A Look at the MLB Team’s Farm Systems

Here is a look at Scouts, Inc rankings of the Major League Baseball teams, minor league systems. This is the criteria that was used in determining the rankings:

  • Players who have lost their rookie eligibility don’t count for this exercise.
  • Both ability and performance count when looking at individual players, and both ceiling and depth count when looking at systems.
  • “time value of prospects” — the idea that a prospect’s value increases significantly as he gets closer to the big leagues. So an organization like Washington, with most of its best prospects in short-season ball in 2006, scores poorly here, because those prospects are four or five years away from the majors, and the attrition rate on those kids is going to be high.

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays 16. Chicago White Sox
2. Colorado Rockies 17. LA Dodgers
3. Arizona Diamondbacks 18. Houston Astros
4. Kansas City Royals 19. Chicago Cubs
5. NY Yankees 20. Pittsburgh Pirates
6. Cleveland Indians 21. Oakland A’s
7. NY Mets 22. Florida Marlins
8. LA Angels 23.Washington Nationals
9. Milwaukee Brewers 24. Toronto Blue Jays
10. Minnesota Twins 25. Seattle Mariners
11. Detroit Tigers 26. Texas Rangers
12. Atlanta Braves 27. San Francisco Giants
13. Baltimore Orioles 28. St. Louis Cardinals
14. Boston Red Sox 29. Philadelphia Phillies
15. Cincinnati Reds 30. San Diego Padres

The beloved Boston Red Sox are at 14th. Before Theo Epstein took over as General Manager, the Red Sox routinely were in the bottom of the rankings. He has drafted very well in the past drafts and two guys that have very high ceilings are Jacob Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz have high ceilings and they should be in the majors no later than 2008. Ellsbury has been compared to Johnny Damon because of his leadoff and centerfield abilities. Buchholz has the make-up of an ace and could assume that role with the Red Sox in the near future. Buchholz has a mid-90s four-seam fastball, a two-seam fastball, a slider, curveball, and a circle change.There are other names that the Red Sox have as well: SP Michael Bowden, 2B Dustin Pedroia (should be the starting 2B), Bryce Cox (in the closer mix this spring training), SP Daniel Bard, SP Justin Masterson, C George Kottaras, OF Jason Place, and OF David Murphy. All these names and many more came courtesy of Theo’s drafting abilities.

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UCONN Women Overcome Sluggish 1st Half, Defeat Notre Dame

Freshman Tina Charles near triple-double led the UCONN women past Notre Dame by the score of 64-47. Charles had 12 pts, 10 rebounds, and 9 blocked shots. Kalana Greene chipped in with 10 pts and 7 rebounds for the Huskies. The Fighting Irish were led by Erica Williamson with 12 pts and Crystal Erwin’s 11 points.

Neither team really came out to play in the first half as both teams were sluggish offensively. UCONN was 9 of 24 (37.5%) and Notre Dame was 7 for 31 (22.6%) from the floor. UCONN went into the break leading by 8, 24-16.

UCONN came out a as totally different team in the second half and for the most part they were clicking on all cylinders. Shots were falling, playing good defense and shutting down the Irish.

Notes and Observations:

  • The starters were Montgomery, Thomas, Greene, Charles and Houston.
  • Tina Charles 9 blocked shots is good for a tie for 1st all time in UCONN history. It is also the Big East Freshman record for blocks in a game.
  • Besides Charles 9 blocks, three other players blocked 7 shots (Houston 3, Greene 2, and Hunter 2) giving UCONN 16 for the game.
  • Mel Thomas is 6 made 3 point shots away from a tie for 7th all time. She has 155 made in her career. Kerry Bascom is at 161 in 7th place.
  • Charde Houston had 10 rebounds and 9 points in the game. It is nice to see Charde scoring again after really not being involved in the offense.
  • UCONN shot 18 of 24 (75%) at the free throw line in the game. A marked improvement over past games.
  • This game was the first sellout at Gampel for the women this season.
  • UCONN committed a season high 27 turnovers.

It was nice to see the Huskies respond in the 2nd half after a really bad first half. This is something the men are lacking right now. Things are coming together for the Huskies at the right time. This quote from Tina Charles to me, says it all:

Do you feel like you’re living up to Coach’s expectations?

“No not really and I’m not living up to mine either. I’m just going to have to keep on worker harder in practice and getting better.”

With the win, the Huskies improve to 18-2 (8-0 Big East) on the season. Next up for the Huskies is a trip to Mel Thomas’ hometown of Cincinnati on January 30th to take on the Bearcats. Game time is 7 PM and will be televised locally on CPTV.

37-12 Run Propels Providence Past UCONN Men

Providence used a 37-12 run in the second half to overtake the Huskies and defeat them 84-72 on Saturday afternoon at the Hartford Civic Center. Providence was led by Herbert Hill and Weyinmi Efejuku who both scored 19 pts. Hill also added 11 rebounds. For UCONN, they were led by Jeff Adrien’s 10th double-double of the season, 18 pts and 10 rebounds. Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins finished off the Huskies in double figures with 10 pts each.

UCONN got down 4-0 early in the first half but a Stanley Robinson 3 point shot, Jeff Adrien jumper, Jerome Dyson 3 pointer and another Stanley Robinson 3 pointer got UCONN out to a 11-6 lead and never looked back in the first half, on their way to a 45-34 lead at half. UCONN had come into the game 309th in the country in 3 point field goals made but at halftime they were 7 of 12 (58%) from 3 point land.

Providence started out the 2nd half with a 16-0 run that ended on Jerome Dyson’s two free throws. The run eventually became a 37-12 run that put the game out of reach.

Notes and Observations:

  • I am going to stay away from the we suck rant and rave today. Well, I will try to.
  • The starters were Price, Dyson, Robinson, Thabeet, and Adrien
  • Stanley Robinson, who was coming off a zero point effort at Louisville earlier this week, ended up scoring 9 pts and pulling down a career high 13 rebounds.
  • Jeff Adrien’s 10th double-double of the season in this game was the third straight one for him.
  • Hasheem Thabeet only played 15 minutes because of foul trouble. In his time on the court, he was non-existant on the offensive end. He only took one shot and missed it. He did block 5 shots though.
  • The starting backcourt of Price and Dyson were a combined 6 of 24 from the floor. Price finished with 7 points and Dyson had 10 points.
  • UCONN was 12 of 17 ( 70.6%) from the free throw lane. A little improvement from past games but it didn’t matter as they were getting smoked in the second half.
  • UCONN was outscored by 26 points (48-22) in the lane during the game.
  • Providence used 7 players in the game and 6 of them were in double figures.

I don’t know what to say about the game or the team right now. It’s funny because I text messaged my father who was at the game at halftime to say “Good game so far”. I guess that was the kiss of death. UCONN was able to get out to their lead in the first half because they were making their shots against Providence’s 2-3 zone. In the second half when the shots weren’t falling, UCONN simply could not execute in the half court sets. A very frustrating loss for the Huskies and it’s fans.

With their 4th consecutive loss and 7th in their past nine games, UCONN falls to 13-7 (2-5 in the Big East). Next up for the Huskies is a date in Chicago on Wednesday night against the DePaul Blue Demons. Game time is 9 EST and the game will be broadcast locally on CW20.

Transcript From the J.D. Drew Press Conference

Well, the press conference with J.D. Drew’s signing with the Red Sox took place on Friday afternoon with Drew, Scott Boras and Theo Epstein all on the conference call. From all accounts, it sounds like Drew’s shoulder is in great condition and he is looking forward to playing in Boston this season.

Read the transcript of the press conference after the jump……….

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Red Sox, Rockies Discussing Helton Trade

Here is some serious Red Sox news that comes to you from the Denver Post.

The Rockies are in discussions with the Boston Red Sox involving a trade of Todd Helton, according to multiple baseball sources.

Nothing is imminent, but negotiations are expected to resume Monday or Tuesday when Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd returns to work after tending to a family matter. Helton, 33, has a complete no-trade clause, but has said he would consider Boston. A source said Helton is aware of the current Red Sox talks.

Helton’s future became a central issue this week after owner Charlie Monfort told The Denver Post the franchise remains open to dealing the most accomplished player in the Rockies’ history.

Helton has six years and $90.1 million remaining on his contract, and the Red Sox could face luxury-tax penalties if they acquire the first baseman, issues that would have to be resolved.

