who is YOUR top 10 OFer prospects

my take

1)Delmon Young
2)Lastings Milledge
3)Joel Guzman
4)Elijah Dukes
5)Carlos Quentin
6)Justin Upton
7)Jose Tabata
8)Fernando Martinez
9)Chris Young
10)Delwyn Young

by Josh @ Minor League Ball on May 18, 2006 11:11 AM EDT reply actions

top 10

Justin Upton
Lastings Milledge
Felix Pie
Delmon Young
Chris Young
Carlos Quentin
Elijah Dukes
Corey Hart
Hunter Pence
Matt Kemp

by SmokeyJoeWood on May 18, 2006 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

top 10 OF

Delmon Young
Justin Upton
Lastings milledge
felix Pie
Carlos Quentin
Chris Young
Billy Butler (I use the term Outfielder loosely)
Joel Guzman
Carlos Gonzalez
Matt Kemp

by jspearlj1 on May 18, 2006 11:23 AM EDT reply actions

goes to Adam Jones, however the Mariners are doing their best to screw him up by putting him in AAA after doing well, but not great in AA, he's slugging well (470), but the kid has a 30/5 k/bb ratio and is batting 258 with a 290 obp in the PCL (albeit in one of PCL's more "pitcher friendly" parks in Tacoma). Overall that's still pretty good in AAA for a 20 year old...

by jspearlj1 on May 18, 2006 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Jones is on track

The M's decided to really challenge him, and I think it's worked out fine. No one, not even Jones, thinks he's ready this year - he'll probably spend all of next year in the PCL too before a sept. call up. His job is learning CF and working on pitch recognition. His power has developed very nicely, despite playing in an extreme pitchers park for the league (pf of like 860 or something).
He's also done well in CF - gets good jumps, but is prone to lapses in concentration.
Good 'Honorable mention' call. His performance doesn't quite rank him with the other guys, but considering age-relative-to-league, he's definitely a guy to watch.

by marc w @ Minor League Ball on May 18, 2006 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Cheney...

Anyone who's seen a game at Cheney Stadium will tell you to remove the "" from pitcher friendly. The PCL's a hitters' league, sure, but Cheney's a legit pitchers' park. Only 2 people have ever hit HRs to straightaway center in Tacoma. It's 425 with a CF wall elevated to 28 feet, and 385 to the power alleys. The foulpole corners are in a little bit, but XBHs don't come cheap for the Rainiers.

by jhelfgott @ Minor League Ball on May 18, 2006 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Park factors

I was just going by BTF park factors from 2000-2003 (IIRC) and that accounts for all of the minors not just league, so you're right it is a pretty tough park. (Thanks to the wonderful brewcrew ball), Jones is batting 318/375/705 on the road and 217/235/337 at home, so he's definately being affected by the park (overstatement of the year). However that's 83 ABs at home and only 44 on the road, that should worry you that he's really only playing well in hitter's parks and that his numbers (considering league context) are not that good overall. It's not as if those good power numbers are coming at home, they are coming from friendly parks.

by jspearlj1 on May 18, 2006 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

Yeah, Cheney's a nightmare to hit in relative to any league. Chris Snelling hit a game-winning "single" in the bottom of the 10th about a week and a half ago that would've been a walk-off grand slam in some PCL parks.

Like Marc W said, I'm not too worried about Jones' offensive development. Coming into this year, the Ms were pretty much just looking for him to hold his own in AAA while he learned CF. He'll get at least a season and a half in Tacoma before he becomes a serious candidate for a call-up.

by jhelfgott @ Minor League Ball on May 18, 2006 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

hmm

tough to rate centerfielders against corner guys. That would have been my primary complaint about Dayn's list.

Here goes it, nonetheless, by group, while leaving aside LF/1B/DH types (Butler, EME)...

elite:

Lastings Milledge
Delmon Young

more-than-promising:

Chris Young
Carlos Quentin
Jason Kubel
Elijah Dukes
Matt Kemp
Felix Pie
Hunter Pence

promising (still in A-ball)

Justin Upton
Carlos Gonzales
Jose Tabata
Andruw McCutcheon
Nolan Reimold
Jay Bruce

by Azteca on May 18, 2006 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

Oh no you didn't

Not enough Ellisbury

by jankeessuck on May 18, 2006 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

Ellsbury

He's been decent in high-A, but he'll be 23 this year. most of these other guys are younger, have better numbers, and are at a higher level.

As much as I would like Ellsbury to be an elite prospect, he's just not at this point.
(don't worry, that doesn't mean he can't become Johnny Damon II eventually)

by SmokeyJoeWood on May 18, 2006 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Cameron Maybin

how this guy gets constantly overlooked is amazing to me

by High Heater on May 18, 2006 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

45 second behind you High Heater

I totally agree. I think hes a really special OF prospect.

by grozzy on May 18, 2006 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

subject

I think he is special prospect. I just couldn't put him ahead of Tabata, Upton, or Martinez. IMO Maybin, Kemp, Pence, Pie, Bruce, and Reimold are all on the verge of breaking into the top 10. They were left off my list for guys closer to making the show. I'm a fan of less risk.

by Josh @ Minor League Ball on May 18, 2006 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

My Top 10

Delmon Young
Justin Upton
Milledge
Chris Young
Dukes
Quentin
Maybin
F Martinez
J Guzman
Tabata

by grozzy on May 18, 2006 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

Upton

Doesn't anyone else feel that Upton is getting a bit over-hyped already? Sure he's a good player, but to have him ranked in the same category as Milledge and Delmon doesn't seem right.

Sure he's hitting .333/.410/.437 but this is in LoA and with only 87 pro at-bats. Plus he's playing LF and not yet been exposed to the rigors of CF on a daily basis.

In my opinion for someone in LoA to be ranked as better then Delmon or Lastings he's gotta be hitting .457/.520/.530 and showing wonderful D and outstanding speed.

I agree that Upton will be a terrific prospect and MLB player, but give him a chance to prove himself before he's got so much pressure on him.

by bunner19 @ Minor League Ball on May 18, 2006 11:49 AM EDT reply actions

Well

the ranking isn't based on those 87 atbats. Its based on almost universally glowing reports, which DO mean a lot more than people give them credit for.

by nms on May 19, 2006 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Ryan Patterson

He is hitting very well in the FSL which is not an easy feat, I think he deserves some consideration too.

by bunner19 @ Minor League Ball on May 18, 2006 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

Hunter Pence...

Don't have a top 10 myself, but just curious why so many people aren't including Pence? Cause his OPS (1.054) is better than just about everyone else listed (I can't say for sure, but it's better than D Young, Dukes, Kemp, Millegde, C Young, Quentin, Guzman, Tabata, Maybin, Upton, Pie, and just about everyone else in the minors) and it is consistent with his performance last year.

So, just curious why so few people listed him? Is it just his age? Or the scouts not being happy with his swing?

by beastball on May 18, 2006 11:57 AM EDT reply actions

While I'm here...

I'll put together a top 10...

Delmon
Upton
Pence
Dukes
Milledge
Kemp
Tabata
Maybin
Guzman
Quentin

by beastball on May 18, 2006 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Mine

Young
Upton (Hasn't shown enough power to warrant the #1 spot)
Dukes
Milledge
Guzman
F. Martinez
Tabata
Kemp
Maybin (On pace for 180 SO in 600 ABs)
Pence (On pace for 100 XBHs? He'll cool down some)

by ultxmxpx on May 18, 2006 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

Actually I hate that list

Young
Upton
Butler
Dukes
Milledge
F. Martinez
Tabata
Pie
Guzman
Kemp
Carlos Gonzalez
Maybin
Pence
McCutcheon
Quentin
Young

by ultxmxpx on May 18, 2006 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

performance matters

Delmon Young
Lastings Milledge
Chris Young
Justin Upton
Billy Butler
Elijah Dukes
Matt Kemp
Fernando Martinez
Felix Pie
Joel Guzman

honorable mention = Cameron Maybin, Jose Tabata, Andrew McCutcheon, Jay Bruce, Carlos Quentin

I can't justify putting 4-5 guys in A ball in a top 10.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on May 18, 2006 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

lots of outfield talent

I'll go with:

Justin Upton
Delmon Young
Lastings Milledge
Chris Young
Billy Butler
Matt Kemp
Hunter Pence
Carlos Quentin
Joel Guzman
Fernando Martinez

(11. Jose Tabata)

by jeck on May 18, 2006 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

OF List

Delmon Young
Justin Upton
Lastings Milledge
Carlos Quentin
Chris Young
Billy Butler
Matt Kemp
Joel Guzman
Elijah Dukes
Felix Pie

The last few cuts were tough. There a lot of deserving guys.

by count sutton on May 18, 2006 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

Wow

I know he doesnt belong in the top 10, but he should belong in at least honorable mentions!!!....hes overlooked a lot, but BA recently did a comparison between him and Maybin, and it was very even...

