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Digging For Gold
It's Friday afternoon and after a long week in the classroom with my fifth graders, you'd think that I'd be either headed out for a night on the town or kicking back with a cold beverage watching some baseball.
But that's not the case. Because today, I'm going to do something that's outside of the norm for me. I'm going to sit down and for the first time in my life... I'm going to do a little prospecting and I owe it all to my buddy and fellowSan Diego Padresfan, Zach over at The Underdog Card Collector.
He sent me a package about a month ago loaded with a bunch of 2015 Bowman and Bowman Chromebaseball cards featuring Padres and formerPadresprospects.
Now I can't tell you the last time I purchased a pack of Bowman baseball cards. I've picked up a complete set here and there and a few singles over the years. But overall, I typically stay away from this product line for one reason: I don't know who these guys are.
However... tonight that's going to change, because I'm ready to step out of my comfort zone.
Tonight... I become the student. And thanks to Baseball Reference, MLB Pipeline, Minor League Ball, and of course Wikipedia... I'm finally going to be able to talk about some current and former Padres prospects.
Let's start with Rymer Liriano:
I'm actually surprised that I recognize Liriano'sname. I'm not exactly sure how or why, but I've heard of him. He's currently the San Diego Padres#2 top prospect who's playing in AAAEl Paso. Last August, he was called up by the Padres (maybe that's why I recognize his hame) and played in thirty-eight games. According to MLB Pipeline, he's a solid runner who's has a shot at being a 20-20 player if he gets to play at PETCO on a regular basis.
Perez is an infielder currently playing at Lake Elsinore, the Padres'Class A farm team. According to Minor League Ball, he has some power in his bat, but his limited range in the field might move him to first base or the outfield. Before today... I had never heard of him.
Another guy in the Padres'farm system with power is Gabriel Quintana:
He's their 17th top prospect and is a teammate of Perez at Lake Elsinore. According to MLB Pipeline, he has above average power, but needs to adopt a more disciplined approach at the plate. It's safe to assume that I didn't recognize the name of the #17 prospect in the organization. Who do you think I am?Zippy Zappy? FYI: I kneel before Kenny, because this guy knows his stuff when it comes to his team's prospects.
The final Padres' prospectZach sent me is Kyle Lloyd:
Zach also sent me a bunch of formerSan Diego Padres... including the Atlanta Braves'#2 top prospect... Matt Wisler:
I'm embarrassed to admit this... but this is only the second guy I recognize. He was part of the huge trade that brought Craig Kimbrel to San Diego a few months back. Wisler is currently a part of the Braves'40-man roster with a 3-1 record and a respectable ERA of 3.10. I vaguely remember his name, but honestly couldn't tell you who he played for.
Next up is the 5th top prospect in the Washington Nationalsorganization:
Joe Ross is killing it this year. He was called up to fill in for Stephen Strasburgearlier in the year and shined. He was sent back down to their Triple-A affiliate, where he's continues to dominate. My guess is barring any major injuries, he'll be back in the Majors... sooner than later. How have I not heard of this guy? Well thanks to Zach... I know who he is now.
Bauers went to high school less than two miles from my brother's house... but alas... I've never heard of this guy either. Right now he's in Montgomery, Alabama playing for the Biscuits (the Ray'sDouble-A affiliate). He's currently hitting .412 in his last 10 games with 14 hits and 5 RBI's.
If I were to guess, I'd say this guy has a bright future in the MLB. Then again... this is my first attempt at prospecting. Batting .412 in Double-A might not be as big of a deal as I'm making it out to be.
Okay Zippy... and any of you other veteran prospectors...
Regardless... Zach added a bunch of San Diego Padrescards that I didn't previously have to my collection. Thanks Zach!
Happy Friday and sayonara!
More...
But that's not the case. Because today, I'm going to do something that's outside of the norm for me. I'm going to sit down and for the first time in my life... I'm going to do a little prospecting and I owe it all to my buddy and fellowSan Diego Padresfan, Zach over at The Underdog Card Collector.
