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2002 season Final Report American League Central
White Sox - Josh Stewart (P) wasn't the most heralded prospect coming into the fall season. But he finished the year as one of the AFL's top performers, capping his year with a victory in the league championship game. Stewart tallied a 0.81 ERA and a sparkling 23-9 K/BB ratio. Like his AFL roommate, Dave Sanders, the 24-year-old southpaw pitched most of the past two seasons in AA ... Dave Sanders (P) pitched as well out of the bullpen as any other reliever in the AFL, not giving up an earned run until late in the season. He finished with a 0.75 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP, giving up only seven walks in 24 IPs. He also tied for the league lead with six victories. The 23-year-old left-hander's strong suit is his command, especially of his breaking ball. After two straight years in AA, it's time for Sanders to jump to AAA next year ... Tim Hummel (2B/SS) isn't a toolsy, stud prospect, but the 24-year-old right-handed hitter is a fundamentally-sound player with solid baseball instincts. His 10-18 K/BB ratio is most impressive. Hummel didn't hit for much power in the AFL, but his overall offensive numbers are decent (.303/.422/.360). He could have a long career as a utility player and occasional starter ... Jon Adkins (P) was acquired from Oakland in the Ray Durham trade. He pitched much better in AAA after moving to the White Sox organization, probably benefiting most from a move out of the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. The 25-year-old right-hander is a soft-tossing control pitcher. He got hit hard in the AFL (.349 OBA), but walked only seven batters in 36 IPs. There are plenty of better pitchers ahead of him in the Chicago system, so a return to AAA is likely ... Lefty Gary Majewski (P) pitched well enough in the AFL (1.96 ERA, .235 OBA) that he was grabbed by Toronto in the Rule 5 draft. He pitched the 2002 season in Class AA. Soon to be 23, he will contend for a position in the Blue Jay bullpen ... Joe Valentine (P), expected to be one of the league's top closers, managed only three innings before leaving the AFL. He was subsequently traded to the Oakland A's.
Indians - Brandon Phillips (2B) came to Arizona primarily to work on his conversion from shortstop to second base. He excelled defensively, showing that he's every bit as good on the right side of the infield. He was also working on taking more pitches, which led to sub par offensive numbers (.238/.321/.402). The improved patience at the plate showed in the 14 walks he drew, a much higher percentage than his normal numbers. He also smacked four homeruns. Don't worry about Phillips; he's still one of the best infield prospects in baseball, a rare five-tool player at a premium position ... 2002 #1 draft choice Jeremy Guthrie (P) signed too late to play in 2002, so his four AFL appearances constituted the former Stanford Cardinal's professional debut. He generally looked very good, with only one mediocre game skewing his stats. His fastball, which was hitting in the low 90s, has a lot of movement on it. Guthrie fanned 12 batters in 9.1 IPs and finished with a 3.86 ERA ... Eric Crozier (OF/1B) began the AFL season as a taxi squad player, but saw more action later in the year with good results. His performance for the Phoenix team was better than his numbers (.237/.359/.395) would indicate. He was fearless chasing down balls into the right field corner and has nice power from the left side of the plate. Crozier is already 24 and has played only 43 games above Class A, but he could perhaps fill a job as a role player some day ... Brian Luderer (C) saw limited action as his team's third string catcher, but he made the most of his time, hitting .350/.386/.450 in 40 ABs. At only 5'11' and 160 pounds, it's questionable whether he can hold up for a full season. The most games he's played in any one season in his seven-year career is 86 ... At the age of 20, Jhonny Peralta (SS/3B) was rather young to be playing in the AFL. But he performed well after also putting in a good season with AA Akron. The 6'1", 185 pound Dominican native hit .255/.299/.328 in Arizona. Those numbers aren't great, but there were some positive signs, notably his eight doubles, which should translate into homeruns as he matures physically. He also showed good reactions in the field. Improved plate discipline will help as he moves through the system. He may outgrow shortstop in a few years, as his body is already getting a little too bulky for the position. If the power develops, third base could be his ultimate spot ... Marshall McDougall (3B) played only seven games, and has since been claimed by the Rangers in the Rule 5 draft. Odds are he'll be returning to the Cleveland organization at the end of spring training, as the Florida State product isn't ready to play in the big leagues ... Picking up left-hander Lance Carraccioli (P) from the Dodgers might turn out nicely for the Indians. The Louisiana native has excellent command (20-5 K/BB ratio), although opposing batters hit .317 off him. Carraccioli spent most of 2002 in AA; look for him to compete for a bullpen job in Cleveland next year ... Ryan Larson (P) followed a nice 2002 regular season with an effective AFL campaign. Because he stands only 5'10" and doesn't have the scouts gazing longingly at their radar guns, he didn't stand out among the all-star types in the league. But results like these (.187 OBA, 1.00 WHIP, 19-6 K/BB ratio in 20 IPs) show signs of better things to come for the 23-year-old right-hander ... Lefty Dan Neil changed AFL teams midway through the season to help out a team needing another healthy arm, but he didn't pitch well for either squad (8.82 ERA, .329 OBA, 11 walks in 16.1 IPs).
