本文转载自www.baseballamerica.com 1. Ruben Mateo, OF Age: 22 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 170 Signed: Dominican Republic, 1994 Signed by: Omar Minaya/Hector Acevedo Background: The headline announcing Mateo as the Rangers’ top prospect last year proclaimed "Mateo Performs Despite Injuries." Time for a rerun. A fractured hamate bone in his left wrist ended Mateo’s 1999 season just eight at-bats before he would have lost his rookie status. Stomach ulcers limited his playing time this offseason in the Dominican League, where the Rangers had hoped he would make up for the lost games. Neither Mateo’s recent injuries nor his past hamstring, shoulder and wrist problems have been career-threatening. He hasn’t needed major surgery, but the volume and regularity have to take a toll at some point. Strengths: When healthy, Mateo has all the tools to become a perennial all-star. He has a lightning-quick bat that projects to hit for both power and average. Mateo’s blossoming power is his most intriguing skill. His home run progression the last four years has been from eight to 12 to 18 to 23, and most observers think he is just starting to scratch his potential. Because of his well-above-average arm strength, Mateo played right field his first two years as a pro. The Rangers, though, shifted him to center field before the 1998 season to take advantage of his plus speed. The conversion has been successful, and the Rangers are completely comfortable with the thought of going for their third straight American League West crown with a rookie in center. Weaknesses: The infamous incident last summer when Mateo swung at a pitch and missed, only to have it plunk off his midsection, sums up his approach at the plate. He’ll swing at virtually any pitch, but because his hand-eye coordination is so extraordinary, he still has been able to consistently make solid contact. Major league pitchers overmatched him by changing speeds and keeping the ball out of the strike zone. The Future: For Mateo to become a top-notch center fielder, two factors come into play. The first, obviously, is his health. The second is his ability to make adjustments. Two fellow Dominicans, Vladimir Guerrero and Sammy Sosa, had similar approaches when they first reached the big leagues. While they still aren’t imitating Wade Boggs, they have changed enough to become stars. 1999 Club AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Oklahoma (AAA) .336 253 53 85 12 0 18 62 14 36 6 Texas .238 122 16 29 9 1 5 18 4 28 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Francisco Cordero, RHP Age: 22 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 200 Signed: Dominican Republic, 1994 Signed by: Ramon Pena (Tigers) Background: Texas acquired Cordero as part of the Juan Gonzalez blockbuster trade last November. The hard-throwing Dominican missed most of the 1996 and 1998 seasons with a fractured right elbow that is still held together by screws, but he had no health problems in ’99. Strengths: Cordero has two plus-plus pitches in his fastball and slider, and can overmatch hitters when he is pitching confidently. His fastball is regularly in the mid-90s and can touch 98 mph, while his high-80s slider has tight, late-breaking action. Cordero’s delivery is smooth and effortless. Weaknesses: His control unraveled last year and wasn’t sharp in winter ball, either. Indications are that the problem is mostly mental. Cordero’s injury history is a concern, especially after throwing in more than 80 games in the last 12 months. The Future: Cordero is clearly John Wetteland’s heir apparent, but he may spend a large part of 2000 in Triple-A. The strong right side of the Texas bullpen makes that a possibility. 1999 Club W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H BB SO Jacksonville (AA) 4 1 1.38 47 0 0 27 52 35 22 58 Detroit 2 2 3.32 20 0 0 0 19 19 18 19 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Jason Romano, 2B Age: 20 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 185 Drafted: HS--Tampa, 1997 (Supplemental 1st round) Signed by: Mike Cadahia Background: Romano played third base at prospect factory Hillsborough High in Tampa, but he switched to second base after signing. His older brother Jimmie is a catcher in the Rangers system. Strengths: Romano has excellent offensive tools for a middle infielder. His power has steadily improved as he has gained strength and he projects to be a 15-20 home run threat in the majors. He has above-average speed. Defensively, he has solid arm strength and balance. Weaknesses: While Romano will never be a flashy defender, he has steadily improved with repetitions, especially on double plays. He still lacks confidence on some throws. The Rangers would like to see him draw more walks to better fit the leadoff prototype. The Future: Romano has taken the standard step-by-step progression through the minors and should continue as long as his offense is ahead of his defense. Expect big numbers in the offensively oriented Texas League in 2000. 1999 Club AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Charlotte (A) .312 459 84 143 27 14 13 71 39 72 34 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Mike Lamb, 3B Age: 24 B-T: L-R Ht: 6-1 Wt: 185 Drafted: Cal State Fullerton, 1997 (7th round) Signed by: Todd Guggiana Background: Lamb has made the conversion from a switch-hitting catcher in college to a lefthanded- hitting third baseman as a pro. He finished in the top five in the minor leagues last year in hits, extra-base hits, total bases and doubles. Strengths: Lamb is a pure line-drive hitter with a simple, no-nonsense approach at the plate. He has an advanced ability to wait on offspeed pitches and manipulate the bat head through the strike zone. His discipline at the plate is excellent. Weaknesses: The Rangers consider Lamb to be equal to the departed Todd Zeile defensively, which isn’t high praise but isn’t damning either. Lamb’s range is only fair, especially to his left, but he has improved significantly on routine plays. His arm strength is adequate. The Future: Unless he is overmatched in spring training, Lamb should open the season at third base in Arlington. Given his hitting maturity, he should be up to the challenge. 1999 Club AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Tulsa (AA) .324 544 98 176 51 5 21 100 53 65 4 Oklahoma (AAA) .500 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Jason Grabowski, 3B Age: 23 B-T: L-R Ht: 6-3 Wt: 200 Drafted: Connecticut, 1997 (2nd round) Signed by: Joel Grampietro Background: Grabowski converted from a catcher/first baseman to a third baseman in 1999, a transition made easier by his background at shortstop in college. But it was his bat that made him the No. 7 prospect in the Florida State League. Strengths: Grabowski is an excellent all-around athlete whom the Rangers say could probably play any position on the field. His above-average arm is his best defensive tool. His bat speed is above average and he may have the best plate discipline in the system. Weaknesses: Though he has plus raw power, Grabowski is more of a gap-to-gap hitter now because he puts heavy topspin on the ball and has trouble lofting it. His speed under way is below average. The Future: Grabowski and Lamb are evenly matched in many ways, with Lamb having the edge in experience and, most important in the short term, opportunity. The Rangers’ third-base situation should be secure for many years. 1999 Club AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Charlotte (A) .313 434 68 136 31 6 12 87 65 66 13 Tulsa (AA) .167 6 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 --

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