Double A Preview
A year after winning the Southern League championship with one of the best collections of prospects in Minor League Baseball history, the Dodgers' Double A affiliate cooled off so to speak and the talent level thinned out. Still, players such as Scott Elbert, Matt Kemp and Andy La Roche spent part of '06 with the team and helped contribute to an exciting season. Now I'll look at who fans should expect to see this upcoming year for the Jacksonville Suns.
2004 first rounder Blake DeWitt was promoted from Vero Beach late last year, and struggled with the bat, mustering just a .183 batting average in 26 games with Jacksonville. Still, scouts love his ability and Blake is looking to turn it around in 2007. He came on strong in June and July for Vero, slugging 15 HR combined in those two months. He slumped in Winter ball, hitting just .216 for his North Shore club of the Hawaiian League. But DeWitt has that classic lefty stroke that evokes confidence in his ability to produce, and he'll have his chance to shine against premier competition in the Southern League come April.
Another 2004 draftee, Cory Dunlap spent most of last season in Vero before a brief stint in Triple A with Las Vegas. Dunlap has intriguing offensive tools, beginning with his ability to get on base. He walked 88 times last year in High A, compared to 69 strikeouts, allowing him to reach base at a .435 clip despite batting .261. He has some power, collecting 15 Doubles and 14 HR with Vero, though he could do a better job of turning on inside fastballs. As for his defense, Cory is a work in progress. His weight hinders his agility and he doesnt have great range at 1B. Speed is not part of his game. Dunlap has enough natural hitting ability to make it to the bigs, though it may be in the AL as a DH.
After spending two seasons in Vero Beach, Xavier Paul seems ready for the leap to Double A. A 2003 draft pick, Paul had an impressive showing in Rookie ball but has never really produced like his tools would indicate. However, it appears he's found his niche as a leadoff hitter. Over the past two years, he's enjoyed a great deal of success in the #1 spot, hitting .303/.358/.509 there last season. In RF, he has plenty of speed and the best throwing arm in the system. It's all a matter of consistency with Professor X, and hopefully he'll find his groove as Jacksonville's table setter in 2007.
Without many noteworthy pitchers, Mike Megrew will most likely headline the staff for the Suns. The 6'6 lefty underwent Tommy John surgery and was taken by the Marlins in the Rule 5 draft a couple years back, only to be returned to the Dodgers after not sticking with Florida's big league club. Megrew made 18 appearances in Vero last year, posting a 3.52 ERA and striking out over a batter an inning, but his control has wavered since his operation as he walked 44 batters in 53.2 IP. Still just 23, Megrew was invited to big league camp and will hopefully make a good impression.
Next I'll take a look at the Dodgers' new High A affiliate, the Inland Empire 66ers.
2004 first rounder Blake DeWitt was promoted from Vero Beach late last year, and struggled with the bat, mustering just a .183 batting average in 26 games with Jacksonville. Still, scouts love his ability and Blake is looking to turn it around in 2007. He came on strong in June and July for Vero, slugging 15 HR combined in those two months. He slumped in Winter ball, hitting just .216 for his North Shore club of the Hawaiian League. But DeWitt has that classic lefty stroke that evokes confidence in his ability to produce, and he'll have his chance to shine against premier competition in the Southern League come April.
Another 2004 draftee, Cory Dunlap spent most of last season in Vero before a brief stint in Triple A with Las Vegas. Dunlap has intriguing offensive tools, beginning with his ability to get on base. He walked 88 times last year in High A, compared to 69 strikeouts, allowing him to reach base at a .435 clip despite batting .261. He has some power, collecting 15 Doubles and 14 HR with Vero, though he could do a better job of turning on inside fastballs. As for his defense, Cory is a work in progress. His weight hinders his agility and he doesnt have great range at 1B. Speed is not part of his game. Dunlap has enough natural hitting ability to make it to the bigs, though it may be in the AL as a DH.
After spending two seasons in Vero Beach, Xavier Paul seems ready for the leap to Double A. A 2003 draft pick, Paul had an impressive showing in Rookie ball but has never really produced like his tools would indicate. However, it appears he's found his niche as a leadoff hitter. Over the past two years, he's enjoyed a great deal of success in the #1 spot, hitting .303/.358/.509 there last season. In RF, he has plenty of speed and the best throwing arm in the system. It's all a matter of consistency with Professor X, and hopefully he'll find his groove as Jacksonville's table setter in 2007.
Without many noteworthy pitchers, Mike Megrew will most likely headline the staff for the Suns. The 6'6 lefty underwent Tommy John surgery and was taken by the Marlins in the Rule 5 draft a couple years back, only to be returned to the Dodgers after not sticking with Florida's big league club. Megrew made 18 appearances in Vero last year, posting a 3.52 ERA and striking out over a batter an inning, but his control has wavered since his operation as he walked 44 batters in 53.2 IP. Still just 23, Megrew was invited to big league camp and will hopefully make a good impression.
Next I'll take a look at the Dodgers' new High A affiliate, the Inland Empire 66ers.
posted by Jared @ 4:38 PM
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