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Rays AAA starter Matt Moore headed Baseball America's weekly Hott Sheet as he struck out 20 battters in his two starts this week covering 13 innings of work. He gave up just 1 ER on 6 hits, 4 walks and had a 0.69 ERA in his two starts. How soon before he is called up to the big leagues? I think he is in the Rays rotation out of spring training next season.
On to the chat excerpts:
Ben (Leland Grove): Could you rank these D'Backs pitchers for us? Skaggs, Parker, Corbin, Bauer? Thanks Jim.
Jim Shonerd: Bauer, Parker, Skaggs, Corbin for me. And that list isn't including breakout lefty David Holmberg or the unsigned Archie Bradley. Lots of good arms in that organization.
It appears the Diamondbacks will be moving the organizational prospect rankings in early 2012 with the stable of arms they have now.
More excerpts after the jump:
Ben (Miamisburg, OH): Devin Mesoraco seems to consistently go 1-3 with a BB and has put up a great year as a 22/23 year old in AAA (leads the IL in doubles), with the Reds falling out of contention would they be better served trading Ramon Hernandez and calling up Mesoraco now rather than wait for opening day 2012?
Jim Shonerd: I'd trade Hernandez. Even if they don't believe they're out of the race, I don't think it's as though Mesoraco couldn't help them.
The Reds say they aren't taking any calls on Hernandez, but one has to think they will by Sunday. Mesoraco is widely considered the top catching prospect in the game right now, and a future middle of the order hitter.
Jason (Amherstview): In your opinion, who do you think are the top candiates for minor league player of the year?
Jim Shonerd: If Matt Moore keeps this up, he has to be the clear favorite. Teheran and Paul Goldschmidt would be worthy candidates, and I'm sure we could come up with more, but I think it's Moore's to lose. Harper could get back into contention if he finishes strong in Double-A.
Harper would really have to get it going to get into the minor league player of the year talk, in my opinion. Moore seems to be the favorite.
Jackson (Toronto): Just wondering what kind of hitter you expect Brett Lawrie to be after he settles into the majors. You see 30HR potential?
Jim Shonerd: Maybe he could hit 30 in a career year, but I'd expect his norm to be around 20. He has 18 in Triple-A, but Vegas and several other PCL parks are very hitter-friendly. He should rack up the doubles though and put up .280-ish averages.
Wow. 30 homers from Lawrie. A 20 HR-.280 hitter is solid production, but I would think he could hit more than 20 HRs on an annual basis.