Scouting Reports: Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, Dexter Carter, Adam Russell

I am quite excited right now. The Union Tribune, being a joke of a newspaper, has done little to illuminate San Diegans on the four pitchers received in the Jake Peavy trade. Of course, the UT let its Padre beat writer go, so what do you expect?

My excitement is furthered by the fact that I shelled out $26.93 for the 2009 Baseball America Prospect Handbook back on July 7th (I use receipts for book marks and it should be noted that the book retails for $30.95 but I had a killer 20% coupon). Without further adieu:

Aaron Poreda

• He was Chicago's top pitching prospect and overall #3.
• Lefty. 6'6". 240 LBS. Will turn 23 on October 1st.
• 25th overall pick in 2007
• Ozzie Guillen has described him as "a real No. 1 guy." Has a Mid 90's fastball that can touch 100mph. Sometimes it's too straight and gets hit.
  
• Has a power slider (not a plus pitch). Good enough to keep hitters honest. Change-up is a work in progress. Durable and throws strikes.
• Needs to change speeds better and refine his other pitches.
• "Some scouts see Poreda as a dominating reliever, but he will remain a starter for the time being."

Clayton Richard

• He was Chicago's 2nd rated pitching prospect and overall #5
• Lefty. 6'5". 240 lbs. Will turn 26 on September 12th.
• "A taller version of Mark Buehrle". Works quickly, throws strikes with 3 pitches.
• 88-92 MPH with sink producing a lot of ground balls.
• Plus command and mound presence.
• Doesn't have a put away pitch. Change is average and breaking balls are inconsistent.
• May be better as a reliever utilizing sinker (also has shown ability to bounce back quickly out of the bullpen)
• Could be consistent enough to have a long career as a starter.

Dexter Carter

• Overall #23 prospect
• Righty. 6'6". 195 lbs. Turned 22 on February 5th.
• Played at Old Dominion. Kind of a disaster in college but showed potential. now he looks like a bargain at a signing price of $32, 500.
• Posted "eye popping" numbers in hitter friendly Pioneer League.
• TWO PLUS PITCHES: 92-93 mph fastball that touches 96 mph and a swing and miss curve ball.
• Has refined his delivery and worked hard to develop the consistency he didn't have in college.
• Change-up has potential but is far behind his other pitches.
• Athletic, big frame allows him to work on a downward plane (sounds like Latos, no?)
• Projected as a middle-of-the-rotation starter or more.
• Dexter Carter write up on July 22nd, 2009 [Baseball America.com]
  

Adam Russell

• Overall #27 prospect
• Righty. 6'8". 250 lbs. Turned 26 on April 14th. (I erroneously reported that AR was 6'4" yesterday...either this was a mistake on Baseball America's part or he has grown 4"...either way it's not my fault.)
  
• Low 90's fastball which occasionally reaches 95.
• Curveball rates as a plus pitch...at times.
• Worked as a reliever in 2008.
• Inconsistent control and command because of a varied arm slot and "high maintenance delivery.
• Doesn't have much of a change but as a reliever it won't matter.
  

Baseball America Prospect Handbook 2009

There is nothing too original from me in these bios. Baseball America was my source (for what it's worth) and I just broke down the summaries into bullets. I felt it was necessary because the UT has given us very little outside of 2009 stats and Paul Depodesta's Propaganda must be taken with a grain of salt.

I hope this information on our newest additions encourages some of the distraught Padre Fans to remove their mouths from the exhaust pipe, abandon claims of becoming an Angels fan and to rejoin the Friar Fold......this trade will work out....if for no other reason than money being freed up to sign our 2009 draft picks, which we have roughly 17 days to do.

More info @ The Sacrifice Bunt

Editor's Note 8/1 (12:00pm):
If you have any additional information on the FNGs, please add it to the comments. If the UT isn't going to provide then we're on our own, Friar Fans.