION 3B, Louisville (Reds)

Age: 22. Drafted: Ninth round (Rangers), 2000, Manuela Toro High, Caguas, P.R.

If it weren't for righthander Homer Bailey, Encarnacion would rank as the Reds' No. 1 prospect. He has excellent hitting tools, including improved patience (career-high 53 walks last year and 31 through 243 at-bats this year) and power--he was well on his way to topping his career mark in homers this season at Louisville. He's also improved in using the whole field, and his above-average bat speed has scouts projecting him to be a .280-.300 hitter with 25-30 homers annually. But they also continue to question his defense. While 2004 marked the first campaign in which he recorded less than 30 errors, most of the miscues came on poor throws related to his footwork. Encarnacion is just coming off third straight Futures Game appearance and is hitting .293-13-47 in 256 at-bats this season.

RYAN GARKO C, Buffalo (Indians)

Age: 24. Drafted: Third round, 2003, Stanford.

Garko jumped three levels last season, helping Buffalo bring home a championship in the International League. There is little doubt that his bat will play at any level, but scouts question his ability to be an everyday catcher in the big leagues. The Indians weren't sold on his defense either, but have opted to get him significant playing time behind the plate with the Bisons this season. At the right side of the plate, Garko simply rakes, hitting to all fields and showing above-average power. He's short to the ball with an efficient swing that allows him to adjust to any type of pitch or location. His makeup and leadership skills are among the best in the organization. Garko is hitting .285-13-53 in 288 at-bats this season.

PETE LAFOREST C, Durham (Devil Rays)

Age: 27. Drafted: 16th round (Expos) 1995, Gatineau (Quebec) HS

Signed as a third baseman, LaForest has made significant strides during his conversion to catcher, but is far from a finished product behind the plate. Still, he does a decent job at calling a game and hustles behind the plate with a warrior mentality. His arm strength rates as at least average, and he has good quickness with his footwork in making throws to second base. His greatest improvement developmentally has been with the bat, however. He makes solid contact with the ability to drive the ball. He is in his third straight season in Triple-A, and is hitting .271-19-46 in 247 at-bats.

JAKE GAUTREAU 3B, Buffalo (Indians)

Age: 25. Drafted: First round (14th overall, Padres), 2001, Tulane

The Padres finally gave up on Gautreau in the offseason, trading him to the Indians for their stalled first-rounder in 2001, third baseman Corey Smith. All Gautreau has done in his first year with the Tribe is make them look like they got the better end of the deal, hitting for both average and power and also playing a solid third base--something he hadn't done in his career. He always had tremendous raw power, but hadn't tapped into it until this season. He battled ulcerative colitis in 2002, and it took him a while to get his strength back. He moved from second base to the hot corner this season with Triple-A Buffalo, and has made the position change appear seamless. Gautreau is hitting .279-16-45 in 297 at-bats this season.

B.J. UPTON SS, Durham (Devil Rays)

Age: 20. Drafted: First round (second overall), 2002, Greenbrier Christian Academy; Chesapeake, Va.

Upton finished last season with Tampa Bay, hitting .258-4-12 in 159 at-bats. Some have criticized the Devil Rays for their handling of Upton, who lost development time while the club toyed with moving him off shortstop after his callup. Now back in Triple-A again, Upton is playing short every day--and the results have been sketchy at best so far. In 88 games this season, he committed 30 errors. A career .305 hitter in the minors, Upton's bat will play anywhere. It just comes down to how committed and patient the Rays are at keeping him in the middle of the diamond. Upton is hitting .292-9-43 in 342 at-bats.

JOHN-FORD GRIFFIN OF, Syracuse (Blue Jays)

Age: 25. Drafted: First round (23rd overall, Yankees), 2001, Florida State

Griffin battled significant injuries that drained his raw power in 2002 and 2003. And last year, he played in a horrible makeshift ballpark at Double-A New Hampshire that sapped the offensive numbers of everyone on that club. Florida State head coach Mike Martin calls Griffin the best hitter his program has ever produced and this year, Griffin is living up to those accolades. He has a smooth lefthanded swing that grew shorter, enabling him to take advantage of his bat speed and hit for better power than he previously had shown. The only thing solid about Griffin is his bat, however. He's not a good runner, basestealer or fielder, ill-suited even for left field because of his lack of speed and poor arm. If the power projections don't pan out, Griffin could be a Jeremy Giambi clone--a solid hitter without a position. He is hitting .250-17-61 in 332 at-bats.

