Eastern League Prospect Preview: Northern Division

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February 17, 2009 - The Eastern League is always packed with talented prospects on their way to major league stardom and 2009 is shaping up to be no different. This season as many as 20 of Baseball Prospectus’ Top 100 prospects could see action in the Eastern League, including five in the top 20. The abundance of talent this year intensifies the anticipation for the start of the season, only a little over a month and a half away. Here is a team-by-team look at some of the names who may be making an appearance in the Eastern League North in 2009: Binghamton The days of Fernando Martinez with the B-Mets may be over, but that doesn’t mean the roster lacks talent. Coming off a third place finish in the Eastern League North last season, they look to be competitive again with high ceiling pitching prospects and a solid middle infield. RHP Bradley Holt and SS Reese Havens look to make an impact this season after outstanding performances in the New York Penn League last year. They could make an impact as early as midseason to an already talented team. Holt brings a 97 MPH fastball and might be the Mets best pitching prospect, while Havens impressed with his power and approach for a middle infielder, before losing most of his 2008 season to injury. Connecticut The Defenders finished just behind Binghamton in 4th place in the Eastern League last season. In 2009 the San Francisco Giants affiliate could be a wild card with possibly two of the best pitching prospects the game has to offer in LHP Madison Bumgarner and RHP Tim Alderson. The 60th best prospect in baseball, Alderson spent last season in Class A San Jose, where he posted an ERA just under 2.80 in 26 starts. The crown jewel of the Giants organization is Bumgarner, after a dominating 2008 campaign. While he may start out in San Jose, he looks to move up quickly, after posting a staggering ERA of 1.46 in 24 starts at Class A Augusta last season in the South Atlantic League. Known as a hitter’s league, Bumgarner dominated the competition and could look to do the same to the Eastern League hitters this season. New Britain The Rock Cats hope to get back on track in 2009 led by top prospects OF Ben Revere and C Wilson Ramos. Revere could make an impact with New Britain later in 2009 because of his ability to get on base and make things happen on the basepaths. In his first year and a half of professional baseball Revere has stolen 65 bases and hit .360 between Rookie League and Class A Beloit. Ramos has a good blend of power and ability to get on base makes him a threat at the plate. Behind the plate, Ramos is exceptional defensively and handles his pitchers well. New Hampshire After a forgettable 2008 season, the Fisher Cats will look to rebound behind the services of 2008 first round pick 1B David Cooper. The 17th overall pick out of Cal-State Fullerton, Cooper has drawn comparisons to Lyle Overbay for his ability to hit for average. He endured a very busy 2008, moving around to three different Blue Jays affiliates after being drafted in June. During those stops, he managed to hit .333 and had an OBP just under .400. Scouts believe his power (5 HR in 273 ABs) will come with maturity, and he will certainly be one to watch in the near future. Portland The Red Sox are known for minor league talent, and this year’s Portland Sea Dogs certainly proves that. 1B Lars Anderson and OF Josh Reddick will most likely return after a brief stints in 2008, while the pitching staff will possibly have Japanese import Junichi Tazawa in the rotation and RHPs Daniel Bard in the bullpen. Anderson is the Sox number one prospect and 17th in all of baseball after hitting .316 during a short two month stint at the end of last season in Portland after hitting .317 at Class A Lancaster. Reddick hit .342 in Class A Lancaster and Greenville before getting the call to Portland, where he will probably return in 2009. Tazawa will be one of most eagerly anticipated arrivals to the Red Sox this season. At only 22 years old, he compares to current Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka because of his exceptional secondary pitches. Bard was a first round pick of the Red Sox in 2006 out of North Carolina, and dominated the Eastern League last season with an ERA under 2.00, where he could return in 2009 to work on his command. Trenton The reigning 2008 Eastern League Champions have graduated a plethora of talent onto Triple A and the Majors, but this year’s squad could eventually see the next wave of Yankee prospects as early as mid-season. Catchers Austin Romine and Jesus Montero, along with RHP Dellin Betances, look to make an appearance in Trenton in 2009. Montero hit .326 in Class A Charleston last season, and while there are concerns that the 6’4 230 pounder may not stay behind the plate as he progresses, there is no doubt there is always a place for that kind of offensive production. Romine is the more classic catcher of the two and is no easy out at the plate either (.300 at Class A Charleston). Only 21, Betances has a fastball which can reach as high as 98 MPH and a plus curveball and change which makes him a true throwback power pitcher who wants to throw it right by you. He may get his chance to work that magic against the Eastern League hitters in 2008.

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