3B Prospects--NL

by stello12 on Jul 7, 2005 12:52 AM EDT

Of the following 3B prospects, how would you rank them based on the following criteria:

Closest to landing and sticking in the show?
Highest ceiling?
Best chance to make an impact for his team?
Overall ranking 1-4

Andy LaRoche
Edwin Encarnacion
Ian Stewart
Ryan Zimmerman

I would suspect Encarnacion is the closest to landing a starting role, especially with the potential trade of Randa. Following him by my guess would be Zimmerman, LaRoche and finally Stewart. Am I off base?

I'm not as familiar with Encarnacion or Zimmerman as I am with the other two. I would think that LaRoche may force LA's hand if he has a solid second half.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

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Comments

my rankings

1. Closest to landing and sticking in the show?
encarnacion (cuz hes already there and they will probably trade randa soon)
zimmerman (they seem to be fast tracking him)
laroche
stewart

2. Highest ceiling?
stewart
laroche
encarnacion
zimmerman

3. Best chance to make an impact for his team?
laroche

4. Overall ranking 1-4
laroche(his power is absurd)
stewart (i like his long term potential)
zimmerman
encarnacion (hes related to juan encarnacion... so i dont like his chances)
stewart
encarnacion
zimmerman

by npurcell on Jul 7, 2005 2:04 AM EDT reply actions

Where is Marte?

Your missing the number one NL 3b prospect. He would be 1st in all your categories.

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

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 7, 2005 2:46 AM EDT reply actions

Not necessarily.

More than a few of us (I would guess) are still high on Stewart. Since the beginning of June, he's been the same player he was last season, and there's a pretty good argument that he was injured before then. Also, Marte doesn't necessarily qualify simply because he is in the majors at the moment...

by Brickhaus on Jul 7, 2005 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions

But ...

Until yesterday, so was Encarnacion.

by rdiersin on Jul 7, 2005 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I concur

Stewart is the best of the bunch. And don't forget he'll be putting his numbers up in Colorado for 81 games.

I wouldn't include Zimmerman in this discussion. I think he'll be pretty mediocre--just a gut feeling.

Marte will certainly prove better than him and will be above average at 3B.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 7, 2005 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Marte is in AAA

And has been since 6/25 ...

Since going back down he has hit .357 with 1 DB 2 HR 5 RBI.

Marte Francouer McCann Davies Any Questions?

by Hud Giles on Jul 7, 2005 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

Marte #1

All of these guys have great upsides, but Marte has been putting up numbers at every level. Other guys that will move fast are Gordon and Braun. Both are polished hitters and while Braun's glove isn't gold glove caliber....he should transition quickly.

by patsydean on Jul 7, 2005 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

Braun isn't gold glove caliber?

Braun is the reason Gordon played 1B for the US National Team. He is an excellent defender.

by HuskerBob on Jul 7, 2005 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

Glove

Braun came to Miami as a SS. This past college season was his first at third and while the athletic ability is there....the comfort level is another story. I wasn't aware that he moved Gordon off 3rd. Maybe USA didn't want to throw another change at Braun?

Every pre draft report had Gordon as the superior glove.

by patsydean on Jul 7, 2005 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

3B

A lot of the top 3b's were once shortstops, ARod, Glaus, Chipper, I wouldn't be concerned with Braun's defense

by SoCalSoxFan on Jul 7, 2005 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

I think I misspoke

Now that I think about it, it may have been Zimmerman that played 3B on the USA team. I'll have to look that up again.

by HuskerBob on Jul 7, 2005 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

this is correct

Zimmerman played 3B for USA. He is considered an EXCELLENT defensive 3B'man.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 7, 2005 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

marte is #1

what separates marte is production relative to level at a very young age. he's only 21 and is doing very well in AAA after smacking around AA at age 20 last year. stewart is a wonderful prospect, too (now that he seems to be fully healthy again), but is only a year and a half younger and still in A-ball. we all know he's talented enough to move quickly and duplicate marte's progress through the minors, but until he actually does it, i think marte has to be considered the better prospect.

none of the guys from this year's draft are as good. unless you include alex gordon over in the AL--that guy is tremendous.

by jpahk on Jul 7, 2005 5:12 PM EDT reply actions