9/24/2008

Ex-Rattlers make the list

Two members of the 2008 Timber Rattlers made Baseball America's list of Top 20 Prospects in the Midwest League.

First, Mike Moustakas of Burlington was rated as #1. For the Rattlers: Phillippe Aumont checks in at #8 and Juan Ramirez at #17. The scouting reports for the entire Top 20 are behind the subscriber wall. But, here are a few quick blurbs on the Rattlers to make the list:
Wisconsin may have finished with the worst record in the Western Division (56-80), but no MWL team could match the Timber Rattlers' trio of teenage power arms: Aumont, Juan Carlos Ramirez and Michael Pineda. Aumont made the biggest splash despite being limited to 10 innings in the second half as a precaution after he came down with a sore elbow.

Aumont already throws 90-95 mph, and the projection remaining in his 6-foot-7 frame leads scouts to believe he'll push his velocity into the upper 90s. The hard sink on his fastball and his crossfire delivery make it even tougher on hitters. He flashes a plus curveball, though his arm angle makes it tough to stay on top of the pitch consistently.

...

Ramirez and teammate Michael Pineda had much in common. Both are products of the Mariners' productive Latin American program, pitched at age 19 this season and have big-time projection remaining. Though Pineda finished second in the league in ERA (1.95) and capped his year with a 14-strikeout one-hitter, scouts preferred Ramirez because they think he has a better chance to remain a starter.

I'm going to agree with Jay at Mariner Minors and others who were surprised that Pineda did not make the list.

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