DEXTER FOWLER

Learning to switch hit, steals bases, plays defense, hits for some power...

by bballfanlvnv on May 18, 2006 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

subject

I'm a dexter fan but he has a long ways to go till he is a top ten outfield prospect.

by Josh @ Minor League Ball on May 18, 2006 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Fowler

I said specifically that he doesnt belong in the top 10 yet....but he isnt any further away than McCutchen, Tabata, or Martinez...

All are in the Sally league...and Fowler is putting up superior numbers than a lot of them, and with the best body projection (6-4, 175)...

by bballfanlvnv on May 18, 2006 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

subject

"I said specifically that he doesnt belong in the top 10 yet"

Me to.

"All are in the Sally league...and Fowler is putting up superior numbers than a lot of them, and with the best body projection (6-4, 175)..."

Like I said i like dexter, but he isn't on the same level as Tabata. I'll let someone else argue with you about the other two.

Tabata is 3 years younger then dexter, and putting up better numbers at the same level. That alone makes it impossible to put dexter on the same level.

.345/.396/.538 vs .319/.394/.511

He does have a better body if you are into that type of thing. :)

by Josh @ Minor League Ball on May 18, 2006 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Quentin

Carlos Quentin is being severely underrated in this thread so far. He's top three in my book. There are plenty of shiny new toys out there, but not a lot of guys who have performed like Quentin. Plus he's no slouch when it comes to tools, either. Q is Alex Gordon of the outfield.

by limozeen on May 18, 2006 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

subject

J. Upton
E. Dukes
C. Young
D. Young
C. Gonzales
L. Milledge
C. Maybin
F. Pie
R. Sweeney
H. Pence

"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 May 18, 2006 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

Francoeur

Imagine if Jeff were playing in AAA this year, putting up his current MLB line (before today): .257/.269/.444. Maybe give him a small boost using MLEs. Would he even be among the top 15?

by Azteca on May 18, 2006 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

My Ultimate Top Ten

I'm pretty sure any outfield would look pretty for the next decade with any three of these guys!

Justin Upton
Delmon Young
Lastings Milledge
Cameron Maybin
Jose Tabata
Fenando Martinez
Joel Guzman
Chris Young
Matt Kemp
Jay Bruce

I thought this bunch contained a nice blend of great potential, and guys who are almost there. Special considerations to Adam Jones & Andrew McCutchen.

by MonsterMasher on May 18, 2006 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

This was John's preseason 12 OF

Delmon Young
Jeremy Hermida
Carlos Quentin
Chris Young
Joel Guzman
Nick Markakis
Lastings Millage
Felix Pie
Adam Jones
Billy Butler
Carlos Gonzales
Hunter Pence

I put 12 because 2 of them played some SS and may convert to OF. There were 7 more OF in the top 50. And out of all of these guys Pence has definately made the most strides forward. Also considering that a few of these guys are in the majors I would have to put Pence in the top 10. I would have him in the top 4 IMO.

BTW, Matt Kemp would have been about the 50th best OF(if that) in the preseason.

by Shamus on May 18, 2006 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

lol

"BTW, Matt Kemp would have been about the 50th best OF(if that) in the preseason."

still bitter eh?

by npurcell on May 18, 2006 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe

It was never an anti-Kemp thing. It was an underappreciation of Pence thing.

As far as production Pence is the leader. He is in the clubhouse with the lead. That is why I think he is great, because what he is doing is great.

by Shamus on May 18, 2006 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Just realized

This may not be Kosher. I did not think about that. If it is wrong to post how you ranked players I am sorry John.

by Shamus on May 18, 2006 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

mine

1: Delmon Young
2: Lastings Milledge
3: Carlos Quinten
4: Justin Upton
5: Cameron Maybin
6: Chris Young
7: Matt Kemp
8: Hunter Pence
9: Jose Tabata
10: Fernando Martinez

by High Heater on May 18, 2006 4:31 PM EDT reply actions