Top Minor League 2Bs? Very Thin!!!!

by Havok1517 on May 22, 2007 3:31 AM EDT Comment 38 comments

Last year, the consensus Top 100 prospect list at http://www.attheplate.com/2007/07_rookied.htm included only included 3 2Bs on the entire list in BOS's Dustin Pedroia (who has graduated to the majors), ChC's Eric Patterson (who has played very well and will likely soon start for the Cubs there), & LAD's Blake DeWitt (who has been pretty awful and big league future looks in doubt and he has better 2Bs in his organization). Others that were mentioned for inclusion in our own community rankings were ARI's Alberto Callaspo & MIN's Alexi Casilla.

So, this is a list I've compiled of MiLB 2B or those possibly perceived to play MLB 2B that might actually make an impact...

Eric Patterson CHC (doing great, ETA: soon)
Matt Antonelli SD (great, playing 3B, best 2B?)
Alexi Casilla MIN (MLB, Luis Castillo II?)

Blake DeWitt LAD (does he still count?)
Tony Abreu LAD (playing 3B, hitting well)

Alberto Callaspo ARI (MLB, utility man?)
Mark Reynolds ARI (MLB, playing 3B though)
Emilio Bonifacio ARI (doing ok, longjam @ ARI)

Kevin Frandsen SF (MLB, will start in 2008)
Marcus Sanders SF (will he ever develop?)

Eric Young, Jr. COL (playing poorly)
Corey Wimbley COL (not doing well)

Yung-Chi Chen SEA (surprising, but blocked)
Adrian Cardenas PHI (blocked, doing ok)
Kevin Melillo OAK (taking over for Ellis?)
Scott Sizemore DET(not doing great)

I personally think that, of those listed, Patterson, Casilla, & Antonelli are the cream of the crop right now.

Others??? Guys that might switch (Sean Rodriguez?Longoria?)??? Guys that are emerging??? 2007 draft picks???

0 recs | Comment 38 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Jonathan Herrera and Chris Nelson

by bballfanlvnv on May 22, 2007 3:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Response

I still like Cardenas, but watch his splits. He's been a total mess against LHPs but has destroyed righties.

Patterson is indeed an outstanding prospect, but it'll be interesting to see how things play out in Chicago. Theriot is gaining fans by the day - he doesn't have HR power but he does everything else rather well. If he keeps producing (and I see no real reason why he shouldn't, he's very legit), I'm not sure where Patterson is going to play. CF would be the next logical place for him to go but Felix Pie has that pretty much locked up tight.

I suppose one of Patterson/Theriot could attempt the move to SS, but I don't think either of them could really hack it there.

Chris Coughlan in the Marlins system looks like a pretty intriguing prospect, I like him more than almost all of the guys you mentioned.

by mrkupe on May 22, 2007 4:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Theriot

His defense at SS is actually ok. He's no Ozzie Smith or Omar Vizquel over there by any stretch, but he plays a passable SS defensively. I would not be surprised one bit if the Cubs stick with an infield of Theriot at SS and DeRosa at 2B for the rest of this year, with Patterson taking over in 2008 and DeRosa playing more of a UT role.

by guru4u on May 22, 2007 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Patterson's D is supposed to be

pretty bad. Now, Theriot could probably play a decent short, but not Patterson.

Actually, Patterson's been spending time in the OF of late. CF a couple times, and I think he played LF the other day.

To be honest, as a Cubs fan, not sure what we do. I have a feeling that we won't sit pat on the middle infield, because otherwise we are looking at a lot of youngsters in the lineup on a regular basis. My hunch (not exactly what I want, but what I think may happen) is that we try to make a move for a shortstop. That means someone likely gets shipped off, or is held back in AAA. Not sure how it shakes out.

Of course, depends on if there's a power change.

by toonsterwu on May 24, 2007 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Goedert

he's been playing 2B now in the cleveland organization, switching over from third...if the power is for real AND the move is permanent, he probably jumps to the top of the chart

by JohnR on May 22, 2007 6:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Escobar

He could be a 2nd baseman I think, but since Johnson is doing good he's staying at short. He is going to be traded in July I think.

by Bravesin07 on May 22, 2007 8:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kelly...

...Johnson.

I would personally like to thank Dave Littlefield for banishing the ghost of Scott Kazmir from Shea Stadium.

by uga007 on May 22, 2007 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lillibridge?

defense may be poor, but he should put up some good offensive numbers.

by Curtis Pride on May 22, 2007 9:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kelly...

...Johnson

I would personally like to thank Dave Littlefield for banishing the ghost of Scott Kazmir from Shea Stadium.

by uga007 on May 22, 2007 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

..is...

an outfielder...

by Curtis Pride on May 22, 2007 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except

he plays 2B, and apparently he's been pretty good.

by Tyler on May 22, 2007 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

um

yeah really, hes been playing 2B since spring and is tearing it up

Morrow is the Sea Diamond.

by PujolsJunkie on May 22, 2007 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I realize that

But throwing "kelly Johnson" in there is meaningless. Johnson moved once, he could move again. And even if Lillebridge isn't going to be a starting 2B for Atlanta next year or the year after, it still doesn't mean he won't end up there.

He's playing SS now, but from what I've heard it looks like he may end up at 2B

by Curtis Pride on May 22, 2007 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Johnson...

looks like one of the better young 2B in the game...

I don't think he's going anywhere.

by SenorGato88 on May 22, 2007 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Elliot Johnson

Don't forget Elliot Johnson from Tampa Bay.

He's struggling with average so far in AAA, but he's young and he's got tools. He's on pace for around a 20/20 season.

If he can cut the K's down, he could be useful.

