Farm Bureau: April 10, 2009

* CLASS A+: VISALIA RAWHIDE - In the California League, the Rawhide (formerly known as the Oaks) got off to a good start with a 6-5 road win over the Padres' affiliate, the Lake Elsinore Storm.

Although top prospect Jarrod Parker is expected to headline the Visalia rotation, his 2009 debut was deferred until Saturday so that Max Scherzer could make a rehab start in the opener. Scherzer went 4.2 IP, H, ER, 4 BB, 5 K as he continues his recovery from shoulder soreness that landed him on the DL. The walks suggest he's not yet in top form, but Scherzer finished the Cactus League strong and should be on track to join the Diamondbacks rotation next week.

Batting third and playing right field was mighty-mite Collin Gowgill; he powered the Visalia offense with a 2/2, 3 R, 2B, 2 BB, 2 RBI performance. A 5'9", 195 lbs product of the University of Kentucky (the alma mater of Brandon Webb), Cowgill was rated by Baseball America as the No. 9 prospect in the Diamondbacks organization. With a...

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Tags: Brandon Webb, Cactus League, California League, Collin Cowgill, Daniel Schlereth, Doug Slaten, Ed Easley, Gerardo Parra, James Skelton, Jarrod Parker, Jeremy Jeffress, Los Angeles Angels, Matt Torra, Max Scherzer, Midwest League, Milwaukee Brewers, Mobile BayBears, Nick Adenhart, Reno Aces, Reynaldo Navarro, San Diego Padres, Scott Schoeneweis, South Bend Silver Hawks, Southern League, Trevor Harden, Visalia Oaks, Visalia Rawhide

Farm Bureau: Upton, Wieters, Strasburg and Hype

Matt Wieters, b. 05.21.86.

 

Justin Upton, b. 08.25.87.

 

Stephen Strasburg, b. 07.20.88.

 

The dates of birth for these three players are provided to offer some context for evaluation of the HYPE! that each has engendered.  At the risk of selling short their talents, which are in each case prodigious, each of these players is, has been, or is soon to be the "Flavor of the Month" among those who follow baseball futures.

 

This month's flavor is most certainly Wieters, since David Price had his coming out party late last season.  The Orioles assigned Wieters to AAA this week for no good reason except that, by demoting him, Baltimore is likely to keep the young backstop under its control for an extra year. No one seriously believes that crusty Gregg Zaun is a better option than Wieters to serve as the O's No. 1 catcher. Almost everyone who expresses an opinion on the subject unabashedly lauds Wieters as a player ready to make a huge impact, both at the plate and behind it....

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Tags: Baltimore Orioles, California League, Carlos Quentin, David Price, Eastern League, Gregg Zaun, Hawaii Winter Baseball, Justin Upton, Matt Wieters, Midwest League, Mobile BayBears, Prospects, Scott Boras, South Bend Silver Hawks, Southern League, Stephen Strasburg, Visalia Oaks, Washington Nationals