BA South Atlantic League Top 20 Prospects..

by louief1 on Sep 29, 2006 12:02 PM EDT Comment 22 comments

TOP 20 PROSPECTS

Andrew McCutchen, of, Hickory (Pirates)
Jose Tabata, of, Charleston (Yankees)
Fernando Martinez, of, Hagerstown (Mets)
Elvis Andrus, ss, Rome (Braves)
Carlos Carrasco, rhp, Lakewood (Phillies)
Chris Volstad, rhp, Greensboro (Marlins)
Will Inman, rhp, West Virginia (Brewers)
Sean West, lhp, Greensboro (Marlins)
Brandon Erbe, rhp, Delmarva (Orioles)
Dexter Fowler, of, Asheville (Rockies)
Deolis Guerra, rhp, Hagerstown (Mets)
John Drennen, of, Lake County (Indians)
Clay Buchholz, rhp, Greenville (Red Sox)
Lorenzo Cain, of, West Virginia (Brewers)
Michael Bowden, rhp, Greenville (Red Sox)
Ryan Tucker, rhp, Greensboro (Marlins)
Eric Campbell, 3b, Rome (Braves)
Aaron Thompson, lhp, Greensboro (Marlins)
Matt Maloney, lhp, Lakewood (Phillies)
Josh Outman, lhp, Lakewood (Phillies)

Nobody's done it yet, so here it is... Let me know your thoughts... Volstad over Erbe and Bowden... Interesting..

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wow

It's tough to argue the Top 4 because of age and projectability, but to have Inman at 7 is a bit too low. He was absolutely dominant this year, and despite his lack of "ideal pitcher's size", his ceiling is still a #2 IMO.

by mjwelch11 on Sep 29, 2006 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

First off

Callis said in his two chats this week that a) McCutchen could be considered right with Maybin and Bruce and his AA stint could be used as an argument to bump him ahead, and b) in the either/or category he took McCutchen over Justin Upton. Add to that stuff that Meyers says he was the "no question" #1 in the SAL ahead of those three teenage studs, and I think it's easy to conclude that BA is going to rank him very highly this winter.

I was looking forward to seeing this list because of those top four and because of the pitchers, and my guess on the pitchers was: Inman, Erbe, Carrasco, Bowden, Guerra for 5-9, then Buccholz, West and Volstad in that order. So yeah, really the only guy I was surprised about was Volstad being ahead of Inman and Erbe, and probably West. I guess considering that they were all ranked in a row means that too much shouldn't be read into that. I do think that Inman may be a little underrated though.

by Brett Perryman on Sep 29, 2006 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

Cutch over Upton?

...wow...steadily losing respect for Callis...either he just had a vasectomy, or he is the human manifestaion of Charlie Brown ('wishy-washy')...

by daveh33 on Sep 29, 2006 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Who's faster?

Is McCutchen faster than Justin Upton? Because outside of performance, that is the only tool I think he could have an edge over Upton, so... who is faster??

by LCT on Sep 29, 2006 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

Over Upton

or Tabata?

Upton is a more atheletic and has more power potential.

by slurve on Sep 29, 2006 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

McCutchen over Upton

McCutchen is farther along at translating his tools, which are also significant, into production on the field. Upton needs to stop coasting and start working.

by JakeFree on Sep 29, 2006 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

faster

So, you said Upton is faster because is more athletic?

P.S. That photo of McCutchen they have at BA reminds me of o young Clemente.

by LCT on Sep 29, 2006 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Upton

I've never seen their speeds side by side but Upton ran the fastest times in the history of the Area code game according to BA, so i would be inclined to say he is faster. That doesn't necessarily say he has better game speed or basepath instincts

by yondaime4 on Sep 29, 2006 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Hard to figure out

Why they aren't higher on Erbe. They give a glowing report...with the only knocks being that he was on strict pitch counts (does the fact that Balt is protecting his arm count as a knock) and that he has a violent delivery...I know that I prefer Erbe to West and Volstad - and that I have consistently seen Erbe around the 30 range on top prospect list while those other two guys usually aren't in the top 50. Just an odd choice in my mind...

by Dfarth on Sep 29, 2006 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

re

I think BA views Erbe as a potential RP and not as a starter which may take down his value a bit.

by mckeeno on Sep 29, 2006 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

still

he's only 18...he struck out over 10 per inning...and according to his scouting report "His No. 2 pitch is an equally devastating slider that ranges from 82-86 mph and was arguably the best in the league when it was on. "

by Dfarth on Sep 29, 2006 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

whoops

meant to respond to the 1 trick pony post...not yours...

by Dfarth on Sep 29, 2006 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Erbe's a one trick pony...

I always heard that he has a great FB, but his other stuff is not that good yeat and that he projects more as a reliever than a starter because he's struggled with developing his secondary stuff.

by jspearlj1 on Sep 29, 2006 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Sox arms

I'm hoping the Sox decide to jump these 2 to AA Portland next year. The Sox High-A affiliate will be out in California, probably in an extreme hitter's park. I'd rather not see these two adapt The Derek Lowe face after yielding 30 taters out in High Desert.

by SmokeyJoeWood on Sep 29, 2006 12:41 PM EDT reply actions