Old Time Family Baseball

This is the sixth and final installment. For the rest, click here.

Arizona: Carlos Gonzalez

.299/.344/.519, 51 HR in 1269 Major League PA.

There’s really not anything I need to say. Gonzalez won a gold glove, silver slugger and came in third in the MVP voting this last year while leading the National League in batting average. While some of that has a lot to do with Coors Field, Gonzalez is a special talent that will only be 25 years old next season.

The Diamondbacks should feel pretty sad that they gave up Gonzalez along with Brett Anderson for Dan Haren.

Colorado: Franklin Morales

7-10, 4.93 ERA in 133.1 Major League IP.

Morales earned his 8th best prospect status headed into 2008 after dominating in AA and AAA followed by a 3.43 ERA in eight Major League starts at the age of 21. Since then, Morales has been an absolute mess and did not start a single game in 2010. Morales looked very good in Colorado Springs so there is still a good chance that he can be serviceable middle relief, but that’s how quickly his ceiling has fallen.

Los Angeles: Clayton Kershaw

26-23, 3.17 ERA in 483 Major League IP.

If not for that pesky Tim Lincecum, Kershaw would probably have already laid claim to the role of best pitcher in the NL West. Kershaw has now posted two consecutive seasons with an ERA under 3.00, but in 2010 Kershaw finally saw his control begin to improve. At only 23 years old and having topped 200 innings for the first time in his career in 2010, Kershaw will be on the shortlist for Cy Young candidates next season.

San Diego: Chase Headley

.264/.335/.390, 32 HR in 1675 Major League PA.

Headley is what he is: a solid defender with a little bit of pop who will draw a few walks. Unfortunately for the Padres, that makes him one of their best hitters. There is some concern as his OPS has dropped for three consecutive seasons, but at 27 he should be entering his prime offensive years. Headley does have a .790 OPS outside of Petco Park, so should he ever leave San Diego, expect his numbers to jump a little more. Get excited because Headley has future journeyman written all over him.

San Francisco: Angel Villalona

.268/.316/.424, 31 HR in 1047 Minor League PA

There is really nothing to say about Villalona the baseball player because his career is essentially over. Villalona was arrested in September of 2009 as the main suspect in a murder case in the Dominican Republic which lead to the loss of his visa. Villalona did not play at all last year and could see up to twenty years in prison if convicted. If Villalona escapes conviction, it’s possible that a Major League club could be interested in the 20 year old, but it’s pretty doubtful.