BB Top 10 Catchers

1. Wil Myers
2. Jesus Montero
3. Devin Mesoraco
4. Derek Norris
5. Yasmani Grandal
6. Wilin Rosario
7. Tony Sanchez
8. Gary Sanchez
9. Travis d'Arnaud
10. Carlos Perez



Derek Norris

JR- I was surprised when I looked up Derek Norris's baseball reference page to find how statistically well he has performed defensively this season: 52% CS rate and only six passed balls (down from twenty-eight in 2009). I had him pegged as a future first baseman coming into the year, and I am really interested in seeing some updated scouting reports on the defense. The loss of power was expected given the hamate injury, and the bat has a chance to be special with the much improved K/BB when it returns.

MH- Norris is easily #4 for me. While it hasn't shown up in his numbers this year due to a hamate injury, he has very good power. He draws walks like they're going out of style. One thing I want to point out about Norris is his K rate. If you went to fangraphs.com you'd see a huge jump in his K% to 31.6% which looks horrible. The thing is, fangraphs calculates K rate as K/AB instead of K/PA which sort of penalizes Norris because of the jump in his walk rate. His K/PA% actually went up less than a percent from 21.5% last year to 22.4% this year. Defense has been a question mark for Norris, but as Jeff mentions he appears to have made some major strides this year. There were reports late last year that he was very focused on improving his defense and looks like that's been very beneficial.

JS- I had Norris at four too, but I do have a concern about his walk rate. Half of his strikeouts are of the looking variety which tells me either he is either extremely patience or passive but the more I think about it the more I lean towards the latter. There is a possibility that finds himself in may deep counts and his uber selectivity is causing him to walk more than a great approach had led to that element of his game.

Mike Trout Cal League Playoff MVP

Yet another award for Mike Trout, he was named playoff MVP for the California League
Mike Trout, Rancho Cucamonga
.367/.415/.653, 18-for-49, 3 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 12 RS, 3 BB, 8 K, 7 SB, 4 CS
Mike Trout, a 2009 first-round pick of the Angels, wrapped up his breakout first full pro season in fitting fashion. He homered and scored twice in the Quakes' first game of the playoffs, helping Rancho Cucamonga whoop High Desert, 12-5, and he doubled and walked in the next game, which ended the Mavericks' season. He doubled in Game 2 of the Finals against San Jose, and he hit two homers and scored four times while going 4-for-5 with a walk in Game 3. He had four hits, three runs scored and an RBI over the last two games of the series.

State of the Farm Dellin Betances

SP Dellin Betances NYY 8-1 2.11era 85.1Inn 108K's .174BA betweeen +A and AA in 2010. The Heros picked him up in June of 2010.

The full story can be found at http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/08/20/full-scouting-report-dellin-betances/

The Yankees certainly have to be excited about the top of their pitching staff in High-A Tampa. Along with star lefty prospect Manny Banuelos, the Tampa staff also boasts 6-foot-8 Dellin Betances, who is blossoming before our eyes as an elite pitching prospect.

Coming off elbow surgery, the big question for the towering right-hander is going to be his health. If he can stay healthy, there is no telling what he can do on the mound. And, given what I saw in his most recent outing with Tampa, the sky is the limit. Here is what I saw from Betances on Thursday night in Clearwater:
Given some real similarities in their deliveries, as well as having highly similar arsenals and approaches, the best modern-day comparison for Dellin Betances is Josh Beckett. Obviously, Beckett may not still be that dominant pitcher, so this comparison goes more for the Beckett of old. Betances obviously is taller than Beckett, but other than that they are comparable in just about every other way, including the powerful mid-90s fastball, their deliveries, and the hard 12-6 hooks.

But since he was drafted, there's never been much doubt that Betances had potentially all-world type stuff. Thankfully, his elbow surgery has not robbed him of that. It may have, in fact, given him more time to develop his changeup and refine his delivery. Those two categories have both gone from potential weaknesses to strengths.

