This article is part of our John Sickels' Column series.
The Top Middle Infielders
Let's continue our look at top prospects at the middle infield positions, second base and shortstop.
Jed Lowrie, Boston Red Sox
Background: Ranked 18th on our RotoWire Top 100 list, Lowrie was a supplemental first round pick in 2005 out of Stanford. After a mediocre '06 season, he broke through with strong Double-A and Triple-A performance in 2007. Our ranking of him this highly is something of a risk, but we like his balance of skills, performance, and fantasy value.
Tools and Skills: Lowrie is 6-1, 205 pounds, a switch-hitter and right-handed thrower, born April 17, 1984. He has excellent strike zone judgment, and above average pop for a middle infielder. After a slow start last April he caught fire in May and never looked back, making an easy adjustment after being promoted to Triple-A. His range at shortstop is average, but he has a strong arm and soft hands. He can handle second base as well.
Performance: Lowrie hit .297/.410/.501 in Double-A and .300/.356/.506 in Triple-A. Aside from an injury-marred 2006 when he hit .262 with just a .374 SLG, he's hit at every level.
Projection: Lowrie projects as an offensive middle infielder with a high on-base percentage, above average power, and decent defense. He will open 2008 in Triple-A, waiting for a slot to open up in Boston or in the trade market.
Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
Background: Ranked 27th on our RotoWire Top 100 list, Andrus was signed by the Braves out of Venezuela in 2005. Traded to Texas as a key factor in the Mark Teixeira deal last summer, Andrus has a higher physical ceiling than Lowrie but won't be ready as soon.
Tools and Skills: Andrus is 6-0, 185 pounds, a right-handed hitter and thrower, born August 26, 1988. Right now his best attribute is defense: he features plus range, a strong arm, and soft hands. His hitting has been mediocre thus far, with a notable lack of power, though he does have speed and is young enough to develop more pop.
Performance: Andrus is a career .266/.340/.358 hitter in the minors, though he did hit .300 in 27 games for Class A Bakersfield after the trade last year. He stole 40 bases in 55 attempts last season.
Projection: Andrus will be excellent defensively, should hit for average, and steal bases. He probably won't develop a great deal of power, but could turn out similarly to Edgar Renteria. He should open 2008 in Double-A.
Reid Brignac, Tampa Bay Rays
Background: Rated 31st on our RotoWire Top 100 list, Brignac was drafted in the second round in 2004 out of high school in St. Amant, Louisiana. His breakout season in 2006 was most impressive, though his production tailed off a bit last year.
Tools and Skills: Brignac is a left-handed hitter and a right-handed thrower, born January 16, 1986, listed at 6-3, 180 pounds. His power is well above average for a middle infielder and should improve further as he matures. His plate discipline and speed are decent though not spectacular, and he's made significant strides improving his glovework.
Performance: Brignac hit .260/.328/.433 with 30 doubles and 17 homers last year in Double-A, but is a career .288/.347/.464 hitter. Given his youth he's expected to produce similar numbers in the majors.
Projection: Brignac needs a year of Triple-A but look for him to get a clean shot at the starting job in 2009. His upside is very impressive and he could take another step forward this year.
Matt Antonelli, San Diego Padres
Background: Rated at Number 42 on our RotoWire Top 100 list, Antonelli was drafted in the first round out of Wake Forest in 2006. After a solid pro debut, he erased doubts about his power potential by hitting 21 homers and 25 doubles between Class A and Double-A last year, emerging as the Second Baseman of the Future for San Diego.
Tools and Skills: Antonelli was born April 8, 1985. Listed at 6-0, 203, he is a right-handed hitter and thrower. A third baseman in college, he transitioned to second last year and took to the position very well. He has above average speed, and showed both strike zone judgment and solid power last year.
Performance: Antonelli hit .314/.409/.499 in 82 games in the California League, then .294/.395/.476 in 49 games in the Texas League last year, drawing 83 walks and stealing 28 bases to go with his power production.
Projection: Antonelli projects to hit for average, get on base, and provide at least decent power from the second base slot. He will begin 2008 in Triple-A.
Chin Lung Hu, Los Angeles Dodgers
Background: Ranked 45th on our RotoWire Top 100 list, Hu was signed by the Dodgers as a free agent out of Taiwan in 2003. He immediately impressed scouts with excellent shortstop defense, but added strong hitting to his game last year.
Tools and Skills: Hu is a right-handed hitter and thrower, born February 2nd, 1984 and listed at 6-0, 170 pounds. He has an outstanding glove: excellent range, arm strength, and reliability make him a complete defensive package. He has usually hit for a decent average, but last year he added pop, knocking 40 doubles and 14 homers between Double-A and Triple-A.
Performance: Hu is a career .299/.345/.424 hitter. He hit .329/.380/.508 in Double-A through 82 games, then .318/.337/.505 in Triple-A through 45 games last year.
Projection: If Hu's power outburst last year was for real, he'd be an outstanding player. His glovework alone will get him to the majors, but the bat will determine how much playing time he receives.
Carlos Triunfel, Seattle Mariners
Background: Listed at Number 53 on our RotoWire Top 100 list, Triunfel was signed as a free agent in 2006 from the Dominican Republic for $1.3 million. He made his pro debut in full-season ball in 2007, holding his own against players many years older and more experienced.
Tools and Skills: Born February 27, 1990, Triunfel is a right-handed hitter and thrower listed at 5-11, 175. Scouts love his tools and praise his attitude and work ethic just as much as his physicality. He has a strong arm, but will probably have to move to third base due to mediocre range. His offensive potential is enormous.
Performance: Triunfel hit .296/.333/.367 last year, which doesn't seem that great but keep in mind he was just 17 and playing in the Midwest and California Leagues. Scouts expect the power to increase dramatically.
Projection: Triunfel could be a star, but the exact form that stardom could take remains to be seen. Fantasy-wise, he is a long-term investment but won't provide quick dividends.
Brent Lillibridge, Atlanta Braves
Background: Slotted at Number 59 on our RotoWire Top 100 list, Lillibridge was drafted by the Pirates in the fourth round in 2005, from the University of Washington. He was traded to the Braves in the Adam LaRoche deal and had a fine 2007 season.
Tools and Skills: Lillibridge is a right-handed hitter and thrower, listed at 5-11, 180, born September 18, 1983. A fine all-around athlete, he features speed as well as moderate power. He has a strong arm and above average range as well, making him an asset on both offense and defense. His main weakness is erratic strike zone judgment.
Performance: Lillibridge is a career .286/.369/.445 hitter, including .287/.331/.436 last year in Triple-A. He swiped 42 bases as well last season, combining for 22 doubles and 13 homers between Double-A and Triple-A.
Projection: Braves officials indicate that Lillibridge could use a bit more minor league polish, but he could see action in the second half and can contribute in a number of ways.
Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals
Background: Listed at Number 60 on our RotoWire Top 100 list, Moustakas was the second-overall pick in the 2007 draft, first round by the Royals out of high school in Chatsworth, California.
Tools and Skills: Moustakas is a left-handed hitter and a right-handed thrower, born September 11, 1988, listed at 6-0, 195 pounds. He's considered by many scouts to be the top high school hitter available in the '07 draft. He has a strong arm and is a good athlete, but most experts believe he will have to move to third base or the outfield. The Royals will keep him at shortstop for the time being.
Performance: Moustakas hit .293/.383/.439 in his pro debut, though this was just 11 games in the Pioneer League. He was a superstar against strong competition in high school.
Projection: Moustakas should be an excellent hitter, though it remains to be seen where he fits defensively and he won't provide immediate fantasy returns.
Article first appeared 3/25/08
