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Eric Mack

Highlighting top AL Central prospects for '08

By | Senior Fantasy Writer


We break down the top five prospects for each organization for 2008, taking into consideration: games, at-bats, innings and major-league service time. We expect these players to have rookie status remaining heading into next year.

According to MLB rules: "A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a major league club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list)."

We have already covered the NL West and AL West and now we take a look at the AL Central:

Chicago White Sox

Top White Sox prospects
Player Age Pos. 2007 minor league stats
1 Gio Gonzalez 22 LH SP Triple-A: (9-7), 3.18 ERA, 185 K, 57 BB, .216 BAA
Smoke-thrower should be one of 2008's best Fantasy rookie SPs.
2 Faustino De Los Santos 21 RH SP Class A (combined): (10-5)-2.65-153-43-.163
Domican signee has impressed and risen quickly in first year.
3 Chris Carter 20 1B Class A: .291 AVG, 25 HR, 93 RBI, 84 R, 3 SB (.383 OBP, .522 SLUG)
They kept promoting him and he kept getting better at every level.
4 Aaron Poreda 21 LH SP Class A: (4-0)-1.17-48-10-.181
'07 No. 1 pick throws high-90s and could arrive, dominate soon.
5 Jack Egbert 24 RH SP Double-A: (12-8)-3.06-165-44-.232
Scouts don't see him as front-liner, but numbers suggest otherwise.
Best of the rest: SP Kyle McCulloch, 2B John Shelby, 1B Micah Schnurstein, SP Lance Broadway, OF Ryan Sweeney, C Francisco Hernandez, SP Lucas Harrell, 2B Chris Getz, P Heath Phillips, P Charlie Haeger, P Adam Russell, P Nevin Griffith, P John Ely, P Leroy Hunt, 1B Casey Rogowski, RP Ehren Wassermann, RP Dewon Day, OF Anderson Gomes, P Oneli Perez, P Brian Omogrosso, P Justin Edwards, P Matt Long, P Ray Liotta, C Donny Lucy, SS Roberto Valido, P Wes Whisler.
2007 rookies to lose eligibility (expected): 3B/OF Josh Fields, SP John Danks, OF Jerry Owens, 2B Danny Richar, RP Nick Masset, UTL Andy Gonzalez.

Cleveland Indians

Top Indians prospects
Player Age Pos. 2007 minor league stats
1 Adam Miller 22 RH SP Triple-A: (5-4)-4.82-68-21-.265
Injuries led to disappointing Triple-A year, but his stuff is great.
2 Aaron Laffey 22 LH SP AA-Triple-A (combined): (13-4)-2.88-99-30-.238
Doesn't have knockout stuff, but great year moves him up list.
3 Chuck Lofgren 22 LH SP AA-Triple-A (combined): (12-8)-4.58-130-71-.273
Took step back this year and proved to be a little more erratic.
4 Jordan Brown 21 1B Double-A (combined): .333-11-76-85-11 (.421-.484)
Baseball America says he has drawn Wally Joyner comparisons.
5 Wes Hodges 23 3B Class A: .288-15-71-60 (.367-.473)
First pro season was decent, but there's much more to come.
Best of the rest: OF Trevor Crowe, 1B Matt Whitney, 2B Jared Goedert, OF Brian Barton, SS Josh Rodriguez, C Matt McBride, 1B/3B Beau Mills, SP Scott Lewis, P Tony Sipp, OF Brad Snyder, SP David Huff, 1B Michael Aubrey, SP Sung-Wei Tseng, OF Ben Francisco, 3B Kelvin Diaz, SP Brian Slocum, OF John Drennen, 1B Stephen Head, OF Ryan Mulhern, P J.D. Martin, RP Juan Lara, SP T.J. MacFarland, RP Jonathan Holt, OF Jose Constanza, P Fabio Castillo, SP Frank Herrmann, SP Steven Wright, C Wyatt Toregas.
2007 rookies to lose eligibility (expected): 2B/SS Asdrubal Cabrera, RP Rafael Perez, RP Thomas Mastny, RP Jensen Lewis, RP Edward Mujica, UTL Mike Rouse.

