highest upsides

by Trobone on Jun 7, 2007 1:58 AM EDT

ok, for people who have been doing longer than me....

who in the minors right now or to be drafted this year have the ability to become aces if they get to their potential....
obviously, both millers, mcgee, kershaw hughes gallardo ect.. just trying to put together a list hoping for some help.

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Franklin Morales and Clay Buchholz. Lesser extent Michael Bowden and Chuck Lofgren. 4 names that popped into my head.

by Guyute on Jun 7, 2007 3:58 AM EDT reply actions

Davis

I think Wade Davis falls somewhere along side Bowden and Lofgren.

by GregJP on Jun 7, 2007 7:59 AM EDT reply actions

Ace potential

In general order of likelihood to reach their potential (in my mind), guys who might be #1/#2 types:

Homer Bailey
Yovani Gallardo
Phil Hughes
Clayton Kershaw
Adam Miller
Jake McGee
Clay Buchholz
Matt Garza
Joba Chamberlain
Luke Hochevar (I'm starting to see him as more of a 2/3 type)
Andrew Miller (more likely a Kris Benson type in my mind)
Johnny Cueto (really moving this year)
Franklin Morales (Could go either way - Ollie Perez type)
Wade Davis (more likely a solid 2/3 IMO - his FB is just a hair too flat)
Dellin Betances (REALLY far away, but has the potential)

I wouldn't put Lofgren, Bowden, Inman, Hurley, etc. in that class - they seem more like #3 types to me, which is certainly fine. I really like Matt Latos, who just signed with SD as a draft and follow, but I'll wait until he actually pitches in the minors to say he has ace potential. Max Scherzer falls into that category as well. I don't like Adenhart, Reynolds, Garcia, Beato, Guerra, etc. as much as some others.

Vice-Chairman of the Sonnanstine Underground Railroad

by Brickhaus on Jun 7, 2007 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

What about

Volstad, Sean West, and Rick Vanden Hurk?? All seem to have ace potential if you ask me

by FishHead on Jun 7, 2007 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

everybody has ace potential

any legit prospect in the minors has the potential to become a #1 starter if things just click. this is why "upside" is not a useful concept.

look at dan haren. everybody thought he had so-so stuff and would be a #3 starter. now he's not only durable but dominant.

by jpahk on Jun 7, 2007 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

Ace Potential...

If you're big on using stats to help analyze future potential, the 2 I am big on when evaluating prospects is K:9 and K:BB. K:9 has to be > 1 in the lower levels of the minors, and K:BB has to be at least 3:1 at any point to show that the guy is ready for the next level.

Obviously, there are many other factors to consider, but those 2 stats are a good starting point.

by guru4u on Jun 7, 2007 11:51 AM EDT reply actions