Shep's Best 2006 Pro Prospect to Date> 04/28/2006

With Brewers owner Mark Attanasio increased payroll to $52M from $27 M (2004)
Brewers scouting director Jack Zduriencik philosophy is rather elementary.

"Drafting the best player available."

And of course for top talent, Milwaukee continues to pay the market rate!

Examples:
Ryan Braun, 3b 2005 draft $2.45 M.

Mark Rogers RHP 2004 draft $2.20 M.

Rickie Weeks 2b, 2003 draft $3.60 M.

Prince Fielder 1b, 2002 draft $2.40 M.

Ben Sheets P, 1999 draft $2.45 M.

Bear, you shoulda seen this guy. Incredible !
6-2/200 and just turned 20 yrs old ! Farnsworth is the only pitcher I've seen to come even close and he only can do it an inning or two at a time. Rogers did it 6 innings tonight and finished with, yep, you guessed it, 98 MPH FB, 98 MPH FB, 97 MPH FB and 89MPH NASTY SLDER ! Lights out FL STATE LEAGUE hitters ! Bet he won't be here in FL long at all ! Glad I got to see him. He is on the fast track and Milwaukee bound bullet, IMHO ! peace, Shep

Shep--there may be another Brewer RHP relocating to your parts in FL from WV very soon. Third round selection Will Inman is 2-0 in four games thus far, 19K and 2 BB in 16 IP. At 19 years old, they may decide to leave in the SAL for a while longer, though.

Rogers has two of the best pitches in the Milwaukee organization, period.

Sorry JT, Inman is no Rogers!

But since you may find this interesting,
the game at the highest of levels is getting younger.
Take a look at the Top 25, All 25-and-under,
25-man rosters

Criteria: Only players eligible are those on 25 man ML roster and won't be turning 26 until after the end of the 2006 season.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Position, Player, Age, Team, Notes

C Joe Mauer, 23, Twins,
1B Casey Kotchman, 23, Angels,
(right behind is Justin Morneau)

2B Jorge Cantu, 24, Devil Rays,
(next is Cano)

SS Jhonny Peralta, 23, Indians,
(Omar Vizquel who?)

3B Hank Blalock, 25, Rangers,
(late birthday!)

OF Carl Crawford, 24, Devil Rays,
OF Grady Sizemore, 23, Indians,
OF Jonny Gomes, 25, Devil Rays,
DH Nick Swisher, 25, Athletics,

Bench
C Jeff Mathis, 23, Angels,
IF Robinson Cano, 23, Yankees,
IF Justin Morneau, 24, Twins,
OF Nick Markakis, 22, Orioles,
(home town call on this)

Starting rotation
RHP Rich Harden, 24, A's,
LHP Scott Kazmir, 22, Devil Rays,
RHP Jeremy Bonderman, 23, Tigers,
RHP Daniel Cabrera, 24, Orioles,
RHP Felix Hernandez, 20, Mariners,

Bullpen
RHP Francisco Rodriguez, 24, Angels,
RHP Huston Street, 22, A's,
RHP Bobby Jenks, 25, White Sox,
RHP Jon Papelbon, 25, Red Sox,
RHP Chris Ray, 24, Orioles,
(another homer call)
RHP Joe Blanton, 25, A's,
LHP Francisco Liriano, 22, Twins,

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Starting Lineup

Position, Player, Age, Team,

C Brian McCann, 22, Braves,
(Johnny Estrada who?)

1B Conor Jackson, 23, Diamondbacks,
2B Rickie Weeks, 23, Brewers,
SS Jose Reyes, 22, Mets,
3B David Wright, 23, Mets,
(superstar-in-waiting)

OF Miguel Cabrera, 23, Marlins,
OF Jeremy Hermida, 22, Marlins,
(before injury)
OF Jeff Francoeur, 22, Braves,
DH Ryan Zimmerman, 21, Nationals,

Bench
C Yadier Molina, 23, Cardinals,
IF Prince Fielder, 21, Brewers,
IF Hanley Ramirez, 22, Marlins,
OF Willy Taveras, 24, Astros,
OF Matt Murton, 24, Cubs,

Starting rotation
LHP Dontrelle Willis, 24, Marlins,
(fun to watch)
RHP Carlos Zambrano, 24, Cubs,
RHP Jake Peavy, 24, Padres,
LHP Zach Duke, 23, Pirates,
LHP Noah Lowry, 25, Giants,

Bullpen
RHP Chad Cordero, 24, Nationals,
LHP Jeff Francis, 25, Rockies,
LHP Matt Cain, 21, Giants,
LHP Jason Vargas, 23, Marlins,
RHP Gavin Floyd, 23, Phillies,
(love the area guy)
RHP Oscar Villarreal, 24, Braves,


Regards
Bear

Mark Rogers has the same agent as our son and was drafted out of high school in Maine in 2004. Almost seemed to come out of nowhere that spring but obviously is performing up to expectations.

