Yakima began its season last Friday and Missoula kicks off today. I thought I'd do a roster rundown to highlight some of our younger prospects. Mizzoula Osprey Fan is going to do a rundown on Missoula's roster. Yakima is technically considered the higher level but the leagues are pretty comparable. It almost seems as if our better prospects end up in Missoula but it's hard to tell I guess. If you don't see any of our signed draft picks on either of these teams then the player is likely staying in Arizona with the lower rookie level team the AZL D-backs. For example, Top Pick Stryker Trahan is staying in Arizona, most likely so he can get some top level catching instruction before being sent out on the road.
See the Yakima roster with a few notes on each after the break.
Yakima Bears
Pitchers
Victor Acosta, 22, Dominican Republic, 2009, 18th-round
Marginal relief prospect who pitched okay in Yakima and AZL last year. Will need a major step forward this year to keep climbing.
Enrique Burgos, 21, Panama, 2007 Free Agent
Probably his last chance to make an impact as he hasn't done anything of consequence to date.
Alex Capaul, 23, Idaho, 2011, 43rd-round out of Hawaii
Pretty solid season last year for Yakima with a 3.07 ERA, but he didn't get promoted so not a good sign.
Victor Capellan, 22, Dominican Republic, 2008 Free Agent
Victor's going the wrong way on the depth chart. He's been as high as Visalia with a cup of coffee in Reno, but he hasn't been able to stick at those levels. This is his last hurrah most likely.
Alexander Carreras, 22, Cuba, 2011 Free Agent $400,000
Somebody likes this kid. A hard-throwing lefty who was signed for big bucks last December. He started the year in Visalia but got beat up pretty good with a 9.95 ERA in 12+ innings. He's been moved down to a softer spot here and had a good first start the other day. One to watch.
Blake Forslund, 22, 2012,15th-round out of Liberty
Hard-throwing righty who had some intrigue earlier in his amateur career. Struggled with major control issues before settling in a little as a reliever his final year at Liberty. Drafted simply on physical potential. Will need some coaching to tap into it.
R.J. Hively, 23, 2012, 19th-round out of Mississippi
RH pitcher who didn't impress much at Ole Miss. Was strictly a reliever with so-so results. A little old for the level so he'll need to break out pretty quickly.
Jose Jose, 21, Dominican Republic, 2010 Free Agent
LH reliever who posted a couple of really good seasons at the DSL level with good strikeout totals. Projects as a lefty specialist who could rise quickly if he continues producing similar results on his way up.
Bobby O'Neil, 22, Biola, CA, 2012 Free Agent
Signed as a free agent a few weeks ago following an Independent League Open tryout. Drafted in 2012 by the Twins before being released. Pitched okay in 2011 in the GCL. Smells like roster filler, but you never know.
Miguel Pena, 21, Dominican Republic, 2008 Free Agent
Seems stuck at the rookie level though he is only 21. Missed all of 2011 due to injury. Doesn't miss enough bats to be taken too seriously.
Frank Santana, 23, Dominican Republic, 2008 Free Agent
Had a couple of stellar seasons at DSL but couldn't duplicate that in Missoula last year. He'll need to take a major step forward this year or he's nearing the end of the line.
Derrick Stultz, 23, 2012, 14th-round out of South Florida
Missed all of 2010 and 2011 to injury before posting a pretty good senior season at South Florida. Good control pitcher with 3/1 K/BB ratio throughout college. Will need to impress quickly due to his age.
Daniel Watts, 22, 2012, 32nd-round out of Jacksonville St.
LH pitcher with projectibles but lacking significant collegiate success. Good thing he's left handed.
Cody Wheeler, 22, 2010, 5th-round out of Coastal Carolina
Some serious upside with this kid. Had a great college career but tailed off his final couple of months. Slipped to the 5th round in 2010, signed late and suffered arm injury requiring Tommy John surgery. LH pitcher a hair on the short side (5-11) but has talent and a chance to move quickly. One to watch.
Catchers
Ronnie Freeman, 21, 2012, 5th-round out of Kennesaw State
Good all-around college catcher with a plus bat. He'll be expected to progress upward each year with a sky's-the-limit approach. Should get most of the action at catcher. One to watch.
Jae Yun Kim, 21, Korea, 2009 Free Agent
Been stuck at rookie ball for 3 years. For depth only.
Steven Rodriguez, 22, 2011, 15th-round out of UCLA
Couldn't hit his first year in Yakima. Good defensive catcher. Kept around to help develop pitchers. Crash Davis without the crash.
Infielders
Jimmy Comerota, 3B, 26, 2010, 18th round out of Rice
26 and playing his 3rd season in Yakima. Planning on being a coach?
Mark Ginther, 3B, 22, 2012, 24th-round out of Oklahoma State
Infielder with a little pop. Did not sign after being drafted in the 14th round by White Sox last year. Should get most of the playing time at 3B. A wait and see guy.
Jacob House, 1B, 23, 2012, 20th-round out of Texas A&M
Good college hitter but a little light on the power for a first baseman.
Adam McConnell, SS, 22, 2012, 29th-round out of Richmond
Played 3B and SS in college. Better glove than bat. Will need to improve on hitting to keep moving. Long shot.
Kevin Medrano, 22, 2B, 2012, 18th-round out of Missouri State
Good college second baseman. Good glove, pretty good hitter, but not much power. Has a chance to make it to the mid-minor levels.
Josh Parr, SS, 22, 2011, 12th-round out of Illinois
Fairly productive as the everyday SS for Missoula last year hitting .288. Bumps up a hair to Yakima this year. Good enough glove and enough bat to make it another level or two.
Outfielders
Shaun Cooper, 22, 2012 Free Agent
Batted behind Utah superstar C.J. Cron in 2011 with really good results. Did not get drafted to his amazement. Had a great 2011 summer being named Perfect Game's Player of the Summer. Struggled his senior season at Utah. Did not get drafted again in 2012. Signed by Dbacks. Bat seems to have some potential. One to watch.
Kerry Jenkins, 23, 2011, 38th-round out of San Jose State
Repeating at Yakima. Not enough production and zero power for an outfielder. Defensive skills only.
Joseph Loftus, 22, 2011, 46th-round out of Vanderbilt
Signed late last year, did not get any official play in. Seems to have some skills, good runner, good arm, a snitch of raw power. Will need to develop quickly.
Yogey Perez-Ramos, 23, 2012, 17th-round out of Miami Dade CC
Actually listed as 25. Played in Cuba and went to CC and became draft eligible. Limited defensively and a few offensive tools. He'll get his chance.
Daniel Poma, 23, 2012, 10th-round out of Hofstra
College All-American who put up great numbers at Hofstra. Maybe an Adam Eaton clone? Legitimate upside and one to really watch.
Henry Zabala, 22, Dominican Republic, 2008 Free Agent
Third straight year in Yakima. Nearing the end of the line. Depth player only.