Tigers - Jack Hannahan (3B) started very slowly in Arizona, but finally started to hit in the second half of the season. He finished at .234/.322/.325 with 10 walks in 77 ABs. The left-handed stick has a pretty swing, and the fundamental batting skills are there. The question still remains as to whether Hannahan will develop the power to play third base at the major league level. But he's only 22 and has only half a season of AA ball under his belt. Be patient ... Cody Ross (OF) is a fun player to watch. The 5'11" right-handed hitter, left-handed thrower has nice power for his size and a good understanding of when to take a pitch. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts (31 in 97 ABs), which would undoubtedly help his batting average. But otherwise, his numbers were good (.237/.333/.474, five HRs). The affable Ross will be a fan favorite wherever he plays ... Maxim St. Pierre (C) is a defensive specialist who may hit enough to at least earn a backup role in the big leagues. He played infrequently in the AFL (53 ABs), and his offense suffered as a result. He'll never be mistaken for Mike Piazza, but then neither does someone like Mike Matheny. In other words, there's always room for a catcher who can handle a pitching staff ... Big guy Eric Eckenstahler (P) pitched briefly, but effectively, in his second AFL season (2.16 ERA, 11-3 K/BB ratio in 8.1 IPs). Look for the southpaw to battle for a bullpen job in Detroit next year ... Jeff Farnsworth (P) spent the entire 2003 team with the parent club as a Rule 5 choice. He pitched adequately in Arizona, finishing with a 5.08 ERA, .278 OBA, 27-10 K/BB ratio in 28.1 IPs ... Southpaw Tim Kalita (P) is a control pitcher who put it together in Arizona, posting a 5-0 record with a 4.62 ERA, .224 OBA, 1.11 WHIP, 21 Ks and six BBs in 25.1 IPs. His biggest problem was the long ball, as he yielded four HRs. He just turned 24 and has already been through AAA. Does he have the stuff to get major league hitters out?
