Clay Buchholz: Buchholz is scheduled to be called up today to start game 1 of today's doubleheader and then go back to the minors. Regardless of what happens, he seems to be next-in-line for a spot in the rotation if someone gets injured, but a strong performance could have the Red Sox making new plans for a way to get him into the rotation. He has blown away hitters in both levels of the minors that he has pitched in this season, 12.1 K/9 in 86.2 Double-A innings and 14.2 K/9 in 30.1 Triple-A innings. With those kind of strike out skills and having good control, 2.3 BB/9 in Double-A and a 2.4 BB/9 in Triple-A, it would not be surprising to see him have immediate success.
Asdrubal Cabrera: Josh Barfield has been on the bench the last two games and could be on the verge of losing the starting second base job to Cabrera. Cabrera started the season in Double-A, where he put up good numbers, 8/54/.310 with 23 steals in 368 AB, fully supported by solid underlying skills, 89% Ct% and a 1.07 BB/K. After a quick 38 AB stop in Triple-A, he was called up to the big team where he has gone 3 for 12 with 3 K's and no walks. At just 21 years of age and with very little experience above Double-A, Cabrera may not be ready to contribute. If he can make good contact and work some counts, the upside would be some stolen bases, but if he doesn't adjust to major league pitching the downside would be a hit to your team batting average and a dead spot in the counting stats. Let someone else spec on him.
Dan Meyer: The A's recalled the former top prospect from the minors and he will start today against Kansas City. Injuries have delayed his arrival, as he had surgery in July of 2006 to remove a bone chip in his pitching shoulder. In Triple-A this year, he was 6-2 with a 3.40 ERA. The 8.1 K/9 shows that he still has potential to make an impact as a starter in the major leagues, but it will not happen until he cuts down on the walks, 4.4 BB/9. He is not recommended in any format until he displays better control.
Jason Botts: Botts has not done much, 1/5/.224 in 49 AB, with the playing time the Rangers have given him. Prior to his recall, he was tearing up Triple-A, 13/78/.320 with 36 doubles in 369 AB. He was even showing better plate patience, .79 BB/K. but so far with the Rangers he has looked overmatched, 3/14 BB/K. The 49 AB sample size is small, but at the age of 27, Botts better show something soon before he runs out of chances to be a regular.
Jerry Owens: Owens' 0 for 6 performance yesterday ended a run in which he had hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games going 18 for 57 during that span. For the year, he is hitting .249 with 1 home run and 17 steals in 20 tries. For a player with absolutely no power, just 6 extra-base hits in 205 AB, Owens should be making better contact, 83% Ct%, and exercising better plate patience, .26 BB/K, to take advantage of his speed. If he cannot improve on those skills then he will be destined to be a platoon, RHP/LHP batting average splits of .227/.255, or a bench player.
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