Future Redbirds

What is this, like post number four on the Rule 5 draft? I suppose that is excessive for a player pool that is most likely filled with 5th outfielders, utility infielders and middle relievers. But it’s the middle of winter, so whaddya want? There are a couple of good prospects to be had, most notably Brian Barton and Chris Lubanski, and it appears the Rays will take Barton. There is also the chance they don’t see a fit with anyone, and to even participate they will have to DFA someone today.

Anywho, RJ Anderson at Beyond the Boxscore looks at a the numbers of some of the players available, it’s worth a look.

There were a few players I would like to take a peek at as possibilities for the Cardinals.

Samuel Deduno, RHP Colorado Rockies. Scouting wise, here’s a little blurb on Deduno.

“That breaking ball is devastating, but I don’t know what to think of this guy,” a National League scout said. “The breaking ball is unhittable when he commands it, but after two or three innings, he couldn’t find the release point. He was lights out for three innings both times I saw him, then was an absolute thrower.”

Deduno misses a lot of bats and gets a lot of ground balls as a starter. Since he has such a tough time keeping his release point after a few innings, putting him in relief would be a good fit.

Chris Kline at BA looks at Padres RHP Paul Abraham.

Abraham gets good sink on his 89-94 mph fastball and also has an average slider. In the past, he had tinkered too much with his mechanics, which threw off the quality of his stuff, but his arm slot has remained consistent this winter, improving his stock.

He’s another guy who gets a lot of ground balls but can struggle with command at times.

Mark Hulett at Baseball Analysts makes mention of Stuart Pomeranz, but I think the chances of him getting drafted are slim to none.

One other name I like is 23 year old Mark Rosen of the Bax. He’s a sinkerballing lefty, with a 78 to 22 K/BB ratio in 66 innings, with a 2.05 GB/AO ratio. He bombed in the AFL.

The more I look at this group, the more I’m thinking the Cards may pass on the lot. Unless Lubanski or Dusty Hughes falls to them, I’m not certain I see a fit. I still wouldn’t mind seeing them take a flyer on either of these sinker-balling righthanders who have some upside, with the hope down the road they can turn turn them back to starters. The right side of the bullpen looks to be full with Franklin-Springer-Thompson-Wellemeyer and they have McClellan-Worrell-Motte in AAA to boot. We’ll see.

A quick side note, the Cardinals signed 32 old catcher Mark Johnson to a minor league contract. Johnson has a career .131 isolated plate discipline (OBP-BA). Last year, he had 52 walks to 21 strikeouts over 302 plate appearances. That’s pretty nuts. I know nothing of his defense and he lacks in secondary skills, but that batting eye alone is flyer-worthy. Good plan B for Jason LaRue, but with that plate discipline alone I wonder why he wasn’t Plan A!