Roster Wrap: International and Pacific Coast Leagues (AAA)

Pitching: Francis Beltran is a hard thrower with no command, but he is still just 28. A lot of people were high on Armando Galarraga two years ago, but he's 26 and hasn't done anything since coming to the AL. Anastacio Martinez could come out of nowhere and be something. Macay McBride is a decent situational lefty. Virgil Vasquez was rocked in his brief callup last year, but should get another shot with the Tigers' bullpen in tatters.

Batting: Mike Hessman is hilarious. He hit .165 for the Mud Hens in 2006 and they kept him around! He hit .251 last year and even hit four big league homers. Hessman swings for the fences with every swing, and he does connect sometimes. However, his batting averages tend to be so low it's tough to carry him on a roster. Jeff Larish is a Quad-A guy waiting to happen; he deserves better than that. Mike Hollimon can hit and play short, but that hasn't been enough to give Marshall McDougall a career, so who knows? Brent Clevlen is a younger, center field version of Hessman with half the power. He either makes more contact or his big '06 callup will be most of his MLB career. Jason Perry would be a good bench outfielder in the majors.

Overall: Not much here. The Tigers have arguably the worst system in baseball, and it shows. However, between Hessman, Larish, Hollimon, and Perry, there are four useful bats here at 1B, 3B, SS, and OF.

Albuquerque Isotopes

Pitching: Marcos Carvajal pitched well for the Rockies as a 20-year-old (Coors Field success at 20!) and yet hasn't seen much big league action since. Still just 23, there's obviously upside here. Eulogio De La Cruz throws really hard and has at least some idea of where the ball is going--he is likely suited more to relief than starting work. Marcus Gwyn keeps pitching well; everyone keeps failing to notice. Gaby Hernandez is a good prospect, but unless his curve improves, he won't be much of a starter. Brandon Villafuerte is as good as 20% of the pitchers in the majors, but he isn't really better than any. Doug Waechter gets by on pure guts and wile; this guy shouldn't be on the mound for a team that wants to make the playoffs. Thankfully, he isn't on a team like that.

Batting: John Baker is a lefty-hitting catcher. It gave Paul Bako a career, so why not him? Tagg Bozied either slugs or gets hurt: unfortunately, he's gotten hurt so many times that no one notices if he slugs anymore. Chase Lambin can play everywhere, and more importantly, can HIT, and switch-hit at that. He isn't in the majors because?... John Gall is Bozied again, without the injuries, but two years older. Alexis Gomez is a perfect fourth outfielder, but his 15 minutes of fame have come and gone (They were in the 2006 ALCS). Dallas McPherson was once a big-time prospect, but chronic injuries and strikeout issues have killed his career. He won't get a better shot than he did in spring training, so his career prospects are through unless Jorge Cantu hurts something. Eric Reed is a speed-and-defense guy who doesn't hit enough to justify a backup OF spot.

Overall: There are a few interesting players here, most notably Lambin, Carvajal, and Hernandez, but this is just an average AAA team.

Colorado Springs Sky Sox

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