Bakersfield Blaze Top Prospects for 2009

This seasons Bakersfield Blaze team should feature a few first round amateur draft picks that should be making their full season debut in the Cal League in 2009.

The top prospect to watch this season will be Justin Smoak the Rangers #11 pick in the 2008 draft. Smoak received a signing bonus of $3.5 million, only second to Mark Teixeira's $4.5 million in 2001, but is he ready for the majors?

With a smooth, easy swing and decent power, this switch-hitting first baseman might just be the long-term answer to the Mark Teixeira shaped hole in the Rangers lineup. During his three-year career at the University of South Carolina, the switch-hitting first baseman set school records at with 62 home runs and 207 RBIs. He signed with the Rangers just before the mid-August deadline, and was only able to collect 56 at bats in his first season, which might be the only reason that he will end up in Bakersfield to start 2009. Smoak will probably not be playing A ball for long, so Blaze fans might want to get their tickets in the first half of the 2009 season.

The rest of the 2009 Blaze line up will be rounded out by top pitching prospect Michael Main, 2007 first-rounder rounder Blake Beavan, as well as lefties Tim Murphy, Richard Bleier, and Zach Phillips. The bullpen will feature reliever Fabio Castillo, Corey Young, and the surprising 2008 draft pick, Tanner Roark, who was very solid in his brief Bakersfield debut last season.

Engel Beltre, Mike Bianucci and Joey Butler will give the Blaze a legit trio of outfield prospects that should enjoy their stay in the hitter-friendly California League. The infield will consist of Mitch Moreland at first base, 23-year-old third baseman Jonathan Greene and 20-year-old Elvis Andrus at short. Andrus was acquired from the Braves in the Mark Teixeira deal and has become the leadoff hitter of the future for the Rangers. With 54 steals, the only thing holding Andrus back is the continued excellence of current Rangers shortstop Michael Young.

This roster speculation was not produced with information from the Texas Rangers organization. This is just some of my thoughts. We will soon find out which players will make up the Bakersfield Blaze roster as the 2009 season drwas closer. Until then, all we can do is speculate.

Who is on your Blaze roster?