Breakout 5 tool players for this year

by The Scout on Feb 10, 2007 10:40 AM EST

I'm looking for some breakout 5 tool players for the coming season. Guys that are developing their 5 tools and are beginning to turn them into John's 7 skills.

The two guys I'm looking at right now are Dexter Fowler and Lorenzo Cain.

Can you guys think of a few more that I should be looking at. I'm mainly talking about guys who may not be as well known so guys like Tabata and F. Martinez down apply.

I would also like to hear your opinions of Fowler and Cain.

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Shots in the dark

Gerardo Parra, DBacks

Really deep sleeper: Michael Wilson, Seattle. EVERY description of him contains the phrase "built like a linebacker." Apparently has a very good arm, power and speed, BUT of course, K's way too much.

I won't get married until the Red Sox win the World Series. AGAIN!!

by Shep on Feb 10, 2007 11:04 AM EST reply actions

Desmond Jennings

Watch out for him....

by The Rocc on Feb 10, 2007 11:09 AM EST reply actions

Daryl Jones of the Cardinals. Should start out at Quad Cities and while he was rushed there toward the end of the year last year, he hit pretty well down the stretch. I think he is going to start putting it all together this year.

by fewgoodcards on Feb 10, 2007 11:38 AM EST reply actions

Gorkys Hernandez

OF in the Tigers minor league system. Very high upside. Very far away from the majors.

by mcq fesijiba on Feb 10, 2007 11:54 AM EST reply actions

gorkys

+ 1, i like this kid...he seems like he is a 5 tool talented player

Giants '08

by z4 landshark on Feb 10, 2007 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

re

Lorenzo Cain's star will begin to lose luster. His performance in the HWL shows me he has a long ways.

Fowler won't break out, but will show enough to continue to be high on radars.

Jennings could be a dark horse.

Daryl Jones won't breakout, but will show improvement.

surprised no mention of D'arby Myers

Braves Brandon Jones could finally put it all together. He has battled minor injuries but has performed decently as he's moved up the latter. he could break out this year.

by ScottAZ on Feb 10, 2007 12:16 PM EST reply actions

Martinez and Tabata are not 5 tool players

but 5 tool guys rarely exist in the majors

by PooNani on Feb 10, 2007 1:34 PM EST reply actions

Tabata not 5 tools?

What tool is he lacking? With excellent bat speed and projections by John among others of eventually putting up good home run totals, I don't think that power is the answer.

by BERSMR on Feb 10, 2007 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

speed

speed would be my guess. i doubt he steals many bases by the time he reaches the bigs.

by fewgoodcards on Feb 11, 2007 1:02 AM EST up reply actions

exactly

I doubt his defense is an outright "plus" either. Arm might be; I've read it's plenty good, but I don't know how scouts rate it. "Major league average" is plenty good, 5-plus-tools is really rare.

by bleedjaxblue on Feb 11, 2007 1:21 AM EST up reply actions

speed, fielding, power

I think power is a question mark as well.

His projected power is at least average and probably higher as of now, but he's not a big guy and there are some folks who think he'll be below-average among corner outfielders if he doesn't change his plate approach.

by FI @ Minor League Ball on Feb 11, 2007 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

health is a huge issue

but i hope for Javier Hererra and Richie Robnett to finally put it together

Hererra was probably a top 50 prospect after 2005, had expectation to jump into elite prospect status bUT got injured

Robnett tons of power and athleticism,still iffy plate discipline. former 1st rd pick in 2004 for A's

by rayver723 on Feb 10, 2007 1:35 PM EST reply actions

cole gillespie

Good looking bat with hitting ability, speed, power, everything

by was385 on Feb 10, 2007 1:40 PM EST reply actions

Marcos Vechionacci

He's been struggling for a few years but he's still very young and I think he could be ready to put it all together. He plays a Gold Glove-like 3B and last season, he really got his act together as far as plate discipline (55/52 in Class A-Charleston). If he can get that average up and continue with his developing power, he could be a 5-tool breakout guy.

by Stephcaflowne on Feb 10, 2007 2:03 PM EST reply actions

Jason Place...

someone has to big-up him.

by templeUsox on Feb 10, 2007 3:00 PM EST reply actions

Big Sox Fan

He's a 5-tool player, the Sox are even playing him in CF, but... here's hoping he can fix his swing a bit.

Hey, that reminds me, how about Drew Stubbs? Same situation, kinda.

by abbreviatedman on Feb 11, 2007 12:21 PM EST up reply actions

Place, Stubbs

A lot of guys who are good athletes are incorrectly called five tool players even by scouts, when a guy like Stubbs isn't a real five tool player because his bat by no means can be projected as a plus tool. Power, arm, defense, speed, sure. But ability to hit for average is also one of the five tools. I hear Place mentioned in the same breath as Stubbs and Francoeur, although the track record is much shorter, and he did hit well in rookie ball.

by Brett Perryman on Feb 12, 2007 12:50 AM EST up reply actions

Sleeper

Michael McBryde, SF Giants organization.

Reportedly the fastest player in on organization full of fast players. Great arm. Can hit low 90's when pitching. Has shown some aptitude for hitting. Missed 2006 college season with a hammy. Hit .344 with 30+ SB's in 2005. Big question is if he can hit. If not, he might be converted to pitcher.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 10, 2007 3:07 PM EST reply actions

I definitely...

like McBryde. I was looking forward to following him last year until he got hurt. He's a nice sleeper.

by templeUsox on Feb 10, 2007 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

Peter Bourjos (CF/Angels)

Maybe not as "sexy" as some of the guys listed above. Still, he has blazing speed, plays great defense, and is a decent--yet developing--hitter. Opinions on his power potential differ, but some scouts think he may develop into 10-15 HR's per year.

by kiloman on Feb 10, 2007 3:26 PM EST reply actions