Recapping The Trades

Over the past five weeks the Indians have added 11 players to the organization in trades involving Mark DeRosa, Rafael Betancourt, Ryan Garko, Cliff Lee, Ben Francisco, and Victor Martinez.

Of the 11 players added, nine of them are pitchers. Two were currently on a major league roster (Perez, Masterson), four in Triple-A (Carrasco, Donald, Larson, Todd), one at Double-A (Graham), two at High-A (Barnes, Price), and two at Low-A (Knapp, Hagadone). All 11 players are 24 years old or younger, and five of the 11 were in Keith Law's Top 100 ranking at the start of the 2009 season. Seven of the 11 were ranked among their respective club’s top four prospects entering the season, nine of the 11 were ranked among the top ten and ten of the 11 were ranked among their respective club’s top 12 prospects entering the season.

Here is a recap of each player acquired (courtesy of the Indians):

Scott Barnes - LHS, Age 21, Ht: 6’04”, Wt: 191
· Scott Barnes is a left-handed starting pitcher who has spent most of the season with the San Jose Giants, the California League (high A) affiliate of the San Francisco Giants where he was 12-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 18 starts (98 IP) with 99 Ks (9.09 K/9) and 29 BBs (2.66 BB/9) in 2009.
· Barnes ranked 1st in the California League in Wins, 2nd in ERA, and 9th in Strikeouts.
· Barnes is an athletic pitcher that relies on his ability to command his FB (88-91) to both sides of the plate, and has an above average change and a curve ball.
· Rated the #9 prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization according to Baseball America prior to the 2009 season.
· Baseball America recognized Barnes for having the best change-up of any pitcher in the Giants farm system.
· Barnes was originally selected by the Giants in the 8th round (237th overall) of the 2008 MLB June Draft out of St. John’s University.

Carlos Carrasco - RHS, Age 22, Ht: 6’03”, Wt: 178
· Carlos Carrasco is a right-handed starting pitcher that has spent the majority of the 2009 season at AAA Lehigh Valley of the International League going 6-9 with a 5.18 ERA (114.2IP, 118H, 73R/68ER, 38BB, 112K) in 20 starts.
· Carrasco has electric stuff with an above average FB (90-95 mph) and the ability to throw all three secondary pitches (CB, SL, CH) for strikes.
· In 2009, Carrasco leads the International League in strikeouts (112) and was 6th in innings (114.2 IP).
· In 2009, Carrasco was named the 2nd best prospect in the Phillies organization and the 52nd best prospect in baseball by Baseball America. Carrasco was also named the top prospect in the Phillies organization in both 2007 and 2008.
· Carrasco has been a MLB Futures Game Selection three times (2006-2008).
· Carrasco is from Barquisimeto, Venezuela and originally signed with the Phillies on November 25, 2003.

Quoted: "Carlos Carrasco is an exciting young pitcher who has the ability to become a potentially dominating top of the rotation starter in the not too distant future."

Jason Donald – SS, Age 24, Ht: 6’1”, Wt: 190
· Jason Donald is a shortstop who has spent the majority of the 2009 season at AAA Lehigh Valley of the International League. (2009: .236 AVG/.297 OBP/.332 SLG with 1 HR, 15 2B, and 16 RBI in 51 games).
· Donald is considered to be a player with exceptional work-ethic and advanced baseball instincts.
· On June 15, 2009 Donald underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
· Donald was ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Phillies’ system and the 69th best prospect in baseball by Baseball America in 2009.
· Donald was the starting SS for Team USA in the 2008 All-Star Futures Game on 7/13/08 at Yankee Stadium and played for Team USA in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing where he led the team in batting average and posted a line of .381 in 21 ABs with a double, homerun, and five RBI.
· Named to the 2008 Arizona Fall League’s Top Prospect Team, as selected by league managers, coaches and administrators. Was the winner of the 2008 AFL Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award, presented annually to the AFL player “who best exemplifies unselfishness, hard work, and leadership”
· Donald was originally selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 3rd round (97th overall) of the 2006 amateur draft out of the University of Arizona.

Quoted: "Jason Donald is a shortstop with an exceptional work ethic and advanced baseball instincts. He has been an all-star and top prospect at every level of minor league baseball and we feel that he has the potential to become a valuable contributor to a major league infield in the future."

