Author Topic: Follow the Prospects: Matt Antonelli, IF (Read 2854 times)

Lintyfresh85 · « **Topic Start:** June 10, 2011, 01:44:44 PM »

Matt needs his own thread as he's gaining cult status on WNFF.

From this week's BA Hot Sheet:

Quote

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Matt Antonelli, 2b/3b, Nationals.

Taken by the Padres with the 17th overall pick in the 2006 draft, Antonelli rose to prominence as a prospect with a strong '07 season that included 21 homers, 28 steals, and an .894 OPS. But then he suffered through injury-logged campaigns in 2009-10 and played in just 60 games. He essentially missed all of last year and in '09 batted just .196 for Triple-A Portland in 189 at-bats. In light of recent events, San Diego non-tendered Antonelli last December, and he settled on Washington as a landing spot because they offered him the best chance of upward mobility. The 26-year-old has made the most of his second chance by refashioning himself as a utility player. Antonelli has called on his strong athleticism to hold down second base (10 games), third base (eight) and even a little shortstop (three) for Triple-A Syracuse. He batted 10-for-27 (.370) this week with a homer, a triple and two doubles. In 18 games for the Chiefs he sports a .364/.425/.576 batting line, which gives him a chance to atone for an ugly cup of coffee (.573 OPS in 65 PA) with the '08 Padres.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2011/2611933.html

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #1:** June 10, 2011, 01:49:47 PM »

Linty- I had not thought Antonelli still qualified as a rookie, but I see he has only 28 days service time and 65 PAs, so he can have a F-t-P thread. Outstanding!

Tyler Durden · « **Reply #2:** June 10, 2011, 01:53:45 PM »

Can he play the OF? CF may be asking too much but if we never see Bixler again in LF, that'd be enough for me.

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #3:** June 10, 2011, 02:23:05 PM »

I remember him being pretty highly regarded a couple of years ago- or am I crazy?

Salamander Man · « **Reply #4:** June 13, 2011, 01:55:25 PM »

He was considered the best 2B prospect in the game by Kevin Goldstein in 2007. Hes also a former first round pick.

He's a very good player ,imo.

UMDNats · « **Reply #5:** June 13, 2011, 03:13:15 PM »

Brian Bixler is better because Bixler hustles and is a good guy.

BBQ · « **Reply #6:** June 20, 2011, 02:06:23 PM »

Antonelli is a damn good prospect. Even the year he was slumping he still kept a great .OBP

I can Throw · « **Reply #7:** June 20, 2011, 02:31:12 PM »

If gas was cheaper or I made more money, I'd drive down to Gwinnett this week to catch a game. Damn it sucks being poor.

I can Throw · « **Reply #8:** June 26, 2011, 02:59:06 PM »

Didn't make that drive. Matt is hitting .322 after 31 games, .394 on base.

kirubel94 · « **Reply #9:** June 26, 2011, 06:02:27 PM »

Guy needs to be called up.

houston-nat · « **Reply #10:** July 07, 2011, 04:09:10 AM »

Matt Antonelli broke his ass.

Quote

A few days ago I hurt something I've never hurt before. Don't worry, it isn't anything serious, but it sure hurts like hell. The crazy part is, it doesn't really hurt when I play, but it kills when I'm sitting on the sofa at home watching TV. A few days ago I slid into second base ripping my pants and sliding shorts that I wear under my uniform. Unfortunately, they don't give you much time for a wardrobe change and I had to slide three more times in the game. The difference was I now had the opportunity to slide on my bare ass. I'm guessing not many people have tried this before, but I can tell you from experience, it's not very fun to run full speed and dive naked onto dirt. Anyways, I now have the biggest strawberry known to man, and its located in perhaps the most uncomfortable spot to have a bruise. I'd show you a picture, but I don't want the cops showing up at my door.

http://www.matthewantonelli.com/2011/07/happy-4th-of-july.html

sportsfan882 · « **Reply #11:** July 10, 2011, 02:34:04 PM »

HR #3 today for Antonelli. Now batting .315. 24 BBs to 25 Ks

PANatsFan · « **Reply #12:** July 10, 2011, 02:37:32 PM »

Quote from: sportsnyan882 on July 10, 2011, 02:34:04 PM

HR #3 today for Antonelli. Now batting .315. 24 BBs to 25 Ks

I'm gonna comment on Antonelli's blog that he needs to use nyan cat as his walkup music.