Detroit Tigers

Top Tigers prospects
Player Age Pos. 2007 minor league stats
1 Cameron Maybin 23 OF A-Double-A (combine): .316-14-53-68-25 (.409-.523)
Tigers struggles make it likely he starts in Triple-A, but he's so good.
2 Jair Jurrjens 21 RH SP Double-A: (7-5)-3.20-94-31-.257
Great September makes it likely he opens spring with rotation spot.
3 Jeff Larish 24 1B Double-A: .267-28-101-71-6 (.390-.515)
Arizona State product has great power and draws a lot of walks.
4 Rick Porcello 18 RH SP DNP -- First-round pick signed in August
Signability dropped someone who was arguably the best '07 draftee.
5 Virgil Vasquez 25 RH SP Triple-A: (12-5)-3.48-127-33-.241
Awful results with Tigers makes him a long shot for '08 rotation.
Best of the rest: OF Gorkys Hernandez, SS Michael Hollimon, SP Yorman Bazardo, SP Jordan Tata, OF Matt Joyce, SP Burke Badenhop, OF Wilkin Ramirez, OF Brent Clevlen, SP Jonah Nickerson, SP Dallas Trahern, P Brandon Hamilton, P Charlie Furbush, P Casey Crosby, SS Brent Dlugach, SP Sendy Vasquez, SS Tony Giarratano, OF Michael Hernandez, OF Brennan Boesch, SS Danny Worth, 2B Scott Sizemore, 3B Kody Kirkland, 3B Ron Bourquin, OF Jeff Frazier, OF Clete Thomas, RP Eulogio De La Cruz, RP Clayton Rapada, RP Preston Larrison, RP Randor Bierd, RP Edward Campusano, P Kyle Sleeth, SS Audy Ciriaco.
2007 rookies to lose eligibility (expected): SP Andrew Miller, UTL Ryan Raburn, C Mike Rabelo.

Kansas City Royals

Top Royals prospects
Player Age Pos. 2007 minor league stats
1 Luke Hochevar 24 RH SP AA-Triple-A (combined): (4-9)-4.86-138-47-.271
'06 No. 1 overall had a disappointing year in first full season.
2 Billy Buckner 24 RH SP AA-Triple-A (combined): (10-10)-3.92-96-32-.268
Might be showing enough to enter spring with rotation spot.
3 Michael Moustakas 22 SS Class A: .293-0-10-6-0 (.383-.439)
'07 No. 2 overall pick will try to remain at shortstop for now.
4 Craig Brazell 27 1B Triple-A: .315-39-91-83-0 (.352-.601)
27-year-old late-bloomer might be capable of playing in majors.
5 Chris Lubanski 22 OF AA-Triple-A (combined): .259-15-56-53-3 (.325-.438)
Numbers haven't matched the hype, but he could find it in '08.
Best of the rest: SP Blake Johnson, SP Julio Pimentel, 1B Craig Brazell, OF Mitch Maier, 1B Justin Huber, SP Tyler Lumsden, OF Joe Dickerson, 2B Fernando Cortez, SP Carlos Rosa, SP Tyler Chambliss, P Blake Wood, SP Daniel Cortes, SP Rowdy Hardy, SP Jason Godin, SP Zach Peterson, P Brent Fisher, SS Jeff Bianchi, RP Jarod Plummer, 1B Clint Robinson, P Sam Runion, P Danny Duffy, P Matt Campbell, P Chis Nicoll, OF Patrick Norris, 2B Kurt Mertins, OF Adrian Ortiz.
2007 rookies to lose eligibility (expected): SP Brian Bannister, 3B Alex Gordon, 1B Billy Butler, RP Joakim Soria, RP Ryan Z. Braun, RP Neal Musser.

