Alberto Callaspo continually has had to fight off other top middle-infield prospects like Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar and Brandon Wood, while trying to advance through the Los Angeles Angels organization.
At 5’10” and 175 pounds, Callaspo is neither a power hitter nor a base stealer. Even so, he totaled 11 homers, 80 runs batted in and 11 stolen bases last season between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Salt Lake. While not forgotten in the Angels farm system, fortunately for him, other organizations noticed what he could do.
In his first four seasons in the North American minor leagues, the Venezuelan averaged .310 and made an all-star team every year. Over the last two years, he was the minors’ toughest player to strike out. Last year, that meant just once every 20.4 at-bats.
In February, the Arizona Diamondbacks worked out a trade, sending right-hander Jason Bulger to the Angels for the 23-year-old right-handed batter.
Callaspo batted .335 with four homers, 57 RBI and seven stolen bases playing mostly at second base at Triple-A Tucson, where MLN FAB50 No. 1 pick Stephen Drew was at shortstop, Typically, he struck out just 22 times while walking 50. That performance led to his major league debut with Arizona Aug. 5.
“It wasn’t a question of whether he can play in the big leagues,” said A.J. Hinch, Arizona’ manager of minor league operations. He gets on base; he plays tremendous defense. He’s a very good prospect. He could be a shortstop or a second baseman or could fill in as a utility guy.”
That’s Callaspo’s current role, but it might not always be, according to Hinch.
“You always give guys an opportunity to play every day until you find out they’re better suited not to do that.
“We traded for him. We liked him from the beginning.”
That means the D-backs will give him every opportunity, possibly beginning after second baseman Orlando Hudson’s contract expires in 2007.
- Lary BUMP