NATE McLOUTH OF, Indianapolis (Pirates)

Age: 23. Drafted: 25th round, 2000, Whitehall (Mich.) HS

The Pirates have promoted McLouth aggressively since they signed him away from the University of Michigan for $500,000, starting him out at low Class A Hickory. After struggling though his first campaign at high Class A Lynchburg in 2002, McLouth has done nothing but rake since then. This year is his first taste of Triple-A, and he has held his own. McLouth is a contact hitter with the strength to reach the gaps. He has above-average speed and is a good basestealer with an 83 percent success rate as a pro. He could be a legitimate candidate for a big league job at one of the corners next season if the power numbers increase. McLouth is hitting .300-5-34 in 290 at-bats for the Indians this season.

MANAGER: MARTY BROWN, Buffalo (Indians)

Brown was Baseball America

[faba]

Baseball America's Daily Dish

Complete Daily Dish Archive

Compiled by Kevin Goldstein, Chris Kline and Matt Meyers

July 13, 2005

Today is traditionally one of the quietest days in sports, but there is still a place to see prospects.

The International League will square off against the Pacific Coast League in the 18th Triple-A all-star game at Raley Field in Sacramento, Calif., tonight. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 2 beginning at 10 p.m. eastern.

While the game doesn't normally boast a bevy of prospects, tonight's matchup features some potential impact players that will be coming to a big league ballpark near you in the near future--including five prospects (and one manager) who participated in Sunday's Futures Game in Detroit.

Here are the players to keep an eye on tonight:

International League All-Star Prospects

ABE ALVAREZ LHP, Pawtucket (Red Sox)

Age: 22. Drafted: Second round, 2003, Long Beach State

The Red Sox believed Alvarez' exceptional feel for pitching would allow him to move quickly, and he made his big league debut in an emergency start against the Orioles just 13 months after they drafted him. A childhood infection left him legally blind in his left eye, and he wears his cap askew to shield his right eye from too much light. Alvarez' command and his changeup--his main weapons--are the best in the organization. Though his fastball won't wow you at 85-88 mph, he gets outs with precision. His curveball is also a solid-average pitch. Righthanders have a history of doing well against Alvarez, and he's done more to pitch them inside this season and keep them honest. He projects as a No. 3-5 starter in the big leagues. This season, Alvarez is 7-4, 4.67 in 94 innings for the Paw Sox.

TRAVIS BOWYER RHP, Rochester (Twins)

Age: 23. Drafted: 20th round, 1999, Liberty HS; Bedford Va.

Three years into his career, Bowyer wasn't considered much of a prospect. But a rigorous offseason conditioning program implemented after the 2001 season at Rookie-level Elizabethton created a 225-pound frame and his velocity spiked upwards of 98 mph as a result. His heavy fastball has great late life and he uses his changeup to keep hitters off-balance. A starter for much of his career, Bowyer was moved to the bullpen in 2002 and has flourished, posting his best numbers yet this season at Triple-A Rochester. His secondary numbers have also improved with the jump to Rochester--he's getting more than a strikeout per inning. Bowyer is 3-1, 1.09 in 50 innings and has recorded 18 saves for the Red Wings.

EDWIN ENCARNACION 3B, Louisville (Reds)

Age: 22. Drafted: Ninth round (Rangers), 2000, Manuela Toro High, Caguas, P.R.

If it weren't for righthander Homer Bailey, Encarnacion would rank as the Reds' No. 1 prospect. He has excellent hitting tools, including improved patience (career-high 53 walks last year and 31 through 243 at-bats this year) and power--he was well on his way to topping his career mark in homers this season at Louisville. He's also improved in using the whole field, and his above-average bat speed has scouts projecting him to be a .280-.300 hitter with 25-30 homers annually. But they also continue to question his defense. While 2004 marked the first campaign in which he recorded less than 30 errors, most of the miscues came on poor throws related to his footwork. Encarnacion is just coming off third straight Futures Game appearance and is hitting .293-13-47 in 256 at-bats this season.

RYAN GARKO C, Buffalo (Indians)

Age: 24. Drafted: Third round, 2003, Stanford.

