Prospect Central - August 12, 2007

Lou Blasi

Aug 12, 2007

Eric Patterson - Cubs
Outfield - Bats Left - 5-11, 170 - 4/8/1983

This profile would have looked a lot better if Eric Patterson could play second base. The younger brother of Corey Patterson started the season as a second baseman but his defensive shortcomings and the presence of Mark DeRosa and his 3-year deal, forced the Cubs to convert him to centefield this year. Patterson was recalled when Alfonso Soriano went down and here we are with Eric getting one start since being promoted on Monday.

In AAA this year Eric was a 14/14 guy (with 23 doubles in 448 ABs) which would of course be very nice out of an MI slot in a fantasy sense. The basis of his game is speed and as such, you would want Eric to maximize his OBP to take advantage of it. However Eric's zone command is just so-so as he is enticed by his pop, and fancies himself to be more of a power hitter than he is. Still, his contact skills are good even when he is over swinging (his sub-20% K rate in two AAA tours). To mature as an MLB hitter though, he needs to draw more walks.

Eric is an outstanding baserunner whose skills are still improving and speed will be part of his game at the MLB level.

As it stands, it looks like Eric's future is in the outfield, and while (if he can augment his walk rate) he may be able to get regular ABs as a centerfielder, a position he plays well, it doesn't look like he will have enough pop to play a corner position. The fact that he can play second base in a pinch may force his career in a Ryan Freel type of direction and Eric may be the guy vulturing ABs here and there for the Cubs for the short term.

Eric can hit .280 in the majors and post a 15/15 with enough ABs. He may even be capable of a 15+/20 string with enough PT. With a second base qualification that is pretty good. Without it, he projects to be a decent 5th OF in most formats and a good reserve in all formats. His position qualifications in your league, and the amount of playing time he can scrounge from the Cubs going forward will largely determine his fantasy value. Both stand as open questions at this point.

Long Term Fantasy Grade - B-

Seas Lvl   AB XBH HR SB   AVG    BB%    K%   SLG   OPS
2006 AA   441 39   8 38 .263   9.4% 20.2% .408 .741
2006 AAA   67   4   2   8 .358   8.2% 13.4% .493 .903
2007 AAA 448 43 14 14 .299   8.4% 16.7% .471 .829
2007 MLB    4   0   0   0 .250   0.0% 50.0% .250 .500

Brandon Moss - Red Sox
Outfield - Bats Left - 6-0, 195 - 9/16/1983

Brandon Moss was recalled to shore up the Red Sox outfield last week when Eric Hinske left the team to attend to family issues. Moss has been the ultimate tease while in the Red Sox system after being drafted in the 8th round in 2002. Moss sprinkles streaks of enticing heat among long stretches of frustrating mediocrity.

Repeating AA in 2006 Brandon was ... well ... ok ... while compiling a K rate of 21.3% and a 9.9% BB rate. He had 51 XBHs including 12 HRs but he hit just .285 with a .343 BHIP%.

In Pawtucket this year, he has upped his average to .290 but his BHIP% was an extremely favorable .380 before he was promoted. Part of the problem there is his 29% K rate ... That is not good ... Still, Brandon upped his SLG% 38 points while jumping a level and once again showed signs he could handle an every day job in a big market team. Perhaps more importantly he has created a bit of trade value for himself

He may not get a true chance with Boston. He has not shown the consistency the Red Sox want to see to this point or the power they need to see to believe he can replace Manny after 2008. With Drew and Crisp under contract and draining their trade value daily (and with Crisp playing perhaps the statistically best CF in the majors right now ... without an arm), it does not look like Moss fits in Boston. If he were right handed and Wily Mo weren't in Boston it might be a different story because Moss has the defensive chops to play RF at Fenway. It is more likely that Moss is in varied talks as the Sox continue to look for a right-handed outfield bat in the post-waiver world.

If traded to the right situation Moss is ready to play a fantasy-productive role if he lands where he can see some ABs. Perhaps he can even find some consistency along the way and develop into a .280/20/80 MLB outfielder.

Long Term Fantasy Grade - C+

Seas Lvl   AB XBH HR SB   AVG    BB%     K%   SLG   OPS
2006 AA   508 51 12   8 .285   9.9% 21.3% .439 .795
2007 AAA 411 49 13   1 .290 11.0% 29.0% .477 .845
2007 MLB    7   0   0   0 .143 12.5% 14.3% .143 .393

Jordan Tata - Tigers
Starter - Throws Right - 6-6, 220 - 3/12/1984

After two decent outings to begin his 2007 contribution for the Tigers, Jordan Tata was roughed up by the A's on Friday to the tune of 7 runs in 2 IP on 5 hits and two walks. The tall right-hander was a 16th round pick out of Sam Houston State in 2003 and debuted in the Tigers bullpen last April without an inning of experience above A ball.

Jordan

is a good athlete with good instincts but he does not carry any particularly compelling skills to the mound. His fastball has decent life but tops out at 92-93 most nights. He is more than capable however, of rolling it up there at 88-89 on any given pitch. He throws a cutter, and is working on his a change to help with left-handed batters but both pitches need to come a long way.

Nothing about his lines looks particularly good except his OBAs which are serviceable for a starter. He seems to be able to repeat a favorable BHIP% but I am not really comfortable leaning too heavily on that "skill". When his BHIP% starts to normalize, look out.

Jordan

does not punch out guys, he doesn't limit his walks or his HRs and he doesn't throw ground balls.

I do not see anything here that would make me feel comfortable when I see his name in the probables. He does not have a ton of high-level experience and he seems to be mentally strong so perhaps there is still some growth potential here (and Jim Leyland knows his stuff so if he thinks this kid has something I am willing to defer) but I have to see it before I give up a roster spot.

Long Term Fantasy Grade - C-

Seas Lvl   W L   ERA    IP K/9 BB/9 HR/9   AVG WHIP
2006 AAA 10 6 3.84 122.0 6.3 3.6 0.8 .254 1.36
2006 MLB   0 0 6.14 14.2 3.7 4.3 0.6 .253 1.43
2007 AAA   3 3 3.29 63.0 4.3 2.7 1.0 .233 1.16
2007 MLB   1 1 7.71 14.0 5.1 5.1 0.6 .288 1.71

Currently 2.80/5
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Rating: 2.8/5 (2182 votes cast)

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Aug 12, 2007

Lou Blasi @LouBlasi

One of the original Fantistics analysts, starting in 1999. Currently serves as top prospect scout, along with hosting The Fantistics Insider Baseball Show on SiriusXM.