(Just wish his success right now would rub off on my son who has never ever struggled as much as he is now. )

Futureback,

Tell AJ to hang in there. It's still early in season and I have seen high eras in first half of many Big League pitchers seasons that have lowered drastically as season progresses.

The DBacks are a good organization in player development and the California League is a good "A" ball league, besides, the Jethawks, then "AA" and one more stop to "AAA" affiliate and guess what Bigs for the relatively young Shappi prospect. Think it, and it will happen, most of the time. My wishes are for the improvement of one HSBBW mother's RHP pitching prospect and son at this current time here in my prayer closet. peace, Shep

Bear,

Matt Murton and Nick Markakis are just about ready to come off that bench, for sure. In fact, Murton is currently starting in LF for Cubs isn't he? Longtime Baltimore scout told me just last night in face to face conversation that Markakis is going to be alright, for sure peace, Shep

quote:

Originally posted by Shepster:
Bear,
Matt Murton and Nick Markakis are just about ready to come off that bench, for sure. In fact, Murton is currently starting in LF for Cubs isn't he? Longtime Baltimore scout told me just last night in face to face conversation that Markakis is going to be alright, for sure peace, Shep

Shep

Yes, Matt Murton is the everyday guy in left for the Cubbies. Should he continue hitting safeties up the middle, he could be hitting .300
by the All-Star break.

Not sure if the long time O's scout you spoke with is a full-time guy (since not many left),
yet who was your face time with?

Nick Markakis won't be coming off the Top Under-25 roster anytime soon (yet has three years to do so). IMHO: When will the O's front office finally agree Markakis will be challenged as the O's 5th OF. (Will probably continue to see spot AB's during "emergencies" such as that occurred with Javy Lopez as a late scratch last night.)

Yes, Markakis revealed gap power at the JUCO and during his limited years of A & AA.
Yet, without any "AAA" seasoning, I believe the O's front office 'projections' are rushing their #1 draft pick OF. And should he contine to miss the ball in his few AB's, IMHO a few heads could roll when trying to answer the question "Why a #1 draft pick?"

cheers
Bear

Good Afternoon Bear ! You have PM. peace, Shep

Shep ...

Thanks for the encouraging words.

Mary Ann

You know I really enjoy these discussions about top pro prospects and young ML players. Bear, that’s a great list. Most every player mentioned had attended our events.

Has anyone been following what some of the other young guys are doing at the very highest levels of the minor leagues. Some who attended our stuff are just tearing it up. Lastings Milledge, Chad Billingsly, Alex Gordon, Homer Bailey, Ryan Sweeney, David Purcey and many others. We didn’t have anything to do with their ability, but it sure is a blast following them.

Shep, we saw Mark Rogers throw mid 90s at our events while he was in high school. In fact, I think he might have thrown up to 97 or 98 at the East Coast Pro.

Mary Ann, unfortunately we didn’t have the opportunity to see your son while he was in high school, but I sure am pulling for him. Did see him when he was in the Midwest League and he looked good. I can feel for you, having a son who was a pitcher. Most all of them struggle at times. In fact, until just recently Mark Rogers (mentioned above by Shep) struggled badly for two years.

Last time I looked, Adam Miller is doing very well in Akron. (AA for Cleveland) Saw where he beat Adam Loewen two times in the same week up there. This kid has some NASTY stuff. Hit 101mph 2 years ago and throws a slider at 90-91mph. I look for him to be in Cleveland at the end of this year and maybe starting 2007 with the big boys. JMHO.

Congrats to AJ, FBM & Family

quote:

Originally posted by Shepster:April 30

Futureback,

Tell AJ to hang in there. It's still early in season and I have seen high eras in first half of many Big League pitchers seasons that have lowered drastically as season progresses.

The DBacks are a good organization in player development and the California League is a good "A" ball league, besides, the Jethawks, then "AA" and one more stop to "AAA" affiliate and guess what Bigs for the relatively young Shappi prospect. Think it, and it will happen, most of the time. My wishes are for the improvement of one HSBBW mother's RHP pitching prospect and son at this current time here in my prayer closet. peace, Shep