Sickels' Top 100 Prospect List?

by supermets on Oct 13, 2008 7:09 PM EDT Comment 53 comments

NY Baseball Digest has an article about Sickels' Top 100 list, which I didn't know he even made. (Doesn't he usually make a 50/50 list?)

I assume this is in his prospect book (which I didn't buy) but I was just wondering if this will be posted on this website.

The article only talks about the 4 Mets and the 4 Yankees in the Top 100, so I'd like to see the rest of the list without buying the book that I can't afford.

And for those who don't want to open the link, here is what is listed:

29: Wilmer Flores
31: Fernando Martinez
37: Jesus Montero
39: Jonathan Niese
56: Austin Jackson
58: Dellin Betances
77: Mike Carp
91: Zach McAllister

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where can the list be found?

I have seen reference to this updated Sickels Top 100, but where can it be found?

I am both a regular purchaser of the book, a registered user of this site and a subscriber to John’s newsletter, yet I have never seen this list (unless I missed it somewhere).

Fat man is no more,
Bursting on through Heaven's Door
Come on in, says Bill

by Wilbur Wood on Oct 13, 2008 7:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No idea

I haven’t found the list anywhere, so I don’t know where this site got it from.

by supermets on Oct 13, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

rotowire

this is the most recent rotowire list, which uses different critiera. the book list will be different. also there will be a newsletter update tomorrow.

by John Sickels on Oct 13, 2008 7:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Explain PLease

The difference between the criteria in your rankings in your book and Rotowire….

by goose102977 on Oct 14, 2008 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

which team had the most in the top 100?

by Bravesin07 on Oct 13, 2008 7:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rotowire

If you have a rotowire account go to their website and look for it. I don’t have an account, so all I know it what is in this article.

by supermets on Oct 13, 2008 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You need to subscribe

by IllinoisCubs on Oct 13, 2008 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

as well you should

to receive subscriber-only content, you should pay to be a subscriber….

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

by biggentleben on Oct 13, 2008 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

seems pretty unscrupulous to come on the guys website and ask people to steal from his pockets by telling you his pay content

by bushe on Oct 14, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also John

have you soured on Fernando Martinez that much? His bat in one of the games I went to had that special sound off the bat.

by Bravesin07 on Oct 13, 2008 7:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

31

He’s at 31…how is that sour?

by John Sickels on Oct 13, 2008 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's Bravesin07

i wouldn’t worry about it, john…..if you don’t like his favorite guys, it’s like taking away his Christmas

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

by biggentleben on Oct 13, 2008 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was just a question

I wonder if Freddie Freeman is on the list. Come on support a Braves fan biggentleben.

by Bravesin07 on Oct 13, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i support

solid, well-researched posters….regardless of team loyalty….

needless to say, your posts over time have been less than that standard….

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

by biggentleben on Oct 13, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well it doesn't hurt to say

Yes Freeman is on the list. He still doesn’t know where, and the suspense of where he is on the list will probably make him want to go and get a subscription lol! Only $9.99 for a month!

by Jay212033 on Oct 14, 2008 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

touche….very nice

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

by biggentleben on Oct 14, 2008 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would have thought he would of have been around 20

I’m kinda surprised you have Flores over Martinez as well. Flores might become another Miguel Cabrera but he could become another kid who can’t hit breaking balls in AA.

by Bravesin07 on Oct 13, 2008 8:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

. . . that Betances, Niese, and Carp are way, way too high. I’d maybe sneak Niese in somewhere 80-100, but Betances and Carp seem like cases of what I see as John’s two small weak spots: 1) hanging on to formerly high ranked guys too long, and 2) overranking due to most recent season. Neither are top 100 prospects. I’ll be interested to see where John ranks someone like Detwiler — based on his ‘pedigree,’ I’m guessing he’d be a top 50 guy for John, while according to Detwiler’s current stuff and ability, I doubt he’d deserve to make a top 150 list.

by gogotabata on Oct 13, 2008 8:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

almost completely. I like Carp, but I do see him more in the 85-110 range. Niese, I think should be around 80 or 90. Betances should also be lower, probably around 90 also.

by supermets on Oct 13, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm.., i guess K/9 rate doesn't get you as much respect as it once did.

