Fantasy Baseball Prospect Tracker: Friedrich, Anderson, and Danks

Eric StashinJul 6, 2010

It’s time to check in on three more prospects from around the minor leagues. Are any of them primed to make an impact in the not too distant future? Let’s take a look:

Christian Friedrich - Colorado Rockies - Starting Pitcher
Double-A: 64.0 IP, 5.34 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 57 K, 1 W
It has clearly been a struggle for Friedrich, who missed time earlier in the season with an elbow problem. Now back on the mound, things just haven’t gotten any better, including giving up seven earned runs in two of his last six outings. He’s better then that, as he showed last season (2.41 ERA and 159 K over 119.2 IP).

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It could be that the injury is still an issue, but it’s hard to imagine the Rockies would allow one of their prized prospects tp take the mound if he was still experiencing any problems (unless he’s hiding them from the organization). This could end up a lost season for Friedrich, but that shouldn’t discourage those in long-term keeper leagues.

Friedrich remains one of the best pitching prospects in the game and should start showing that in the second half.

Lars Anderson - Boston Red Sox - First Baseman
Triple-A: .223 (44-197), 5 HR, 22 RBI, 25 R, 0 SB
When we last checked in on Anderson, he had been struggling since being promoted to Triple-A. A month later, that continues to be the case. In fact, he’s been even worse, going 19-for-89 (.213) with just one home run, eight RBI and eight runs.

Anderson has been doing better lately (.351 in his last 10 games), but strikeouts continue to plague him. During his time in Triple-A he’s struck out 57 times (28.9 percent strikeout rate), making it nearly impossible to hit for a usable average.

His fly-ball rate is back down towards his career mark (33.1 percent in Triple-A vs. 30.7 percent for his minor league career), meaning the power may not be able to offset his average. I wouldn’t be looking for him to make an impact in 2010.

Jordan Danks - Chicago White Sox - Outfielder
Triple-A: .239 (70-293), 4 HR, 27 RBI, 41 R, 14 SB
His speed may be his biggest asset, but you can’t utilize it if he can’t make contact. Danks had 72 K in 214 at-bats the last time we checked in on him. Since then? He’s struck out 28 times in 79 at-bats, a disturbing rate of 35.4 percent.

Over his last 10 games, Danks has struck out at least once in each game and has racked up a total of 15. Maybe if he was walking during that stretch it wouldn't be so bad, but he’s drawn just two walks in his last 10 games and 24 overall on the year. For the season he has a strikeout rate of 34.1 percent.

Until Danks can straighten that out, there’s no chance he makes any type of an impact in 2010 or beyond. He’s already 23-years-old, so my hopes aren’t high for him. I’d keep my distance.

What are your thoughts on these three? Who is going to make an impact in 2010? Who has the best long-term potential?

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