Minnesota Twins

Top Twins prospects
Player Age Pos. 2007 minor league stats
1 Glen Perkins 24 LHP A-AA-Triple-A (combined): (0-2)-6.52-15-10-.253
Started year in Twins 'pen, but could start after injury-plagued year.
2 Anthony Swarzak 22 RH SP A-Double-A (combined): (5-4)-3.09-94-28-.241
Not quite on level of their other SP prospects, but looks good, too.
3 Nick Blackburn 25 RHP AA-Triple-A (combined): (10-4)-2.36-75-19-.234
Yet another strike-thrower in Twins system who could start in '08.
4 Tyler Robertson 19 LH SP Class A: (9-5)-2.29-123-33-.226
Big '06 third-rounder out of high school made huge strides this year.
5 Brian Buscher 26 3B AA-Triple-A (combined): .309-14-59-58-3 (.385-.493)
Hasn't made great impact, but his K-to-BB ratio is impressive.
Best of the rest: SP Brian Duesing, SP Oswaldo Sosa, SS Trevor Plouffe, 2B Matt Tolbert, OF Chris Parmelee, 1B Garrett Jones, OF Erik Lis, OF Joe Benson, SP Alex Burnett, RP Eduardo Morlan, SP Kyle Waldrop, SP Jay Rainville, RP Jose Mijares, OF David Winfree, OF Denard Span, 3B Brian Buscher, OF Josh Rabe, 3B Matt Moses, C/1B Danny Rams, OF Ben Revere, SP Daniel Berlind, OF Angel Morales, P Yohan Pinto, P Jeff Manship, OF Ozzie Lewis, P Rob Delaney, P Nathan Striz, OF Brandon Roberts, RP Jorge DePaula, RP Justin Miller, C Allen De San Miguel, 3B Tommy Watkins, C Chris Heintz, RP David Shinske.
2007 rookies to lose eligibility (expected): SP Matt Garza, SP Kevin Slowey, 2B Alexi Casilla, RP Carmen Cali.

You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball prospect questions to dmfantasybaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: AL Central prospects in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses or answers to all questions.

 
 