PC · « **Reply #13:** July 10, 2011, 09:04:16 PM »

Added to the IL All Star team with Tom Milone.

http://syracuse.chiefs.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110710&content_id=21701086&vkey=pr_t552&fext=.jsp&sid=t552

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #14:** July 11, 2011, 08:19:51 AM »

Quote from: PC on July 10, 2011, 09:04:16 PM

Added to the IL All Star team with Tom Milone.

http://syracuse.chiefs.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110710&content_id=21701086&vkey=pr_t552&fext=.jsp&sid=t552

article fails to mention his .395 OBP, which easily leads the team among players still with the Chiefs, or that he is almost 1:1 in his BBs to Ks (24 BB, 25K). how many players in this organization show that kind of plate discipline? Frankly, he may be more of a leadoff hitter than Lombardozzi.

welch · « **Reply #15:** July 11, 2011, 12:39:28 PM »

Antonelli needs to be playing for the big team. And not just for his sense of humor.

JMUalumni · « **Reply #16:** July 11, 2011, 12:53:35 PM »

Don't know if anyone mentioned this, but Antonelli was selected as a replacement for the IL All-Star game. Well deserved.

I can Throw · « **Reply #17:** July 11, 2011, 02:53:39 PM »

Quote from: PC on July 10, 2011, 09:04:16 PM

Added to the IL All Star team with Tom Milone.

http://syracuse.chiefs.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110710&content_id=21701086&vkey=pr_t552&fext=.jsp&sid=t552

Just three posts up

JMUalumni · « **Reply #18:** July 11, 2011, 02:54:13 PM »

Quote from: I can Throw on July 11, 2011, 02:53:39 PM

Just three posts up

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #19:** August 12, 2011, 03:33:18 PM »

Quote from: NatsAllThe Way on August 12, 2011, 02:23:37 PM

G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
48 228 211 34 69 10 1 4 25 8 5 12 29 .327 .364 .441 .805

Since joining AAA 48 games ago, I think he's doing pretty good, don't you? The dude is only 22 years old. How come this guy has not being discussed since July 21st? I think he's our next 2nd baseman because our current shortstop is a very pathetic hitter.

From the Lombardozzi thread. If you

that, the how about:

Quote from: NatsAllThe Way on August 12, 2011, 02:23:37 PM

G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
48 228 211 34 69 10 1 4 25 8 5 12 29 .327 .364 .441 .805

69 295 251 34 75 15 3 6 23 5 4 35 44 .299 .386 .454 .840

Since joining AAA 48 69 games ago, I think he's doing pretty good, don't you? The dude is only 22 26 years old. How come this guy has not being discussed since July 21st? I think he's our next 2nd baseman because our current shortstop is a very pathetic hitter.

Slateman · « **Reply #20:** August 12, 2011, 04:43:42 PM »

Ummm ... 26? Wow ....

Kevrock · « **Reply #21:** August 12, 2011, 05:24:07 PM »

Quote from: Slateman on August 12, 2011, 04:43:42 PM

Ummm ... 26? Wow ....

Wow what?

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #22:** August 12, 2011, 05:24:21 PM »

Lombardozzi turns 23 in a month. 3.5 years difference. Don't forget, Antonelli made the majors in 2008, flamed, had a tough 2009, then missed 2010 due to injury. The Nats bought low, which is why he is on a minor league contract. Put another way, Antonelli made the majors roughly in the same time frame as Lombo would if he were called up in September.

Me, I kind of like a guy who is still on the up side of his peak years getting the shot first when his numbers are better and the younger guy has shown a big drop in plate discipline. Both could be major leaguers, but Lombo looks like the bigger failure risk this year / next year.