If you're a fan of top prospects and rookies, then this Quick Hits post is for you. Here are today's links…
- Oakland's 2010 first rounder, Michael Choice, is wowing scouts in Arizona, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). Peter Gammons of MLB Network hears from a trusted scout that Choice has the bat speed, strength and athleticism to become a "monster" (Twitter link). Baseball America ranked the 21-year-old third among Oakland's prospects heading into the season.
- One GM says the Royals are so deep in talent that they can still be in it in 2013 if a couple of their top prospects miss, according to Gammons (on Twitter).
- Neftali Feliz has said he's most comfortable closing games, but Rangers GM Jon Daniels says he'll continue stretching the 2010 AL Rookie of the Year out to see if he can make it as a starter, according to Anthony Andro of the Fort-Worth Star Telegram (on Twitter).
- The Giants and last year's NL Rookie of the Year, Buster Posey, agreed to a one-year deal, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. He tweets that the deal is worth $575K. That's about $150K more than the Giants had to give him.
- Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos tells Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi that Brett Lawrie has looked “very good.” The Blue Jays, who acquired Lawrie for Shaun Marcum over the winter, like the infielder’s work ethic, tools and drive.
If Feliz wants to close, then why mess with him? If he feels most comfortable in that situation, then that’s where they should keep him at.
So Feliz is saying he’d rather close, but they’re having him start? Hope they get what they want out of him or it’s gonna be a messy situation.
Feliz prefers closing, makes sense considering that’s what he’s had success with. When Papelbon came up he insisted he wanted to start then changed his mind once he tried closing. If Feliz gets used to it, then the more innings he pitches for Texas the better. Let’s hold off on passing judgment on this for a month or two.
Because they face the same situation the Yankees do. They missed out on Cliff Lee and are a but suspect after the 3rd spot in the rotation.
i, personally, love the idea of stretching feliz out as a starter. from what ive heard he has a high ceiling at either spot. best case scenario he ends up being a shut down ace, worst case scenario he goes back to being a shutdown closer. no harm either way, he is young and why not test the waters?
Posey’s deal is 575K
dude is way overpaid
Saw Choice during Spring Training and was really impressed. He was getting solid, solid contact and has an *incredible* arm, the thing is a cannon. Anyone know much else about him?
I have said this in the past, but I’ll say it again, Texas better have a clear plan for Feliz and don’t do the whole start, relief, start, relief thing they did with Joba (the yankees that is).
I remember watching the draft and trying to will Oakland to pass on Choice so that he would drop down to the Jays. The Jays took Deck McGuire next, which at the time felt like a real step down. However, people seem to be viewing Deck higher and higher…so that helps. Still, wouldn’t mind having on the farm an athletic OF with the potential to be a monster.
Peter Gammons called Bobby Crosby a “Monster” or something similar about 10 years ago. We all know how that turned out. I am an A’s Fan. I’ll believe it when I see it.