July 16, 200421 yr More on Swisher, from Baseball America: Sacramento's Nick Swisher didn't play in the Triple-A all-star game Wednesday night, but maybe he should have. Admittedly, it's a bit petty to trot out a list of snubs for any all-star game, much less a minor league one, but Swisher's statistics stack up just fine against those of any outfielder on the Pacific Coast League club. "He's done very well," Athletics farm director Keith Lieppman said. "I know his average is like .260 but he leads the league in walks and has a good on-base percentage." Swisher ranks seventh in the PCL with a .428 on-base percentage thanks to a league-leading 80 walks (against 64 strikeouts). He's also tied for second with 64 runs scored. And he's shown power with 18 doubles and 16 homers, good for a .506 slugging percentage. Really only Edmonton's Ryan Church can claim a better overall first half. The rub must have been Swisher's .258 batting average. At least the A's know the value of on-base percentage versus batting average. It's a familiar midseason story for Swisher, the 16th overall pick out of Ohio State in 2002. He hit .296-10-43 with a .418 OBP during the first half at high Class A Modesto in 2003, his first full season, but slumped to .230-5-43 with a .324 OBP after a promotion to Double-A Midland. More troubling was that Swisher hadn't shown much of the plus power the A's projected and had 76 strikeouts against 37 walks. "He had a great first half in Modesto, so we called him up to Midland and he kind of had it handed to him," Lieppman said. "But he was good in the Arizona Fall League (.275-1-9 with a .404 OBP), great in spring training and has taken off from there." Lieppman attributed some of Swisher's second-half drop last year to the outfielder's fatigue while completing his first full season. Swisher embarked on an intense weight-training regimen this offseason, adding 10 pounds to his 6-foot frame. He hit the ball well, but the added mass detracted from his agility in the outfield, and there were already questions about Swisher's being fleet enough to play center field. "He was really buff in spring training--heavily muscled. He was ripped." Lieppman said. "It wasn't fat, but I think he might have spent too much time working out. He's kind of lost that the last few months, and it's really helped his defense and moving around out there." Swisher dropped back to his customary 190 pounds, and the conditioning should help him avoid tiring down the stretch again this year. The A's are comfortable with the kind of player he's turning out to be. In fact, he reminds them of one they already have patrolling Network Associates Stadium in Oakland. "He's a Mark Kotsay-type in center field," Lieppman said. "He's got that same mentality and is a similar hitter. He just needs to keep working on routes and angles in the field." Should Swisher maintain his current pace, he could land a late-season audition in the same lineup as Kotsay. "A lot depends on what kind of club surfaces in September, whether we're in the race or not" Lieppman said. "But Nick is a guy in a good position in terms of call-ups." If he does turn out to be a Kotsay type, I'd definitely take that. Kotsay is a very solid player (career .285 avg.) and is a 7-year major leaguer that's only 28 years old, so if that what Oakland's gonna get from Swisher, I'd be pretty happy if I were them.
July 16, 200421 yr What's with Mark Kotsay being compared to every top prospect that hits for average?
July 16, 200421 yr What's with Mark Kotsay being compared to every top prospect that hits for average? Kotsay's having a career year, it's en vouge to compare to him because he's doing well right now... You don't hear anyone being compared to Fredd McGriff, Robin Ventura or RObbie Alomar cuz they're all having s***ty ends to thier careers, even though I'm sure anyone would be happy if thier prospects compared well to them.
July 16, 200421 yr Check out www.minorleaguenews.com They have some great stuff on the top 50 and its free. I'm working on getting FS syndicated on their magazine
July 16, 200421 yr I don't know how much Ritalin I would have to snort to create a list like that. No Lubanski? No Hamels? Kubel at #2? Blackley and Church ahead of Sizemore? Why the hell is Church even on there to begin with? Hernandez at 31? Bronson Sardinha? Ian Stewart at 49? Milledge? What the hell?
July 17, 200421 yr Word has it that neither Morneau nor Francis will be able to play in the Olympics....... nothing final on that Francis, Morneau Highlight Preliminary Canadian Roster again, nothing final, but they're on the roster as of now.
July 17, 200421 yr I don't know how much Ritalin I would have to snort to create a list like that. No Lubanski? No Hamels? Kubel at #2? Blackley and Church ahead of Sizemore? Why the hell is Church even on there to begin with? Hernandez at 31? Bronson Sardinha? Ian Stewart at 49? Milledge? What the hell? I thought the same thing when I saw the list. Ludacris.
