*** Around the Minors - August 9th ***
From The My Sportsbook
by Phil Leichner Minor League Baseball Editor
Hatboro, PA (My Sportsbook) - It's that time of year again. The Oakland A's are streaking late in the season, the Wild Card teams are jostling for position, and many minor leaguers are anxious to see if there number will be called in September. Last year, the Florida Marlins called up two stars from Double-A Carolina in pitcher Dontrelle Willis and outfielder Miguel Cabrera. Although their services were needed a little earlier in the season, each did their part to help the team earn their first playoff birth since 1997. Ultimately, Willis and Cabrera helped lead the Marlins to the organization's second World Series title. However, not all teams are as fortunate as Florida was in 2003. Since only eight teams can make the postseason, this time of year is ideal for assessing talent within each organization's farm system and how each player will adapt at the major league level. The following is a list of players who could make a difference in their team's lineup if they are given the chance come September.
Gavin Floyd, RHP Philadelphia Phillies - Yet another Phillies starter was placed on the disabled list this past week. With ace Kevin Millwood sidelined for at least 15 days, the Phillies can ill afford to lose any ground in the playoff race. Help could be on the way, if Ed Wade chooses to make a call to Scranton/Wilkes Barre, in the form of Gavin Floyd. The 21-year-old right- hander was solid at Double-A Reading and made his first start at Triple-A Scranton/WB this past Thursday. Against the Buffalo Bisons, Floyd allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks. He struck out two as he was dealt the loss. At Reading, Floyd owned a mediocre 6-6 record but an impressive ERA of 2.57 and strikeout to walk ratio of 2:1 (94-46). With some experience in Triple- A, the Annapolis, Maryland native could find his way to the big league club by September. However, a role in the starting rotation may be a lot to ask for from such a young talent with a playoff spot at stake. Instead, a spot in the bullpen could best suit Floyd even though Larry Bowa's options at starter are getting rather thin.
Dan Johnson, 1B/DH Oakland Athletics - We are a little over three weeks removed from the Major League All-Star Game and the Oakland Athletics are playing solid baseball yet again in the second half. In a heated playoff race, the A's hope to win the American League West for the third straight year and a possible call-up from the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats could be first baseman Dan Johnson. The 24-year-old has been hitting the cover off of the ball ever since his college days at the University of Nebraska. Look at his numbers this season: .313 batting average, 24 home runs, 97 RBI, .413 on-base- percentage (OBP), and a .558 slugging percentage. Johnson has put these types of numbers up at every level he has played and the next step is Oakland. Unfortunately for Johnson, Scott Hatteberg and Erubiel Durazo have performed well this season at first base, a position the A's have not seen much production from since the departure of Jason Giambi. A call up to Oakland would be well deserved for this Coon Rapids, Minnesota native and could help the club to their fifth consecutive playoff berth.
Ryan Speier, RHP Colorado Rockies - Once again the Rockies find themselves out of the playoff hunt in August. The season hasn't been a huge disappointment, at least in the minor league system for Colorado. After all, they do have a couple of dominant pitching prospects ready for some big league exposure. One being Jeff Francis of Triple-A Colorado Springs, and the other arguably the best closer in the minor leagues in Ryan Speier. At Double-A Tulsa, Speier has been lights out in 50 appearances. The 25-year-old right-hander has amassed 34 saves in just 50 1/3rd innings pitched. Speier has fanned 59 and held opponents to a miniscule .114 batting average. Of course Coors Field hasn't been the friendliest of parks for pitchers over the years, but Speier would be a welcome addition to a bullpen that has been lackluster. The Rockies current closer, Shawn Chacon, has been less than stellar coming out of the pen with a mile high 7.28 ERA and only 26 saves in 34 opportunities. Colorado could give Speier some late season major league experience with a call to Tulsa and provide Rockies fans with some hope for next season.
Dallas McPherson, 3B Anaheim Angels - If the Angels want to keep the race for the American League West or a Wild Card berth within reach, Dallas McPherson should be promoted ASAP. Anaheim has an absolute stud at the corner position waiting for them at Triple-A Salt Lake. His stats are absolutely mind blowing for the season. Between Double-A Arkansas and Salt Lake, the Greensboro, North Carolina native is batting .310 with 33 home runs and 102 RBI. Pretty impressive numbers considering his home run total is one shy of major league leader Adam Dunn and his RBI total would rank first in the majors. Given the injury sustained by Troy Glaus earlier in the season, McPherson's play in the minors was under a microscope and he didn't disappoint. September would be an ideal time to promote the 24-year-old slugger to add offense to an already potent lineup and give Anaheim a shot to get into the postseason.
Jermaine Van Buren, RHP Chicago Cubs - Now that the Cubs have their starting rotation back in order for the stretch run, the next cause for concern is middle relief. Kyle Farnsworth, Francis Beltran, and Joe Borowski have struggled as setup man to closer LaTroy Hawkins and if Chicago wants to hang on to its slim Wild Card lead, they might want to promote some help from Double-A West Tenn. Jermaine Van Buren would be a welcome addition to the Wrigley Field bullpen. After all, in Double-A the right-hander has stymied hitters holding them to a .145 batting average, while possessing a strikeout to walk ratio of just over 2:1 (48:19). Van Buren has also registered 19 saves in 40 appearances for the Diamond Jaxx. The Cubs can continue to go with the same bullpen, although help from the farm system could increase their chances of a second straight playoff birth.
Jeremy Reed, OF Seattle Mariners - When the Mariners traded starting pitcher Freddy Garcia to the Chicago White Sox, they received Jeremy Reed as part of the deal. In Reed, the Mariners received a solid hitting outfielder that could contribute to a struggling team as early as this season. The 23-year-old doesn't put up power numbers but hits for average and can steal some bases. Last year between Single-A Winston Salem and Double-A Birmingham, Reed hit .372, had a .543 slugging percentage and a .464 OBP with 45 stolen bases. Even though his numbers this year are not as impressive in Triple-A (because of a wrist injury suffered last winter), the San Dimas, California native has come on since the trade to the Tacoma Rainiers. In 30 games, Reed is batting .299, with 4 home runs, and 23 RBI. Seattle also got a solid fielding outfielder who has committed only five errors in his minor league career. Since the Mariners have been out of the playoff race since April, it shouldn't be a surprise to see Reed in a Mariners uniform come September.