 
Player News
Joe Mauer
Mauer 'feels good' after workout
Joe Mauer, C, MIN
2:50 PM
News: The News-Press reports Twins C Joe Mauer took two rounds of batting practice and went through a set of conditioning drills around the base paths Monday, and he appeared to have no problems sprinting. Mauer battled leg injuries in 2011. “I feel good,” Mauer said. “It feels good to get back out here again.” Mauer also put to rest the rumors that he gained 30 pounds in the offseason. “I heard that, too, and I couldn’t believe it," he said. “It’s just how rumors start. There were a lot of things out there last year that weren’t true. I’m about 220, 225. I need to add a little more weight before we start.”
Analysis: While most players feel good when they arrive to camp, it's especially encouraging to hear Mauer say that since last season he was coming off knee surgery and wasn't ready for the start of spring training. Mauer will head into 2012 motivated after an injury-plagued 2011. There's no guarantee he is past his knee problems, but the Twins are going to do their best to make sure Mauer avoids the DL. There is obviously risk involved with drafting Mauer, but his potential to be an elite Fantasy option at catcher make it worth drafting him. An offseason of staying health could make Mauer a steal in the fifth or sixth round of mixed-league drafts.
Jair Jurrjens
Jurrjens still trade candidate
Jair Jurrjens, SP, ATL
11:57 AM
News: CBSSports.com senior writer Danny Knobler reports sources said the Braves could try and trade SP Jair Jurrjens if he proves healthy in spring training. The Braves tried to trade Jurrjens this winter, but they couldn't find a taker because potential trade partners weren't convinced Jurrjens was healthy or could stay healthy. Jurrjens missed the end of the 2011 season with a knee injury and has made just 43 starts the last two seasons.
Analysis: When Jurrjens is healthy, he is one of the best pitchers in the majors. His 1.87 ERA in the first half last season was second to only Jered Weaver among major-league starters. Jurrjens has won 13-plus games in three of the last four seasons. So why would the Braves want to trade him? Well, Jurrjens is a free agent after the 2013 season and it appears Atlanta is ready to clear some rotation space for the likes of Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado. It's going to be very interesting to see what happens with Jurrjens this spring. There appears to be a chance he might not finish the spring with Atlanta, which could mean Jurrjens slides down draft boards in NL-only formats that lose players who are traded to the AL. In mixed leagues, Jurrjens is still a decent mid-round Fantasy pick.
A.J. Burnett
Angels, Indians interested in Burnett
A.J. Burnett, SP, NYY
11:40 AM
News: FOXSports.com reports sources indicate the Angels are interested in Yankees SP A.J. Burnett, whose name has been heavily mentioned in trade rumors with the Pirates. However, the Angels are on Burnett's no-trade list and he wants to stay east. Pittsburgh is still considered the heavy favorite to potentially land Burnett. CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman said the Indians have also inquired about Burnett. The trade talks involve DH Travis Hafner, but Cleveland is unsure if it would make that trade. The Yankees also don't mind the free agent DH options available.
Analysis: Right now the hold up in the Pirates trade is how much money Pittsburgh will be willing to pay of Burnett's remaining salary over the next two years ($33 million) and the prospects the Pirates would send to the Yankees. Perhaps these rumors regarding the Angels and Indians might speed up the process, but other sources have said the Yankees would keep Burnett if the deal isn't right for them. Wherever Burnett pitches in 2012, he is going to be a late-round Fantasy pick coming off a turbulent 2011 campaign.
Coco Crisp
Crisp moving over for Cespedes?
Coco Crisp, CF, OAK
10:13 AM
News: Sources have told FOXSports.com that the Athletics intend to start newly signed Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes in center field right away, which would move Coco Crisp over to left field and Seth Smith to DH. Cespedes is already 26 and has faced upper-level competition in Cuba, but some scouts think he could use some time in the minors to adjust to the U.S. game.
Analysis: None of these reports are coming directly from the Athletics, so you should consider them nothing more than speculation at this point. Still, speculation is better than nothing, and if Cespedes is in fact going to be on the opening day roster, then he might even be worth drafting in the middle rounds, given his upside. As for Crisp, moving to left field wouldn't have any real impact on his Fantasy value. The Athletics outfield is even more crowded with the Cespedes signing, but the team seems to consider Crisp a mainstay at the top of the lineup. Given his base-stealing ability and doubles pop, he's a worthy fourth or fifth outfielder in mixed leagues.
Ryan Braun
Braun will know fate by Feb. 24
Ryan Braun, LF, MIL
10:03 AM
News: Monday came and went without a ruling on Brewers OF Ryan Braun's pending 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. It was the 25th day since the three-man panel heard Braun's appeal. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the panel was supposed to “make all reasonable efforts” to deliver a verdict within that period of time, but chairman Shyam Das was given an extension. A decision is expected before Braun reports to spring training on Feb. 24, but the exact date is unknown since the process is intended to be confidential.
Analysis: The panel's need for a lengthy deliberation is theoretically a good sign, but then again, since the process is usually confidential, we don't know how common such extensions are. Braun's case is said to be unique, but it might not make much of a difference to the panel. If you're drafting now, you should do so with the expectation that Braun will miss the first 50 games of the season, which could allow him to slip to the middle rounds in standard mixed leagues. If the appeal is upheld, though, he's suddenly back to being a first-rounder in Fantasy.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka
