The Z-meter tracks the story arcs of 25 top prospects (or players we just like) on their way to the bigs. It is named after current Washington Nationals star Ryan Zimmerman, who made the transition from anchoring the University of Virginia to starring in MLB in one year.
Promoted:
Madison Bumgarner: San Jose Giants (A) to Connecticut Defenders (AA)
Yonder Alonso: Sarasota Reds (A) to Carolina Mudcats (AA)
Pedro Alvarez: Lynchburg Hillcats (A) to Altoona Curve (AA)
Mauricio Robles: West Michigan Whitecaps (A) to Lakeland Flying Tigers (A+)
Josh Vitters: Peoria Chiefs (A) to Daytona Cubs (A+)
OK, this is exactly why I put Jamie McOwen on the Z-meter. The Natinal media are off his case now that his hit streak is over, but HE’S STILL HAVING AN INCREDIBLE YEAR! So he’s staying.
The top level. These prospects are in AAA in the prime of their youth, waiting for the call that will change their lives.
Wade Davis, RHP – Durham Bulls (Rays): 18 Games – 8 W - 5 L - 3.12 ERA – 39 BB – 89 K
Kila Kaaihue, 1B – Omaha Royals – .259 – 53 R – 13 HR – 36 RBI – 64 BB – 0 SB – .474 SLG – .865 OPS
Alcides Escobar, SS – Nashville Sounds (Brewers): .296 – 61 R – 3 HR – 28 RBI – 24 BB - 30 SB – .417 SLG – .765 OPS
Carlos Carrasco, RHP – Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (Phillies): 18 Starts – 5 W – 8 L – 5.00 ERA – 34 BB – 99 K
Austin Jackson, OF – Scranton Wilkes-Barre (Yankees): .324 – 46 R – 4 HR – 34 RBI - 30 BB – 15 SB – .452 SLG – .840 OPS
Justin Smoak, 1B – Oklahoma City RedHawks (Rangers): .103 AVG - 5 R - 1 HR - 2 RBI - 7 BB – 0 SB – .207 SLG – .485 OPS
These guys also have the potential to skip straight to the majors, but may get promoted to AAA first.
Lars Anderson, 1B – Portland SeaDogs (Red Sox): .272 AVG - 40 R – 8 HR – 42 RBI – 44 BB – 1 SB – .413 SLG – .779 OPS
*Jhoulys Chacin, RHP – Tulsa Drillers (Rockies): 16 Starts – 7 W – 6 L – 3.43 ERA – 32 BB – 80 K
Carlos Santana, C – Akron Aeros (Indians): .266 AVG – 56 R – 14 HR – 58 RBI – 59 BB – 0 SB – .494 SLG – .888 OPS
Andrew Locke, OF – Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros): .311 AVG – 47 R – 11 HR – 79 RBI – 29 BB – 0 SB – .470 SLG – .830 OPSMadison Bumgarner, LHP – Connecticut Defenders (Giants): 10 Games - 9 Starts - 7 W – 1 L – 1.74 ERA – 16 BB – 45 KJeanmar Gomez, RHP – Akron Aeros (Indians): 13 Starts – 6 W - 3 L – 3.21 ERA - 22 BB - 62 KYonder Alonso, 1B (injured) – Carolina Mudcats (Reds): .246 AVG – 4 R – 1 HR – 8 RBI – 6 BB – 1 SB – .377 SLG – .686 OPSKyle Drabek, RHP (inactive) - Reading Phillies (Phillies): 7 Games – 6 Starts – 5 W – 0 L – 2.70 ERA – 17 BB – 36 KPedro Alvarez, 3B – Altoona Curve (Pirates): .228 AVG - 12 R - 4 HR - 9 RBI - 3 BB – 0 SB – .509 SLG – .767 OPS
These guys have vast potential but need to work out some kinks in A-ball before they can advance.
Ian Gac, 1B – Bakersfield Blaze (Rangers): .239 AVG – 37 R – 15 HR - 40 RBI – 21 BB – 1 SB – .466 SLG – .762 OPS
Mike Moustakas, SS – Wilmington Blue Rocks (Royals): .266 AVG – 48 R - 10 HR - 52 RBI – 18 BB - 8 SB – .431 SLG – .734 OPS
Che-Hsuan Lin, OF – Salem Red Sox: .257 AVG – 49 R - 5 HR – 35 RBI – 45 BB – 18 SB – .355 SLG – .712 OPS
Josh Vitters, 3B – Daytona Cubs (Cubs): .189 AVG - 3 R – 0 HR - 4 RBI – 1 BB – 0 SB – .270 SLG – .481 OPS
Shooter Hunt (rehabbing in Gulf Coast League), RHP – Beloit Snappers (Twins): 7 Games – 5 Starts – 0 W – 1 L – 10.70 ERA – 33 BB – 18 K
Collin Cowgill, OF (injured) – Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks): .277 AVG – 39 R – 6 HR – 36 RBI – 29 BB – 11 SB – .445 SLG – .819 OPS
Mauricio Robles, P – Lakeland Flying Tigers (Tigers): 4 Starts - 3 W – 1 L - 3.80 ERA - 8 BB - 21 K
Tim Beckham, SS – Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays): .279 AVG – 38 R – 4 HR – 47 RBI – 22 BB - 7 SB – .409 SLG – .743 OPS
Ezekiel Spruill, RHP – Rome Braves (Braves): 16 Games – 7 W - 5 L – 1 SV – 3.06 ERA – 19 BB - 71 K
Brad Brach, RHP – Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres): 39 Games – 1.35 ERA – 3 W – 2 L – 21 SV – 7 BB – 56 K
Jamie McOwen, RF – High Desert Mavericks (Mariners): .346 AVG – 46 R - 6 HR – 54 RBI – 28 BB – 5 SB – .498 SLG – .904 OPS
NCAA: Only used if a prospect in college shows really, truly, immensely, hugely inescapable potential.
Stephen Strasburg, RHP – San Diego State: 14 Starts – 13 W – 1 L – 1.32 ERA – 19 BB – 195 K
Strasburg was the #1 pick in the college draft this season, and will join the Washington Nationals system any old day now. He remains here as an honorary member.
Prospects chosen from Diamond Cutter’s Top 25, Baseball America, and our trademark irrational sense of whimsy.
