SBcaptain2's Tigers 10 Ten

by SBcaptain2 on Dec 8, 2007 4:03 PM EST Comment 12 comments

Just for fun, I put the guys the Tigers traded away this offseason in parenthesis in the spots they would have been in. It really shows you how much weaker this system is post Cabrera and Renteria trades.

(Cameron Maybin)

1. Rick Porcello

(Jair Jurrjens)
(Gorkys Hernandez)
(Dallas Trahern)

Jeff Larish
Danny Worth
Michael Hollimon

(Eulogio De La Cruz)

James Skelton
Virgil Vasquez
Scott Sizemore
Casey Crosby
Yorman Bazardo
Matt Joyce

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interesting

i'm seeing skelton's name more and more as a catching prospect...i'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one, because as valuable as young pitching is, a good catcher seems increasingly priceless...

by djshelto on Dec 8, 2007 4:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Skelton

I'm a big fan of Skelton. Granted, has to move a bit quicker, but C's develop late. That said, I was under the impression that the catcher they drafted last year was more well-regarded for some reason.

Anyhow, I think Skelton's underrated a bit.

by toonsterwu on Dec 8, 2007 4:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Devin Thomas

Devin Thomas was the catcher they drafted last year. He looks like he could be a decent player, but when I saw him play, he didn't really stand out. I am very impressed with what I have seen with Skelton.

by SBcaptain2 on Dec 8, 2007 5:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Skelton

Can hit, but is probably 2 years away. You have to exercise caution on a catcher that has never played above A ball, but a good year in Lakeland could make his name more prominent. If he does very, very well in Lakeland (I don't see why he wouldn't), he might get some time in AA Erie.

I'd like to see more power out of him this year, even if only a little. Also is a good athlete for a catcher. He stole 18 bases in 2006.

by mcq fesijiba on Dec 9, 2007 10:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

not to mention. . .

I know he is not technically a prospect anymore, but you could (& should) add Andrew Miller's name to the top of that list as well. That means 5 of their top 6 or 7 prospects are gone.

The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.

by Savoy on Dec 8, 2007 4:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

yikes

most of the prospects from #2 on would barely break a top 20 in many systems.

crosby should be pretty good but TJ is a rough start

by PooNani on Dec 8, 2007 4:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cabrera, Willis, Renteria

You put those three on the list and it looks pretty darn good. Gotta hand it to the Tigers, they obviously see their window of opportunity and unreservedly decided to take it and worry about the farm system later. I've heard of worse strategies.

Just think of what the Twins might have done the last two years if they had traded some pitching prospects for a league average third baseman and DH. I mean, anybody but Nick Punto and Rondell White.

by DrBGiantsfan on Dec 8, 2007 5:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

DrB

This is off topic, but where do you think Eugenio Velez stacks up in the Giants system. I live near Norwich and saw Velez play for the Defenders a lot this past season. He looks like a big leaguer to me.

by SBcaptain2 on Dec 8, 2007 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Velez

Well, in the other diary that went away(too bad the good had to go with the bad, there was some good stuff in that diary), I didn't put Velez in the top 15. I have to confess I forgot about him temporarily while I was making it up on the fly. I'd have to give him serious consideration for a spot between 10-15, if not, he'd probably be the next player after Sandoval at #16.

I've had some long debates with Sharksrog about Velez, Burriss and Richardson. Shark thinks they all just don't have enough power to survive at higher levels. I think their speed may be enough of a plus to get them over the hump. Yeah, if Frandsen works out at 3B, I could see Velez taking on 2B later this year when Ray Durham pulls his hammy for the 26'th time. A future IF of Frandsen at 3B, Burriss at SS and Velez at 2B would certainly be interesting, albeit a bit underpowered. More likely, Velez fills a utility IF role.

by DrBGiantsfan on Dec 8, 2007 5:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re

Velez did a pretty good job of playing centerfield and leftfield in Norwich, as well as second base. His versatility and speed make him a useful player. He doesn't have much pop, but he hit very well in AA and its not like he was hitting a bunch of infield singles.

I've seen Burriss play as well, but much less then I've seen Velez. Burriss was definitely the most impressive position player in the Augusta roster to me. Any chance he starts next season in Norwich? I'd like to get a chance to see him consistantly.

by SBcaptain2 on Dec 8, 2007 5:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Burriss

It will be interesting to see where Burriss starts out next season. He started out in San Jose last year, got off to a slow start, and got his feet back on the ground in Augusta. Word was he was getting nostalgic for his homeboys from the previous summer's Salem-Keizer team and most of them were in Augusta. He performed well in the AFL against mostly AA/AAA players, so theoretically he should be ready to start in CT, but many a Giants position prospect has struggled or even foundered in CT, so they might want to start him in San Jose and make sure he has his feet on the ground there before a midseason promotion. I'd say it's a tossup.

by DrBGiantsfan on Dec 8, 2007 7:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Larish

I think he could surprise people and become a good player. Not a standout player or anywhere near that, but good. Never will hit for high average, though, he will draw some walks. Could be blocked in Detroit now, barring any major injuries.

Hollimon might find a big league starting job someday too. He can hit, but more importantly can play second base.

Just a fun little Hollimon fact: Pulled off the feat in 2006 of double digit HR's, double digit SB's, double digit doubles, double digit triples. Narrowly missed doing that by 2 SBs the year he was drafted (2005) in only 72 games. Missed it by only 1 triple last year, if you include his AAA numbers.

by mcq fesijiba on Dec 9, 2007 10:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs