Eight Names from the California League

First of all, the happiest of holidays to all of you out there in virtual fantasyland!

This week we finish up reviewing the High or Advanced Class-A leagues with the California League. That leaves the South Atlantic and Midwest Leagues for future reference, but next Monday I am going to dig a little deeper into my Top 250 Prospect List (on sale for a meager $6.95), and then off to complete the minors.

The California League — one I actually attend from time-to-time — is a hitter’s league no doubt, but there are some notable arms, like Matt Krook, recently swapped to the Rays by San Francisco as part of the Evan Longoria deal. Krook did whiff 105 over 91.3 innings but sported a 5.12 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP last year.

(Note that numbers listed at the end of each player profile indicate ranking on the Top 250, if qualified.)

Jose Almonte (22, P, Dbacks): The Dominican native was signed five years ago and has made steady progress up the ladder since, going 11-8, 3.55 last year over 139.3 innings with 162 strikeouts, albeit that coupled to a 1.40 WHIP. Almonte did walk 66, showing control issues that need conquering. (#223)

Nathan Bannister (24, P, Mariners): Sometimes the obvious is not so obvious, and in this case Bannister, selected in the 28th round in 2016, is ready for AA at 24 years old. The Arizona grad went 9-7, 4.33 over 143,3 innings with 117 strikeouts, but a solid 1.21 WHIP. That earned 22.6 innings at AAA (1-0,4.37), so Bannister is indeed close and very well will do time with the Mariners this coming season. (#168)

Peter Lambert (20, P, Rockies): Drafted in the second round of the 2015 June fete out of San Dimas High School (think Bill and Ted and Excellent Adventures), Lambert went 9-8, 4.17 at Lancaster over 142.3 innings with 131 strikeouts to just 30 walks (1.24 WHIP). Lambert might still be a bit too fine (147 hits, 18 homers last year) but he can work the zone and is more than worth tracking. (#35)

Caleb Ferguson  (21, P, Dodgers):  Ferguson spent all of 2017 at Rancho Cucamonga, arguably as the best hurler in the league, going 9-4, 2.87 over 122.3 innings with 140 strikeouts, although 55 walks did ballon his WHIP (1.37) some. Believe it or not, the 6-foot-3 hurler was a 38th-round high school pick in 2014. (#103)

Matt Thaiss (22, 1B, Angels): A first-round selection in 2016 out of Virginia, Thaiss has a great swing and hits down on the ball in a way I love. After spending the first two-thirds of the year at Inland Empire (.265-8-48), Thaiss moved to AA Mobile, going .292-1-25, good for an aggregate .274-9-73. Thaiss walked 77 times to 109 strikeouts (.372 OBP) and looked great at the Fall League. (#120)

Sergio Alcantara (21, SS, Detroit): A switch-hitter who signed when he was just 16, Alcantara played all year at High-A but moved from the California League to the Florida State League after being part of the J.D. Martinez deal. With a .266-3-35 line, pop is probably not a long-term factor, but his 48 walks to 80 strikeouts, 60 runs, and 15 steals (13 CS) suggest a good speed game might be out there. (#204)

Garrett Hampson (23, 2B, Rockies): A third-round pick from Long Beach State in 2016, Hampson had a great first full season, going .326-8-70 with a crazy 12 triples (plus 24 doubles) to go with 51 swipes. Add in 56 walks to 77 strikeouts (.387 OBP) and we have the makings of an interesting prospect. Hampson does need to establish himself at AA in 2018, but it looks like the tools are there.

D.J. Peters  (22, OF, Dodgers):  A #4 pick out of Western Nevada Community College in 2016,  Peters rocked his first full season, hitting .276-27-82 with 29 doubles and 91 runs over 134 games. Peters did whiff 189 times, but he walked 64, giving him an OBP of .372. (#237)

Remember to tune into the Tout Wars Hour on the FNTSY network, hosted by me, with Justin Mason and featuring Lord Z every Thursday night at 9 PM ET.

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