This week we deal with some names we haven't covered yet that changed teams at or near the trade deadline this week ... most of whom are headed to Cleveland ...
Jason Knapp - RHP Cleveland Indians
Not to be confused with J.A. Happ, Jason Knapp may have been the key piece in the Lee deal from the Indians' perspective. The 6-5/215 right-hander who was the Phillies' 2nd round pick last year, won't turn 19 for another month but he's already pumping out mid-90s fastball with regularity.
His natural velocity is intriguing and there's the potential for triple-digit velocity as he matures both physically, and as a pro pitcher. Right now he's throwing both a hard slider and a change both of which are just developing but show limited promise. Jason's mechanics are raw and inconsistent and that will be job one for the Tribes coaches. Knapp has a long way to go but at just 18 he has time.
If I had to project him today I would say he looks more like an 8th or a 9th inning guy than a starter in the long term. There's some question whether he can develop a second or third pitch that he can show a batter in two or more at bats, but we still have a ways to go here. How well his secondary pitches come in will determine his future role and his future fantasy value.
Right now his velocity dominates in A-ball but he will have to have more in place when he reaches AA late this year or early next year. We won't be able to grade him accurately until we know if he's on a starter's path developmentally or not. For now, we are guessing ...
Long Term Fantasy Grade BSeas Lvl W L ERA IP K/9 BB/9 HR/9 AVG WHIP 2008 R 3 1 2.61 31.0 11.0 3.5 0.3 .229 1.23 2009 A 2 7 4.01 85.1 11.7 4.1 0.3 .207 1.20
Nick Hagadone - LH Pitcher Cleveland Indians
Many marveled that the Red Sox could land Victor Martinez without giving up Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, Lars Anderson, or Michael Bowden and that was a worthy accomplishment, but it doesn't mean they didn't send talent to Cleveland
Nick Hagadone was a supplemental pick for the Red Sox in 2007, the 55th pick overall, but missed most of 2008 with Tommy John Surgery. He returned in June of this year and he's already picked up where he left off, mimicking his pre-surgery indicators quite closely.
Nick has mid-to-high 90s capabilities at full strength and the Red Sox organization was very high on his make up and felt quite confident he'd rehab successfully.
Nick's secondary offerings, a change and slider, were quality pitches before he got hurt and should they return as well as expected, he will have the three pitches necessary to develop as not just a starter, but a power-left-handed starter.
In the long run Nick could be the blue chip taken in this year's fire sale by the lake. He had top-of-the-rotation stuff prior to the injury and he appears to back on track. Nick only has 25 IP since returning from surgery so the Tribe may be happy to keep him in A ball this year and get him out of the season healthy and feeling good.
At 24 as of opening day next year we should see Nick in AA for at least half of the season, and by this time next year we could be looking at one of baseballs top pitching prospects.
Long Term Fantasy Grade - ASeas Lvl W L ERA IP K/9 BB/9 HR/9 AVG WHIP 2007 A- 0 1 1.85 24.1 12.2 3.0 0.4 .169 0.90 2008 A- 1 1 0.00 10.0 10.8 5.4 0.0 .151 1.10 2009 A- 0 2 2.52 25.0 11.5 5.0 0.0 .156 1.08
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