Years from now the Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee trade could be taken at the face value as it is today, or it can even larger. We already know that Halladay and Lee are studs, winners and first class athletes. What we don’t know are the contributions of the seven prospects that were involved in this deal and what they will provide to their new team. I’ve dubbed the prospect the Halladay-Lee Seven (an homage to The Oceanic Six of the tv show Lost).
Phillies acquisitions
OF Tyson Gillies (from Mariners): The 21-year-old outfielder from Canada. His speed is “game-changing”. Gillies is known as a line drive hitter. He’s been compared to Shane Victorino, Dave Roberts and Juan Pierre.
RHP Phillipe Aumont (from Mariners): The 20-year-old from Canada is a 6-foot-7, 220-pound right-hander that is known to throw in mid-90’s. Great fastball and there’s potential in his curve ball. Some think he can be a major league reliever next season.
RHP Juan Ramirez (from Marineres): The 21-year-old right-hander is 6-foot-3, 175 pounds. He has good velocity, but is inconsistent in his pitches. His fastball touches in the mid-90’s. Ramirez is a starter in the minors, but he may reliever in the big leageus.
Blue Jay’s acquisitions
C Travis d’Arnaud (from Phillies): The 20-year-old catcher was thought to be coveted by the Blue Jays in the 2007 amateur draft, but they failed to get him. d’Arnaud has an above average arm behind the plate, and regularly guns down players leaning too far off first base or stealing second. His defense is ahead of his offense, but he is known to be a very good contact hitter.
RHP Kyle Drabek (from Phillies): The son of former Cy Young Award winner and Pittsburgh Pirate, Doug Drabek. The 22-year old right-hander Drabek was an Aflac, USA Today and Louisville Slugger All American as a pitcher and shortstop in high school. In 2007, Drabek underwent Tommy John surgery. Drabek features a dominant curve ball, an above-average fastball and projects as an innings-eating No. 2 starter. He also throws a changeup that needs work. Some think he might be ready to debut in the majors late in 2010.
3B Brett Wallace (from Athletics): The 23-year-old is 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds. He’s a big guy that bats cleanup in the minors. Wallace has good plate discipline and can hit for average and power. He’s almost ready for the majors. He was sent to Oakland from St. Louis as part of the Matt Holliday trade in July.
Athletic’s acquisition
OF Michael Taylor (from Phillies via Blue Jays): The 24-year-old is 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds. He’s a hardworking and intelligent ballplayer who consistently studies the pitchers that he faces. Taylor is a very athletic and strong individual. He’s been known for his strong throwing up arm, physical strength and decent speed, but he’s erratic and inconsistent at times. He’s an older prospect. He’s been classified as a Hunter Pence or Mike Cameron.
The Associated Press contributed to my research.