The bottom line here is this: keep Dellin Betances on the mound and healthy and his talent is as good as anyone at the minor league level. Health is the only thing that can hold him back.

BB Top 10 2B Prospects

The Heros have 3 of the top 7 2B prospects on BB list.
1.Dustin Ackley
2.Brett Lawrie
3.Jason Kipnis
4.Jemile Weeks
5.Jean Segura
6.Reese Havens
7.Johnny Giavotella
8.Billy Hamilton
9.Scooter Gennett
10.Daniel Descalso

Jason Kipnis:

AS: This kid has just come out and raked. I look at his line and can't help but think his numbers better a number of guys on our 1B prospect list. There really aren't any weaknesses in his offensive game. Sweet swing, above average tools and everyone who sees him seems to think he's a guy who will play beyond his tools. I'm drinking the Kipnis Kool-Aid.

JS: A friend turned me onto Kipnis before the season began as a player he thought we be a top 2B prospect by year’s end. It is hard to argue that Kipnis has not become just that. He is an athletic guy and he will stick at 2B, but with the amount of work he needs to be polished at the position, it could delay his major league arrival.

JR: The book on Kipnis coming into the year was that, despite his production at Arizona State, he was undersized, did not have the defensive tools for center field, nor the power potential requisite for a corner spot. The move to second base looks brilliant in retrospect. With one swift move all of those concerns were alleviated, and his frequently praised work ethic has allowed the transition to be as smooth as possible. His batting average and plate discipline are around what was expected, but I do not think anyone anticipated this kind of power out of Kipnis. He certainly looks like an above average regular at second base to me, making the pick a steal for Cleveland.

MH: Kipnis has a good looking bat that plays extremely well at 2B. Good walk rates, solid to above average power and good contact rates. The K rate isn't out of hand either, it actually improved when he moved up to AA along with his ISO. With Cleveland not likely to contend in the next year or two the Indians can take their time developing Kipnis' defense at the keystone. Even with that, I think the bat will be what carries him. Luckily it looks good enough to do just that.

DM: Obviously I love this kid, having ranked him the #1 second baseman. Since we already have a pretty good profile of the kid, I just want to present his and Ackley's triple-slash numbers side-by-side without comment.

Ackley: .260/.386/.381 at AA and .274/.338/.439 at AAA;

Kipnis: .300/.387/.478 at Hi-A and .311/.385/.502 at AA.

And of the two, Kipnis is the one who will likely stay at 2B. Yup, I love this kid, alright.

Reese Havens:

JS: It was recently reported, after this list was compiled, by Adam Rubin that Reese Havens may be getting back surgery. How do his injury woes effect his ranking for you guys, and more specifically an injury as serious as back surgery?

JR: I like the potential in Reese Havens's bat, and I seem to remember the reports on his transition from SS to 2B to be going smoothly. He would have a shot at the number 2 spot if not for the constant injuries that he has endured as a professional, all of which have sounded seemingly minor. The latest has been an oblique strain suffered in mid June that ultimately ended his 2010 campaign, an almost unfathomably long time to recover from an oblique strain. As JD mentioned a report has just came out that he will undergo back surgery this off-season. I really do not know what to make of it just yet, and eagerly await news on the scope of the surgery and estimated recovery time. If he can find that magical elixir that allowed him to play three full seasons at South Carolina, he has the kind of bat that New York would love to pencil into the lineup everyday at second base.

MH: Until we get more info on the severity of the injury and how the surgery goes, I don't want to do much with Havens ranking. He sits at #5 on my list right behind another injury prone player in Jemile Weeks. He might have as much power as anyone on the list, though I'm not sold on him hitting for a high average at the MLB level. If he can stay healthy he can be a valuable player between his solid defense and good power/solid walk rates. That's looking like a big if though.

