We have tried to project the 2010 BlueClaws pitching staff (here) and outfield (here). Today we’ll take a look at the potential infield.

First Baseman

Jonathan Singleton
One of the top prospects in the system, Singleton (pictured at right) had an excellent year in his debut in 2009. With the GCL Phillies, he hit .290-2-12, and walked more times (18) than he struck out (13). He originally committed to Long Beach State, and his high school coach in California said the following:

I think he looks like Ryan Howard reincarnated. He obviously doesn’t put up the same numbers as Howard yet, but they have the same build.

Here is a Q&A with Singleton from before the 2009 draft.

Darin Ruf
Ruf was drafted last year in the 20th round out of Creighton. A Nebraska native (like Tyler Cloyd and Jacob Diekman), Ruf hit .307-3-30 between the GCL and Williamsport last summer. While Singleton is 18 (until September 18th), Ruf will turn 24 on July 28th.

It is possible that they are both here (one can DH), but will the Phillies then send four OFs to Lakewood that need to play every day? When projecting this roster, that is the $64,000 question.

Other Infielders

Jeremy Barnes
Barnes played short last year for Williamsport but is expected to play second base this year for the BlueClaws, where he’s played this spring. He hit .287-4-27 with the Crosscutters last summer after being drafted in the 11th round out of Notre Dame. Barnes will turn 23 on April 13th and was a NY-Penn League mid-season All-Star last year.

Here is his ND bio, where we learn that he wore #20 at ND, the same as Brad Lidge.

Jonathan Villar
The likely shortstop, the 18 year old played 31 games with the GCL Phillies last year, hitting .277 with 11 steals before a late-season promotion to Williamsport (six more steals in 11 games). Another youngster with promise. He’s played with the Lakewood club all spring, so it does seem like he’ll be here.

Adam Buschini
A 4th round pick last year (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo), Buschini  hit .228-2-15 with Williamsport last year, but 26-86 in August. He’ll be 23 on May 6th. He could play 3rd.

Matthew McConnell
Drafted in the 36th round of the draft last year (Metro State), McConnell hit .245 with the GCL Phillies playing both second and third base.

Cesar Hernandez
Another potential reserve infielder, Hernandez hit .267 with the GCL Phillies last year. He’ll be 20 on May 23rd. Hernandez did hit .315 two years ago in the Venezuelan Summer League (33 walks and 22 strikeouts).

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 at 3:58 pm and is filed under 2010 BlueClaws. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.