SB Nation User Blog: cool hand Charlie

Ryan Zimmerman

cool hand Charlie — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:58:13 -0000

It seems like this kid has been around forever, but I noticed he just turned 24 on September 28th. The kid literally played his third full MLB season at the age of 23. He struggled with a myriad of injuries this past year, yet despite these nagging injuries he posted a line of .306/.370/.455/.825 after the All Star Break last year all while providing gold glove level defense at 3rd base. This is much more in line with what I think he is capableof as opposed to his first half. What does everyone see his production being like in his peak years? Clearly he still has room to develop since he has been so young for MLB(and still holds his own). Any and all thoughts are welcome.

Charlie

Pick 1 guy from this list.

cool hand Charlie — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:18:44 -0000

Tommy Hunter

Clayton Richard

Mitch Talbot

If you could only have 1 of these guys for your major league 40 man roster, who would it be? I know that none profile as an ace or even a #2, but maybe these guys could be a solid MLB player at some point. Anyone have a personal favorite here? Hunter and Richard both made it through 4 levels this past season which is really hard to do, so its not surprising that neither looked great in their MLB debuts. Talbot posted the best K/IP and K/BB rates. Also, you have to be afraid of Hunter playing his home games in Texas...pitchers just get nurdered there. Richard posted an ugly ERA in his time in the majors but posted a 2/1 groundball to flyball ratio(88/48).

Talbot had the highest average fastball at 91.6, Hunter came in at 91.2 and Richard at 89.9.

So, if your team could only protet 1 on their major league 40 man roster, who would it be? Who has the higest ceiling? Who is most likely to be a decent major league player?

all opinions welcome.

thanks

Charlie

Aaron Cunningham and Josh Outman

cool hand Charlie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:16:29 -0000

Where do these two guys fit into Oakland's long term plans?

Cunningham played great as a 22 year old in AA. Everything I have read says that he doesn't have any great tools. But he does everything well. The A's just moved Carlos Gonzalez, so does this open up CF for Cunningham? After the way Buck played at the end of the season, they have to give him a shot in the OF to start. Does Cunningham need more time in the minors? 22 is young for MLB, but with the numbers he posted in the minors last year....does he really have anything more to learn?

Outman supposedly features a nice 90-94 mph fastball and pretty decent secondary stuff. He was one of the guys acquired in the Blanton trade with Philly. It seems that He was a starter in Philly, but was then moved to the pen, and after being traded to Oakland, coverted back to a starting pitcher. I would imagine with the A's having such high-end SP's on their way to the majors...Outman's long term place with the team is in the bullpen(maybe as a lefty specialist). Does this seem accurate? I have to imagine that the rotation next year to start the season would be Justin Duchscherer, Dana Eveland, Dallas Braden, Sean Gallagher and ___________?

Any thoughts on either of these two guys would be interesting to me. What are their ceilings? What are their floors?

A's fans, i know there are a ton of you here, lets hear your thoughts!

CHC

Best MLB career out of these guys

cool hand Charlie — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:07:09 -0000

Max Ramirez

Reid Brignac

Matt Gamel

Carlos Gonzalez

Jon Neise

Michael Bowden

James McDonald

Chris Perez

Jeff Samardzija

Jose Arrendando

So These guys all made their MLB debuts this year. And they are all past the point of "obvious talent"(Price, Longoria, Bruce, etc).

So, prospect hounds, I know this community is never short on opinions, so lets hear your take! Who will be the best out of this group and why?

Thanks guys,

Charlie

Cameron Maybin's hot start

cool hand Charlie — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:37:38 -0000

Maybin was recalled from Double A Carolina on Septermber 16th and thrust directly into Florida's leadoff role. All Maybin has done is go 9 for 11 with 2 walks, 2 stolen bases, 6 runs scored, 1 RBI and 1 strikeout.

Hanley Ramirez offered up some advice for Maybin that already made a difference.  Watching Maybin's pinch-hit single on TV, Ramirez noticed that the 21-year-old was a tad slow in his approach.

"Hanley told me the first game I was here to get [my swing] started early," Maybin said. "I was starting a little bit late, and he saw that, and I've really been making a conscious effort to get myself started early, and getting something in my zone to hit. It's just helped me be on time with those guys."

Obviously Maybin won't hit .818 in the majors over a full season. But its nice to see a top prospect get off to such a fast start. It should build his confidence for the future and also build confidence in him from his teammates about his abilities.

Alexei Ramirez

cool hand Charlie — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:00:00 -0000

What's up with this guy? He has 15 homers in under 400 AB's. He is hitting .300. He wasn't in John's prospect book this year. Will he be able to keep this up in future years? He looks very skinny for his listed 6'3'' 185. Any info on how this guy slid under the radar(Cuba?) and popped into the majors to hit .300 would be greatly appreciated. Future projections/comps are also quite welcome. Thanks guys. Chuck

Greg Halman...who?

cool hand Charlie — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:39:41 -0000

This kid looks pretty good. I don't know if he was supposed to be good or not but it looks like the Mariners found him in the Netherlands. As a 20 year old in AA for the Mariners(West Tennessee) he is posting a line of .279/.329/.559.888. and he has a good line overall having spent part of the season in the Cal league.

The kid is 6'4'' and close to 200 pounds so he has a nice frame and must have good speed. He has 25 stolen bases to only 2 caught stealing this season.

So, what's this kid's future? Is he toolsy? Will he be able to cut it in the majors in a couple years? I just happaned to notice he had good numbers and had never heard of him, so i wondered if you guys had anymore knowledge about him beyond what the numbers show.

thanks

Collin Balester called up to face FLA today

cool hand Charlie — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:34:22 -0000

Collin Balester is getting the call today to face the Florida Marlins in Florida. It will be his MLB debut. He has been solid enough in AAA this year going 9-3 with a 1.30 WHIP. He has a 3/1 K/BB ratio and has 64 K's in 78 IP. He has given up 14 HR in 15 starts, so it might be a problem in the majors too. So what do you guys think about him short term and long term? From what i read, he is a #3 long term. Right? How is his stuff? I haven't ever seen him pitch. And there is only so much you can tell by looking at numbers.

leagues influence numbers?

cool hand Charlie — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:05:14 -0000

I always see people talking about hitting in one place or another meaning more or less. Does everyone pretty much agree which leagues are pitchers leagues and which leagues are hitters leagues? I have seen that the FSL is supposed to be a pitchers league. And the PCL is a pitchers league too, right? I've never seen it done, so would someone care to give me a run down of which leages in the minors really influence hitting or pitching one way or the other? You don't have to tell me about rookie ball. I'm only comcerned with single A and above. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cameron Maybin gets HOT!

cool hand Charlie — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:00:13 -0000

Don't look now, but Cameron Maybin has been MASHING in AA of late.

Over his last 10 games he is hitting .417. He has 7 K's against 3 walks. He has hit 5 Home runs, 2 triples, 2 doubles. has anyone actually gotten to see him play? Is he hitting more line drives? I'm guessing most of those extra base hits weren't ground balls he beat out. His overall line for the season is up to .270/.370/.509/.880 with 13 stolen bases against 3 caught stealing. Not to mention, unless something has changed, he still plays damn good defense in CF.

So is he turning the corner as a 20 year old in AA?