Ms top 2 pitching prospects.... - Revolution42's Blog

Revolution42's Blog

Ms top 2 pitching prospects....

Posted on March 30, 2009 at 07:29 PM.

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PHILLIPPE AUMONT,RHP : Aumonts upside is as high as they come...but... that ascent has been stalled a bit due to elbow trouble, which sidelined him for two months during his pro debut in 2008. Drafted in the first round of the 2007 Draft out of high school in Quebec, the 6-foot-7 220-pounder has the kind of power stuff you'd expect from someone with that physique, including a fastball considered the best in the organization. Still something of a raw product, he's working on refining the rest of his repertoire. In '08 at Class A Wisconsin, he posted a 2.75 ERA in 15 games, including eight starts, striking out 50 in 55 2/3 innings while limiting Midwest League hitters to a .224 average. His official destination for '09 is still up in the air at press time, but he's expected to head to Class A Advanced High Desert where he will work out of the bullpen for the time being. That role shift could definitely expedite his arrival in Seattle.
Josh Fields, RHP: As a college senior, Fields did not have to sign by the Aug. 15 deadline like underclassmen did, so the 2008 first-rounder out of Georgia didn't ink with the club until mid-February, setting back his ETA. But the true closer prospect with a fastball in the mid-90s and a power curveball could move up quickly to make up for lost time. The 20th pick overall, he'd been drafted in the second round in 2007 by Atlanta before returning to college for that extra year. The Mariners were still mulling whether to start him in the High Desert or Double-A West Tenn bullpen. He becomes the third Josh Fields in pro ball, not to be confused with the White Sox's third baseman or the former White Sox reliever who spent 2008 in the independent leagues.

Aumont made a good showing for himself in the WBC....I watched him toss a couple of innings and was pleasantly surprised. This is a big strong kid, velocity is not a problem for him, he threw in the upper 90s with decent control. IF the Ms can afford to bring him along slow and not rush him into situations he may not be ready for, I think in a couple of seasons, maybe less, he will be an answer to some of their pitching problems.
I don't know alot about Fields....I watched him throw in a couple of college games....reminds me alot of Tim Lincecum...I should preface that by saying...his size and mechanics remind me of Lincecum....he has a nice curveball with some serious break...mid 90s heat. As I mentioned with Aumont...IF they can be patient and not rush him.......this kid has alot of "upside".