Making his major league debut, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder John Mayberry Jr. crushed a three-run home-run off New York Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

In the Texas Rangers farm system, the former Stanford standout John Mayberry Jr. was either a strikeout or home-run waiting to happen. He could not get on base enough, which is usually the case for hitters strictly dependant on getting ahold of one and depositing it into the seats. The Rangers gave up on their first round pick in the 2005 Major League Baseball, as he managed only a .326 On-Base Percentage and a .253 batting average in their organization. They traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for one of their former top prospects, Greg Golson.

Mayberry, 6′5″, lean muscularly, with uncanny speed and incredible range in the outfield, was given another chance. In an organization that clearly cared for him (Golson was once the Phillies seventh ranked prospect, and a first-round pick himself), the 25-year old proved his worth immediately. In his first six games of spring training, he hit .353 with six hits and 5 rbi’s; he finished the Grapefruit League with 3 home-runs and 10 rbi’s. Finally, after doubts were raised throughout his tenure in the Rangers system if he could live up to his five-tool potential, he appeared on the fast track to the major leagues.

Named their 11-best prospect, Mayberry fed off his superb play in spring training, and took his rejuvinated game to Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia’s Triple-A affiliate. In 37 games, he boasted a respectable average of .277, hit 8 home-runs, and drove in 25 rbi’s. His .346 on-base percentage was his highest since a mark of .358 with the Rangers Single-A affiliate in 2006, a year in which he crushed 21 home-runs and drove in 77 rbi’s. He struck out 42 times in 137 at-bats, which was not a good ratio, but Philadelphia understood his potential.

In this age of baseball, if the longball is your forte, no matter the side-effects that come with the power ability, there is a great chance you will get the call to the major leagues. Since Mayberry improved his average an on-base percentage, and continued to display speed on the basepaths and in the outfield, his probability to get the call from the Phillies upper management was only increased.

On May 22, his dream came true. He hopped on a plane for New York, and joined the team for the second game of their series with the New York Yankees. He was in the major leagues, in a major league dugout, amongst major league players. Though that experience alone must have been surreal, he could do more than just admire his surroundings, as he was inserted into the starting lineup, batting eighth and playing right field.

He worked a full-count in his first major league at-bat, facing Andy Pettitte, without swinging. He patiently waited for his pitch, and found it–a fastball right down the pipe–but didn’t hit it squarely, as the ball innocently scurried into the glove of Derek Jeter, who routinely threw him out at first base.

His second at-bat was far more successful. With the Phillies locked in a 1-1 tie, Pettitte allowed a single to Shane Victorino, and walked Pedro Feliz to start the inning. The lanky, 230-pound rookie strode to the plate. He not only was in a prime position to give Philadelphia a lead, but also to make his debut a memorable one. Pettitte started him off with a slider, which lopped high and outside. Mayberry took a big rip at the second offering, a fastball in the lower portion of the strikezone. Though it was a pitch he can hit, and hit a long ways, he, as all power hitters, loves pitches at eye level. The next pitch was to his liking. The slider didn’t slide, straight and in his wheelhouse. Mayberry swung with all his might, and connected with the barrel of the bat, the sweet spot. The ball soared, rocketed into the left-field seats. The laser was a three-run homer. He trotted around the bases, with millions of jubilant thoughts flowing through his head. His dad, John Mayberry Sr., who hit 245 homers in a 14-year major league career, couldn’t believe it. He said his “heart about jumped out of my chest” when his son made contact. Junior touched home plate, and walked towards the dugout.

His teammates paid no attention to him. Jimmy Rollins, heading to the on-deck circle, didn’t even acknowledge his existence. Neither did manager Charlie Manuel, who leaned on the railing of the dugout, his eyes deliberately fixed on the ground below him. Mayberry jogged down the steps, laughing, shaking his head. He was the recipient of the rookie treatment. Everyone in the dugout, too, ignored him, congratulating Victorino and Werth, but not him. Then, seconds later, he was mobbed, slapping hands with everyone. Everyone except Rollins, who stood in the on-deck circle sporting a smile.