Connor Graham - RHS, Age 23, Ht: 6’7”, Wt: 235
· Connor Graham is a right-handed starting pitcher who has spent the majority of 2009 with the Modesto Nuts (AAdvanced) in the California League going 7-4 with a 3.14 ERA (80.1IP, 68H, 35R/28ER, 41BB, 87K, 2HR) in 16 starts.
· Graham’s 94-95 mph FB and hard SL are two plus pitches that he should be able to build off of, and is working on his off-speed to compliment that duo of pitches.
· Graham had the 6th best ERA (3.14) in the California League and limited hitters to a .225 (68-302) average against at the time of the trade.
· Following the 2008 season, he was named the 12th best prospect in the Colorado organization by Baseball America.
· In his first full professional season, his .189 average against led the South Atlantic League and was the 7th best in all of Minor League baseball, while he also ranked 2nd in the SAL in ERA (2.26), T3rd in wins (12) and 4th in strikeouts (138).
· Graham was orignially selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 5th round (162nd overall) of the 2007 MLB June Draft out of Miami University (OH).
· He pitched for Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League in 2006, where he was rated as a top 25 prospect by Baseball America after going 3-0 with a 3.60ERA in 19 games (20.0IP).

Nick Hagadone - LHP, Age 23, Ht: 6’05”, Wt: 230
· Hagadone is a LHP was a member of the Greenville Drive of the South Atlantic League (Class A). during the 2009 season (25.0 IP, 2.52 ERA, 32K/14 BB, 10GS).
· Hagadone has spent 2009 recovering from Tommy John surgery that took place in June of 2008. He returned to game action on 6/6/09.
· He is admired for his exceptional work ethic by scouts and industry insiders, and Baseball America noted that Hagadone was throwing just four months after the surgery.
· In 2009, Baseball America rated Hagadone as Boston’s No. 3 best prospect.
· Hagadone is seen as an aggressive, athletic pitcher with a 92-93 mph FB that can reach 98 with plus movement. He also features an above average slider and a developing change-up.
· Nick Hagadone was drafted in the 1st round supplemental (55th overall) by Boston in 2007 out of the University of Washington where he was a 2007 Pac-10 All-Star.

Quoted: "Nick Hagadone is an athletic left handed pitcher with significant upside noted for both outstanding stuff and an unmatched work ethic. Due to his unique combination of leadership skills and exceptional pitching ability, Hagadone adds another young pitching prospect with the opportunity to immediately impact our organization."

Jason Knapp - RHS, Age 18, Ht: 6’5”, Wt: 225
· Jason Knapp is a right-handed starting pitcher that has spent the 2009 season with the Lakewood BlueClaws of the Class A South Atlantic League. In 17 starts in 2009, Knapp has held opposing hitters to a .209 average, striking out 111 while only walking 39 in 85.1 IP.
· Knapp currently ranks 5th in the South Atlantic League with 111 strikeouts and was named the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week for April 20-26, 2009
· Knapp can run his heavy FB up to 97 MPH. Knapp also features a future plus breaking-ball and feel for a future major league average change-up.
· Following the 2008 season, Knapp was named the 10th best prospect in the Philadelphia farm system by Baseball America.
· Knapp was selected out of North Hunterdon High School in Annandale, NJ in the 2nd round of the 2008 draft (71st overall).

Quoted: "While young, Knapp is an extremely physical pitcher that has a very high ceiling. His FB already reaches the mid 90’s and there is a good chance that in the future he could top out in the high 90’s as he continues to refine his delivery and skills. He has the upside to be a top of the rotation starter in the future."

Lou Marson - C, Age 23, Ht: 6’01”, Wt: 195
· Lou Marson is a right-handed hitting catcher who has spent the majority of 2009 in AAA Lehigh Valley where he has hit .294 with .382 OBP and .370 SLG (.751 OPS) in 211 plate appearances.
· Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 3 Phillies prospect and the 66th best prospect in baseball prior to 2009.
· In 2008, led Phillies organization and all three Double-A leagues with a .433 on-base percentage (.314 AVG/.416 SLG on the season with 18 2B, 5 HR, and 68BB).
· Was called up to the major league roster on September 1, 2008. Made his major league debut in Philadelphia’s final game of 2008 (September 28th), where he hit a home run and threw out a runner attempting to steal. In 24 Major league career plate appearances, Marson has hit .285 with .350 OBP and .476 SLG (.851 OPS) with 1 homerun.
· Was a member of the U.S. roster for the 2008 Future’s Game and won a bronze medal as a member of the 2008 US Olympic baseball team. Was a 2008 Eastern League Mid- and Post-Season All-Star selection.
· An athletic defender with a major league average arm and quick release. Shows a line-drive approach with plate discipline and gap power. He has a reputation for excelling in game management and handling a pitching staff.
· Marson was originally selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 4th round (122nd overall) out of Coronado (AZ) HS in 2004.

Quoted: "Marson is a young, athletically gifted player who has shown the ability to succeed offensively while playing a premium defensive position. His sophisticated approach at the plate, on-base skills, and defensive profile fit well with the priorities of our club, and we see him as an advanced player for his age and experience level."

