2008 Infield Player Profiles
Desmond and LeFave are the prospects in this group. In my opinion the starts look like this: 1B LaFave, 2B Yepez, SS Desmond, 3B Jimenez/Rogers, utility role will go to DeCaster.
SS – Ian Desmond – Born 9/20/1985 – 6’2” – 185 - Bats/Throws: Right
He was selected in the Third round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft by the Montreal Expos. Baseball America (BA) ranks him as the 14 best prospect in the Nationals organization. While only 20 years old Ian was assigned to Double-A Harrisburg to start the 2006 season but struggled hitting only .184 in 38 games. He was reassigned to Potomac to gain confidence and work on his approach at the plate.
In 2007 while playing for Potomac Ian posted career highs in average (.264), OBP, Stolen bases (27) & Home Runs (13).
Ian will return to Harrisburg to start the 2008 season. This time he is better prepared to handle the competition in the Eastern League. Defense: strong arm, good range, above average glove. He makes the difficult plays look easy. He needs to work on making the easy plays.
Offense: Good speed and good gap power. Opened his stance last season and seems to be seeing the ball better. He needs to work on adjusting to off-speed pitches and lowering his strike-outs.
1st base/3rd base/DH/Corner OF - Yurendell DeCaster – Born 9/26/1979 – 6’1” – 200 - Bats/Throws: Right
Yurendell DeCaster is also a 10-year veteran who was originally signed by Tampa Bay and then was signed by Pittsburgh. In 2006 he played a handful of games for the Pirates. Over the years he has played a variety of positions (2nd, 3rd, 1st, outfield and DH).
In 2007 DeCaster played for Indianapolis (AAA) in the Pirates organization. He hit 280, 9 homeruns, 54 RBI’s.
Defense: He will probably serve as a 3rd base/1st base/DH/OF capacity in 2008.
Offense: He has gap-to-gap power but won’t hit many homeruns, and some speed (although he has slowed down in recently). He is not really a threat to steal many bases.
Journeyman Luis Jimenez has played for 7 organizations in 8 years. He is also a veteran of the Eastern League (2005 New Britain, 2006 Portland, and 2007 Bowie).
In 2007 he played for Bowie (AA - Baltimore) and Pawtucket (AAA-Boston). He combined to hit .292, 23 homeruns and 86 RBI’s. While with Bowie he earned two Eastern League Player or the Week honors.
Jimenez will play 1st base for the Senators.
Offense: He should hit for average (career .286) and has homerun and gap-to-gap power. Not a threat to steal bases.
Defense: Early in his career he played outfield and 1st base but now he is limited to playing 1st. He should be a good fit until Chris Marrero is called up at some point this season. When Marrero is called up, Jimenez can help teach him the position.
1B - Andrew LeFave – Born 4/16/1984 – 5’10” – 205 - Bats/Throws: Left
LeFave is entering his 3rd professional season. The last two he played in the Brewers organization.
He is a career .347 hitter power hitting 1st baseman. Last season while playing for West Virginia he led the SAL league in hitting .345 and on-base percentage. He clubbed 17 homeruns, 79 RBI’s, and scored 90 runs.
I have not had a chance to see him play or read much about him but solely based on his stats I see him starting at 1st base for the Senators. It should be interesting to see how well he will do verse better pitching in the Eastern League.
Finished third in the Arizona League with a .353 batting average. ... Struck out 17 times in 136 at-bats with 22 RBIs and 27 runs scored in 35 games.
2B/3B - Ed Rogers – Born 8/29/1978 – 6’3” – 188 - Bats/Throws: Right
Ed Rogers is entering his 19th professional season (8 with Baltimore and 1 with Boston). During his career he has played 3B, SS, 2B, DH and OF.
Rogers spent last season with Pawtucket (AAA affiliate with Boston) where he hit .249.
Offense/Defense – He will most likely play 2B/3B. He brings big league experience to the infield. He has a career average of .262 with little home run power.
SS/2B - Marco Yepez – Born 12/29/1981 – 5’10” – 160 – Bats: Switch - Throws: Right
Marcos Yepez was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Marlins in 1999. He was later picked up by the Expos in Rule 5 Minor League Draft in 2002.
Yepez split last season between Potomac (A), Harrisburg (AA), and Columbus (AAA). He had a combined .298 average, 120 hits and 40 RBI’s.
Defense: He will most likely play 2nd base in 2008. He has a solid glove, good arm and always makes the difficult plays look easy. He also makes the easy plays too. He is fun to watch play.
Offense: He has a career .271 average. I think he will bat some where around .280. Not much power, either gap or homerun but always plays hard and makes contact.
coming up next: 2008 Pitchers player profiles
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