As if his day could get any better, Mayberry lofted a Pettitte changeup perfectly in between New York’s second baseman Robinson Cano and right-fielder Nick Swisher. Mayberry flew out of the batters box, thinking double all the way. He never broke his long, smooth stride, and was halfway to second base before Swisher collected the ball. He slid into the base feet-first, beating the throw easily. He hopped up, dusted himself off, and shared a laugh with Jeter, who was covering the bag.

Welcome to the majors, Mayberry.

Read the latest Buzz around the Texas Rangers

Greg Golson (#43) is a right handed batter He was in 6 games 6 times at bat, batting for an average of 1.200, Batted 0 Runs in, was walked 0 times, while he was struck out 4 times, and scored 2 Runs. His 0resulted in an on base percentage of 1.200 and a slugging average of 1.200. Golson also stole 1 bases and never got caught stealing.

On defense Greg, Golson played 13.1 innings in 3 games and as a right-handed thrower, he put out 2 players at 3 Chances, he committed 1 Errors, all in all resulting in an Fielding Percentage of 0.667 and a Range Factor of 1.35.

Golson is 6-0 tall and weighs 190 lbs. He’s 23 years old (born on September, 17th 1985)
If you want to check out his complete stats, you can do that here
Texas Rangers underground Fan T-Shirts

I payed $57 for the pack.

Overview:

Each pack contains 1 base card, 1 base card or refractor parallel, 1 veteran relic card, 1 rookie auto, and 1 rookie prospect auto relic.

Design: A-

Base: Chrome, modern design. Detailed player reflection on back, includes stats. Refractor Parallel: Same as base but with more of a sterling colored background, gold numbering. Relic: Also same as base but with slice of jersey, or in my case bat, cut circular and inserted. Rookie Auto: Card split into two halves. Right half is player photo, left half is an on card auto vertical to the image. Rookie Prospect Auto Relic Refractor: Since I pulled a refractor of the hit, I cannot accurately describe the original  rookie prospect auto relic. Instead, I will give you the run down on the refractor parallel. Player photo on the right, slightly covered by sticker auto. Game used swatch on left, similar coloring to base refractor. Gold numbering.

My Cardboard: B

Vince Perkins is 28 years old and hasn’t played a single game in the MLB throughout his career. I searched up Trevor Plouffe, a #1 draft pick of the Twins in ‘04, and although he is not a highly regarded prospect, his stats aren’t bad. The Tino Martinez bat card was a nice pick up, in fine company with the Greg Golson base refractor. In the end, I’d say the cards were alright.

Value: B-

I’m not gonna dig deep into the value factor this time. This pack is generally for the fun of taking risks, taking the possibility of pulling a high value auto. I think its grade says enough.

Overall: B

Honestly, I made this purchase for the heck of seeing what I could get hit with from a 5 year old pack. For a rookie and prospect filled product, I believe I did OK. I didn’t receive the BJ Upton, David Wright, or Carlos Quentin I was wishing for, but I did have an enjoyable time ripping it open.

According to the Dallas Morning News former Clearwater Threshers star Greg Golson has been traded by the Phillies to the Texas Rangers in exchange for outfielder John Mayberry Jr.. Golson is a native Texan and makes his home in Austin, so I would think he’ll enjoy playing close to home, however I’d hate to be leaving the WS Champs for the Rangers.

Scott Lauber breaking the news. It seems that new GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. is not afraid to make daring, original deals. The Phillies traded the double-A prospect to the Texas Rangers for power-hitting prospect John Mayberry, Jr.  I think this deal adds another potential bat into the mix for left field, if Pat T. Bat leaves as a free agent.  I like the  deal.  It’s basically a speed prospect-for-hitting prospect deal.  Mayberry is primarily a left fielder, and split his time  between AAA and AA, and I think he could make a fine replacement for Burrell in the 5-hole.

