12 of the games top 200 prospects. 6 of our top 7 and 7 of our top 12 are starting pitchers. Although I would caveat that with the fact our scouts think Mendoza at 3B is far far ahead of Mendoza the pitcher. Notice also 4 of these guys are under 20 and 11 are 23 or younger. Mike Lyon should be in AAA honestly and that's a move that's likely to happen sooner rather than later. Also, notice on our list where Eddie Ellerbee is? Our catching has gone from razor thin to an organizational strength. Also, EE homered in his 1st professional game.
Kinnon Mendelson is shaping up to be a potential Koufax winner for years to come. Robbie Givens and Jeff Faulkner are also getting significantly better.
All that is to say that I think I need to step back and take a breath with this entire 2007 disaster message. Last year was a fluke in my opinion. The right things happened at the right times up until October. But that whipping in October I think was an indicator of where we stood with the big boys.
I think that is changing, but I cannot allow that to drive decision making as we near the trade deadline next month. We are a 'buyer' ONLY in perfect circumstances and we are absolutely a 'seller' if the right deal comes along.
Not a lot to say here other than the obvious, we need to hit better. 10th in the league in scoring isn't going to work. Ismael Saldana has hit since his return and I expect that to continue.
The only two surprises in a negative way are Jace Camp and Tim Agresta. Tim's having a bad year, no other way to put that. Nate Ramirez strikeout totals are down but he's had some bad luck too. His inability to get deeper into games has cost him.
I should add our AAA rotation is stacked. Naclerio (8-3 3.72) Willoughby (7-3 3.53) and Pollock (10-1 3.71) are backed by a bullpen that's good too. Mike Allen 11 SV 1.90 Eddie Hein 2-1 2.35 and their offense is raking.
A quick look at the Defense. Compared to last year things are good. But the comparison to the league is not so great. Still, need to improve