Padres Report - August 24th

Padres’ Minor League Report – August 24, 2006

I just started compiling numbers and notes on some 40+ Padres prospects as I prepare to rank the Padres top prospects. I have no idea when the project will be complete, but I want to get my rankings out before the big boys do…

Hitters:

AAA - Terrmel Sledge --- 3-4; 3B (5), 2 R, SO
AAA – Paul McAnulty --- 3-3; 2B (30), HR (18), 3 RBI, BB
AA – Vince Sinisi --- 0-4; BB 3 SO
Hi-A – Chase Headley --- 3-4; 2B (31),
Hi-A – Nic Crosta --- 1-4; HR (5), 4, 2 RBI, SO
Lo-A – David Freese --- 1-3; 2 R, 2 BB, SO
SS – Matt Antonelli --- 1-3; 2 R, BB, 2 SO
SS – Craig Cooper --- 3-4; 2B (17), 3B, (1), 2 RBI
R – Cedric Hunter --- 1-3; R, RBI, BB, SO, SB (15)

Pitchers:

R - Geoff Vandel --- 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR

Commentary:

I told you Sledge was starting a new extra base hit streak.

Paul, have a night! I really like this guy. I just don’t know where you play him. Well at least Phil Nevin isn’t around to give him pinch-hitting advice.

Last year, Geoff posted a 0.43 ERA in 21 IP in the Rookie Arizona league. After a promotion to Short-Season Eugene, Geoff posted a 0.90 ERA in 10 IP. In both stops he struck out more than a batter per inning and less than a hit per inning (combined: 0.58 ERA in 31 IP with 20 H, 0 HR, 43 SO, & 6 BB). Now since he only had 10 IP in Eugene, the Padres assigned him to Eugene again (he’s still only 19 years old). After struggling mightily in 11 IP in Eugene, the Padres demoted him back to Rookie-ball again. Until his last appearance (Aug. 18th) and this one, he hadn’t fared all that well in the AZL either. So what’s the lhe line of demarcation? Those last two outing were both starts; his first two in the AZL this year. Wanna bet the Padres let him start more regularly?

Vandel’s last 2 starts:

August 18: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR
August 24: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR

Wow!

Overall 2006 numbers: 31 IP, 44 H, 29 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 29 SO

Ouch!

Good to see Geoff Vandel close out a rough year on a positive note.