[Ed.'s Note: I'll get numbers up eventually (yeah right).  I'm too tired right now, and NBC Thursday is on, as  well as Dodgeball on FX.]

Greg Golson, one of the Phillies’ system’s top outfield prospects, has been traded to the Texas Rangers.

In return the Phillies receive one of Texas’s own minor league outfielders, John Mayberry (yes, there is a relation to former major leaguer John Mayberry Sr.; this is his son).

Quick comparison of the two:

Golson (for AA Reading): 426 AB, .282/.333/.434, 13 HR, 23-for-28 SB and 130 K
Mayberry (for AA Frisco and AAA Oklahoma): 519 AB, .264/.319/.493, 20 HR, 10-for-13 SB and 106 K

Basically, the trade sacrifices some speed and contact for power and advancement. Mayberry is also two years older (25 in December). Sort of a lateral move, and even if Mayberry is called up during the season, it doesn’t seem likely that he’ll make a big impact.

As we near the Major League Baseball trading deadline, it is obvious that only teams with top minor league prospects will be able to sit at the negotiations table to discuss trades for top of the line players.  For years, the Phillies have been at the kid’s table.

Finally, the Phillies have some elite players in their farm system, but is it worth unloading your best prospects to make one run at October glory at the expense of reverting back to the days of a depleted minor league system?

That’s the $64,000 question facing Pat Gillick in his final season as Phillies’ General Manager.  Here’s a look at how some of the top Phillies minor leaguers are doing this season:

A – Clearwater Threshers

Adrian Cardenas (2B): .311, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 12 SB (Ranked #76 in Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects)

This left handed second baseman, baring a position change, doesn’t have a future playing his position at Citizens Bank Park with Chase Utley ahead of him.  He hits right handed and left handed pitching equally well.  Last year in Lakewood (Low A-ball) he hit .295, 9 HR, 79 RBI, 20 SB.  With Utley penciled in at second base for the next decade in Philadelphia, Cardenas might be one of the best players for the Phillies to deal.

Joe Savery (SP): 3-8, 4.82 ERA, 72 K (Ranked #90 in Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects)

Savery, last year’s first round pick, has struggled in his first full season in the minors.  In the New York Penn league last year, Savery went 2-3 with a 2.73 ERA.  Savery shouldn’t be traded because he should develop into a major league pitcher with more time to develop in the system.

AA – Reading Phillies

Greg Golson (OF): .299, 7 HR, 36 RBI, 17 SB

Golson is one of the top 5-tool prospects in the system.  After getting off to an amazing start in April and May, he has struggled in June.  Golson, the team’s first round pick in 2004 had trouble transitioning from A to AA ball last season, yet he should be in AAA by the end of this year.  The Phillies should not trade Golson because they could be very thin in the outfield next year.  Pat Burrell is a free agent and So Taguchi, less a major turnaround, will be gone.  Golson could be the Shane Victorino or Michael Bourn of years past where he serves as a pinch hitter or runner and makes spot starts.

Carlos Carrasco (SP): 5-7, 4.18 ERA, 89 K, 1 CG (Ranked #54 in Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects)

Carrasco has long been touted as the top prospect in the Phillies’ system.  He has been suggested, by fans, to take Brett Myers’ place in the rotation until Myers figures out how to pitch again.  However, Carrasco is not ready.  He has a career 3.86 ERA in the minors and hasn’t pitched in AAA yet.  He should be untouchable in deadline deals unless the team can land a top of the line starter that is signed past this season.

Antonio Bastardo (SP): 2-3, 3.11 ERA, 39 K

Bastardo began the season in Clearwater where he dominated.  His 2008 stats in A-ball were: 2-0, 1.17 ERA, 47 K.  Bastardo may be the best pitching prospect in the system, which is why the Phillies should hang on to him even at the expense of Carrasco who hasn’t dominated in the same fashion as Bastardo.

