Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet: Chase Headley

by faketeams on May 9, 2008 2:11 PM EDT in Baseball

Baseball America's Prospect Hot Sheet is out and it is headed by just what San Diego Padres' fans need - a major league player who can hit and plays a position other than 1B. LF Chase Headley heads the list and likely won't be eligible much longer. A major league teams that bats Paul MAnulty 5th really can't call themselves "contenders".

Before too long, I expect 2B Matt Antonelli to be recalled, too. Pushing McAnulty and current 2B Tadito Iguchi into reserve roles makes the Padres that much better by putting McAnulty's patience and power into a pinch-hitting role and allowing the Padres to use Iguchi at 3B late in games without a precipitous drop in offensive ability. (Yes, that says a lot about the Padres clean-up hitter, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff.)

Nevermind the rumors that the Padres are interested in adding a AAA CF to displace whatever currently passes for CF in San Diego right now - Jim Edmonds and Scott Hairston hitting 178/265/233 and 210/257/400 respectively. Adding Cory Sullivan and Matt Antonelli would also add an element of speed that is missing this year for the Padres. The team has just eight stolen bases in a mere eleven attempts.

Here are a few other notable propsects. Click through to get the whole list. Remember there is a chat at 2:30 about it.

1. Chase Headley, San Diego Padres
2. Max Ramirez, Texas Rangers
3. Michael Saunders, Seattle Mariners
7. Fernando Martinez, New York Mets
10. James McDonald, Los Angeles Dodgers
11. Jason Donald, Philadelphia Phillies

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Prospects called up

How many of the following will be called up this year, and who will have the biggest fantasy impact?

Antonelli
Headley
Kershaw
McDonald
Bruce
Rasmus
Stewart
Bailey
Maybin
McCutchen
Pearce
Walker

I think all will get call-ups before Sept. 1 except for Walker, Rasmus and McDonald. Biggest fantasy impact will be between Headley and Bruce, and possibly Kershaw. Kershaw is rumored to be called up to start against Anaheim on May 17th…the next time LA needs a 3rd…I mean 5th starter.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on May 9, 2008 3:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

call-ups

I wouldn’t be shocked to see McDonald called up either. I’d say he’s the Dodger’s #2 guy behind Kershaw. What do you think?
I expect Charlie Morton (BA’s Helium watch) to get called up this summer too. Bobby Cox raved about him in ST, and the Atl rotation is paper thin.

by Recon on May 9, 2008 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

McDonald

Agree that the Braves rotation is perilously close to imploding. The Braves have appeared adamant to leave Chuck James starting in AAA yet have to call him back every 10th day. Glavine is the #2 in name only with Jurjjens quickly making the Renteria trade look like the steal of the off-season. Jo-Jo Reyes and James are the last two starters.

If, somehow, Reyes and James pitch well, then the Braves would have three young arms in the rotation for the next few years. If something happens (Reyes just a 4A and James labrum falls off), then all bets are off.

I never heard of Morton until reading about him in helium watch. He isn’t in BA or John Sickels prospect guide, There is a blurb in BP 2008:

Always seen as big and projectable, Charlie Morton struggled in a regular season conversion to the bullpen, but generated a ton of buzz in the Arizona Fall League by flashing a mid-90s fastball and a plus changeup. The Braves think he might be turning the corner.

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by faketeams on May 9, 2008 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Great post

For fantasy puproses, i am going to go with players who will be recalled earlier in the season. That would mean kershaw has to be on the short list as well as Headley.

I don’t think Rasmus will be rushed. He is not tearing-up AAA anyhow and the Cards are winning with their mix-and-match OF.

Is Stewart playign 2B in AAA right now? if not, then he needs an Atkins trade or injury to see regular AB in Colorado.

Jay Bruce has the best situation as he hits HRs and would play at GAB, but do the Reds want him flanked by two DHs? Homer Bailey could have an impact. That’d set off some excitement in Cincy with Cueot and Volzquez.

Antonelli has the speed to be a minor five category fantasy player.

I’m going to say Headley, but someone with less anti-pitcher bias could easily select Kershaw.

Fake Teams - a proud member of the SB Nation

by faketeams on May 9, 2008 4:18 PM EDT reply actions