Dukes

by FRANCHISEv2 on Apr 4, 2006 11:05 AM EDT

Is it time to re-think the future of Dukes? BA had a nice write up on him but one part really drew my eye:

"Dukes is slated to start the year at Triple-A Durham, and he's worked hard to improve all phases of his game. Some scouts this spring have said that if it weren't for his history outside the lines, Dukes would be widely regarded as a prospect of the same quality as Young."

Yesterday this was part of Peter Gammons blog for insider:

"* The single most talented young player I saw all spring? Tampa Bay OF Elijah Dukes. Yeah, yeah, yeah ... he has issues, but most of us know nothing about what it takes to overcome such social obstacles."

Throw this on top of a great spring where he made a positive impression on the new manager and I get the feeling he shouldn't have been left off everyone's top 100 lists for prospects. I don't think Dukes has been in trouble for the last year or so to be kept off of them or is his past that troubling?

If Dukes is this special of a talent wouldn't make the most sense for a future OF in Tampa of
Dukes/Delmon at the corners with Crawford in center? Does anyone think it is important to the Drays organization for Dukes to be the first "product of Tampa" they drafted to make the Drays?

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Agree

Dukes is an exceptional talent and hopefully he's got his life and anger in check. He could be a difference maker for the Rays and that would help tremendously. As for being the first drafted player from Tampa to make it to the majors, I guess that would be a good story considering the history of baseball in Tampa. However, the franchise is technically in St. Pete and the Rays already have a drafted player from St. Pete on the roster, Doug Waechter. They also briefly had a player from nearby Lakeland, Matt Diaz.

by PolkCountyRay on Apr 4, 2006 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

This year

I think this is his make or break year in Tampa. He's an uber athlete, can play CF, hit for power, average, and steal bases. I expect him to put up a .900 OPS in Durham this year, and he forces the Rays hand. If Rocco doesn't stay healthy, he's going to have to win the CF job out of spring training next year.

The Dukes train is picking up steam big time among Rays fans lately. He had an amazing spring, and a couple people met him at fan fest and said he was humble and one of the nicest people they've met. I've been on the Dukes bandwagon since last year. IMO, he's going to end up being a better player than Francouer. I really like the guy and hope he ends up playing for the Rays. He's a local kid who wants to play for his home town team. If he keeps his head on straight, that could happen as soon as next year.

"Chuck Lamar, you're fired"- Stuart Sternburg.

by Tyler on Apr 4, 2006 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

make or Break?

Kind of a tough choice of words, it implies that he's beein failing, but I know what you mean. Do you think he is the better option defensively in CF or is Crawford? I imagine Crawford's opinion on the matter will come into play (because that kind thing hapens).
BTW, the sheer fact that he WANTS to play in Tampa Bay should have the Rays excited about him. How often do you hear players say they want to be a D-Ray?

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Apr 4, 2006 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Make or break

that was a poor choice of words. What I meant was that this will decide whether he or Rocco is the future CFer of the Rays. He's either going to play CF for the Rays next year or he'll be traded. That's my opinion on the situation. I think he'll perform to a level this year where the organization cannot justify keeping him in AAA without trading him. Although, they may use his make-up question to justify keeping him in AAA another year, but I personally think he'll be the opening day CFer next year.

I know that some will disagree, I'm very high on him, but that's my take.

"Chuck Lamar, you're fired"- Stuart Sternburg.

by Tyler on Apr 4, 2006 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I'm probably just as high on Dukes. I keep forgetting what a strong season he had last year and just how talented he is because he's so overshadowed by Young but personally I can't wait to see what he can do.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Apr 4, 2006 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Tampa product

Mostly just a nitpick, but there are several other guys on the team from Tampa Bay who came up through the organization. Doug Waechter is one of them. There have been a few others of less significance who I can't think of off the top of my head at the moment.

I don't think Dukes is a Delmon level prospect even without the issues, but I can certainly see the Francoeur comp. Francoeur has a bit more power, but Dukes has a bit more speed and patience, and Dukes outperformed him in the same league at the same age last year while playing half his games in a more pitcher-friendly home park. Without any makeup issues, he's probably somewhere near Felix Pie in the various prospect rankings.

He hasn't been incident-free for a full season though. He was suspended more than once last year for getting in the umpires' faces, and while that's not too horrible, it's still something he should control, especially since his reputation means people will try to coax him into making mistakes for the rest of his career.

"If there wasn't nine guys out in the field, I'd have a hit every time except when I strike out." - Delmon Young

by Brickhaus on Apr 4, 2006 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

Delmon/Dukes

Dukes isn't quite at Delmon's level offensively from a raw standpoint, but considering Dukes as a CFer and Delmon as a RFer I think their value relative to position puts them a lot closer.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Apr 4, 2006 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

DUKES

I've loved this guy since I read John's comments on him in the 2005 book. I got beat by one round in drafting him in my fantasy pool in 2005, but acquired him as a 'throw in' in a mid-season trade. I think he could be huge for quite a long time, but then again T-Bay has a knack of holding back top prospects, ask Gathright, Upton and Young.

Hopefully now that Pinella is gone there will be some room for these guys to get some playing time.

I mean if you're gonna finish last why not replace Lugo with Upton? or give Delmon a September call up? Or trade Gathright for some pitching help?

by bunner19 @ Minor League Ball on Apr 4, 2006 5:28 PM EDT reply actions