Garko jumped three levels last season, helping Buffalo bring home a championship in the International League. There is little doubt that his bat will play at any level, but scouts question his ability to be an everyday catcher in the big leagues. The Indians weren't sold on his defense either, but have opted to get him significant playing time behind the plate with the Bisons this season. At the right side of the plate, Garko simply rakes, hitting to all fields and showing above-average power. He's short to the ball with an efficient swing that allows him to adjust to any type of pitch or location. His makeup and leadership skills are among the best in the organization. Garko is hitting .285-13-53 in 288 at-bats this season.

PETE LAFOREST C, Durham (Devil Rays)

Age: 27. Drafted: 16th round (Expos) 1995, Gatineau (Quebec) HS

Signed as a third baseman, LaForest has made significant strides during his conversion to catcher, but is far from a finished product behind the plate. Still, he does a decent job at calling a game and hustles behind the plate with a warrior mentality. His arm strength rates as at least average, and he has good quickness with his footwork in making throws to second base. His greatest improvement developmentally has been with the bat, however. He makes solid contact with the ability to drive the ball. He is in his third straight season in Triple-A, and is hitting .271-19-46 in 247 at-bats.

JAKE GAUTREAU 3B, Buffalo (Indians)

Age: 25. Drafted: First round (14th overall, Padres), 2001, Tulane

The Padres finally gave up on Gautreau in the offseason, trading him to the Indians for their stalled first-rounder in 2001, third baseman Corey Smith. All Gautreau has done in his first year with the Tribe is make them look like they got the better end of the deal, hitting for both average and power and also playing a solid third base--something he hadn't done in his career. He always had tremendous raw power, but hadn't tapped into it until this season. He battled ulcerative colitis in 2002, and it took him a while to get his strength back. He moved from second base to the hot corner this season with Triple-A Buffalo, and has made the position change appear seamless. Gautreau is hitting .279-16-45 in 297 at-bats this season.

B.J. UPTON SS, Durham (Devil Rays)

Age: 20. Drafted: First round (second overall), 2002, Greenbrier Christian Academy; Chesapeake, Va.

Upton finished last season with Tampa Bay, hitting .258-4-12 in 159 at-bats. Some have criticized the Devil Rays for their handling of Upton, who lost development time while the club toyed with moving him off shortstop after his callup. Now back in Triple-A again, Upton is playing short every day--and the results have been sketchy at best so far. In 88 games this season, he committed 30 errors. A career .305 hitter in the minors, Upton's bat will play anywhere. It just comes down to how committed and patient the Rays are at keeping him in the middle of the diamond. Upton is hitting .292-9-43 in 342 at-bats.

JOHN-FORD GRIFFIN OF, Syracuse (Blue Jays)

Age: 25. Drafted: First round (23rd overall, Yankees), 2001, Florida State

Griffin battled significant injuries that drained his raw power in 2002 and 2003. And last year, he played in a horrible makeshift ballpark at Double-A New Hampshire that sapped the offensive numbers of everyone on that club. Florida State head coach Mike Martin calls Griffin the best hitter his program has ever produced and this year, Griffin is living up to those accolades. He has a smooth lefthanded swing that grew shorter, enabling him to take advantage of his bat speed and hit for better power than he previously had shown. The only thing solid about Griffin is his bat, however. He's not a good runner, basestealer or fielder, ill-suited even for left field because of his lack of speed and poor arm. If the power projections don't pan out, Griffin could be a Jeremy Giambi clone--a solid hitter without a position. He is hitting .250-17-61 in 332 at-bats.

NATE McLOUTH OF, Indianapolis (Pirates)

Age: 23. Drafted: 25th round, 2000, Whitehall (Mich.) HS

The Pirates have promoted McLouth aggressively since they signed him away from the University of Michigan for $500,000, starting him out at low Class A Hickory. After struggling though his first campaign at high Class A Lynchburg in 2002, McLouth has done nothing but rake since then. This year is his first taste of Triple-A, and he has held his own. McLouth is a contact hitter with the strength to reach the gaps. He has above-average speed and is a good basestealer with an 83 percent success rate as a pro. He could be a legitimate candidate for a big league job at one of the corners next season if the power numbers increase. McLouth is hitting .300-5-34 in 290 at-bats for the Indians this season.

MANAGER: MARTY BROWN, Buffalo (Indians)

Brown was Baseball America