AS: The back surgery doesn't change much for me. Since he's a Mets player I assumed he would get injured and had already adjusted his ranking for that (kidding!). Seriously... its obviously a negative, but I don't want to overreact until we know more. I was really warming up to Havens. He'd be a great fit in Queens and a refreshing change from Luis Castillo.

Johnny Giavotella

MH: Giavotella isn't flashy and doesn't have a very high ceiling. What he does have is a very good combo of contact ability, strong walk rates, and very low K rates. His power isn't anything special, but I think he's capable of hitting .285/.360/.410 with averagish defense at 2B. Not a star, but a solid regular.

JR: Johnny Giavotella's plate discipline has always been the most impressive part of his game for me. With the move to the Texas League this year, his bat got a bit more interesting. Given the poor marks he usually receives for his defense, his ability to maintain the progress he has made offensively will determine whether he can carve out a role as a solid regular.

AS: Yeah, Giovatella doesn't really impress when you watch him, but he keeps on hitting and doesn't have any major weaknesses in his game.. I really like the approach and the contact ability. Not a flashy player but one who could hang around the majors for a while.

Kelly's Heros Offseason Wish Lish

1. Speedy MLB outfielder (+30 steals) that also can hit for a good batting average (.280 or higher).
2. Would love to add another front line starter to the mix (who wouldn't)
3. Find a 1B that can hit for power, would like a chance to get 30HR from first this year.
4. Have a good draft, already have a lot of mid-good prospects in the system need to add more high level guys.
5. Add another closer, I would like to have 3 closers when next year starts and two holds guys in the majors and 2 more in the minors.

5 Best trades in Heros History

5. Got Ferando Martinez and 2010 2nd rd pick for 1st rd pick 5th overall (this is on here just because two days later I got the 3rd overall for Martinez)
4. Got RP KRod for DH Travis Hafner in spring of 2008
3. Got two 2010 1st rd pikcs for SP Brandon Webb (he has yet to play a again)
2. Got SP Roy Halliday for SP Sean Marshell, SP Mark Buherle and 2008 1st rd pick
1. Got 1st rd and 3rd rd 2009 picks and SP Glen Perkins for SP John Smoltz and RP Taylor Bucholz

Jason Kipnis

After hitting for the cycle in the IL Finals, Columbus' Jason Kipnis fell a single shy in Tuesday's Triple-A National Championship Game

5 Worst Trades in Heros History

HM Gave 1B Miguel Cabrera for SS Derek Jeter, Alfonso Soriano, and 2008 1st rd
5. Gave SP AJ Burnett and RP JJ Putz for C Jeff Clement
4. Gave 2010 1st rd and 2nd rd pick for OF Alfonso Soriano and 2010 3rd rd pick
3. Gave 2011 1st rd and 3rd rd picks and OF Rick Ankel for OF Michael Cuddyer
2. Gave 2009 1st rd, 2nd rd, 3rd picks, OF Shin Soo Choo, 1B Logan Morrison, OF Aaron Cunningham, OF Gerrardo Parra, SP Jhoulys Chacin, SP Jonathan Niese, C Jeff Clement, OF Delmon Young for SP Brandon Webb and OF Bobby Abrue
1. Gave OF Ichiro and 2008 3rd pick for SP Luke Hochevar and OF Wladimir Belantien

Three Top 10 Picks

After the first round of the playoffs the Kelly's Heros 1st round picks are set. They are, 4th, 6th and 10th. This will be the 1st time the Heroes picked in the 1st rd. The Heros at this time are not lending any way or to any player.

2B in the Minors

In the last state of the farm I covered Jason Kipnis which is the jewel of the Heros 2B crop in the minors. After Kipnis, 2B is still the deepest pos in my minors.

2B Johnny Giavotella KC: .322avg 9HR 65RBI 61/67BB/K 13SB,
Pick up during the 2010 season, Johnny was no stranger to the Heros as he spent time with them in 2009 after being 8th rd pick. Johnny had monster break out year in '10and will fighting for a spot in KC in '11

Adam Foster of Project Prospect had him listed as one of the top 10 2B in all the minors fellowing the 2010 season.