Royals - Despite his natural ability to hit, several questions have always been asked about Ken Harvey's (1B) future. Will he stay healthy? Will he keep his weight under control? Can he play first base at the major league level? Those questions weren't answered in the Arizona Fall League. But let there be no doubt about one facet of Harvey's game --- the man can just plain hit the ball. The right-handed hitter from the University of Nebraska had the best individual season in Arizona Fall League history. He set new league records in batting average (.477), on-base percentage (.538) and slugging percentage (.757). He also hit for power (10 doubles and seven HRs), a part of his game which has also been questioned in the past. Harvey hits the ball hard to all fields. Fans sitting on the first base side at AFL games learned to be alert when Harvey was at bat. The injury question still lingers, as he missed a game here and there with minor problems on at least three different occasions. Harvey is the clear cut favorite to earn the DH job in Kansas City in 2003, and there's no reason to think he won't hit over .300 with 25 HRs ... Not much should have been expected of David DeJesus (OF), assuming he'd be outmatched in the AFL. The 23-year-old outfielder played only one minor league season prior to coming to Arizona, with only 25 games above Class A. Instead, DeJesus proved to be a good prospect with solid baseball skills. The left-handed batter hit .263/.381/.425, and walked 14 times while striking out only nine times. He covers a lot of ground in the outfield, runs well and has some power despite his size (6'0", 175). Watch for good things from DeJesus in 2003 ... Independent league refugee Aric Leclair (P) has intriguing stuff. The left-hander struck out 19 batters in 17.1 IPs, but opponents batted .301 off him and he gave up three HRs. He's never pitched above low Class A, so let's see if what he learned from his AFL experience helps as he moves up in 2003 ... Wes Obermueller (P) spent a little time with Kansas City in 2002 after a solid season split between high A and AA. He had a tired arm by the time he got to Arizona and pitched 10.1 unspectacular innings. Get some rest in the off-season, Wes, and come back strong in 2003 ... Brian Shackleford (P) hasn't been able to pitch much in the two years since he left Oklahoma to sign with the Royals, appearing in only 26.2 IPs, so his AFL experience has to be looked at as just that --- more experience. The southpaw pitched in 10.1 IPs, posting a 6.10 ERA ... After two injury-plagued seasons, 6'8" right-hander Kyle Snyder was finally healthy for most of 2003. He pitched well in the AFL (2.89 ERA, .235 OBA, 25-8 K/BB ratio in 28 IPs) before leaving early with an ankle injury. He was throwing around 90 MPH with a good roundhouse curve. The Royals were very conservative with Snyder's pitch counts in 2002, and rightly so. They will undoubtedly challenge the 25-year-old starter next year, perhaps with a move to AAA ... Dusty Wrightsman (P) didn't get much of a chance to pitch, leaving the league after four relief appearances due to back spasms. The 23-year-old right-hander had a fine season in high Class A and has very good command of his pitches, so look for him to move up to AA next year.
Twins - Highly-rated Justin Morneau (1B) improved as the season progressed, finishing at .282/.331/.423 with five HRs in 142 ABs. He still has some holes in his swing, as he fanned 31 times. The 21-year-old Canadian generates a lot of bat speed from the left side of the plate. Look for good things from Morneau down the road ... Michael Restovich (OF) didn't duplicate his fine 2001 AFL season, as the big guy (6'4", 233) looked tired this year. He hit only .231/.309/.342, but still drew 14 walks and hit a couple monstrous homeruns. It was a long season for the right-handed hitting slugger, a year in which he hit 29 HRs in AAA and then spent the month of September with the parent club. He'll contend for a major league job in 2003 ... Switch-hitter Rob Bowen (C) had an abysmal season at the plate in 2003, failing to hit .200 at both Class A levels. He recovered nicely in the AFL, batting .300/.344/.483. Bowen also led his Phoenix Desert Dog team with two triples despite limited playing time. He has a reputation as a good defensive catcher. Look for the 21-year-old to rebound in 2003, perhaps in AA ... Left-hander Brent Hoard (P) doesn't throw hard, but knows how to get batters out. In seven starts, he held batters to a .221 average and walked only six in 23 IPs. The Stanford product is now 26 and should move up to AAA in 2003 after a strong AA season ... Another southpaw, Brad Thomas (P), also pitched well in his second AFL season, finishing with good numbers in nine starts (3.10 ERA, .275 OBA). He's not overpowering, but doesn't walk that many hitters and keeps the ball in the park. His numbers in AAA didn't come anywhere close to what he had done in AA the previous year, but the adjustment to the Pacific Coast League can be rough for even the best of pitchers. Look for the Australian native to battle for a job in Minnesota next year ... Right-handed reliever Willie Eyre (P) opened more than a few eyes with his AFL performance, putting up a 0.98 ERA and holding opposing batters to a .177 average. He split 2002 between high A and AA and, at 24, should soon be ready for a jump to AAA. --- Bill Mitchell Player
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