#59 Will Inman, P, SD - The 21 year old had a solid season at AA posting a 3.65 ERA. Inman struck out 9.2 batters per 9 innings last year, however his K/BB rate was only 1.9--he'll need to improve upon that number if he wants to become a successful big league starter. Throughout his minor league career, Inman has been an extreme fly ball pitcher, only recording a 38% groundball rate last year; luckily for him San Deigo's Petco Park is the most pitcher friendly venue in all of baseball, so most of his flyballs will turn into outs instead of homeruns. He will probably contend for one of San Diego's rotation spots in spring training, however half a season at AAA to work on his control wouldn't hurt either.
#58 Austin Jackson, OF, NYY - Jackson's line of .284/.351/.415 at AA last year wasn't all that impressive, but the wind's that come off of the Delaware River behind Trenton's Waterfront Park make homeruns hits near impossible to come by. The 21 year old has fantastic speed and probably the upside of developing into a Curtis Granderson-like player, however it's more likely that Jackson will become a solid regular than an all-star. Jackson needs about half of a season at AAA so his bat can be effectively gauged, but if Nick Swisher or Brett Gardener can stick at centerfield, Jackson could be stuck in the minors for all of 2008.
#57 Gorkys Hernandez, OF, ATL - Blessed with fantastic speed, Hernandez is more of a track star than a baseball player right now. 2007 was a year of improvement for the 21 year old (20 through the entire season), at A+ he posted a line of .261/.343/.382. While it's still not a very impressive line, Hernandez dramatically improved his walk rate and his power numbers. Unfortunatly Hernandez is being held back by a 61% groundball rate, which killed his batting average and hindered his OBP and SLG even though he did improve his peripheral stats. Hernandez still has a long way to go but he's steadily improving and should reach AA in 2009. The Braves are jammed with outfield prospects right now so he does not have a clear path to the majors. If all goes well, he could be wearing a Braves uniform by mid-2010.
#56 Chris Marrero, OF, WAS - The 20 year old was injured for most of 2008 which halted his rapid progress through the Nationals system. In 2007, Marrero hit 23 homeruns and 35 doubles split between A- and A+. Some people are skeptical about his swing, they feel his mechanics will need to be overhauled before he reaches the upper levels of the minors. If he stays healthy and the swing doesn't become a problem, Marrero could be an annual 30 homerun hitter with a .270-.280 average in the majors. He still has a long way to go and the lost year hurts, but he should reach AA next year as a 20 year old which is a good sign in it's self. He could be playing in Washington by mid-2010.
#55 Carlos Santana, C, CLE - Formerly in the Dodgers system, Santana was the centerpiece of the Casey Blake trade. After two lackluster years, Santana broke out in 2008, compiling a line of .326/.431/.568 and even had 10 stolen bases. The switch-hitting catcher also has fantastic plate discipline walking more than he struck out last year. There are a few things to be wary of, Santana was 22 last year in A+, a level mostly populated by 20 and 21 year olds; he also played all season in the California league, the most hitter friendly league in the minors. If he proves that his 2008 season was for real, Santana could be Cleveland's catcher by opening day of 2010.
#54 Carlos Carrasco, P, PHI - After a mediocre season at AA, Carrasco was called up to AAA for the final month of the season where he took off, posting a 1.76 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 36 innings. The 21 year old features a low-90's fastball with decent movement, an average curveball which he struggles to control, and a plus changeup with very good movement. Carrasco's problems have all come from inconsistency--he is prone to extremely hot and cold months where his control varies wildly. If (that's a huge if) he can be more consistent, Carrasco could easily develop into an ace. He will fight for the #5 rotation spot in spring training but a full season at AAA would undoubtedly do him some good.
#53 J.P. Arencibia, C, TOR - The 22 year old split 2008 between A+ and AA posting a line of .298/.322/.527 with 27 homeruns and 105 RBI. The only flaw in Arencibia's game is the disturbing lack of plate discipline; he walked only 18 times last year while striking out 101 times, that number needs to improve before he can become an elite catching prospect. Catchers with that kind of pop don't come along that often so Arencibia could move very quickly through the rest of the minors. Look for him in a Toronto uniform as soon as September, 2009.
#52 Tyler Flowers, C, CHW - Acquired from the Braves during the off-season, Flowers followed a successful season at A+ with a smoking hot stint in the Arizona Fall League hitting .387 with 12 homeruns in just 75 at-bats. Flowers also has outstanding plate discipline, walking 98 times while striking out 102 times. The only knock on Flowers is that he spent all of 2008 at A+ as a 22 year old--however he proved that he was legit, excelling in the AFL against the top prospects in the minor leagues. He still needs more time in the minors, but Tyler Flowers could become the White Sox catcher by mid-2010.
#51 Matt Dominguez, 3B, FLA - The 9th overall pick in the 2007 draft had a solid first full minor league season hitting .296 with 18 homeruns and 70 RBI in only 345 at-bats in A-. His plate discipline could be a little better but is not very concerning for the 19 year old. While he has a very good bat, Dominguez is actually known for his outstanding defense at the hot corner. If he can improve his plate discipline, Dominguez should fly through the minors and should win a few Gold Gloves by the time his career is over. Assuming all goes well, his ETA is late-2011.
#50 Carlos Triunfel, SS/2B, SEA - Seattle's whiz-kid has been in A+ since he was 17 years old. Last year as an 18 year old, Triunfel compiled a line of .284/.332/.401 with 8 homeruns in 479 at-bats. He is already showing solid plate discipline with a .51 K/BB ratio--this number should improve as he gets older. Triunfel will probably outgrow shortstop and have to move to either second or third base down the road. His power should improve as his frame fills out, which should make him a perennial all-star once he reaches the majors. He still has a long way to go, look for him to be in Seattle by late-2011.
Tine in again next Saturday, February 6th, for prospects #49-40.
Sources
FirstInning.com
Baseball America
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