Betances progressed with his command, which I know is the main issue with this kid. He had a fantastic second half and his improved command allowed him to dominate in nearly all his 2nd half performances. The kid has an overpowering FB and improving CB. The physical tools are clearly there. Its all about CEILING, and Betances took a step forward. The ranking is fine.

by BxCitizen on Oct 13, 2008 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a Carp fan, but Niese is for real

Even in his breakout year this year, he really didn’t slug much. I love me some Niese, though. Kudos to Sickels for labeling him a sleeper before he landed on everyone’s radar.

by aap212 on Oct 14, 2008 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Niese

Any reason that you think Niese is for real? I like his curve, but he only throws 89-91, and he really doesn’t have a plus third pitch. I’m a Mets fan, so if you can give me a reason to start liking him more that would be nice.

by supermets on Oct 14, 2008 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're on the pessimistic side with him

I’ve never heard of or seen his fastball topping out as low as 89. I also like his change and think it still has some development left in it, but is already a solid offering. I was also impressed with how well he handled himself through all the promotions. Remember, he doesn’t turn 22 for two weeks.

I’m not saying he’s an ace, bit John didn’t rank him 5th either. I think he’s a very nice second tier pitching prospect who’s more or less majors-ready at 22. That’s plenty reason to like him, no?

by aap212 on Oct 14, 2008 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess

I guess I could see him as a back of the rotation guy, but his fastball even if it gets to 91 is still straight which makes it hittable. I also have seen nothing to show that his changeup is already a solid offering. I guess it has the potential the be one, but it isn’t yet.

I would love for him to prove me wrong, but remember not to get excited just because of his start against the Braves. He was pretty much facing a minor league team that game as the Braves starters weren’t even playing.

by supermets on Oct 14, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His time in the majors this year was so short

And he was so young. Don’t stress it too much.

by aap212 on Oct 14, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lefty

That’s really not bad velocity for a lefty.

by Fanon on Oct 14, 2008 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

But it is bad when the fastball is straight.

by supermets on Oct 15, 2008 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Niese at 39 is crazy

all I seen was a hittible 90 MPH fastball, an average changeup, though he did have a nice curve. I seen some Noah Lowry in him.

by Bravesin07 on Oct 13, 2008 8:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You're selling him short

His curve really is an outstanding pitch. He mixes up his pitches well and doesn’t give up home runs very much.

Also keep in mind, Niese earned his way to the majors this year. At the same age, Lowry was in A-ball. It makes me more inclined to buy into Niese and his k-rates.

by aap212 on Oct 14, 2008 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the game i seen Niese was lucky to have a 15 MPH wind blowing in

or he would have allowed 3 or 4 HR’s. He allowed a ton of flyball and had trouble with his fastball and changeup.

by Bravesin07 on Oct 14, 2008 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your assessment seems somewhat cynical

when you claim that his curve was “nice.” Nice is what you call a girl that you take home to mom. His curve is a plus plus pitch. He still has a ways to go in his development but he knows how to pitch, and he had handled every level that he’d pitched at with ease before jumping to the majors. A lot of people see him as a back-of-the-rotation starter at the moment and a middle-of-the-rotation option in the future.

by JayWise on Oct 15, 2008 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hence my noah lowry comp in the majors

he was a good #3 a few years ago.

by Bravesin07 on Oct 15, 2008 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

for about 10 minutes

by JayWise on Oct 15, 2008 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

um, wtf?

Since when do 3 and a half years (so far) equal 10 minutes?
Lowery threw 600+ innings of 109 ERA+ ball and then blew his arm out (actually, I think he might have blown the arm out in the middle of that and still been good enough to keep going effectively)

That would be a pretty fair outcome for Niese.

by nms on Oct 15, 2008 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't want Niese's arm blown out

Thanks for jinxing it, jerk.

by JayWise on Oct 15, 2008 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"plus plus"?

That’s pretty strong language. I dont see it.

by alskor on Oct 16, 2008 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have to disagree with this

Niese’s curve is not a plus plus pitch.. Kershaw’s curve is a plus plus pitch, becketts curve is a plus plus pitch… Niese has a nice curve, but it is certainly not a plus plus, its a plus but your giving it too much credit.

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by jbluestone on Oct 16, 2008 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs