Top SS Prospects?

by Pigs57 on Oct 14, 2005 11:26 AM EDT

I am aware of Brandon Wood. Is he the top prospect at SS, in terms of offensive potential, or would you place someone (others) above him?

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Stephen Drew

But it's real close.

by mckeeno on Oct 14, 2005 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

BJ Upton

also. Won't show up on the 'prospect' lists, but he's really still a prospect...

by Brickhaus on Oct 14, 2005 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Joel Guzman

He may have to move from SS, but he's there now and he's pretty good.

At this point, he may not be a better prospect than Wood though.

by count sutton on Oct 14, 2005 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

Drew and Wood have been an animals

the Arizonal Fall League has been a joke for Drew thus far. Wood had 4 bombs in one game too.

Drew is batting .476 and Wood is at .400 I think and they both have hit for power. 2 Players like this could begin a new regime like we use to have with Jeter, Nomar and A-Rod. It would be real special!!

by slickwdb on Oct 14, 2005 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

Tulo

Troy Tulowitski is a very talented prospect. He's not on the level of Drew/Wood yet, but a year from now he may very well be.

"Second guessers are guys that could have never gotten it right the first time." - Tommy Lasorda (for guys that have no other defense for their actions.)

by slurve on Oct 14, 2005 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

agreed

very scary what Tulo could do.. and he's the type of Derek Jeter personality that will play big and take charge wherever he is.. im sure he'll adjust and have a nice year next year

by ufo on Oct 14, 2005 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

prospects

1. Upton 2. Wood 3. Guzman *I'd put Drew here but he has Zero pro AB's outside the AFL and I just can't do that personally* Upton has used up his rookie eligibility, but he's still developing and still playing in the Minors so to my mind he's a prospect, he's just not ROY eligible.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 14, 2005 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

fyi

Drew played in the Cal Laegue and Southern League. I would rank them the same way with Drew 3 and Guzman 4.

by So Cal Bob on Oct 14, 2005 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

My bad

That's what I get for checking Rotoworld instead of a real minors site.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 14, 2005 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

And

Being too lazy to scroll down. 3. Drew

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 14, 2005 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I still like Chris Nelson

You may not be able to rank him in the top group at this point, but he's still very young and could be great.

by 3Com Park on Oct 14, 2005 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

Wood

I like wood, but i think hes overrated due to the fact that he hit 100 extra base hits. First of all it the California league, maybe the best hitters league in the game. Im not sure that Guzman or Drew couldve done the same thing had they spend a full season at Rancho Cucamunga. Guzman had 44 XBH is half a season in the FSL at age 19, Drew had 29 XBH in only 149 ab's, also in the California League. Given the number of prospects that have put up gawdy power numbers in this league and then flopped (mathis, barfield)should give us some perspective. Also, Woods K:W ratio isnt impressive, and the Angels are not an organiztion that emphasizes plate discipline.

Im not saying he's not one of the best prospects in the game, or that he's not better than Drew or Guzman. But i think that we need to look beyond the raw power numbers. He reminds me a bit of Josh Barfield, with more power, and that worries me.

by sanchez101 on Oct 14, 2005 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

well

I think it's the fact the HE DID IT is what separates him from some of the others. Doesn't matter what league you play in that is a HUGE accomplishment.

Don't know why you discount Barfield either calling him a flop. He had a fine AAA campaign .310/.370/.450.

by So Cal Bob on Oct 14, 2005 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Barfield

Barfield hit .248/.313/.417 last year in AA. .310/.370/.450 isnt anything special in the PCL.

by sanchez101 on Oct 14, 2005 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

again

your wrote FLOP. That is just wrong. Period.

by So Cal Bob on Oct 17, 2005 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Guzman, Upton, etc.

Who says that these guys are going to stay at SS? It's been talked about for a while now that Guzman will probably be moved. Upton has definite defensive problems and might be moved, although I would probably keep him there.

Even Wood has been talked about as moving, although most scouting reports say he can handle the position. They just might have better defensive options in Cabrera and Aybar.

by jc3 on Oct 14, 2005 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

SS Prospects

Guzman, Upton, Wood- I can't see any of these guys playing SS in the majors. Guzman will probably weigh 235+ by the time he reaches the majors. Wood just doesn't have the hands to play SS. I see him moving to 3B. Upton has all the tools to play SS. I'd leave him there and bring him up to the majors.

by UncleMiltie on Oct 14, 2005 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

if he doesn't have the hands

to play SS, he won't have the hands for 3B.

by So Cal Bob on Oct 14, 2005 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

but I do think the Angels depth at SS might move him out of the position anyway.

by Roger on Oct 14, 2005 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Have you seen him play SS

or just commenting based on some other analysis? I haven't seen any scouting reports that says he has bad hands so I'm curious how you came up with this statement.
In a couple of weeks I'll be in Arizona to watch him play and I'll ask a few scouts what they think since I'll be surrounded by them.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen.

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 14, 2005 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

surprising

I had heard, more than anything, that it was his glove that was good while it was a question whether his bat would come around.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 14, 2005 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

that's absolutely correct

and it's his bat that was the biggest surprise and move forward in his game this year.

by So Cal Bob on Oct 14, 2005 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Wrong

How do you say Brandon Wood doesn't have the hands to play SS? He's a very good defensive SS. He made only 20 errors all season.

by Goodfella on Oct 14, 2005 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions

No...

FPCT isn't the best way to judge a player's defense.

Defensively
Deivi Cruz=Ozzie Smith

Right? Both have a .978 career FPCT (at SS).

by UncleMiltie on Oct 14, 2005 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Answer?

Yes, we're all awar that fpct isn't a great stat for evaluating defense, but until someone starts tracking Range factor and Zone rating in the minors it's all we've got. Perhaps you might be so kind as to enlighten us as to the source of your information (as I believe at least one other guys asked) since most of us have heard only positive things about his defense from scouts, BA, John, etc.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 14, 2005 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Also

If Woods hands were a problem, as you claimed, I expect his error totals would be the most indicative measure of that.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 14, 2005 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

well

I got the information from a friend who was at a game in Rancho and heard it from a scout. The scout said that Wood doesn't have very good hands, but has a very good arm and might move to 3B in the future.

by UncleMiltie on Oct 14, 2005 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope

you'll fogive but, no offense, I'm gonna stick with the reigning conventional widom. I'm curious why these bad hands don't result in more errors. Generally if a guy lacks touch it's going to show up as errors and isn't going to be remedied by moving to the hot corner.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 14, 2005 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

thanks

thanks for the support Crimson. It's nice to actually agree with you.

by Goodfella on Oct 15, 2005 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions

crimson

I wouldn't get use to agreeing with him. i'm willing to bet he will argue the fact that you even agree.

If a guys hands are a problem I don't see why a scout would be saying he will move to third. Now if his feet are a problem that would make sense. 3rd base is a reaction position where hands are the key.

Also someone said bad feet don't cause errors. I would have to disagree with that. Getting your feet in proper position to field a ball is huge. If your feet are not in the right position it is hard for your body to be in the right position. How would bad feet not lead to more errors?

by Josh @ Minor League Ball on Oct 15, 2005 4:14 AM EDT up reply actions

right

Brandon Wood can field his position. Enough said. Now, Erik Aybar is a better defensive player. So, maybe Wood moves to 3B afterall. Anywho, I'm going to spend some quality time with the babysitter. Take care.

by Goodfella on Oct 15, 2005 5:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Moot point

The Angels signed Orlando Cabrera to a 4 year contract that I can't see anyone taking. Aybar might move to 2B or will be trade bait. Wood has done nothing above A, so it's way too early to declare him the Angels future SS.

by UncleMiltie on Oct 15, 2005 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Just noticed...

Goodfella... QT with the babysitter?

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 15, 2005 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

He's a lot like Furcal

There is no debate that Aybar has great range. His range is as good as any shortstop prospect in baseball. He is likened to Rafael Furcal. The problem with Aybar is his reliability. His hands aren't as soft as Wood's and he will take chances to make plays that aren't there thus resulting in unnecessary errors. I do think with more experience and maturity, his reliability should get better. Aybar has potential to be a better defensive player than Wood, but the jury is still out. His fielding prowess over Wood is not as automatic as one would assume.Fans love the spectacular shortstop play, but managers will always take the steady,reliable shortstop play because it wins more baseball games.

by slugggo on Oct 15, 2005 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Re:

The poster was talking about his hands, not his range (or feet). Last time I checked, you make errors with your hands.

by Goodfella on Oct 15, 2005 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions

I think...

Upton's better than Wood. At least right now he is. Upton's only six months older, has spent a good portion of a season in the majors, spent all of last year at AAA, and is much more of a natural SS from what I've seen.

Wood's still one of the top 10 prospects in the game, probably top 5. But Upton's better.

by Anibal the Cannibal on Oct 14, 2005 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

Forget

Upton's bee a prospect for so long, I tend to forget how young he still is. His definitely has time to improve his defense.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 14, 2005 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Almost a trick question

My top five are:

1.B.J Upton
2.Brandon Wood
3.Stephen Drew
4.Joel Guzman
5.Adam Jones(who nobody seems to be talking about)

...but scouts seem to think that all five will end up at other positions in the majors.

by Ian Miller on Oct 14, 2005 3:32 PM EDT reply actions

I know he hasn't played yet, but

where do you wanna put Justin Upton?

by Roger on Oct 14, 2005 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Wait

wait till he signs. Everyone seems to thing he's going to be a CFer, but Jeff Morad said that he plans on keeping him at SS. So, well have to wait and see where he plays. One thing that makes me think he won't play SS (aside from the scouting reports) is that he got moved to 3B late in his HS season. If he can't handle SS at the HS level, he probably won't be able to at the big league level.