Rays in '08.... Free Andy Sonnanstine.

by youALREADYknow on May 22, 2007 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

He's been considered a top-10 2B prospect in the minors for a couple of years now, a slow start for a month shouldn't dampen that too much.

Another one to mention is Hernan Iribarren. He's been slow for about a year now, so he has to turn it around soon to keep his prospect status, but he tore through the lower minors and is passable if he can find his bat again.

Vice-Chairman of the Sonnanstine Underground Railroad

by Brickhaus on May 22, 2007 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Iribarren = sleeper

I'll be the first A+ prospect...

by ufoboy90 on May 22, 2007 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

As I see any shortstop prospect as a potential second baseman, I would take note of A-ballers Cliff Pennington and Jeff Bianchi.

Hey fish, leave those kids alone!

by The Congo Hammer on May 22, 2007 9:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Esteban German

He's the Royals' utility man with Mark Grudzielanek holding down second, but as soon as Grudzie is gone, he'll be the starter. And he ought to be one of the top-5 second basemen in baseball with the bat, IF he hits like he has in a utility role (which I think he will).

by ajohnst1 on May 22, 2007 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Eg

I'm a big fan of german. What are the odds they trade Grudz at the deadline to some contender who needs a utility/defensive replacement guy? He's not hitting that well and German should be in there fulltime to help him further develop.

Jack Cust is this year's Marcus Thames

by Team Moneyball on May 22, 2007 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big time chance

I think the brass wanted to see German do it again before handing him a job...and he's doing it.

by doublestix on May 22, 2007 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If there are any takers

Then I think they absolutely trade Grudzie, but there have to be some offers on the table. I think the Royals have a better chance of moving him if he heats up with the bat, actually...and I think everyone in the organization knows that German is the better hitter (except Buddy Bell, maybe).

German was one of Allard Baird's crowning achievements as GM, along with drafting Butler and Gordon. He's not one of Dayton Moore's guys, but neither is Grudzielanek, and I'm sure German is the future, not Grudz.

by ajohnst1 on May 22, 2007 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stansberry

What about Craig Stansberry for the Padres? He has cooled off a little, but is still at .338/.414/.541

"Dying is no big deal. The least of us will manage that. Living is the trick." - Red Smith

by finman on May 22, 2007 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Getz...

in the White Sox system might surprise.

No power and little speed but does everything else pretty well. He's a solid ballplayer and played at Michigan. Could be an Eckstein type or just a utility guy.

by White Sox Randy on May 22, 2007 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Looking at Getz's #s makes me think of Luis Castillo.

by shaftr on May 22, 2007 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

abreu

tony abreu has to be on this list, i believe he will take over 2b for the dodgers next year and be pretty good.

by taggartd on May 22, 2007 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Melillo

i think he's a solid offensive 2b, who could take over in 08 for the A's. struggling a bit lately, but he walks alot, probably 15-20hr's. his suspect defense last yr improved to the best def 2b in tex league in 06

by rayver723 on May 22, 2007 1:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Goedert or Antonelli

Kind of off the subject (and fantasy related), but Goedert is already playing 2B, and I've read here that people think Antonelli may end up there.

Which of these guys would you rather own in a keeper league? Both are 22 and a bit old for being in A ball.

Goedert has a 1.200+ OPS with 15 homers and a phenomenal 23/32 K/BB ratio in 140 AB so far (though this is dramatically better than what he did last year.

Antonlelli as a .925 OPS with 5 homers and is 12-13 in steals and also has good plate discipline (31/30 K/BB in 165 AB)

by Curtis Pride on May 22, 2007 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Response

I'm not sure why people are ignoring this, but Antonelli is currently playing 2B. He's played 2B this entire season. He has not played a single inning at 3B this season. Check the box scores.

Small difference - Goedert is playing in the Sally League. Great performance obviously but needs to be bumped at least one level, maybe two.

I'd rather take Antonelli. Not that Goedert is bad.

by mrkupe on May 22, 2007 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Didn't even notice that. Thanks.

I was leaning Goedert, but now I don't know. Antonelli seems like a safer pick, and I like the speed for fantasy purposes.

by Curtis Pride on May 22, 2007 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yung Chi Chen

is out for the year.

Reporting on Baseball from around the world! http://globalbaseball.wordpress.com

by jhelfgott on May 22, 2007 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Chris Valaika/Justin Turner

Both a bit old for their levels, but they've both absolutely raked since being drafted last year. They're sleeper 2B prospects, though not terribly exciting in terms of what they bring to the table.

by Geki on May 22, 2007 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A few others

Martin Prado could be at least league average, but braves already have a 2B.

Mike Fontenot is a little old, but he's finally starting to put it together offensively.

by thudean on May 22, 2007 4:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No love for former sweetheart...

...Travis Denker?

I would personally like to thank Dave Littlefield for banishing the ghost of Scott Kazmir from Shea Stadium.

by uga007 on May 22, 2007 4:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL!

A Luciano favorite!

by guru4u on May 22, 2007 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Denker

This post actually caused me to go look up his stats. He's been mashing in High A ball. Maybe he's just a late developer? I know he has also battled some injuries the last couple years. But if he continues he'll make himself back into a prospect.

by guru4u on May 24, 2007 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe

but it is his third go-round at high-A. anyone who needs that much time at that low a level to figure it out -- especially someone who scouts hate to begin with -- doesn't scream out "prospect" to me.

i'm sure it helps that, this time around, it's the Cal League instead of FSL too.

i will say that the stats are nice, though. if he really stays a second baseman (doubtful as well), he might have a career as a back-up infielder.

by bleedjaxblue on May 24, 2007 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs