TRISTAR PROjections 2009 – Packs 3 and 4

Like I said yesterday, I am going to do 2 a days on these packs.  Some people asked about the Logan card, it was the yellow parallel, which was tough to see on the scan, but the foil on the card was yellow instead of base silver.  Also the card is numbered on the back.  Here is a look at pack 3:

So we got another hit:

59 - Javier Rodriguez – Mets – 2008 -  2nd round – #’d 49/50 – Played with the GCL Mets last season where he hit 0.183/1/20.  Obviously he had some issues getting used to pro pitching, but he was named the best pure hitter coming out of Puerto Rico in 2008.  He was drafted in the second round because of his speed.  Let’s see what he can do with a full season.

40 – Cale Iorg - Detroit – 2007 – 6th round – He is known as the 3rd overall ranked prospect in the Tigers organization. Last season for the Lakeland Flying Tigers he went 0.251/10/47/22.  He needs to improve his batting average, but I think we are looking at a 5 tool SS to arrive in Detroit by 2010.

17 – Mitch Herold - Boston – 2008 – 16th round – Pro Debut – Besides the awesome ‘stache, he went 3-1/2.57/1.19 with 1 save as a middle reliever for the Lowell Spinners.  He is now tracked to become a closer in the system.

24 – Jeff Beliveau – Cubs – 2008 – 18th round – He is a power pitcher that’s for sure.  Last season he struck out 52 batters in 35.1 innings in both AZL Cubs and Boisie.  Unfortunately with great power comes plenty of walks, he needs to gain some control, but I see no reason whey he might not make waves this year in low A.

73 – Michael Taylor – Phillies – 2007 – 5th round – This guy has stud written all over him.  Last season at Lakewood and Clearwater he combined for 0.345/19/88/15. This year he will be 23 years old.  Look for him up in Reading and Allentown this year.  With an arrival in the bigs by next season.  Possibly this season even.

Pack rating is 4.5/5 – A parallel and 2 top 100 stars, not bad.

Now for pack 4:

59 – Javier Rodriguez - base version of card featured in pack 3.

89 – Lance Lynn – Cardinals – 2008 – 1st round – Last year’s first round pick, he pitched in 8 games, 1-1/1.35/0.98 with 29 strikeouts in 27 innings.  He should be pushed to low A next year with a possibility of high A.  If he continues to do well, look out for him by 2010/11.

71 – Petey Paramore – A’s – 2008 – 3rd round – A’s catcher of the future. He went 0.250/1/18 with most of his at bats coming at Kane County.  He should be in high A ball next season, and AA by the end of the year.  He should become a solid power hitting C.

20 – Wes Hodges – Indians – 2006 – 2nd round – Quickly moving up the prospect ladder for the Indians.  Last year he hit 0.290/18/97 for the Akron Aeros.  He has a clear path 3rd base, this year will be spent in AAA and should only be months before he is called up to the majors.

38 – Christian Friedrich – Rockies – 2008 – 1st round – He is a flame thrower with good accuracy, 65 strikeouts in 48 innings.  He should get a taste of AA this year, and his arm stretched out.  He will probably spend the year there with a shot at the bigs in 2010.

Pack rating – 3.0/5.0 – some nice base cards, but no hits.