Watchlist: Second Basemen

Josh Johnson Josh Johnson
DOB: 1/11/86
Ht. 5′ 11″
Wt. 170
Bats: S
Throws: R
Career Stats
Johnson, a former Royals prospect, appeared
to have hit the wall in ’09 in AA at the age of
23 but experienced a resurgence with a
change of scenery in ’10, batting
.293/.385/.448 for Potomac and Harrisburg
combined. As a versatile MI, Johnson is the
prototypical #2 batter that gets on base and
has “1st-to-3rd” speed with some gap power.
A fringe-average defender with a decent arm.
Steve Lombardozzi Steve Lombardozzi
DOB: 9/11/88
Ht. 6′
Wt. 170
Bats: S
Throws: R
Career Stats
Lombardozzi is often overlooked because he
doesn’t have the “wow” factor. He’s not big.
He’s not a power hitter. He’s not really fast.
What he is, though, is a smart ballplayer that
makes the most of his talent. An above-
average defender but a fringe-average arm,
particularly with balls hit to his right. Will
smack one in the gap and take the extra base
when it’s given to him.
Jeff Kobernus Jeff Kobernus
Born: 6/30/88
Ht. 6′ 2″
Wt. 210
Bats: R
Throws: R
Career Stats
Injuries severely curtailed Kobernus’s 2010
season, which saw flashes of brilliance (.342/
.388/.447 in July). Converted to 2B after
mostly playing 3B in college, Kobernus
struggled some defensively but Sickels and
others believe he’ll make the transition.
Likely to begin 2011 at Potomac.
Cutter Dykstra Cutter Dykstra
Born: 6/29/89
Ht. 5′ 11″
Wt. 180
Bats: R
Throws: R
Career Stats
Dykstra is a late addition to the watchlist,
picked up at the end of Spring Training in
2011 in a trade with Milwaukee for Nyjer
Morgan. The son of former Mets and Phillies
player Lenny Dykstra, Cutter is a taller,
right-handed version with similar speed and
OBP skills, but has been a project on
defense, committing 20+ errors the past two
years. With a crowded OF, he’s apparently
being shifted back to 2B from 3B.
Adrian Sanchez Adrian Sanchez
Born: 8/16/90
Ht. 6′
Wt. 160
Bats: S
Throws: R
Career Stats
The Venezuelean-born Sanchez made
amazing strides in his second year stateside,
blistering GCL pitchers for a .378/.395/.538
line as a 19-year-old. The low-A pitchers shut
down his power, but he still hit .317/.330/.356
over 25 games in Hagerstown. Our spies liked
both his contact and baserunning skills. Given
the Rizzo track record with 20-y.o. guys, he’s
likely to return to the Suns in 2011.
Roberto Perez Roberto Perez
Born: 4/4/91
Ht. 6′ 1″
Wt. 180
Bats: R
Throws: R
Career Stats
Listed on the 2010 FIL roster as a catcher,
but played at 2B for the majority of the 2010
season. Perez was drafted in ’09 out of Puerto
Rico, and has spent the past two seasons in
the GCL, improving from .167/.211/.167 to
.310/.392/.416. He turns 20 just before the
2011 season.

No Photo Found
“Fred” Ortega
Born: 8/1/92
Ht. 5′ 11″
Wt. 155
Bats: R
Throws: R
Career Stats
Ortega caught our eye while doing the 2010
season reviews, standing out as a 17-year-old
that played just one position (a bit odd) and
respectably (.964FA) and for stealing 29 bases
in 63 games (rather exciting). And let’s face
it: Nelalexfred is a name to remember.

3 Responses to Watchlist: Second Basemen

  1. Mark L says:

    This is incredibly valuable, thanks. When I originally looked at the 2nd basemen last month, there was a lot of who, huh moments. This really fills in the void.

  2. Souldrummer says:

    Helpful stuff as always, Sue, and I was glad that I knew that I had somewhere I could go to before I started peppering you with Michael Taylor questions.

  3. Tommy B says:

    Great Stuff!

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