In lieu of the Angels-Royals game today, which features two of the game's best young third basemen I must ask the question; Who would you rather have, Brandon Wood or Alex Gordon? Both are struggling early this season but definitely have time to turn it around. Gordon is superior in average and plate discipline, while Wood has more raw power. And by all accounts both are good defenders at the hot corner. This is a tough one for me to pick.

If anybody needs a hidden gem pitching prospect I think I got one for you. Angels prospect Tim Schoeninger. He was drafted in the 23rd round last year out of Nevada-Reno. He has excellent control and is dominating at lo-A Cedar Rapids.

Tonight he just threw a complete game 4 hitter against Great Lakes with 8 strikeouts and no walks. On the season he is 3-0 with a 2.14 era and an 18/1 strikeout to walk ratio in 21 innings. Last year in rookie ball he went 6-2 with a 1.79 era, with a 64/4 strikeout to walk ratio in 75 innings.

I know he's a 22 year old college pitcher in lo-A, but as John might say, "these guys can sneak up on you." And an 82/5 strikeout to walk ratio in 99 career professional innings is pretty darn good no matter who you are. Just food for thought.

What do people think about Brandon Wood's Double A numbers so far. Impressive? Disappointing? So-So?

Through 78 games he's hitting .298/.382/.589 with 18 homers, 57 rbi's, 30 doubles, 11 sb, 1 cs, 99 strikeouts, 38 walks, and 18 errors.

On the surface they look fine, especially the power, and I'm surprised by the stolen base success. But 99 strikeouts in 78 games? That seems like a bunch. The errors look a bit high as well. Other than that it looks like an excellent year at the plate. What do you guys think?

I hate that f***ing phrase. Manny gets away with anything and it really irritates me. He constantly asks to be traded only to change his mind a week later and the Red Sox are still letting him come to spring training late? When Miguel Tejada wanted to be traded did anyone give him the "get out of jail free card" and say, "Oh, it's just Miggy being Miggy." No. Nobody did that. They just called him an ungrateful batstard. WTF? I'm starting to seriously think that Manny Ramirez is somewhat mentally retarded or has the intelligence of a first grader. Why else would they let him get away with this crap? Sure he's one of the best hitters of the last decade, but one day the Red Sox need to grow a pair and hold this guy accountable.
Here's what I think a conversation between Terry Francona and Manny Ramirez is like after Manny has just asked to be traded, for the ninth time.

Francona: Manny. Come into my office.
Manny: Yes, Mr, um, Mr...
Francona: Manny, for the hundredth time, my last name is Francona.
Manny: Oh yeah. Im forgetful sometimes.
Francona: I know, Manny, I know. Manny come and sit on my lap.
Manny: Ok.
Francona: Now Manny, I heard you were saying some things to the press again, is this true?
Manny: Yeah.
Francona: Manny, how many times do I have to tell you? You can't talk to those people unless you ask me first.
Manny: I know Mr. Zambona, I'm real sorry. I'm forgetful sometimes.
Francona: I know Manny, it's not your fault. But you have to promise me that you will never do that again. Do you promise?
Manny: I promise.
Francona: Ok then. Now go take some batting practice Manny, but only if you want to.
Manny: Ok.
Francona: Manny, look at me.
Manny: Yes?
Francona: You know I love you right?
Manny: I know. I love you too Mr., um, Mr...
Francona: It's not important.

We've all heard of a soft tossing lefty. But  who are some of your favorite soft tossing right handers?

My pick is Paul Byrd. I saw him pitch a lot last year and his fastball was as low as 81, and as high as 91. But 80% of the time he was at 84-86 with it but usually getting good movement. I love watching crafty guys like him pitch.  

Howie Kendrick has been one of my favorite prospects for a couple of years now. And the best comparable offensive player i have come up with in the minor leagues is Lastings Milledge. Both players hit for a high average from the right side. Both players have good power and have average plate discipline. Both players have good speed.

Howie Kendrick was 22 years old last year. In the Cal League(a hitter's league)he hit .384/.421/.638 with 12 homers, 23 doubles, 6 triples, and he was 13 for 17 in stolen bases all in 63 games. He basically destroyed the league. Moved up to the Texas League(which I believe is more of a pitcher's league, but correct me if I'm wrong) he hit .342/.382/.579 with 7 home runs, 20 doubles, 2 triples, and was 12 for 16 in stolen bases all in 46 games. Not as good as his A ball numbers but damn good numbers nonetheless. I always knew he could he hit but he has greatly improved his baserunning. Kendrick's defense at second base has improved from bad to average, and he probably will never be more than an average second baseman. His minor league career line is .359/.403/.555 in four seasons.

Lastings Milledge was 20 years old last year. In St. Lucie, A ball, he hit .302/.385/.418 with 4 homers, 15 doubles, 0 triples, and was 18 for 31 in stolen bases all in 62 games. Moved up to AA Binghampton he actually hit better. In 48 games he hit .337/.392/.487 with 4 homers, 17 doubles, 0 triples, and was 11 for 16 in stolen bases. Defensively Milledge is a very good outfielder. He has good range and a strong arm. He is a natural centerfielder but will probably play left field if he stays with the Mets. His minor league career line is .313/.382/.485 in three seasons.

I think Kendrick and Milledge are similar type hitters. I know it's probably difficult to compare them since one is an outfielder and the other is a second baseman that is two years older. But I have to ask the question, who would you rather have?

I had MVP Baseball 2005 for PS2 last year, but they're not putting out a game this year. I absolutely loved the game, if only for the fact that you had control of your Minor league system from AAA, AA, and your high A ball teams, and you could also play the minor league games.

Does anybody have any recommendations for this year? And do any other games allow you to play your minor league games also? Thanks.

Now that we are on the topic of young pitchers, I had a question. What do people think of Ervin Santana. Does any of you really think he could be an ace or do you think he wil settle into a number 3 or 4, possibly number 2 type pitcher. I know his numbers were quite pedestrian this year record was 12-8, 4.65 era, 99/47 k/bb. But the guy was all of 22 years old and he won some big games for the Angels down the stretch and in the playoffs. I would like your guys opinions.

I just wanted to know, Who else came to minorleagueball.com and thought that the picture of Chad Hermanson was Mike Piazza??

I just wanted to know, Who else came to minorleagueball.com and thought that the picture of Chad Hermanson was Mike Piazza??

I just wanted to know, Who else came to minorleagueball.com and thought that the picture of Chad Hermanson was Mike Piazza??

I just wanted to give 2005 stolen base king Chone Figgins some love. I know Figgins isn't the "perfect" prototypical leadoff hitter. He strikes out too much and doesn't walk enough. But the guy is arguably the most exciting player in the league to watch. He steals bases, turns doubles into triples, and has a fantastic glove, especially at third base. His ability to play anywhere in the field makes one of the most valuable players in the game. The numbers don't quite tell the whole story on Chone Figgins, even though they're still pretty good.