Josh Outman (SP/RP): 3-4, 3.67 ERA, 59 K

Outman dominated Clearwater as a Thresher last year has been moved to the bullpen in Reading this year.  Outman may be a good chip to use in a trade deadline deal.

 AAA – Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs

J.A. Happ (SP): 5-6, 3.73 ERA, 99 K

Happ has made tremendous improvement since a disappointing 2007 season with Ottawa (former AAA home of the Phillies).  Last year, in 24 starts, Happ was 4-6 with a 5.02 ERA.  In his lone start for the Phillies, Happ went 4.0 innings giving up 5 earned runs.  Happ is the most major league ready starter for the Phillies and could be a good replacement for Jamie Moyer in the rotation next season.  The Phillies need to keep Happ.

** Eddie Kunz picked up his third career Double-A save, sealing the deal for the B-Mets, who beat the Akron Aeros, 6-3.

Kunz, listed as the Mets fifth best prospect by Baseball America, got the last four outs of the game without allowing a baserunner.

Another highly touted pitching prospect, Akron’s Chuck Lofgren, didn’t fare as well.  His record fell to 0-1 after he allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over six innings.

Fernando Martinez and Mike Carp both homered for the Mets, with Carp going 3-for-4 on the evening.

** In a game that saw a grand total of four hits, the ever-exciting fielder’s choice off the bat of Jeff Natale in the seventh inning allowed the Sea Dogs to escape Connecticut with a 1-0 win.

Portland nearly extended their lead to two, but Connecticut’s Ben Copeland gunned down Zach Daeges at the plate.

Dan Haigwood got the start for Portland and allowed two hits in four innings while striking out seven before he came out of the game.

Beau Vaughan, who may have had one of the creepier baseball cards in the Eastern League last year, got his second save of the year for the Sea Dogs.  Also, his name rhymes with Mo Vaughn.  So he’s got that going for him working against him too. 

For the Defenders, Adam Cowart was the hard luck loser, allowing the unearned run on only two hits and two walks in six innings.

Connecticut used 12 position players in the game.

** Led by a quality start from Bobby Brownlie, the Harrisburg Senators beat the Erie Seawolves, 2-1, in 10 innings.

Jorge Padilla drove in both runs for the Senators, going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI.  He hit a walk-off single off of Matt Rusch to score Michael Daniel to get the win.

Pepperdine alum Daniel Worth had Erie’s only multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 on the night.

** New Britain fought off a late rally from New Hampshire, and kept the Fisher Cats winless after the Rock cats 4-3 win.

Ben Julianel got the second save of his Eastern League career and first since May 17, 2005 against those same Fisher Cats at Waterfront Park.

Dustin Martin got three hits for the Rock Cats as well – if his name sounds familiar, he was dealt from the Mets in the Johan Santana deal.  His .538 average is good for second best in the Eastern League, behind only New Hampshire’s Scott Campbell, who did not play tonight.

The Fisher Cats made things interesting off of Julianel in the ninth, as he gave up a leadoff triple to Jacob Butler.  Pinch hitter Ryan Patterson then reached on an error by Matt Moses, scoring Butler and cutting the lead to one.

Eric Kratz (sadly, not Stone Temple Pilots drummer Eric Kretz) then singled Patterson to second.  But Julianel retired the next three batters in order, and the Rock Cats walked away with the 4-3 victory.

** Former Yankees farmhand Jeff Nettles had two hits for Bowie, helping the Baysox to a 3-2 win over Reading.

Ex-big league catcher Ben Davis is also in Bowie, but he went 0-for-3 in trying to throw out attempted base stealers.

Chorye Spoone, the O’s eighth ranked prospect according to BA, got his first Double-A win after allowing only one run while scattering five hits in five and a third.

Greg Golson went 2-for-4 in the losing effort for the R-Phils.

** Eastern League Notes **

Just to follow up on the Chris Smith story from yesterday, Portland called up Miguel Asencio from extended spring training to take his place.  The former Royals hurler is now the only player up in Maine with big league time.

** Eastern League Standings **

NORTH

Portland, 5-1
Connecticut, 4-2
Binghamton, 4-3
Trenton, 4-3
New Britain, 2-3
New Hampshire, 0-5 

SOUTH

Erie, 5-2
Harrisburg, 4-2
Reading, 4-3
Akron, 2-4
Altoona, 2-5
Bowie, 2-5

** Eastern League Leaders **

AVG

1 – Scott Campbell, NH, .563
2 – Dustin Martin, NB, .538
3 – Joey Hammond, REA, .438
4 – Jonel Pacheco, ALT, .435
5 – Mike Carp, BNG, .409

HR

1 – Luis Jimenez, HAR, 4
2 – Mike Carp, BNG, 3
3 – Yurendell De Caster, HAR, 3
4 – Eight tied with 2

RBI

1 – Luis Jimenez, HAR, 12
2 – Yurendell De Caster, HAR, 11
3 – Mike Carp, BNG, 8
T4 – Jeff Frazier, ERIE, 7
T4 – Armando Camacaro, AKR, 7

 Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

The good folks over at BA made it, shipped it, and today it arrived–the greatest book of all time–The Baseball America Prospect Handbook 2008. It has Jay Bruce of the Louisville Bats (AAA Cincinnati Reds affiliate) on the front in full, with little pictures of Franklin Morales of the Colorado Rockies, Clayton Kershaw of the Jacksonville Suns (AA affiliate of the LA Dodgers), and Cameron Maybin of the Lakeland Flying Tigers (High A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, though he has since been traded to the Florida Marlins for the D-Train and Cabrera) on the right-hand side. the cover features a red and blue color scheme that sort of “melt into each other”, because that is the scheme of the Bats.

Anyways, on to the good parts. It has a neat new feature that shows who the staff thinks is the team’s top 08 rookie (Josh Outman, P was predicted to crack the rotation by midseason), breakout prospect (Freddy Galvis, SS), and the sleeper prospect (Freddy Ballestas, SP). Among other things, it also has the projected lineup for 2011.

Lou Marson, C

Ryan Howard, 1B

Chase Utley, 2B

Travis Mattair, 3B

MVP, SS

Pat Burrell, LF

Dominic Brown, CF

Adrian Cardenas, RF

Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Carlos Carrasco, Joe Savery, Josh Outman are all in the rotation and Brad Lidge closes.

Included with the top 30 is the position and level played at in 2007:

1. Carrasco, SP, Hi A/AA
2. Cardenas, 2B, Lo A
3. Savery, SP, R
4. Outman, SP, Hi A/AA
5. Kyle Drabek, SP, Lo A
6. Brown, OF, Hi A/Rook
7. Greg Golson, OF, Hi A/AA
8. Marson, C, Hi A
9. Drew Carpenter, SP, Hi A
10. Rounding out the top 10 is Jason Jaramillo, C, AAA.
11. JA Happ, SP, AAA/Maj
12. Scott Matheison, SP, Rook/Hi A/AA (all on rehab from Tommy John Surgery)
13. Galvis, SS, R
14. Edgar Garcia, SP, Rook/Lo A
15. Jason Donald, SS, Lo A/Hi A
16. Travis d’Arnaud, C, GCL
17. Heitor Correa, SP, GCL
18. Mattair, 3B, GCL
19. Julian Sampson, RP, GCL
20. Brad Harman, MI, Hi A
21. d’Arby Myers, OF, R
22. Carlos Monasterios, SP, Lo A
23. Quintin Berry, OF, Lo A
24. Joe Bisenius, RP, AAA/Maj
25. Tyler Mach, 2B, R
26. Antonio Bastardo, SP, Lo A/Hi A
27. Mike Zagurski, RP, Hi A/AA/AAA/Maj
28. Matt Spencer, OF, R
29. Drew Naylor, SP, R
30. Lincoln Holdzkom, RP, AA/AAA (spent year with Red Sox).