What Sickel said:
Kansas City Royals prospect Giavotella's 2009 season in the Carolina League was regarded as a bit disappointing by some, but he had a strong second half and was well-positioned for success this year. Succeed he did, hitting .322/.395/.460 for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, with 61 walks, 67 strikeouts in 522 at-bats. He's always had an excellent feel for the strike zone and maintained that this year. He was especially hot in the second half, hitting .374/.438/.571. His defense drew mixed reviews in the lower minors, but he improved his error rate this year and if he keeps hitting his glove should be good enough. All told, it was a very successful transition. I gave him a C+ in the 2010 book; that will be at least a B- in the '11 edition.


2B/SS Reese Havens NYM: .312avg 9HR (in just 128ab)
Havens a 2nd rd pick by the Heros in 2009 (32nd overall) was trade at the 2009 deadline to Pro Bowlers, but was trade back in the offseason for Rudy Owens. Havens was crushing AA pitching when injury struck and he missed most of the season.

Adam Foster of Project Prospect had him listed as one of the top 10 2B in all the minors fellowing the 2010 season.

According to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports that Mets' prospect second baseman Reese Havens may need back surgery.
Havens has been limited to just 32 games this season due to ailing oblique muscles. Surgery sounds like an odd course of treatment for such an injury, but there could be more going on than the Mets have disclosed to this point. Havens, a former 2008 first-round pick, still has the talent to be long-term solution at second base, however he has to prove he can stay healthy first.

What a fan of the mets had to say: God. Hates Mets.

Special Edition of State of the Farm

Baseball American recaped there all 2010 Hotsheets Team there was 3 Heros on that list, so we are going put a special edition of the state of the farm to cover these players.

2B Jason Kipnis, Cle: .307avg 16HR 74RBI 96Runs 8SB .878OPS. Start the year in +A but spent most of the season in AA. Drafted in supplement 3rd rd pick in 2010.

What Baseball America Said:

The Scoop: In his first full pro season, Kipnis did what he always has done—hit. The 2009 Pacific-10 Conference player of the year posted three seasons with 1.000-plus OPS marks in college between Kentucky and Arizona State, and he put up an .873 mark in his first full pro season, most of which was spent at Double-A. He spent the first 54 games of the season with high Class A Kinston.

Scouts like the handsy looseness in his swing and his solid-average power. Kipnis was mostly an outfielder in college and is still making adjustments defensively at second base, but scouts report he has the skills for the position and just needs more repretition there. He'll push Cord Phelps, who had a fine year and moved up to Triple-A, as the Indians' second baseman of the near future.

OF Mike Trout, ANA: 341 28 2B, 9 3B, 10 HR, 106 R, 58 RBIs, 73 BB, 56SB, .917OPS. Spilit time between -A and +A, only turned 19 in Aug. Aquired from Rolling Goats in the Roy Halladay trade.

What Baseball America said:

The Scoop: If we had awarded the Minor League Player of the Year in mid-July, it's a pretty safe bet that Trout would be on the cover of the latest Baseball America. He showed off his wide breadth of skills in the low Class A Midwest League, hitting .362 in the first half, and upon his promotion to the hitter's heaven that is the California League, it was easy to speculate what kind of damage he could do out West.

It didn't turn out that way. Trout struggled to get adjusted to high Class A, although he did finish strong with six multi-hit games in his final nine. But we do need to step back for a second and marvel at just exactly what Trout did during a season where he didn't turn 19 until the final month of the season. Trout showed jaw-dropping speed, above-average power and the ability to cover lots of ground in center field. Even if he heads back to the Cal League to start next season, he's likely to make it to Double-A before he turns 20, which puts him in rarefied air.

SP Julio Teheran Atl, 9-8, 2.59. 143 IP, 108 H, 40 BB, 159 SO, .208BAA. The year started with Julio in -A and ended in AA. Still only 19 year old. Aquired from Rolling Goats as part of the Roy Halladay trade.