Chuck Lamar, you're fired- Stuart Sternburg

by Tyler on Oct 14, 2005 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Adam Jones

Is that the same Adam Jones that has been moved to centerfield in the AFL?

Maybe a better question is who are the top 5 natural SS's, and who are the top 5 currently playing SS. IMO they are two different list.

by Josh @ Minor League Ball on Oct 14, 2005 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

re:

Has Jones been moved already? I haven't been keeping up with position changes much. I'd believe it, though; Seattle is loaded at middle infield.

I agree that the question should be clarified. It's almost two entirely different lists.

by Ian Miller on Oct 14, 2005 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

If it wasn't for Betancourt....

Jones would be staying at SS. Betancourt's glove is as good as any shortstop I've ever seen. Don't take it as a knock against Jones.

by Anibal the Cannibal on Oct 14, 2005 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Yuniesky is my new favorite name

...and yes, he's quite good defensively. However, I doubt that's the only reason Jones was moved. Afterall, Betancourt hasn't even played half a season in the majors yet.

by Ian Miller on Oct 14, 2005 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

jones

It is not a knock, it is just a fact that he has moved to Cf.

by Josh @ Minor League Ball on Oct 15, 2005 4:14 AM EDT up reply actions

its not just Betancourt..

its ASDRUBAL CABRERA.. maybe the best defensive infielder in the minors.. no way Jones has a shot at SS with this guy hanging around

by ufo on Oct 15, 2005 5:37 AM EDT up reply actions

after a 4-5 day

Drew is now hitting a paltry .538.

by So Cal Bob on Oct 14, 2005 6:28 PM EDT reply actions

oh, and I forgot

Wood went yard again. That makes 9.

by So Cal Bob on Oct 14, 2005 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Marcus Sanders

I wouldn't rank him ahead of Drew or Wood, but if his shoulder can stay healthy, he could be an exciting SS of the future. He had a relatively rare combination of high OBP, .407 with impact speed, 57 SB's with 9 CS for Augusta in the Sally League.

by DrBGiantsfan on Oct 15, 2005 12:42 AM EDT reply actions

elvis

does Elvis Andrus have a shot at being an elite SS ? .. at 17, whats his power potential?

by ufo on Oct 15, 2005 5:48 AM EDT reply actions

Tough to gauge

Since he's so far from the majors. But, at the same time, how many High School Sophomores (which is what Andrus would probably be last year in the US) could hit .295/.377/.398 3HR's, 6 doubles in the GCL with a 32/23 k/bb ratio in 50 games? He's still got a lot of growing to do. I grabbed him in my DMB league (it's a very deep league) and I figure i'll just put him on the back burner and let him do whatever he's gonna do for a couple years and evaluate him then.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 15, 2005 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Did the same thing

I have Steven Drew who I have kept for 3 years now and added Andrus mid-season. By all accounts - he has got all the tools to get to the majors in a hurry. I read one place where they are actually so high on this kid that they are willing to let Furcal walk and look for a 2 year stop gap because this kid could be ready at the age of 19.

by slickwdb on Oct 15, 2005 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

I don't think I had read that. The Braves are some of the finest young talent evaluators around, that speaks a lot to his potential.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 15, 2005 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Braves

Seems like every year the Braves have the next great ss. Who was it last year? I know you had him to bren.

Braves have a fine eye for talent, but they are also great at talking up players. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

by Josh @ Minor League Ball on Oct 15, 2005 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Still got him

Luis Hernandez, they still think pretty highly of him. He didn't hit quite as well as hoped (though the Southern League is a tough place to hit), but he did make major improvements in his plate discipline, which was a big concern. His defense is still exceptional.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Oct 15, 2005 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Betemit was the guy for a while right?

Wilson Betemit has been the guy I think. Problem for him has been not developing as quickly as they would like and having Chipper Jones and Furcal ahead of him. In part time duty this year - he did hit .305/.362/.435.

He is 25 but has not had a chance to be an everyday player yet. I would not call that being wrong about a prospect.

Betemit still has the chance to be the starting SS on opening day next year for the Braves.

by slickwdb on Oct 16, 2005 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Low Minors

As long as we're talking very low minors here, the Giants have an 18 yo SS named Sharlon Shoop from the AZL who BA says is better on defense than anyone in their organization other than Omar Vizquel. Of course, the Giants farms system isn't exactly known as a hotbed of great defensive shortstops, so I'm not quite sure what that means. I mean, Cody Ransom was the last future great defensive SS in their system if that tells you anything.

Anyway, Shoop hails from Curacao which seems to be heating up as a hotbed of baseball talent. Last year's Little League WS winner came from there and this year's runner up too.

The big question about Shoop is whether he can hit. He did get his BA up to .254 after a horrendous start. He had a decent walk rate too.

by DrBGiantsfan on Oct 16, 2005 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions