Fantasy Baseball Prospect Tracker: Freeman, Jackson & Trumbo

Eric Stashin

Aug 14, 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:

Freddie Freeman - Atlanta Braves - First Baseman
Triple-A: .303 (118-390), 15 HR, 72 RBI, 57 R, 4 SB

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The Braves may not want to rush the 20-year old, but they may not have much choice as they try to fend off the Phillies and remain atop the NL East. ust look at their other options: Troy Glaus (1 HR since 6/19, though it did come recently, to go along with a .241 average) and Eric Hinske (2 for his last 28).

Freeman, meanwhile, has been tearing the cover off the ball.

In his last nine games he’s gone 14-34 with 1 HR, 9 RBI and 6 R.

One of the major concerns I had on him the last time we checked in was his ability to hit southpaws. At that time he was hitting .217, but now has that average at .266. Amazing how things change in just a month. I still have concerns regarding his current power potential (his fly ball rate is now 30.4 percet), but he could develop that as he ages.

Those in yearly leagues should view him as an option in deeper formats should he get recalled in 2010 thanks to his ability to hit for average. In keeper formats, he’s certainly worth stashing.

Jay Jackson - Chicago Cubs - Pitcher
Triple-A: 4.27 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 95 K (6.6 K/9), 38 BB (2.6 BB/9), 9 W

He’s 6-1 over his last 10 starts, but that is slightly deceiving. Over that span he’s allowed 4 ER or more six times and posted an ERA of 5.25. His control overall has been good (2.6 BB/9), but keep in mind that he spent time as a relief pitcher earlier in the year (2 walks in 15.1 innings).

Over his last 10 starts he’s walked 23 batters, good for a BB/9 of 3.6. He’s also had luck on his side this season with a BABIP of .267, so the WHIP isn’t fully believable. Couple that with the lack of strikeouts and it is unlikely that he becomes usable in 2010, even if he were to get recalled. Considering how good he has looked out of the bullpen this season (1.17 ERA over 15.1 innings), could that be where his future is?

Mark Trumbo - Los Angeles Angels - First Baseman
Triple-A: .291 (127-436), 27 HR, 93 RBI, 78 R, 3 SB

He continues to hit bombs, albeit in the Pacific Coast League. In the 106 AB since the last time we checked in on him, Trumbo has hit another 7 HR with 23 RBI, though it hasn’t come lately. In his last 10 games, he’s hit .235 with 1 HR and 4 RBI.

It looks like opponents may be starting to pitch around him more, however, as he has 10 walks over that span, but only 44 for the season. Strikeouts could be a concern, with 102 for the year, a strikeout rate of 23.4 percent. That’s not awful, but it could increase upon being promoted.

Of course, the Angels appear to have no interest in promoting the 24-year old, despite the loss of Kendry Morales. If they ever decide to take a look, he could be a source of power down the stretch. If they haven’t done so yet, however, it appears unlikely they will. Perhaps he gets a cup of coffee in September, but time will tell.

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.

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