The Rockies, however, have shown a willingness to eat a portion of Helton’s remaining salary in any deal, which, depending on the amount, would have an impact on the type of players they would receive in return.

Colorado’s first priority has been to add young pitchers, which Boston possesses. The Rockies have asked about reliever Manny Delcarmen, 24, in previous talks regarding other players and considered selecting pitcher Craig Hansen in the first round of the 2005 draft.

The Rockies explored trading Helton to the Los Angeles Angels at the winter meetings last month, a move motivated by Colorado’s desire to fill multiple holes and spread out Helton’s salary. Said Helton at that time, “I know they want to get rid of my contract. It’s not something I am going to get upset about. They know if something comes up they can call me.”

Personally, I think this would be a great move for the Sox. Nothing against Youk over at 1B and his OBP, Helton would bring another bat to the lineup to protect the big guns. My concerns are where does Youk play if the Sox did acquire Helton. We do need him (Youk) in the lineup. Is Lowell being traded a possibility maybe for a relief pitcher, preferably a closer? Given the age of Youk and his economically viable contract (He made $323,000 last season), and Mike Lowell’s inflated contract ($9 million in his walk year, which is 2007), this to me would be the most likely scenario.

I know the high hopes that the Red Sox have for Delcarman and Hansen but to acquire a player of Helton’s caliber would be a tremendous boost to the Sox’s hopes for another World Series Championship. Would losing Delcarman and Hansen hurt us in the short term? I don’t think it will. Will it hurt us in the long term? No one can answer that right now for sure, but given their potential, it could be viewed that it might hurt us.

I have had the pleasure of meeting and watching Todd Helton play in his minor league days here in New Haven. He is one of the nicest guys in baseball, you will ever meet. The thing about being in the minor leagues is that you do get the so called “Bonus Babies” on your team. Well if you had ever met him, you would know that he didn’t act like that at all.

Back in 1996, my friend and I had gone out to Colorado to see the Rockies play for a long weekend. The tickets were on the Rockies and all we had to do was make the other arrangements. I didn’t know that the Rockies were honoring their minor league players of the year for each affiliate. Todd Helton, who got promoted to AAA in August that year, was sitting with us and goes “Ian what are you doing here?” So I told him that the Rockies had gotten me some tickets and we had come out for the weekend. So that kinda caught me off guard but it was nice that he remembered. I have gone to other Rockies games in Florida and New York and I am always sure to go down and say hi to him and everyone else that I know on the team or in the front office. Of course now that number has dwindled down to a few.

UPDATE: Helton has stated he would waive his no-trade clause to come to the Red Sox. Also the Rockies have stated they would pay half of the $90 million remaining on his contract. The deal is rumored to be Julian Tavarez, Mike Lowell, and prospects for Helton. The Rockies want Hansen and Declarmen but the Red Sox are not willing to trade either of them. Stay tuned for more about this as it becomes known.

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Duke Lax Returns to the Field

After a year in which the Duke lacrosse team had to deal with a rape scandal, they have finally returned to the field. That’s right, their first practice of the season was today.

Using the words of Dickie V, the Dukies were coming into the 2006 season with high hopes after playing for the NCAA title in 2005 til that one fateful night in March where a stripper “claimed” to have been raped. After her allegations came to fruition, the Dukies season was cancelled.

The charges of rape have been dropped against the three players but they still have other charges pending against them. Also, the DA who prosecuted the case is in big trouble in North Carolina and will probably be disbarred.

Given the circumstances that have surrounded this team and the constant media attention that they will receive, I am sure it will all take its toll on the players. I do wish them the best of luck in the upcoming season and hope to see them in the NCAA’s again.

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The End of Man Laws

Miller Brewing has announced that they have put the “Man Law” ads on the shelf due to lower than expected sales during the time the ads ran. They haven’t actually cancelled the spots and may actually make more later this year probably to coincide with the start of the 2007 NFL football season.

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R.I.P. Carlee Wines~1/22/07~

For those of you who didn’t know this, a UCONN student, Carlee Wines, was struck early last Saturday morning on campus. She passed away from her injuries on Monday morning at Hartford Hospital. The person driving the car has not been found. If you have any information, you are asked to call the UCONN Police.

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