What Baseball America said:

The Scoop: The Braves are normally pretty conservative about moving their pitchers up during the season. But Teheran gave them little choice. He headed back to low Class A Rome on Opening Day, but his 1.14 ERA in seven starts quickly begged for a promotion to high Class A Myrtle Beach. It's hard to say that the Carolina League offered much more of a challenge—witness the eight shutout innings he threw there during a 14-strikeout start.

So eventually the Braves sent Teheran to Mississippi. He didn't rack up any double-digit strikeout games in Double-A, but he did more than hold his own as one of the youngest pitchers in the league. The Braves have a tidal wave of pitching prospects rising through the system, but Teheran's 92-96 mph fastball, tight curveball and solid changeup stands out from the crowd.

SS in the Minors

SS Edward Salcedo Atl, .225 3HR 14SB .640 OPS between DSL and full season A.

Aquired in the 2nd round of the 2010 CPL draft. Started out really well in the DSL batting .297 with an .885OPS. Was promoted 23 games into his minor league career and struggled adjusting to full season minor league pitching.

What others have said:

“This is a significant signing for us,” said Johnny Almaraz, the Braves’ Director of International Scouting and Operations. “We feel that Edward is one of this year’s most talented prospects. He has outstanding makeup and the combination of his fielding and hitting ability make him one of the top international players we’ve seen in a while.” Salcedo, 18, has been one of the Dominican Republic’s most highly-touted prospects in recent years. He should begin his professional career with Single-A Rome or Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach

Trout Named Midwest MVP

Former Angels' first-round pick Mike Trout was voted MVP and Prospect of the Year, Trout opened eyes and gained national attention after his showing in Anaheim at the 2010 Futures Game. He tormented Midwest League pitchers during his time with Cedar Rapids, hitting .362 with six homers, 39 RBIs and 45 stolen bases in 81 games before earning a promotion to Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga. Trout hasn't played in the Midwest League since June, but still ranks third in the circuit in steals.

Source MILB.com

The 2011 Draft order picks 1-8

1. Scared Hitless
2. Raging Ferrets
3. Big Hurts
4. Kelly's Heros
5. Scared Hitless
6. Kelly's Heros
7. Get Denarded
8. Spans when Hardy

2010 Season Review

This was the worse year in Kelly's Heros history, posting a record of 136 wins, 186 loses and 30 ties, with a win% off .429.

But with the losing seson some major rebuilding took place. During the selling the team recieved several young players that should only get better. Some of the top major league adds were OF Jay Bruce, OF Travis Snider, SS Elvis Andrus, SP's Clay Buchholz, Bret Anderson, and Trevor Cahill. ALong with them sveral lesser young major league players were added, 1B James Loney, SP Kevin Slowey, SP Jordan Zimmerman, and SP Chris Volsted.

The minor leagues got a major shot in the arm and maybe a top 3 system if not the best when it got OF Mike Trout, SP Julio Teheran, SP Mike Minor, P Tanner Scheppers, and C Dereck Norris.

While the season started with championship thoughts, I could not be more excited about the players that were brought in and about the future.

1B in the Minors

1B/3B/C Neftali Soto, Cin .268 21HR 73RBI also 33 Doubles

The Heros got Soto for Robbie Ross from, Your Mom. Started the year playing C after playing 3B all of last season. During the year spent time at 1B, 3B and C. Struggled at the plate to start the season (mainly due to trying to learn two new pos) Ended strong .421 1HR 5BB to 6K's with 1.252OPS over the last 10 games.

What others have said,

Sickel 2010 post season report: Like the power, plate discipline needs a lot of work.

Adam Foster from project prospect put him just outside the top 10 1B in all the minor league.

Sickels 2010 preseason report: Great tools, terrible approach, still young.