He sent me a package about a month ago loaded with a bunch of 2015 Bowman and Bowman Chromebaseball cards featuring Padres and formerPadresprospects.
Now I can't tell you the last time I purchased a pack of Bowman baseball cards. I've picked up a complete set here and there and a few singles over the years. But overall, I typically stay away from this product line for one reason: I don't know who these guys are.
However... tonight that's going to change, because I'm ready to step out of my comfort zone.
Tonight... I become the student. And thanks to Baseball Reference, MLB Pipeline, Minor League Ball, and of course Wikipedia... I'm finally going to be able to talk about some current and former Padres prospects.
Let's start with Rymer Liriano:
I'm actually surprised that I recognize Liriano'sname. I'm not exactly sure how or why, but I've heard of him. He's currently the San Diego Padres#2 top prospect who's playing in AAAEl Paso. Last August, he was called up by the Padres (maybe that's why I recognize his hame) and played in thirty-eight games. According to MLB Pipeline, he's a solid runner who's has a shot at being a 20-20 player if he gets to play at PETCO on a regular basis.
The Padres'6th top prospect is Fernando Perez:
Perez is an infielder currently playing at Lake Elsinore, the Padres'Class A farm team. According to Minor League Ball, he has some power in his bat, but his limited range in the field might move him to first base or the outfield. Before today... I had never heard of him.
Another guy in the Padres'farm system with power is Gabriel Quintana:
He's their 17th top prospect and is a teammate of Perez at Lake Elsinore. According to MLB Pipeline, he has above average power, but needs to adopt a more disciplined approach at the plate. It's safe to assume that I didn't recognize the name of the #17 prospect in the organization. Who do you think I am?Zippy Zappy? FYI: I kneel before Kenny, because this guy knows his stuff when it comes to his team's prospects.
The final Padres' prospectZach sent me is Kyle Lloyd:
Wanna guess where he's playing? If you said Lake Elsinore... then give yourself a nice pat on the back. I can't find a lot on Mr. Lloyd, but I did read that he's a split-finger specialist over on Scout.com. I'm curious... have you ever heard of Mr. Lloyd?
Zach also sent me a bunch of formerSan Diego Padres... including the Atlanta Braves'#2 top prospect... Matt Wisler:
I'm embarrassed to admit this... but this is only the second guy I recognize. He was part of the huge trade that brought Craig Kimbrel to San Diego a few months back. Wisler is currently a part of the Braves'40-man roster with a 3-1 record and a respectable ERA of 3.10. I vaguely remember his name, but honestly couldn't tell you who he played for.
Next up is the 5th top prospect in the Washington Nationalsorganization:
Joe Ross is killing it this year. He was called up to fill in for Stephen Strasburgearlier in the year and shined. He was sent back down to their Triple-A affiliate, where he's continues to dominate. My guess is barring any major injuries, he'll be back in the Majors... sooner than later. How have I not heard of this guy? Well thanks to Zach... I know who he is now.
Last, but not least is the Tampa Bay Rays'#22 top prospect:
Bauers went to high school less than two miles from my brother's house... but alas... I've never heard of this guy either. Right now he's in Montgomery, Alabama playing for the Biscuits (the Ray'sDouble-A affiliate). He's currently hitting .412 in his last 10 games with 14 hits and 5 RBI's.
If I were to guess, I'd say this guy has a bright future in the MLB. Then again... this is my first attempt at prospecting. Batting .412 in Double-A might not be as big of a deal as I'm making it out to be.
Okay Zippy... and any of you other veteran prospectors...
What's your take on these guys? Any of them have the potential to be MLB superstars?
Regardless... Zach added a bunch of San Diego Padrescards that I didn't previously have to my collection. Thanks Zach!
Happy Friday and sayonara!
More...