by Mike Koepp on February 3, 2012
Jeffrey Soptic, RHP Chicago White Sox
4/8/1991
Height: 6′ 6″, Weight: 210
Jeffrey Soptic was selected in the 3rd round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Chicago White Sox. In 2009, he was picked by the Royals in the 43rd round out of Shawnee Mission East High School. Instead he opted to continue his education by attending Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS. Soptic caught the eye of both teams with his velocity as he hit triple digits on the radar gun. He had his first taste as a pro last year in the Appalachian League for the Bristol White Sox. But the three games don’t yet give us much of a gauge of what we think he’ll become.
Jeffrey Soptic was recently ranked at 356° in our Baseball Instinct 360°. Here’s what we had to say about him:
356°. Jeff Soptic, RHP White Sox 4/8/1991 - Soptic is a radar gun darling, with the ability to light it up triple digits. A big frame and easy action with that velo is something you can’t teach. He was hit hard in CC though and has to learn to pitch low in the zone. Might be best suited to learn a sinker and develop his slider. Projects as a RP due to well below average secondaries. ETA 2014. [click to continue…]
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by Mike Koepp on January 19, 2012
Hector Sanchez, C San Francisco Giants
11/17/1989
Height: 5′ 11″ Weight: 235
Hector Sanchez has moved up San Francisco’s organizational ladder and has surpassed the much more talked about Tommy Joseph due to hard work and impressive minor league numbers. Signed by the Giants as an amateur free agent in 2006. Sanchez started his 2011 season with the Single-A San Jose Giants but showed his hitting skills had advanced beyond the California League when he hit .302 with 11 HR and 68 RBIs in 52 games. When Buster Posey’s season ended with the horrific leg and ankle injury, the big club promoted him to Triple-A Fresno. In 46 games, he hit .261 with 1 HR and 26 RBIs in 46 games. With his offensive numbers and the development of his defensive skills Hector Sanchez ranked #349 in our Baseball Instinct 360°. Here is a look at the reasons why and where we think he’ll be this season. [click to continue…]
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by Mike Koepp on January 12, 2012
Vincent Belnome, 2B San Diego Padres
3/11/1988
Height: 5′ 11″, Weight: 205 lbs.
Some players are early round draft picks that don’t pan out. Some players get picked later in the draft and through hard work and talent end up surprising people. That’s what 28th rounder, Vince Belnome has become. Vince holds Coatesville High School’s (Coatesville, PA) record for career average at .490. At West Virginia University, he hit .355 with 40 runs in 39 games before a knee injury ended his freshman season. In his sophomore year, he batted .377 with 58 runs and 66 RBI playing in 56 games. Then, he led the Big East Conference with 84 RBI his junior year.
With this production, he was selected in the 28th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft. How could this type of prospect drop so low? That’s a question we’ll get around to answer.
Belnome was part of the Northwest League All Stars for the Padres short-season Eugene Emeralds. In 65 games, he hit .297 with 10 HR and 44 RBI. In his first full season in the California League (Single-A), Belnome had the opportunity to play everyday for the 2010 South Division champs, Lake Elsinore Storm. He hit .273 Ave, 16 HR, 84 RBI in 135 games. In 2011, he started in the Double-A Texas League with the San Antonio Mission.
Let’s take a look at his production this past season and see what the Padres have as far as prospect projection here. We’ll see why he lands inside our Baseball Instinct 360° at #360. [click to continue…]
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by Mike Koepp on January 7, 2012
Well the rumors of Anthony Rizzo’s relocation became factual this afternoon.
San Diego sent the principle player in the Adrian Gonzalez to Boston transaction to Chicago along with pitcher Zach Cates. In return the Padres received the Cubs 19th pick in the 2008 First-Year player draft, Andrew Cashner plus outfielder Kyung-Min Na, a 20-year-old from Seoul, South Korea. San Diego made a choice between two very talented first base prospects in Yonder Alonso and Anthony Rizzo, it now appears that they have made their decision on the Padres starting first basemen for the club in 2012. Below is a little background info on each player. [click to continue…]
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