Mound Talk

1. Max Scherzer, RHP, AA. After a very long negotiation, Scherzer finally signed with the D-Backs just before the 2007 draft. Throwing in A+ and AA in his first season, Scherzer did not disappoint. In 73.2 Double-A innings, he struck out 76 while walking 40. After the regular season, Arizona sent him to the Arizona Fall League where he was used in relief throwing no more than two innings in a game. He struck out at least one batter per inning in every appearance except one. If Arizona plans on keeping him in the bullpen, he could be ready for a major contribution in 2008. If not, Arizona will likely remain cautious with him and continue to build his arm strength.

2. Carlos Gonzalez, OF, AAA. Gonzalez spent the majority of 2007 in Double-A where he hit .286/.329/.476 with 16 home runs and 33 doubles in 501 plate appearances. On the negative side, Gonzalez struck out 103 times and walked just 32 times.

3. Brett Anderson, LHSP, A+. Anderson split time between A and A+, though he struggled with his promotion. A complete scouting report on Anderson can be found here.

4. Jarrod Parker, RHSP, HS. Taken with the ninth overall pick in 2007, Parker works with a low-90s fastball and a sharp slider. He will make his professional debut in 2008.

5. Aaron Cunningham, OF, AA. Cunningham came to the Dimaondbacks during the season in exchange for Danny Richar (from the White Sox). Cunningham has the skills to play center but will likely end up as a right fielder, though Arizona has several players ahead of him on the depth chart. In stints in High-A and Double-A, Cunningham showed significant improvement over his past seasons statistically and continued to refine his skills. He stole 28 bases but was caught 14 times. Cunningham hit a combined .308/.375/.509 between High-A (with Arizona and Chicago) and Double-A.

6. Gerardo Parra, OF, A+. Parra predominantly plays right field but can also play center. Parra spent the majority of 2007 in the Midwest League where he hit .320/.370/.435 over 444 at-bats including 35 extra-base hits. Parra stole 26 bases in 37 attempts.

7. Emilio Bonifacio, 2B, MLB. Bonifacio split time this year between shortstop and second base this year while playing 132 games in Double-A before earning a cup of coffee in September. He hit .285/.333/.352 for Mobile in the Southern League.

8. Esmerling Vasquez, RHSP, AA. Vasquez didn’t post spectacular peripherals in Double-A this year, but was quite successful. He posted a RA9 of 3.32 over 165.1 innings. He struck out 151 batters while walking 60. He gave up 42 extra-base hits. He’s 24, so his time is running short.

9. Greg Smith, LHSP, AA. Smith split time between High-A and Double-A this year. He is a fly-ball pitcher and pitches to contact.

10. Brooks Brown, RHSP, AA. Splitting time between High-A and Double-A, Brown showed Arizona something positive this year. He continued to strikeout batters at an average rate. He induces groundballs and keeps the ball in the park.
Flier. Wesley Roemer, RHP, A-. Roemer was the 50th overall selection in 2007 out of Cal St. Fullerton. He is a complete command pitcher with very average stuff. He will rarely walk anyone and pitches to contact. Roemer will probably become a setup man rather than a starter because of his size and stature.



Arizona continues to pump out good prospects and this crop is no different. Though there is a distinct lack of elite prospects, there is no shortage of very good and good prospects in their system.