As the AZL Rangers are currently wrapping up their game, it's hard to not have optimism over the future of the Rangers. Currently, we're breeding both future impact players and valuable trading chips that will land more impact players down the road. Every day I get to see young talent at every level. That's quite refreshing considering I couldn't say that about a year ago. Here's a quick look at the various levels of the system as it pertains to starting pitching.
Oklahoma: The Redhawks roster has been a little thin the last few weeks. Most of the impact prospects have gone on to see action in Arlington, but as the DL is thinning out, we're seeing more guys return to Oklahoma. The rotation has been a recent shambles, but Mike Ballard and Tommy Hunter give fans something to look forward to. Ballard does not have to be added to the 40-man roster for Rule V draft purposes until after next year, meaning he can have over a full year of AAA under his belt before even starting his first option year. He needed only 14 starts at Clinton, 14 starts at Bakersfield, and 16 (17 games) at Frisco before reaching this stage, and there's no reason to think that he can't hold down a back-end spot in the rotation for a couple of years. He's only 24, so the University of Virginia product has some good time to develop. Hunter is the more popular of the two starters for prospect status. After being a supplemental first-rounder last year as a draft-eligible sophomore from Alabama, he's needed even fewer starts than Ballard to reach AAA. However, there's even less reason to rush the talented righty, as he's pushing the limits of prospect innings while only just turning 22. It's about time to see if Hunter can finish the year in the bullpen or at least starting less frequently. Baseball is so great, because it has a history we can look back on and learn things that are still relevant in the present. One thing we've learned is that body type does not prevent arm injuries. That means Hunter's supposedly-durable frame doesn't look so good when weighed down with 138 innings of hard work in three hot environments (Bakersfield, Frisco, Oklahoma City). I see a Jeremy Bonderman-type shut down coming within the next month, with 160 innings being pretty close to the maximum you want to see him pitch.
Frisco: It seems the entire focus of the fan base is now on young Neftali Feliz. After being scratched from last night's start, panic has set in! Not to worry. Being bumped for what is likely a non-injury reason is good for young pitchers. Feliz, like all before him, has to focus on becoming a pitcher rather than a thrower. He has the stuff to be a true #1, but pitchability will always be an issue with up-and-coming hurlers. He's only 20, and he needs this time to focus on the non-physical aspects of pitching (not to mention to rest an arm that's more worked than ever). Patience. The other main starter of note is the fan favorite Thomas Diamond (formerly of DVD). I want to make a quick statement on my general skepticism about Diamond. To begin, he's struggling in AA at age 25. I understand he's in the comeback process, but he's already eating option year #1, and he doesn't look like he'll be ready to even see AAA anytime soon. Any time you draft a pitcher that high out of college, you want him to contribute fairly quickly (a la Tim Lincecum). It's now been over four years since that draft, and he's still struggling at AA. Injury aside, I think Diamond is only in the organization as a roster filler at this point. He's here, because he's Thomas Diamond. I want him to succeed, but I don't see it happening soon.
Bakersfield: Derek Holland has quickly become the toast of the Bakersfield Blaze. Having started the year in a rotation with Neftali Feliz, Evan Reed, Kennil Gomez, and Jorge Quintero at Clinton, he has made just two starts for the Blaze. However, they have been great outings, especially his last start against Visalia (his first starting assignment was against them, as well). In eight innings, he struck out nine Oaks and allowed only two hits. That's quite impressive for a 21 year-old draft-and-follow. He's scheduled to pitch tonight, so we'll see how he does in start number three. Kasey Kiker is the other big lefty name at Bakersfield at the moment. Despite being on the DL currently, he has pitched relatively well in a hitter's league for a 20 year-old. Our 2006 first-rounder, he doesn't have to be added to the 40-man until after the 2010 season, so for now it's a slow steady diet of development.
Clinton: In line with our usual development model, the Clinton rotation has our two first-rounders from last year. Blake Beavan went ahead of Michael Main in the 2007 draft, but most chose Main over Beavan when prospect rankings came around, mainly due to Beavan's lack of time on the bump after signing late last year. However, it looks like Beavan is becoming the more reliable of the two, as he has made 16 starts for the LumberKings, while Main has just completed 5 total starts on the year due to his ribcage injury. Both have electric fastballs, and both have been dealing with the normal first full-season woes physically. Main is in a struggle to make sure this isn't a lost year for his development, but he's likely to be back at Clinton to start next year anyway. Beavan on the other hand is dealing with velocity issues, a normal occurrence in the first full season for high school-drafted pitchers. Look for Beavan to continue to build up that arm strength and hit his peak for the season at nearly the same time Kasey Kiker did last year: the playoffs.
Spokane: The Spokane pitching staff has been superb to start the season, and there's no reason not to expect more of the same. With a rotation of Richard Bleier, Wilfredo Boscan, Martin Perez, Carlos Pimentel, and Neil Ramirez to start their season, the Indians seemed primed to throw quality pitching at older hitting. Ramirez has since gone to the DL, but the other four guys have done well for themselves. Bleier is the only one with college experience, though it was at a small school in Florida (Florida Gulf Coast). Any time you can draft a 6'3'' lefty with good stuff, do it. He's only 21, and is progressing nicely. Boscan, Perez, and Pimentel are all international signees, though Perez seems to stand out from the crowd. Being only 17 helps. This is his first professional baseball experience ever. It's also interesting to note that Boscan is pitching in the States for the first time, too. Pimentel was the more widely-regarded prospect entering the year after striking out 59 batters in 42.1 AZL innings last year, but control has been an issue so far for him. Expect good things from this group. However, don't be surprised to see one or more of them back in Spokane next year.
AZL Rangers: The two pitchers that stand out to me are Kyle O'Campo and Joe Wieland. O'Campo was a late sign last year for above-slot money, and Wieland is a 2008 draftee from a Nevada high school. Even I feel old when I see Wieland was born in 1990. Both of these projectable righties have seen some success so far in their first pro seasons. Both will be young for their league next year. As for other baby Ranger pitchers, Geuris Grullon continues to show amazing stuff with no clue where it's going when it leaves his hand. Bobby Wilkins has been a mild disappointment in his repeat of the AZL so far, but last year's big-bodied draftee has time to make up for it. Lefties are hitting .476 against him compared to righties' .160. It's about time to develop a serious changeup and/or cutter. He doesn't turn 19 until August 20. This team has some serious talent, but just needs to start harnessing it.
DSL Rangers: Ezequiel Rijo. Enough said.
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