Bernie Pleskoff is a former professional scout for the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners.
This has been a particularly interesting and rewarding year for top prospects in virtually every major league organization. Many familiar names we have been watching and writing about have made their major league debuts within the past month or two. Some come to mind as particularly intriguing:
Matt LaPorta-what were the Cleveland Indians thinking when they called up LaPorta only to have him languish on the bench? I hate to say it, but I warned about just that probability in my profile of LaPorta weeks ago on Rotowire prior to his promotion. At the time the team was headed south in the standings and playing LaPorta would have given them as opportunity to continue his development against top flight pitching. It didn't happen. He returned to Columbus and is playing and hitting very well. His recall might be permanent whenever it happens (which could be very soon.) He's a keeper
Tommy Hanson- I titled my article on Rotowire "Waiting for the Phone to Ring. Well, it rang. And he has answered the call. Someone Who Should Know (a baseball announcer who's name I can't recall) indicated that Hanson will "break down" after about three more years because he's a "short arm" thrower. "They" (the people who also know everything and hang out with Someone Who Should Know) also said Tim Lincecum would break down. So far, it hasn't happened to Lincecum and "They" will have to wait. Hanson has been outstanding for the Braves. He's a keeper.
Matt Wieters-It's very difficult to come up to the big leagues as a catcher and make an offensive impact and handle a pitching staff. Wieters has been just fine. He's hit a couple of long bombs and he isn't getting cheated at the plate. Defensively, he's been beaten by a play at home due to less than perfect footwork and positioning. He's young. He's still learning. So far, so good. He'll get better and he'll be a very solid major league catcher for years to come. He's a keeper.
Kyle Blanks-As mentioned in my Rotowire article about Blanks, the Padres will use him in the outfield as well as first base. So far, he has only played in 5 games and has 24 at-bats. He's hitting .250 and hasn't made an error. Blanks hasn't gone deep yet, and that will probably come on the road before he ever hits one in San Diego. The early results are favorable. He hasn't embarrassed himself or his organization in the outfield and his playing time might increase. The Padres have little to lose by developing him at the big league level. I think he's a player with a positive upside as a keeper.
Rick Porcello-He's been outstanding as a member of the Tigers rotation. He's experienced a hiccup or two and that is to be expected. Porcello has come as advertised. It's almost scary to think what a major role Porcello has played in the Tigers rotation. Remember, this is a guy who didn't throw sliders much of his time in the minor leagues. Now he has an entire arsenal at his command and he's going the job at a very high level. There will be good days and bad, but for a pitcher so young, Porcello has stabalized a very shaky pitching staff. Not only a keeper, but a guy to build around for the future.
EXTRA INNINGS
Last blog I listed the best hitters I had ever seen. Here is my list of the best pitchers I have ever seen:
1-Sandy Koufax-Mound presence. That's what he had. He owned the game. He was like a surgeon who skillfully conducted his discipline with pinpoint accuracy. He had hitters off balance with a variety of smoking fastballs, wicked breaking balls and pitches that changed the eye level of hitters consistently. Koufax was a master of his craft. He didn't get flustered. His command and control took him to unprecedented heights at the time until his arm trouble shut him down. Koufax threw a perfect game and 4 no hitters. Clearly the best I ever saw.
2-Bob Gibson-Don't even think of digging in against Bob Gibson. In today's environment there would be tons of hitters looking at the blue sky or domed roof overhead from flat on their backside. Gibson was intimidating. Think of this: In 1968 Bob Gibson had a 1.12 earned run average. It was because of Gibson that the pitcher's mound was lowered. He was like electricity. You can look at it with respect, but you can't touch it.
3-Tom Seaver-Talk about a fantasy gold mine? This guy could strike people out by keeping the ball down and making hitters chase. He was so smooth and so disciplined that hitters would just flail away at the evening air. He was way ahead of the hitters. He was thinking three batters ahead regardless of the situation or who was at the plate. He knew what he wanted to throw and he could throw whatever he wanted for strikes. K. Sit down!
4-Nolan Ryan-People still talk about his "dust up" fight on the mound with Robin Ventura. Sure, that's part of the legend of Nolan Ryan. But the greatest part is his 7 no hitters, 12 one hitters and 18 two hitters. Those stats are almost beyond belief. He may have walked a few too many and he gave up some runs, but Ryan was and is the prototype of the high velocity pitcher. He was clocked over 100 miles per hour when he was past 40 years old. Remarkable, but true.
5-Warren Spahn-This very crafty lefty had a big leg kick and a penchant for getting guys out. He pitched for the Braves and the saying was "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain." Along with Johnny Sain, he was part of a pitching tandem that could be counted upon to pitch complete games and give up very few runs. Of the two, Spahn was the best. He once went 16 innings in one game, only to lose to Juan Marichal 1-0. In the 16th inning of the dual shut out, Willie Mays hit a homer and beat Spahn. Spahn had control and command as well as deception.
6-Bob Feller-Now 90 years old, Feller consistently threw fastballs at 100 miles per hour. He set up hitters with heat and then snuck a wicked, yet deceptive curve right past them. He, along with Early Wynn, Bob Lemon and Mike Garcia comprised the famous "Big 4" of the Cleveland Indians. Feller can still be seen at Cleveland Indians spring training games signing autographs down the left field line in Goodyear, Arizona. Feller was almost impossible to hit as he threw 3 no hitters and 12 one hitters against the best hitters in baseball.
7-Randy Johnson- Next to Sandy Koufax, Johnson is clearly the best lefty I have seen. In his prime, Johnson's slider was un-hittable. His fastball set up that pitch. He has thrown a perfect game and two no hitters. Johnson has won over 300 games and is still pitching for the Giants. He was instrumental in the Diamondbacks World Championship. It's interesting how many hitters get the night off when Randy Johnson takes the mound.
8-Mariano Rivera- With a wicked slider that handcuffs hitters, Mariano Rivera is the best reliever I have ever seen, bar none. When Rivera enters the game, the stadium clean- up crew should grab their brooms and begin sweeping. The game is over! Rivera has the ability to throw that special pitch consistently. Even though hitters know the slider is coming, it doesn't matter. They can't hit it.
9-Juan Marichal-I can still see the right leg flying high in San Francisco. He, like Bob Feller and Warren Spahn used that leg kick to make a huge statement to the batter---watch my leg, not the ball. They did. He sawed bats in half and appeared to be on top of home plate before the leg came down. He concealed pitches very well and used an arsenal of fastballs and breaking balls to win games. Marichal is remembered for hitting Dodgers catcher Johnny Roseboro on the head with his bat while he was hitting for the Giants, knocking the catcher's mask off. Marichal thought Roseboro was throwing the ball too close to Marichal's head when Roseboro returned the ball to his pitcher, Sandy Koufax. It was ugly.
10-Greg Maddux-Not a huge strike out pitcher, Maddux simply owned home plate with superb control and command of his pitches. Known for nibbling and using every inch of the plate, Maddux had phenominal years for the Atlanta Braves. Along with Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, Maddux racked up the victories and served notice that control pitching and changing speeds and eye levels still works in the major leagues.
11- Roger Clemens
Honorable Mention: Whitey Ford, Phil Niekro, Don Drysdale, Steve Carlton, Dennis Exkersley, Pedro Martinez, Jim Palmer, Trevor Hoffman, Robin Roberts
Next blog: If I were the Commissioner of Baseball