July 18, 200421 yr Francis, Morneau Highlight Preliminary Canadian Roster again, nothing final, but they're on the roster as of now. I certainly could be wrong, but I think that is a formality so they can play if things change. My understanding is their MLB teams still have the final say. Since both are candidates for a September callup, at worst, it is unlikely they will let them play. Aren't the Olympics during the Minor League season also?
July 18, 200421 yr Travis Blackley's from down here, lived bout 20 mins from my house actually. There was a big article in the paper down here after his debut, scouts down here thought he could be the best Aussie in the major leagues we've had, which is not too shabby at all considering we've had Dave Nilsson from the Brewers who had a nice career. Hernandez easily best pitching prospect right now, David Wright is probably the best postion prospect if I had to pick one. Craig Shipley Dave Nilsson Grahame Lloyd Luke Prokopek Travis Blackley
July 18, 200421 yr Upton should make a pretty immediate impact for the Drays. Some other guys that could make a pretty quick impact are Edwin Jackson, Grady Sizemore (Cleveland system) and of course there is Jeremy Reed. I've never heard of those two guys.Edwin Jackson, and Grady Sizemore
July 18, 200421 yr Learn them......... Sizemore has been compared to Reed, with a bit more projectable power..... Jackson has excellent stuff, but is still a bit raw....
July 18, 200421 yr I certainly could be wrong, but I think that is a formality so they can play if things change. My understanding is their MLB teams still have the final say. Since both are candidates for a September callup, at worst, it is unlikely they will let them play. Aren't the Olympics during the Minor League season also? Plus Morneau got called up. He hit a HR today.
July 18, 200421 yr Plus Morneau got called up. He hit a HR today. And Toronto want him in exchange for Miguel Batista, that would sure be an interesting deal to say the least.
July 18, 200421 yr Craig Shipley Dave Nilsson Grahame Lloyd Luke Prokopek Travis Blackley Nilsson was a good outfielder for the Milwaulkee Brewers, usually hit bout 20 homers a season I think. Propokec was a 1 year wonder for the Dodgers, think he's with the Blue Jays now. Lloyd was a good lefty for the Yankees or Mets, been out of the league since he last stopped in Kansas City last season.
July 18, 200421 yr And Toronto want him in exchange for Miguel Batista, that would sure be an interesting deal to say the least. I would hate to see the twins get batista but I don't think they'll give up morneau.
July 18, 200421 yr I would hate to see the twins get batista but I don't think they'll give up morneau. J.P Riccardi would love that deal, even though he's giving up a real good vetrean pitcher in Batista, he gets a young, cheap automatic replacement for Carlos Delgado, and they can keep Josh Phelps DH'ing.
July 18, 200421 yr J.P Riccardi would love that deal, even though he's giving up a real good vetrean pitcher in Batista, he gets a young, cheap automatic replacement for Carlos Delgado, and they can keep Josh Phelps DH'ing. I agree with you on that. But do you think the Twins will give up Morneau? I know I don't. I would actually like the sox to make a run at batista but I have no idea what it would cost. Miguel is signed for 2 or 3 more years with a reasonable contract.
July 18, 200421 yr I agree with you on that. But do you think the Twins will give up Morneau? I know I don't. I would actually like the sox to make a run at batista but I have no idea what it would cost. Miguel is signed for 2 or 3 more years with a reasonable contract. I know he's on Riccardi's list of untouchables (Batista, Lilly, Halliday and Wells), and it would probably take a top pitching prospect (Kris Honel?) to get him.
July 18, 200421 yr Jeff Francis had his AAA debut last night. He had a big lead after seven with tremendous stats. I'm pretty positive the Rockies will promote him just to keep him out of the Olympics.
July 18, 200421 yr Jeff Francis had his AAA debut last night. He had a big lead after seven with tremendous stats. I'm pretty positive the Rockies will promote him just to keep him out of the Olympics. Him and Tsao are two top quality pitching prospects for the Rockies, and boy do they need them.
July 18, 200421 yr I know he's on Riccardi's list of untouchables (Batista, Lilly, Halliday and Wells), and it would probably take a top pitching prospect (Kris Honel?) to get him. Honel cannot be considered a top pitching prospect right now........ It would likely take an Anderson or Sweeney to get Batista.
July 18, 200421 yr If anyone gave top prospect value to Kris Honel, I'd dumb his ass incredibly fast. Maybe harsh, but I have little faith in him at this point.
July 21, 200421 yr Jeff Francis' 1st start in AAA.. 7IP 1H 0R 0ER 1BB 12SO.. Yeah, I saw that. Francis is just dealin' no matter where he goes.
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