The Texas League All-Star break is typically a time when you see a little movement here and there among top prospects, and this year should be no different with a few of the league's top players getting a promotion dictated by the Major League club. This isn't exactly going out on a limb, but my prediction for the most likely player to soon make the jump to Triple-A is Wichita's Alex Gordon. This is only his first year in pro ball and he is already at the Double-A level. He was college player of the year at Nebraska only last season and has been on the fast track since getting a $4 million signing bonus. Plus, being in the Kansas City Royals organization, there is really nothing standing in his way to reaching the Majors by the end of the season.
On the local front, I think Brandon Wood is safe in Little Rock for the season. The Los Angeles Angels have shown great patience and restraint in moving him too fast, keeping him at the same level throughout each of his three prior seasons of pro ball, and I see no reason that the trend stops now. So you can enjoy some more of Wood's home runs for the remainder of the season, but for some of these other guys playing in the Texas League All-Star game, this may be your last chance to see them.
Speaking of Wood, he was really good in his television interviews from fanfest. It's too bad he can't be more out front for the Travs publicity-wise, but I guess they don't put players in that position because they could be gone tomorrow. Still, local businesses are missing out on a big opportunity by not using him in ads.
The Minor League Baseball site has an updated story on Tuesday night's All-Star game, and the Travelers web site has the updated rosters (linked in the post below), including the late addition of the Travs' Jason Aspito. Below are some capsules of the top five prospects who are playing in the All-Star game.
Brandon Wood DH (Arkansas) - #3 prospect in Minor League Baseball, Angels #1 prospect and '03 top draft pick, $1.3 million signing bonus, '05 Futures Game All Star, called next Cal Ripken Jr., could be perennial MLB All Star, hit 58 home runs in '05 between Rancho Cucamonga, Arizona Fall League (four home runs in one game), and Team USA Olympic qualifying, led Minors last season in doubles, home runs, total bases, and extra-base hits, the first to do so since 1956, projected starting third baseman for '09 Angels
Alex Gordon 3B (Wichita) - #13 prospect in Minor League Baseball, Royals #1 prospect and '05 top draft pick, $4 million signing bonus is Royals highest ever, '05 college player of year at Nebraska, Team USA MVP at '04 World University Championship, compared to Chipper Jones
Troy Tulowitzki SS (Tulsa) - #25 prospect in Minor League Baseball, Rockies #2 prospect and '05 top draft pick out of Long Beach State, $2.3 million signing bonus is Rockies second-largest ever, compared to Bobby Crosby ('04 AL rookie of the year)
Billy Butler LF (Wichita) - #29 prospect in Minor League Baseball, Royals #2 prospect and '04 top draft pick, $1.45 million signing bonus, MLB All-Star caliber comparison to Travis Hafner, projected starting designated hitter for '09 Royals
Thomas Diamond P (Frisco) - #79 prospect in Minor League Baseball, Rangers #3 prospect and '04 top draft pick, got $2 million signing bonus, projected No. 4 starter in Rangers '09 rotation
Some other notes... The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has some interesting articles on African-Americans missing in the stands and missing on the field in baseball. You notice that the Travs seem to be no different from this national trend. I wish I knew the magic to draw more African-Americans and Hispanics to the ballpark. I heard some guys talking on XM Radio's World Cup channel about similar problems in soccer, and no one seems to have come up with a good solution to being more inclusive to bring this segment of the population into these two sports... KARK's Razorback Nation does it again. Not one word on the Texas League All-Star game on Monday's sportscast. They did talk plenty about the upcoming high school all-star game, though, and of course had an update on what Ronnie Brewer had for dinner.
I hope the home run derby is on fire. This park can really showcase some good one's between our fence and the armory it should be quite a show. Can't wait...
Posted by: bree | June 20, 2006 at 12:38 PM
Not sure who you were listening to on the World Cup channel, but I can with a lot of confidence that hispanics are very much involved in soccer.
Posted by: SoccerplayingTravfan | June 21, 2006 at 09:03 AM
They were talking about African-American interest in soccer in the United States. I and they are well aware Hispanics are very much involved with soccer. In fact, probably the best place to watch the World Cup in Little Rock would have to be La Karina Tequeria or somewhere like that.
Posted by: Travelerocity | June 21, 2006 at 09:14 AM
Yeah...pretty obvious Hispanics are inot the futbol. I can't think of anything, that hasn't already been tried, that would get the black community more involved in those two sports.
Posted by: Karch | June 21, 2006 at 09:17 AM
inot=into
Posted by: Karch | June 21, 2006 at 09:19 AM
Congratulations on winning nuttiest fan. What was that guy thinking trying to call the Hogs when he didn't even know how to do it? Glad Taco Bob put him in his place.
Posted by: Travelerocity | June 21, 2006 at 09:19 AM
Thanks. Glad that is over with! My legs can't handle that running around crap. The booing was awesome....the bleachers came thru again.
Posted by: Karch | June 21, 2006 at 09:59 AM
Congratulations Karch! I was glad to see you actually knew what you were going to do. The Mud Cat fan stealing the base was funny, but after that he just stood around. At least you kept it going. Congratulations again!
Posted by: NationalOriole | June 21, 2006 at 10:09 AM
Mexicans not following soccer??? Whoever wrote that hasn't eaten at Casa Mexicana. They have soccer on every time I go in there(about once a week).
Posted by: DainBramage | June 21, 2006 at 03:40 PM