This article is part of our John Sickels' Column series.
Wednesday's Traded Prospects:
John Sickels discusses the prospects dealt in each major trade before the trade deadline.
- The Royals trade Scott Podsednik to the Dodgers for catcher Lucas May and right-handed pitcher Elisaul Pimentel: The Dodgers improve their outfield depth with the addition of the veteran leadoff man, shipping two prospects to the Royals in exchange.
Lucas May, C: An eighth round pick in 2003 out of high school in Chesterfield, Missouri, May made slow but steady progress through the Dodgers farm system, showing good power but occasional issues with plate discipline. He's hitting .295/.352/.496 this year for Triple-A Albuquerque. He has legitimate power but isn't likely to hit for a high average or a good OBP against major league pitching. A former shortstop and outfielder, May has the physical tools to be a good defensive catcher, but still has trouble throwing out runners, catching just 20% so far this year. At age 25, he profiles as a reserve catcher unless his hitting takes a huge step forward.
Elisaul Pimentel, RHP: Pimentel is a 22 year old right-hander signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Dodgers in 2008. Skinny and lean at 6-2, 175, he has performed well in the Midwest League this season with a 3.49 ERA and a 97:35 K:BB ratio in 90 innings, allowing 71 hits. Pimentel has a live arm with a low-90s fastball and a good changeup, although his command can be inconsistent and he is still working on his secondary
Wednesday's Traded Prospects:
John Sickels discusses the prospects dealt in each major trade before the trade deadline.
- The Royals trade Scott Podsednik to the Dodgers for catcher Lucas May and right-handed pitcher Elisaul Pimentel: The Dodgers improve their outfield depth with the addition of the veteran leadoff man, shipping two prospects to the Royals in exchange.
- The Indians trade Jhonny Peralta to the Detroit Tigers for left-handed pitcher Giovanni Soto and cash: Peralta wasn't in Cleveland's long term plans but can help Detroit in the pennant run. In exchange the Tigers give up an interesting Grade C/C+ type prospect.
Lucas May, C: An eighth round pick in 2003 out of high school in Chesterfield, Missouri, May made slow but steady progress through the Dodgers farm system, showing good power but occasional issues with plate discipline. He's hitting .295/.352/.496 this year for Triple-A Albuquerque. He has legitimate power but isn't likely to hit for a high average or a good OBP against major league pitching. A former shortstop and outfielder, May has the physical tools to be a good defensive catcher, but still has trouble throwing out runners, catching just 20% so far this year. At age 25, he profiles as a reserve catcher unless his hitting takes a huge step forward.
Elisaul Pimentel, RHP: Pimentel is a 22 year old right-hander signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Dodgers in 2008. Skinny and lean at 6-2, 175, he has performed well in the Midwest League this season with a 3.49 ERA and a 97:35 K:BB ratio in 90 innings, allowing 71 hits. Pimentel has a live arm with a low-90s fastball and a good changeup, although his command can be inconsistent and he is still working on his secondary pitches. He's not a top prospect but not a bad one either.
Giovanni Soto, LHP: A 21st round pick in 2009 from Carolina, Puerto Rico, Soto is tall but scrawny at 6-3, 155 pounds. The 19 year old has mediocre velocity at this point, throwing 86-88 MPH, but scouts expect that may pick up as he fills out his frame. His curveball and changeup are workable, and his statistics for West Michigan in the Midwest League this year are very good: 2.61 ERA, 76:25 K:BB in 83 innings, 75 hits. He picks up a lot of grounders with a 1.96 GO:AO ratio, and he throws strikes. I think he's a good sleeper prospect for the Indians going forward.
