REPORT FILED: SEPTEMBER 22
I can't think of any remotely interesting introductory comments to begin the column this week, so let's just get started.
Ben Sheets
Milwaukee Brewers
Position: RHP Height: 6-1 Weight: 195 Born: 7/18/78
| Year |
Team |
Level |
G |
GS |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
K |
W-L |
ERA |
SV |
| 1999 |
Ogden |
R |
2 |
2 |
8.0 |
8 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
12 |
0-1 |
5.63 |
0 |
| 1999 |
Stockton |
A |
5 |
5 |
28.0 |
23 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
28 |
1-0 |
3.58 |
0 |
| 2000 |
Huntsville |
AA |
13 |
13 |
72.0 |
55 |
17 |
15 |
25 |
60 |
5-3 |
1.88 |
0 |
| 2000 |
Indianapolis |
AAA |
14 |
13 |
81.2 |
77 |
31 |
26 |
31 |
59 |
3-5 |
2.87 |
0 |
You'll be hearing this guy's name this week, since he is pitching for Team USA in the Summer Olympic Games. You'll be hearing more about him in 2001, pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Sheets was the 10th overall pick in the 1999 draft, out of Northeast Louisiana State University. Something of a late-bloomer, Sheets wasn't a hot prospect coming out of high school, but made the most of his chances in college and turned heads with a strong 1999 performance. The Brewers, owners of a farm system devastated by years of injuries, poor drafts, bad scouting, and general neglect, were looking for premium players to rebuild around. Sheets fits the bill.
He signed late in 1999 and didn't pitch much, so he entered the 2000 Double-A campaign with little pro experience to build on. It didn't faze him; he dominated the Southern League through 13 starts, posting a stellar 1.88 ERA, though his won-loss record was just 5-3 due to weak support from his teammates.
Promoted to Triple-A at the halfway mark, Sheets continued to pitch very well, positioning himself for a shot at the rotation in 2001. Anyone who posts a 2.87 ERA in Triple-A in his first full pro season deserves accolades. He would have been promoted to the majors for September, but the Brewers decided that Sheets could learn more by pitching in the high-pressure Olympic environment than he would with a few meaningless September appearances for an also-ran team.
Sheets works with a 92-94 mph sinking fastball, a curve, a slider, and a very good changeup. He knows how to throw strikes and change speeds, and is regarded as very polished and intelligent. He isn't an intimidator at 6-1, but he knows what he is doing and has a reputation as being tough in clutch situations. He'll get a chance to show that in the Olympics.
How will Sheets do in the majors? It sounds like I like him a lot, doesn't it? I do. However, I do have a few reservations about his chance for immediate success in the big leagues. Despite his excellent ERAs this year, his K/BB mark in Triple-A was merely "good" rather than spectacular or excellent. K/BB ratio is a very reliable indicator of how ready a pitcher is for the majors. Roy Halladay, for example, posted bad K/BBs in the high minors despite other good numbers, and proved not to be ready for the Big Time.
That's not to say that Sheets is going to struggle like Halladay ... I don't think he will. But I don't think Sheets is going to be posting 2.80 ERAs in the National League right away, either. He's an excellent prospect and a sound long-term investment, but very few major league pitchers are dominant at the beginning of their careers. I doubt Sheets will break that mold.
Mailbag questions
Matt C. writes: I was wondering what you think about Ty Wigginton moving to left field? I read that he has bad range for a second baseman and with Edgardo Alfonzo at second for a long time to come, would it make sense?
Wigginton has power, hitting 20 homers to go with a .285 average in Double-A this year. He can play second base or third base, but isn't regarded as especially reliable at either position, meaning his chance to be a regular is small ... zero considering his competition as you rightly point out, Matt. Moving him to a corner outfield position would make sense on paper ... we'll have to see if the Mets would consider doing that. He doesn't turn 23 until next month, so he is hardly old for a prospect. A negative is his strike zone judgment: 24 walks and 107 strikeouts in 453 at-bats is not a good ratio. He'll have to improve his strike zone judgment if he wants a chance.
Louis in Oakland writes: Why don't I see more on A's second-base prospect Jose Ortiz? Only 22, this year he won the PCL MVP, hitting .308, 24 homers, and 108 RBI. It seems such power numbers from a second baseman would put him on most Top Prospects lists.
Ortiz did indeed have an outstanding year. To the numbers you mentioned, I would add 22 steals. He drew just 47 walks, a bit below what you want from someone with 518 at-bats, but he also fanned just 64 times, so he does make contact. I think the main question for Ortiz is his defense. He split his time between second base and shortstop, and made 32 errors. Given the emphasis that Oakland puts on strike zone judgment, I would imagine that Ortiz will continue to improve in that regard. The question will be his glove, and we don't know the answer to that one yet.
John Sickels is the author of the STATS 2000 Minor League Scouting Notebook. You can email your questions to him at JASickels@AOL.com. | |
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