Posted by Mike Caprio April 4, 2009

ESPN’s Peter Gammons writes a column every year about “up and coming” players who made an impact in Spring Training…either raising eyebrows about things to come, or through actual performance on the field.

If you haven’t read it, the article is here.

A few Highlights:

Mike Stanton, CF,  Florida Marlins

19 year old Marlins prospect Mike Stanton received the most votes in Gammons’ survey.  The 6-foot-5 former defensive back was nabbed in the 2nd round of last year’s draft away from Pete Carroll at USC.  His 39 HR’s rocked the Sally League last season in Greensboro.

Carlos Santana, C, Cleveland Indians

Many in the baseball community were floored when Mark Shapiro acquired the switch hitting catcher in exchange for Casey Blake at last year’s deadline.  While some scouts profile him as a 3B, and due to the depth at catcher for the Indians that may very well be a necessity, he is showing significant promise at the plate.

Brian Matusz, LHP, Baltimore Orioles

Surprisingly, according to Gammons, the scouts’ consensus is that Matusz, last year’s  highest drafted pitcher, is more polished and closer to big league material than fellow prospect arms, Chris Tillman and Jake Arrieta.  That consensus says more about Matusz’s ceiling than a damning of the other two top pitching prospects.  All three should be up with the Orioles by year-end.

Gordon Beckham, SS/2B, Chicago White Sox

Gammons references the major league “walk”, and believes that Ozzie will have Beckham manning 2B sometime this this season.

Josh Lindblom, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Even if you’re a prospect “hound”, the one guy on this list you may never have heard of is Lindblom.  Drafted in the second round of last year’s draft, Lindblom has excited the Dodgers coaching staff, and prompted Joe Torre to use him extensively at the tail-end of Spring Training.  According to Gammons, quote:  ”Best young arm I saw all spring in Arizona,” said one scout. “He’s going to leap into that L.A. bullpen by June,” said another scout.  If Broxton doesn’t perform…sleeper “closer in waiting”?  Hmmm…

Opening Day is one day and counting…set your lineups.

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