The National League West teams have a number of promising young players that could make a big-league impact in 2010. Here is a minor-leaguer from each organization that could help his team down the stretch:
Los Angeles Dodgers – RHP Chris Withrow
Withrow was selected by the Dodgers #20 overall in the 2007 draft, and has proven to be a wise selection. In 2009, the 20-year-old fireballer fanned 131 batters in 113 innings. What is more impressive is that he did it in advanced A and AA leagues where he was much younger than the average pitchers around him.
The Dodgers want to be careful with Withrow, who they view as a potential front-of-the-rotation starter. But with his strong showing in AA last year, he could make a serious push to break into L.A.’s rotation, much like Clayton Kershaw did at the same age.
Colorado Rockies - RHP Jhoulys Chacin
Chacin has long been touted as the Rockies’ top prospect. The 22-year-old Venezuelan prospect has put up incredible numbers at every minor-league stop. He broke through to the majors in 2009, helping to solidify Colorado’s bullpen the last month of the year.
What has scouts excited about Chacin, however, is his electric arsenal of pitches that should make him a top-line starter in the near future. Between AA and AAA last year he put up a sparkling ERA of 3.21. Look for Chacin to be on the mound in Colorado early in 2010.
San Francisco Giants – C Buster Posey
Posey has been a well-known name since the Giants took him fifth overall out of Florida State in 2008. The right-handed-hitting catcher has a knack for hitting that is rare at his position. He spent 2009 between A and AAA, combining to hit .325 with 18HRs and 80 RBIs.
Posey may wind up starting the year again at AAA with the return of incumbent starter Bengie Molina. But the 22-year-old is fast on his way to causing a lot of pain to opposing major-league pitchers in the near future.
San Diego Padres – LHP Aaron Poreda
At 6’6”, 240 lbs, Poreda is certainly an imposing presence on the mound. The mammoth left-hander was acquired by San Diego last summer as part of a package that sent Jake Peavy to the Chicago White Sox.
Poreda, 23, has AAA experience in two leagues, and appears ready to crack San Diego’s rotation in 2010. He has an above-average fastball that helped him strike out 108 batters in 107 innings last year. The Padres are excited to see what he can do to improve on those numbers this season.
Arizona Diamondbacks – 1B Brandon Allen
Allen is another product of the Chicago White Sox system, as the Diamondbacks snagged him in a trade last summer that sent reliever Tony Pena to the Windy City. The D-backs were impressed with Allen’s advanced approach at the plate, coupled with his power potential as a corner infielder.
Allen hit .298 with 20 HRs and 78 RBIs last year between three minor-league stops. Now 24, he is entering an age where he should be ready to produce at the major-league level. Depending on how strong a Spring Training he shows, he could find himself a spot on Arizona’s 25-man roster directly out of training camp.
I am so glad I got to see some of these other names such as Allen and Poreda. Everyone keeps talking about Heyward and Strasburg. Thanks for some sleeper fantasy picks as well