Justin Masterson – RHP, Age 24, Ht: 6’6”, Wt: 250
· Justin Masterson is a RHP who has spent the 2009 season as an integral member of the Boston Red Sox pitching staff as both a starter and reliever. (‘09 Stats: 3-3, 4.50ERA, 31 G, 6GS, 72IP, 67SO, 25BB, 1.6 GO/AO)
· Masterson is the first Jamaican-born pitcher in major league history and just the 4th player overall, joining Chili Davis (1981-99), Devon White (1985-2001) and Rolando Roomes (1988-90). (Source: MLB.com player profile)
· Masterson is described by scouts as a strong, durable pitcher with a low three-quarter arm slot and plus velocity. He also features a solid slider.
· Masterson set a Red Sox rookie record with 9 appearances in the 2008 playoffs, going 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA (2 ER/9.2 IP). Only four major league rookies have ever logged more post-season outings in a season.
· He was rated the 64th prospect in all of Major League Baseball in 2008 and the 4th best prospect in the Boston Red Sox system according to Baseball America.
· Masterson earned Red Sox ML Pitcher of the Month honors for June 2007 and July 2007, along with Eastern League Pitcher of the Week twice in (April 7-13 and July 9-15, 2007).
· Masterson was named to the Baseball America short season all-star team in his first professional season.
· Masterson was selected by Boston Red Sox in 2nd Round (71st overall) of 2006 amateur entry draft. He was ranked as the No. 24 overall draft-eligible prospect in 2006, according to Baseball America the summer after appearing in the 2005 Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game.

Chris Perez - RHR, Age 24, Ht: 6’4”, Wt: 230:
· Perez is a right-handed reliever who has spent 2009 with the Memphis Caridinals, St. Louis Cardinals and the Indians. Prior to the trade on June 27, he owned a 1-1 record with one save with the Cardinals (23.2IP, 17H, 12R/11ER, 20K).
· Was named by Baseball America as the 3rd best prospect in the Cardinals organization twice (2007, 2009), and was named their 2nd best prospect in 2008.
· Made his Major League debut with the Cardinals in May of 2008 after only one full season of professional baseball. Was the 7th player selected in the 2006 draft to make it to the Major Leagues and the first for St. Louis.
· Saved 7 games for St. Louis in 2008, striking out over nine batters per nine innings.
· Features a well-above-average fastball that has reached up to 98 mph. Best secondary pitch is a hard, wipe-out slider with late cut and depth.
· Has international experience, winning the Gold medal in the 2007 World Cup with Team USA and pitching for the USA National team in the summer of 2005.
· Perez was drafted in the 2006 amateur draft as a 1st round supplemental pick out of the University of Miami, Florida (42nd overall).

Bryan Price - RHS, Age 22, Ht: 6’4”, Wt: 210Lbs.
· Bryan Price is a right-handed starting pitcher that has played at two minor levels in 2009 beginning the season with the Greenville Drive of the South Atlantic League (Low Class A) and was promoted to High Class-A Salem on May 26th.
· Between both levels in 2009, Price has averaged over one strikeout per inning with 97 strikeouts and only 31 walks in 96.1 innings.
· According to scouts, Price features a Major League average fastball and slider, as well as a developing change-up.
· Price was named the 20th best prospect in the Red Sox organization by Baseball America entering the 2009 season.
· In 2008, following his first professional season, Price was named by Baseball America as the 12th best prospect in the New York Penn League.
· Price was chosen out of Rice University in the supplemental 1st round of the 2008 Draft. He was the second selection for the Red Sox and the 45th overall pick.

Quoted: "Bryan Price is an athletic right handed pitcher with a history of success at both the college and minor league levels."

Jess Todd - RHR, Age 23, Ht: 5’11”, Wt: 210
· Jess Todd is a right-handed relief pitcher who has spent the majority of the 2009 season at AAA Memphis of the Pacific Coast League going 4-2 with 24 saves and a 2.20 ERA (49.0IP, 39H, 13R/12ER, 13BB, 59K, .214 avg) in 41 appearances out of the bullpen.
· Todd commands his 88-90 FB (2.06 BB/9 in 2009) and relies on a plus SL and cutter.
· Todd has 24 saves which leads the Pacific Coast League and ranks tied for 4th in minor league baseball.
· Todd made his major league debut on June 5th vs. Colorado (1.2IP, 3H, 2R/ER, 2BB, 2K) before being optioned back to Memphis on June 6th
· Following the 2008 season, Todd was named the 4th best prospect in the Cardinals organization and the 7th best prospect in the Texas League by Baseball America.
· In 2008, Todd was named to both the Florida State League and Texas League All-Star teams while also pitching for the USA squad at the MLB Future’s Game.
· Todd was originally selected by the Cardinals in the 2nd round (82nd overall) of the 2007 MLB June Draft out of the University of Arkansas.

Quoted: "Jess Todd is a pitcher who has been tremendously successful at every level of minor league baseball and has already reached the major leagues in only his second full season of professional baseball."

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