History of Ace of the Year

The Ace of the Year is awarded to the player on the Kelly's Heros that has the best pitching season.
2007 Roy Halladay 16-5 3.71era 225Inn 139K's
2008 Franciso Rodriguez 2-3 2.24era 68inn 77K's 62SV
2009 Roy Halladay 17-10 2.79era 246Inn 206K's

History of Hero of the Year

Hero of the year is given to the Kelly's Hero that has the best hitting season.
2007 3B David Wright .325avg 30HR 107RBI 34SB .963OPS
2008 2B Dustin Pedrioa .325avg 17HR 20SB 83RBI 117Runs .869OPS
2009 1B Price Fielder .299Avg 46HR 141RBI 1.014OPS

Catchers in Minors

Derek Norris Was, .235avg 12HR 49RBI 298Ab 89BB .419OBP 6SB

Norris was acquired by the Heroes in the Prince Fielder trade, the BA #38 prospect in all the minors will hopefully become the catcher of the future.

What was said:

Sickels Preseason comments: Grade B+: "Somewhere on the Mickey Tettleton/Mike Napoli spectrum: high walks, lots of power, defense should be good enough, might not hit for average".

Sickels post 2010 comments: Grade B+: "71 games for High-A Potomac. Still drawing tons of walks, has thrown out 52% of runners. I still believe".

Klaw: Typical recovery time for power after a hamate injury is 12-18 months. I'm not saying Norris' WILL come back, but that we don't know anything about it right now. I would bet on a full recovery, but we can't look at the stats now and say "oh, he's toast."

Minor League Ball: "I know the power is lacking, but we're talking about a guy coming off a hamate bone injury. Given his reportedly improving defense and the fact that he's putting up a .411 OBP in a supposedly awful offensive season, there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about Norris. He could be a star if his glove is good enough."

Christian Bethancourt Atl, .251 3HR 34RBI 11SB

Picked 32nd overall in the 2010 CPL draft as to this point has not lived up to that so far. Bad May and June, picked it up Aug, but not enough. Great defence and still very young only 18 playing full season A ball.

Sickels preseason Grade B-: "Grade includes a lot of projection."

Sickels post season Grade B-: .257/.285/.346 for Rome. Not much power, has drawn just 11 walks. Not liking the bat at this point but he's only 18, still has time to grow, and his strikeout rate is low.

Rumor Mill

Rumor has it that one team has made a large offer for super prospect OF Mike Trout. Sounds like the offer involved a top draft choice and a top 10 prospect. We will see where this goes.

Tiger Hunt

One highlight of the 2010 season has been the season series win over rival the Mauling Tigers. After sunday's big day to hold off the charging Mauling Tigers the Heroes record on the year stands at 25-20-3 vs the Tigers.

2010 Appalachian League MVP

Oswaldo Arcia was named the 2010 Appalachian League MVP, leading the league in Ba and RBI, while finishing 2nd in the league in HR's. HE finished nearly 50 points higher then the next player in the league in BA. His final line was .375 14 HR 51 RBI in 259 AB. He also chipped in 4 SB.

New Mascot for 2011

When Clarkson became Spans when hardy to start the 2010 season it was a sad day around the league, the fact that there was one less Kelly in the league. Going forward for 2011 the Kelly's Heroes are pround to bring to the team as mascot Kelly Clarkson. Click to read here bio from wiki.

2010 Future Game

THe Future loks bright for the Kelly's Heroes after watching the 2010 future game. Trout went 2/4 with a double and 2 runs, while being the youngest player at the game. All 5 pitcher pitched and non gave up a run, with Scheppers coming in the 9th to finish the game.


OF Mike Trout
SP Mike Minor
SP Julio Teheran
SP Stolmy Pimetel
SP Hector Noesi
RP Tanner Scheppers

2010 Major league All-Star Game

Kelly's Heroes had 5 players named to the major league all-star game.
C John Buck
SS Elvis Andrus
2B Dustin Pedroia
SP Trevor Cahill
SP Clay Buchholz