Players we've seen play
and has cards in 2012 Topps Pro Debut
|
|
|
Michael Choice - Oakland A's - CF/OF
The California League leader in HR's - Choice is a threat to hit the ball hard at all times. Michael provided the thunder in the middle of the order for the Stockton Ports in 2011 - and played good defense in center field. I've seen Michael play maybe 50-60 games in person and he always has his game face on and always swings hard. My prized treasure from the season was getting an autographed - game used - hat from Choice. He hit a HR that game too!
Saw Play in: 2011
|
 |
|
Nolan Arenado - Colorado Rockies - 3B
The only words I can use to describe Nolan Arenado are "natural baseball player". I'd be stunned if he never reached the major leagues. He made two plays at 3B late in the year that I keep replaying in my mind. Charged the ball, barehanded it, threw off balance, strike. Boom Boom. He also hit one of the deepest HR's I saw all season. Led the Cal League in RBI's and doesn't strike out - he's darn good.
Saw Play in: 2011
|
 |
|
Trevor Bauer - Arizona Diamondbacks - P
With a stroke of good luck I saw Bauer's 2nd career minor league start - where he dazzled me for an hour and half before the game with a stretching routine and long toss session for the ages. Former AZ Dbacks great Luis Gonzalez was sitting right there watching it all steps away. The Dbacks President was there. Cleat chasers in the stands. It was a cool night. You can check out the video I took of his bullpen session on YouTube.
Saw Play in: 2011
|
 |
|
Chad Bettis - Colorado Rockies - P
This guy is a beast. Not the biggest guy in the world, but he goes at it 100% at all times. I prefer to watch the hitters, but one night I was locked in watching Bettis strike out Ports batter after batter. Bulldog style. Watch out for him.
Saw Play in: 2011
|
 |
|
Gary Brown - S.F. Giants - CF
Brown can run. Fast. He hit leadoff and played CF for the San Jose Giants all season long and was a catalyst for the team winning the 1st half division crown. Brown has gap power and can pull a fastball out of the ballpark if he jumps on it. Eager Giants fans hope they have a CF for 10 years and that might be the case. He goes to AA in 2012 where Giants prospects have gone to die in past years.
Saw Play in: 2011
|
|
|
Tyler Skaggs - Arizona Diamondbacks - P
Saw Skaggs make one start very early in the 2011 season. He has an incredible curve ball that he will throw it in any count. I saw him throw off-speed when he was down 3 balls & 1 strike in the count on more then one occasion during the game. Not too many pitchers do that here and most throw a fastball in that situation. Skaggs got moved to AA before I got to see him again. He should reach the major leagues sometime in 2013.
Saw Play in: 2011
|
 |
|
Zack Wheeler - NY Mets - P
Was able to watch Wheeler pitch three times for the S.J. Giants before he was traded to the New York Mets for Carlos Beltran. Wheeler can dial it up to 96 MPH and has developing secondary stuff. If he had Tyler Skagg's curveball, Wheeler would be un-hittable. Zack is tall and takes a very long stride to the plate, maximizing his size. He is considered one of the top 2 prospects in the Mets system.
Saw Play in: 2011
|
 |
|
Tyler Matzek - Colorado Rockies - P
This guy struggled big time the two times I saw him pitch very early in the season. So much so he was sent down to low A and I never saw him again in 2011. If you compare the pre-game workout of Trevor Bauer and Matzek, perhaps that's where some of Tyler's problems start. Seemed like he had it locked in chill mode when I saw him. Would bounce warm-up pitches in the dirt. Walked a ton of batters. It was bad. But he is left handed and his fastball would touch 93 MPH. His control is the issue...or perhaps something else
Saw Play in: 2011, 2012
|
 |
|
Jonathan Singleton - Houston Astros - 1B
Huge man. Actually, the thing about him, his upper body is massive, but he has skinny legs.... it looks like you could tip him over. Anyways - his power is legit. Hit the longest HR I saw live this year. Was traded to the Astros from the Phillies in the Hunter Pense trade. Needs a lot of work at 1B on defense. He made several questionable plays in the 3 games I saw him. But his bat is live and legit.
Saw Play in: 2011
|
 |
|
Tommy Joseph - S.F. Giants - C
Joseph is a very interesting prospect that Giants fans should be excited about. He is a far better catcher then he is playing 1B on defense. Tough kid - big thick build. Has power, lot's of it actually and can get red hot at the plate, or hit .200 over a stretch. Saw him hit close to .500 in an 8 game stretch where it seemed like he squared up every ball. Look for him to spend at least 2 more full seasons in the minors before getting a chance.
Saw Play in: 2011
|
 |
|
Cory Spangenberg - Padres - 2B
I was a little skeptical of Mr. Spangenberg only because the first time I encountered him - he initially snubbed a bunch of guys trying to get his autograph at a minor league game (a rare sight even for top prospects). He quickly redeemed himself by signing right before the game - as these fans were mainly there to see him. During the games I saw, he is an aggressive hitter with good speed.
Saw Play in: 2012
|
 |
|
Rymer Liriano - Padres - OF
This is an impressive young man who has loads of talent. Could take him several more years to put it all together. Can't tell by the picture, but this is a big man who if he grew up in the U.S. might have ended up playing football instead of baseball. Incredible speed for a big boy. Has that rare potential to be a power/speed player. Baseball America rates him as the #2 prospect in the Padres system to start 2012. I wrote about the three games I saw him play here.
Saw Play in: 2012
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Product Reviews 