Nishioka wants to be 'aggressive'
Tsuyoshi Nishioka, SS, MIN
2:58 PM
News: The News-Press reports Twins SS Tsuyoshi Nishioka arrived a week early to spring training so he could adjust to the time difference from Japan. He worked out Monday and said through a translator that adjusting to his first experience in the majors took its toll on him in 2011. “I want to be more aggressive,” Nishioka said. “Not knowing right from left, it was strange playing the sport of baseball. It’s difficult when you think about it. Driving a car, you drive on opposite sides of the road. Outside the ballpark, there were lifestyle adjustments, too. That made it pretty difficult.”
Analysis: It's good that Nishioka has come to camp with the right attitude. However, he is still looking at being a reserve after the team signed Jamey Carroll to start at shortstop. That's not to say Nishioka can't emerge as a starter at some point this season, but the Twins are going to make him earn it. Nishioka is at best an AL-only Fantasy reserve on Draft Day.
Mike Moustakas
Moustakas in great shape
Mike Moustakas, 3B, KC
12:48 PM
News: Royals manager Ned Yost had his contract option for the 2013 season picked up on Tuesday, but the Kansas City skipper seemed more interested in talking about his 2012 team. Yost was impressed with how many players have shown up for spring training early and is really blown away by the fitness level of a few of his players. "Billy Butler and Mike Moustakas -- I'm extremely proud of both of those guys," Yost told reporters. "They could be in the best shape they've been in their careers. Billy looks great, and I didn't even hardly recognize Moose he looks so good."
Analysis: While the fitness level doesn't necessarily mean a player will have success, it really can't hurt either. To hear Yost rave about Moustakas should get the attention of Fantasy owners. Moustakas, who is one of the Royals' top prospects, struggled when he first arrived in the majors last season. However, he seemed to have figured it out by season's end. Moustakas hit .352 with four homers and 12 RBI in his final 22 games last season. He is definitely one of the more intriguing Fantasy sleepers heading into 2012 and this latest report just adds to his appeal on Draft Day.
Jake Westbrook
Westbrook sheds 25 pounds
Jake Westbrook, SP, STL
2:11 PM
News: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Cardinals SP Jake Westbrook has shown up for spring training 25 pounds lighter than he was last season.
Analysis: This is the time of year where everyone seems to come to camp in better shape than they left last season. Hopefully for Westbrook it makes a difference in his game. He did go 12-9 in 2011, but he posted a 4.66 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 33 starts. Westbrook can chew up innings, but he won't post impressive ERA, WHIP or strikeout total. Leave him for NL-only Fantasy formats.
Jhoulys Chacin
Chacin fires back at GM
Jhoulys Chacin, SP, COL
12:07 PM
News: The Denver Post reports Rockies SP Jhoulys Chacin responded to comments made by GM Dan O'Dowd, who expressed concern recently about Chacin's offseason conditioning. "I came to Arizona this past Monday. I have not stopped training during the winter, both in my country and here," Chacin told Venezuelan newspaper Meridiano. "I have always done the best job I could all throughout these past few months. I don't know where these comments came from. I believe they're the result of what other people have told him, instead of his own personal evaluation. I am looking forward to meeting O'Dowd personally, and I am confident that he will have a different conclusion after a firsthand evaluation." O'Dowd made his comments after seeing Chacin at the team's Fanfest in January. "He looked OK. It wasn't as bad as I anticipated," O'Dowd said. "It's still not what it should be."
Analysis: O'Dowd believes Chacin needs to lose weight because the excess pounds affect the balance in his delivery and cause his fastball command to suffer. Chacin spent much of the winter working out in his native Venezuela after working out in Tucson previously. On Feb. 9, Chacin reportedly weighed 226 pounds but anticipates being close to the 218 pounds he was last spring when he reports to spring training on Feb. 19. Chacin went 8-7 with a 3.16 ERA in 18 pre-All Star break starts last year and went 3-7 with a 4.31 ERA in 13 starts after the break. Chacin struggled with walks in the second half and was much more hittable down the stretch than he was early in the season. This situation is clearly not the way Fantasy owners want to see Chacin kick off the 2012 season, but perhaps this will provide him with the motivation he needs to reach elite status. Look to Chacin as a mid-round Fantasy option on Draft Day.
Kyle Seager
Seager gets work at first base
Kyle Seager, 3B, SEA
1:25 PM
News: The Seattle Times reports Mariners 3B Kyle Seager took grounders at first base Tuesday. Manager Eric Wedge said it was because of pitcher fielding drills Seager was at first base.
Analysis: It's interesting to see Seager working at another position in camp with Wedge calling him the front-runner for the third-base job. However, it appears clear that Seager was just needed as an extra body during fielding drills. Justin Smoak is still the team's first baseman and Mike Carp is his expected backup. Carlos Guillen can also play first base, so we can't look too much into Seager taking grounders at first. His main focus should be winning the 3B job over the likes of Alex Liddi and Chone Figgins. Consider Seager nothing more than a late-round, low-end Fantasy corner infielder on Draft Day. He does have some sleeper potential, but don't reach for him in drafts.
 
 
 
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