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Updated: July 14, 4:53 PM ET Gibbons, Wilkerson are keepers for sure By Joe Sheehan Special to ESPN.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Most of the focus in the next few weeks will be on the pennant races, as teams make deals and position themselves for the stretch drive. We'll hear, see, and read all about the Yankees' need for a big bat, the Cubs' need for a big bat, the Mariners' need for a big ... hey, when did teams stop needing pitching, anyway?
Well, some interesting stories are going to develop in other places, places where hopes for October baseball are slim at best. Here are eight players you'll want to keep an eye on while you're watching the races develop:
Jeff Austin, Kansas CityAustin is a former No. 1 pick out of Stanford, whose slow progress through the Royals' chain has proven that even pedigreed college pitchers can struggle as pros. Austin's inability to strike people out -- just 57 whiffs in 126 2/3 innings at Triple-A Omaha last year -- called into question his prospect status, and while he picked that up this year (42 in 58 innings), everything else fell apart. Austin had a 7.76 ERA at Omaha when he was promoted to the Royals in late June. He's been great since: in 8 2/3 innings, Austin has a 1.04 ERA and 14 strikeouts, and has added a couple mph to his fastball. Austin is not your conventional failed-starter-turned-reliever story. His fastball isn't overpowering, and he throws a curve and changeup. It does appear that the added velocity he's gotten from relieving has made a difference, as has a more aggressive approach. In any case, I think Austin is a good bet to sustain his success and be a great story for the Royals this summer. Eric Gagne, Los Angeles OK, I'm cheating a little here, as the Dodgers are very much in a race for the division lead and are as far from obscurity as you'll find. But Gagne deserves a mention as he regains the rotation slot he lost earlier this year. While his ERA is high (5.42) he has posted an excellent strikeout-to-walk ratio of 68 to 17, and in his return to the majors last week threw six shutout innings against the Giants. He is a flyball pitcher who will serve up some home runs, and his mechanics aren't exactly smooth, but the Dodgers could well ride Gagne's great stuff to October. Jay Gibbons, Baltimore A Rule 5 steal from the Blue Jays, Gibbons has been in and out of the lineup for the Orioles as they've juggled playing time between their veterans and their younger players. When in, he's shown flashes of the power -- he leads the O's in home runs -- and patience that had us so excited about the pick last December. Unfortunately, he's only batted .240 and been a defensive liabilty in left field, where he's been forced to do on-the-job training. Gibbons needs one more trade to free up the playing time at first base or DH that he needs. Once Jeff Conine or David Segui is dealt, Gibbons should step into the lineup and take over the cleanup spot. Gibbons, Chris Richard, and Tony Batista are a solid power core for the Orioles going forward. Jeremy Giambi, Oakland
Reyes has been miscast as a relief pitcher for years, despite a broad repetoire and a history of success as a starting pitcher in the minor leagues. Reyes has never had the success against left-handed batters necessary for a specialist, and the use of him in this role has caused his career to stagnate. Now, Reyes is with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate in Louisville, being used as a rotation starter in preparation for a return to the majors. With the Reds starting four rookies -- two of whom are being battered from pillar to post -- the opportunity is there for Reyes to step in and establish himself as a major-league starting pitcher. Look for him to be called up next week and be the Reds' best pitcher in the second half. Brad Wilkerson, Montreal To be honest, the entire reason for writing this column is to get people on the Brad Wilkerson bandwagon. Wilkerson, who was part of last summer's gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic team, might have won the Expos' left-field job in spring training had he not injured his shoulder over the winter. He's up now, after hitting .270/.424/.481 for Triple-A Ottawa. Wilkerson is that rare Expos prospect who has shown excellent plate discipline in the minor leagues. His career K/BB ratio in the minors in just over one, and he's walked about once every six plate appearances. Wilkerson is also a decent defensive outfielder with a good arm. I would compare him to Bobby Higginson as a player. He should be the left-handed bat the Expos have wanted to go with Vladimir Guerrero, and along with Jose Vidro, gives them a real lineup core around which to build. Craig Wilson, Pittsburgh Wilson came through the Pirates' system as a power-hitting catcher, but has played mostly first base since joining the team. It's the presence of Wilson that has pushed the Pirates to implement the Jason Kendall-to-left field maneuver, and it's the success of that move that will determine whether Wilson eventually catches or plays first base. Regardless, the Pirates have to get him more playing time. He's hitting .313/.400/.708 in 48 at-bats, with a Duraboesque six home runs so far. His plate discipline is a concern -- the seven walks are nice, but he strikes out in almost half his at-bats -- but that's only going to improve by getting him regular playing time. The Pirates need to give Wilson the opportunity to bury Kevin Young. Kip Wells, Chicago White Sox Wells, like Gagne, was a Rookie of the Year candidate coming into the 2000 season, thanks to a tremendous September, 1999. The similarity between the two pitchers coming into this year is eerie: 1999
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