| Rank | Hitters | Pitchers |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Andrew LeFave | Adrian Alaniz |
| 18 | Leonard Davis | Cory VanAllen |
| 19 | Dani Arias | Martin Beno |
| 20 | Bill Rhinehart | Hassan Pena |
| 21 | Mark Gildea | Yader Peralta |
| 22 | Aaron Seuss | PJ Dean |
| 23 | Edgardo Baez | Federico Tanco |
| 24 | Garrett Bass | Jack Spradlin |
| 25 | Alejandro Hodge | Marcos Frias |
| Francisco Soriano | Juan Jaime | |
| Yeurys Tejeda |
LeFave was the player the Nationals acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for a month plus of LHRP Ray King. LeFave was signed in 2006 as an undrafted free agent. All he’s done since then is hit. Over the past two seasons he’s hit 347/431/517. The challenge that LeFave is going to face is his age. He played the 2007 season in Low A as a 23-year old. He’ll need to perform in Potomac quickly in 2008 in order to remain on the prospect radar.
Alaniz was an 8th round selection in the 2008 draft out of the University of Texas. He is by no means overpowering (fastball in the mid-80s) but he knows how to win with four average pitches. His professional debut in Vermont was anything but average where he was 8-2 in 13 games with a 2.39ERA and 0.83WHIP with 62 strikeouts and only 8 walks over 60 1/3 innings pitched. Much like LeFave, Alaniz faces an age-related question. Entering the 2008 season, the righty will be 24-years old and no full season experience. His window is much narrower but if he can translate his success in the NY/Penn league early in 2008, he can perhaps advance quickly. Expect him to join LeFave in Potomac in 2008.
Positively Half St. (10 more days) | 05-Feb-08 at 9:25 pm | Permalink
These are two of my favorites, in spite of their age. I really hope they are at Potomac so I can see them in person.
Brian Oliver | 05-Feb-08 at 9:44 pm | Permalink
I like their chances and both of them could quickly move up the ladder but that age thing is going to be a huge red flag
Louis J. | 06-Feb-08 at 7:45 am | Permalink
Brian
In your posting, you referrred to Alaniz as a “lefty”. Isn’t he a RHP. His age vs the competition level in which he pitched could explain his 2007 success. Interested to see how he does as he moves up the ladder against players his own age.
Brian Oliver | 06-Feb-08 at 9:10 am | Permalink
Louis - Yeah. He’s a righty. I had another guy listed here originally but tweaked my rankings and forgot to change some of the words. Thanks for the catch
Ryan Sullivan | 06-Feb-08 at 10:06 am | Permalink
Anyone have additional information about LeFave? Is he a lefty or a righty? What position(s) can he play? I am curious if anyone has seen him play or knew more about him, as he is a bit of a mystery-
Thanks gang-
Positively Half St (9 more days) | 06-Feb-08 at 10:20 am | Permalink
He is a first baseman, mainly, and a hitter:
2007 W Virginia SAL Age 23 A-ball Average .345 OBP .432 SLUG .525 OPS .957
He won the Sally League batting title, after hitting over 0.350 in Rookie ball the year before. Can we use him, with others like Marrero also being of- 1b? Who knows, but you just want him to keep hitting and walking and progressing up the chain. If somehow we can’t use him, perhaps he will build trade value over time.
Eliot | 06-Feb-08 at 10:27 am | Permalink
Lefave is a lefty, 5′10″ 205. OPS .950 or more for both years in the minors. At this level he has been the second coming of Nick Johnson. Should be fun to see if he continues to hit.
Wooden U. Lykteneau | 06-Feb-08 at 11:31 am | Permalink
5′10″ 205 LHB, high OBP — sounds more like John Kruk!
Eliot | 06-Feb-08 at 11:50 am | Permalink
Excellent, Wooden! “Krukker” LeFave. We could do worse.
Hendo | 06-Feb-08 at 7:41 pm | Permalink
I’m liking Lefave’s plate discipline and Alaniz’ effectiveness with junk. We could be in for some fun in Woodbridge this season.