Fantasy Baseball Prospect Tracker: Lawrie, Montero, and Bourjos

Eric Stashin

Jul 27, 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:

Brett Lawrie - Milwaukee Brewers - Second Baseman
Double-A: .285 (114-400), 6 HR, 44 RBI, 64 R, 26 SB
He has the potential to be a dynamic force atop the Brewers lineup, which sounds awfully similar to what we were saying about Alcides Escobar at this time last season. I would have concerns about Lawrie’s ability to hit leadoff, much like Escobar has been hitting at the bottom of the order. He has posted a strikeout rate of 22.0% (88 Ks) vs. a 7.8% walk rate (34 BBs). That is something that he has to improve upon, because while his speed may merit it, he is currently sporting a .353 BABIP. Any drop in luck would mean a drop in average. On the positive side, he has been an extra base machine, with 24 doubles and 12 triples. However, that success hasn’t come over his last 10 games (.213, 10 Ks). It was an incredible June (.362), but he hasn’t hit above .272 in any other month. In other words, while the speed is appealing, he needs more work before he has the potential to make a consistent impact.

TOP NEWS

Jesus Montero - New York Yankees - Catcher
Triple-A: .274 (86-314), 10 HR, 43 RBI, 41 R, 0 SB
With the trade deadline approaching, the 20-year-old’s name has been bandied about. It has been a while since we looked at him and it appears that his bat has come around, making him look all the more appealing. In his last 88 AB, he’s hit .375 with six HRs and 18 RBI. Clearly, it took the youngster some time to adjust to Triple-A, but at a shallow position, he’s looking like a player that could translate. Clearly, the Yankees are not likely to push him in 2010, but there could be a chance of them taking a look at him in 2011 (unless he’s traded). Jorge Posada just can’t catch forever. Of course, there are also defensive concerns and the chance of him switching positions.

Peter Bourjos - Los Angeles Angels - Outfielder
Triple-A: .316 (121-383), 11 HR, 47 RBI, 77 R, 27 SB
Known for his speed, Bourjos has paired that with power as well. He has double-digit doubles (10) and triples (12), which is more expected of him then the long ball. Considering his 28.7% fly ball rate, don’t look for the power barrage to continue. He has been on an absolute tear of late, hitting .521 (25-48) over his last 10 games. Among that span is a pair of three-hit games, a pair of four-hit games, and a five-hit game. Can we really expect him to continue hitting like that? He’s likely to be a solid source of SB, should he get a look, but don’t look for him to be more than that.

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

Make sure to check out our new Prospect Tracker, for links to the latest updates on all the top prospects in baseball, by clicking here .

Make sure to check out some of our Prospect Reports: