Favorite Failed Prospects
by Grudyfan on Nov 28, 2008 2:37 PM EST
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PrintAre there any prospects (or non-prospects at this point in their careers) that you still hold out unreasonable hope for? Players that are past their peak age of prospect-dom, or guys that are really old for their leagues because injuries or some other factors held them back? It could be that these players are (or have been) Rule V eligibile or now minor league free agents but maybe, just maybe, they can sign on to the right situation and salvage a career and you can proudly gloat that you never gave up on him?
Here's a few of my favorites:
Shane Komine, P, Oak - Three years ago, Komine was generally regarded as one of the organizations's top 10 prospects due to his above-average control of a varied but not overpowering arsenal. Worries about his inabilities to dominate at higher levels and about his durability due to his size (he's 5'9") have seemed to manifest themselves. He was injured must of the 2008 season (I don't know why) but at 27 and with plenty of AAA experience and a couple cups of coffee at the ML level, still might have a bullpen job sometime in the future.
Fabio Castro, P, Tor - Another pint-sized pitcher (5'7"), but unlike Komine could dial up his fastball to the mid-90s, Castro has bounced between the White Sox, Rangers, Phillies, and now the Blue Jays organizations (as the PTNL in the Matt Stairs trade) and yet is still only 23 years old. His career ERA is just over 3, but he seems to be getting more work in minor league bullpens recently, where his destiny seems to be if he makes it back to the majors.
Bobby Livingston, P, FA (last with Cin) - He doesn't have an unusual physical profile, but Livingston was a favorite of mine because he was the ultimate junk-ball prospect when he was with Seattle a few years ago. He has a fastball that's along the lines of Jamie Moyer's (ie: not good), but managed to do well due to his varied arsenal, good command, and overall know-how on how to pitch. Worries that his stuff (or lack thereof) being too hittable at higher levels have proven true, though at 26 he could still find himself in the running for a long-relief or LOOGY role on a major league staff.
B.J. Szymanski, OF, Cin - Szymanski is a classic case study on how toolsy hitters with little to no plate discipline shouldn't have that one glaring weakness ignored. Owning a large, athletic frame, BA had Symanski rated higher within the organization than prospects like Homer Bailey and Joey Votto three years ago, but now he's essentially a NP. At 26 years of age and unable to post even a league average OPS in AA, his career is essentially toast.
Drew Meyer, 2B/SS, Tex - While never considered a superstar prospect, Meyer seemed to be on the fast track to be an average ML regular when he was drafted in the first round of the '02 draft. He was considered a gamer, a player with no real outstanding tools but due to his makeup and work ethic, should garner a spot on a major league roster. In the lower levels of the minors, Meyer showed an ability to make decent contact, flirting with .300 a couple of seasons and also showing decent plate discipline and steady defense. However, his lack of power has been deftly exploited by AAA-pitchers and has shown an inability to adapt at higher levels. At 27, the best he can hope for is as middle-infielder off the bench.
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what?
I barely even know who these people are, failed prospects would mean someone who was actually a prospect, these people were never anything special to begin with, look at the alex gordon and thomas diamond’s of the world, those are “failed” prospects who could turn it around
by IHateMitchMustain on Nov 28, 2008 2:51 PM EST reply actions
Meyer was a huge reach
as a draft pick and had hype because of that. If it wasn’t for being drafted early, he’d probably never have made it past AA.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Naw.
The dude was a 22 year old lefty who struck out a guy per inning against AAA competition.
Not saying the guy was destined to be at the front of a rotation, but he LOOKED good before he was traded to the A’s.
Hmm
if the guys you mentioned still have a chance to turn it around, then they aren’t exactly failed prospects are they?
If these prospects can “turn it around” it’s only to salvage a career that’s a shell of their peak projections. All of the above except Castro are 26/27 years of age, which is usually (arguably) believed to be a player’s peak years, but that’s generally the age where most players lose their prospect status as well. In that sense these are failed prospects because the pitchers (who all projected to be starters at their peak) will only have value in the back of a bullpen, and the hitters (if they make it) more than likely will only be bench players.
I wasn't referring to you
But to IHMM who used examples of Alex Gordon and Thomas Diamond. While TD isn’t really in the same spot as Gordon, I think its a bit early on his part to be suggeting Alex Gordon as a ‘failed’ prospect.
The guys you listed, yeah, we can agree on them. We just had some wires crossed on who I was referring to.
I
have an unhealthy man-crush on both Laynce Nix and Jeremy Reed.
man
i thought Nix was gonna be a star after his first two years at the ML level… Really sad he hasnt reached his rediculous potential.
that's because you listen to the rangers announcers
worst thing you can ever do to get an idea of who is good, they literally treat nix, kam loe and hamilton with the same enthusiasm
by IHateMitchMustain on Nov 29, 2008 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
no
i watched him in spring training and the majors, he just looked like a beast, could hit for power, was fast… i mean he looked he should be playing LB, but instead he was out there creaming the crap out of the baseball… I guess looks can be decieving, exactly like moneyball talks about…
i'll bite
Andy Marte
Chris Burke
Wilson Betemit
My two “told you so” types from 2008 were grant balfour and, to a lesser degree, mike lincoln….two former twins farmhands who had lots of positives, but were rushed up to a bad team or were really mishandled as far as what role they should be in….both posted 100+ ERA+’s this year out of the bullpen….
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
Andy Marte
That is my white whale.
"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift
by King Billy Royal on Nov 28, 2008 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
in his defense...
his first born was a right handed control type, so he traded for a man at the hot corner and hoped for either a lefty or a strikeout righty next time….
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 28, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
Marte is sure the big bust in Cleveland
but my favorite lost hope is John Drennen. This guy was awesome when I saw him in HS and looked good for his first year+. Reports are that he is dumb as stone when it comes to taking direction and has made no progress in two+ years. I think the only reason he is in the organization is that there is a hole in A+/AA OF talent except for Weglarz.
Balfour
Mishandled? I think he was appropriately handled in MN he wasn’t put in the 8th inning or anything as a young guy, didn’t really go long distances. They always liked him and didn’t want to lose him but he was going to accept a AAA designation.
never said
balfour was mishandled….i believe they did such with lincoln when he came up, as i think i saw every one of his home starts his first year….
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
A few...
Jeremy Reed: Baseball Prospectus’s insane #2 overall prospect rating was never justified in any way, shape, or form, but I had some hope that Reed would develop into a guy who could hit .300/.370/.460 in his prime years while playing plus corner OF defense. Yeah, that didn’t happen.
Andy Marte. Best-case scenario now is a bounceback to league average in his late-20’s. This one’s a major bummer.
Rafael Soriano: it may seem weird to call a guy with several years of experience and a career 148 ERA+ a bust, but I don’t think I can quite convey the excitement I used to feel over the possibility of a Soriano/Felix Hernandez 1-2 punch at the front of the rotation. Soriano started all through the minors and posted great K/BB rates and maintained his wicked stuff. Injuries and a stubborn organization that actually believed a lockdown set-up man was as valuable as a potential frontline starter ruined my dreams.
Dallas McPherson: In a different vein, this guy’s failure as an Angels ’spect brought me all kinds of joy as a Mariners fan. Not one of my favorite prospects, but definitely one of my favorite failures.
yeah, Marte and Botts as have been mentioned
I’ll add a couple more personal faves:
Corey Smith…. when he made contact, he could really hit the ball, plus still one of the most intimidating set of shoulders i’ve ever seen.
Botts was just a mammoth of a man as well.
Brad Nelson… I thought he was gonna be all Morneau/LaPorta, ah well… he might still hit though
Nelson...
I wouldn’t call him a bust just yet.
hmmm
i realized i hadnt checked his stats when i typed that… yr right slam, he may very well hit this year… but as far as i know there is no room for him in milwaukee at the moment… and he will be 26 in a month, so he needs to get out of AAA asap.
My guess..
is that Nelson will be suiting up with another team before the 2009 season begins.
Guzman
The kid seemed to be a toolbox… I wonder if he’s got a Bossman like resurgence in him… doubt he’s got the plate discipline though.
by David Tokarz on Nov 28, 2008 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
Naw...
He was a toolbox when he was a wiry SS. Now that he’s a hulking 1B/DH with zero defensive value, I really don’t see a resurgence. Even if it did happen, it would be more of a Carlos Pena-like resurgence than Bossman.
I can see that
The 1B/DH thing may be a little bit of a stretch… I could see him playing a passable corner OF… maybe right if he’s got a decent enough arm.
by David Tokarz on Nov 28, 2008 5:28 PM EST up reply actions
Drew Henson
I love failed Yankee prospects.
In memory of Ulysses Simpson Grant Stoner. RIP Lil Stoner.
And...
He just got resigned by the Lions
and he played on Thanksgiving
couldn’t win the #4 qb job in minnesota, but he can be backup in detroit….yikes
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 28, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
chad hutchinson
oh, i thought we were talking about failed troy aikman to tony romo bridge-gaps, chad had a nasty curveball once, he was a different cat, i wouldn’t be surprised to see him teaching a class at some northeast university, i once saw him charting pitches the day after his start in the minors with a copy of pride and prejudice on his lap, he needs to go back to law school and be an agent or something
by IHateMitchMustain on Nov 29, 2008 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
Henson
He’s only the backup because of attrition. Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky, and Drew Stanton are all injured.
um
you expect him to rebound?
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 28, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
C.J. Henry
is on the road to fail… but I am stil interested in him… something wrong with me? i mean, the Yanks did pick him back up, and as far as I know, he was just injured this year, correct?
CJ's playing college hoops
He matriculated to Memphis and joined their team, though he’s been hurt so I’m not sure he’s played yet. Kid is one hell of an athlete. Not sure if this is the end of his baseball career, but I imagine it is.
http://mvn.com/milb-yankees/
He was just released
the last that I read: http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1786#more-1786 (linked from the fanpost “Canadian Baseball League Fantasy Game”)
Adam Pitatt
As in, I’m happy he failed since he turned out to be a low-character cheating rat fink.
by AgitationStation on Nov 28, 2008 3:56 PM EST reply actions
wow, that guy
see, these are just great examples of guys who weren’t good, but had a good year and got an endorsement deal which made people think he must be something, leave the prospecting to the professionals and don’t buy the hype
by IHateMitchMustain on Nov 29, 2008 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
Brent Clevlen
It won’t be next year, but at some point, he could finally have a Ryan Ludwick season.
I also think lil’ Joey Thurston could be a league average 2b.
And I’d like to see Josh Phelps have a chance as a full-time 1b or DH.
Eh
Clevelen has problems with the strikeout. He takes a good deal of walks, but not enough to really be a TTO kind of player. He’s definitely got a shot at some sort of career in the bigs though. He probably needs to get out of Detroit and away from that crowded OF picture though.
by David Tokarz on Nov 28, 2008 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
Phelps
Kid broke my heart after that first half season in the majors when he crushed like 23 bombs in 260ish at bats. Thought we had ourselves the next Piazza in Toronto, without the assholeishness.
Also, Chip Cannon, just because I’m pretty sure that is the greatest name in the history of time. I would have paid any possible cost for a CANNON jersey.
Rios is the next Juan Gonzales, thats right, I said it.
Phelps
I thought the same thing of Phelps – his initial call-up to the bigs was just ridiculous and I too thought he’d be an offensive force for years to come in the majors. I still root for him to take at least platoon at-bats at whatever organization he happens to be in that year.
He's in the right place for that now
The Giants are so starved for power, he’ll probably be given every opportunity to play.
Felix Pie
Can we throw him on the fire? I know if you bring him up, you also have to bring up Corey Patterson, but how can a fanbase be fooled TWICE by the same player?
You can say it's too early because of his age
But it wouldn’t be a bad prediction to say Pie’s never going to hit well enough to justify everyday playing time in the majors.
by thejd44 on Nov 28, 2008 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
+1
I had Hanley Ramirez buried deeper than I have Pie right now. Not to say that Pie would have ever come close to Hanley’s production, it just goes to show that not all progression/production curves are smooth parabolas. Pie still has time to right the ship.
Mitch Einertson
He set the Appalachian Rookie League the summer he was drafted with 24 in that small time span. However, he has been extremely inconsistent, and followed a breakthrough year as the Carolina League MVP in 2007, with just mediocre numbers in 2008. He is still pretty young, so he still has a chance – not entirely a failure as a prospect. Too bad, he is an athletic outfielder with tons of power, the Astros was considered shifting to second base. He’s still my favorite prospect, though.
Don't give up on Einerston yet
His overall numbers were pretty disappointing in 2008, but if you look a little closer you’ll see that he hit .350/.420/.542/.962 in 36 games (120 AB’s) after the All-Star Break. Who knows, something may have clicked for him, and since he’s only turning 23 next year he still has time to surprise us.
As a Braves Fan
We are collectively still holding out hope for George Lombard!!
I know, I know but all kidding aside, I would still like to see Kyle Davies become the top of the rotation starter he was billed to be.
Even as a Royal
I wish all the success in the world to Kyle Davies. Bobby Cox got in his head, and after that he had no shot in Atlanta.
Joel Guzman and Wilson Betemit
Those guys are why, even as a Mets fan, Flores worries me a little. Teenage SS prospects who look like they might be Buster Douglas-sized one day can pose problems, no matter how talented they are.
How...
about Brian Bullington, John VanBenschoten, Sean Burnett, Chad Hermansen, J.R House, Bobby Bradely, Clint Johnson, Bobby Hill, and Sean Burroughs.
sean burroughs
he’s like the only major leaguer to ever play in the LLWS, probably because good baseball players don’t play in the worst amateur league ever, but that’s the only reason people ever heard of that guy
by IHateMitchMustain on Nov 29, 2008 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
except you're wrong
Boog Powell
Jim Barbien
Rick Wise
Carney Lansford
Ed Vosberg
Charlie Hayes
Dwight Gooden
Derek Bell
Gary Sheffield
Jason Marquis
Jason Varitek
and that’s just the list of those who have appeared in both the little league world series and the major league world series….nowhere near the amount overall….
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 29, 2008 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
also
just a short list i found in about 5 minutes of searching for former little leaguers who played in the majors:
Lloyd McClendon
Floyd Youmans
Dan Wilson
Wilson Alvarez
Dusty Baker
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Dale Murphy
Jim Palmer
Nolan Ryan
Mike Schmidt
Tom Seaver
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 29, 2008 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
quick search
so i could probably come up with a ton more….just searched two websites and came up with that list…
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 29, 2008 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
Didn't...
…Robin Ventura play too? These players look like only the most recognizable list. A fully comprehensive list that includes even the marginal guys to stars would be huge.
Or it could've been the .322/.381/.467 line he put up as a 20 year old in AAA
Also, you’re disrespecting the only lasting cultural legacy of Jason Marquis:
“In the 2004 World Series, Jason Varitek batted against the St. Louis Cardinals’ Jason Marquis, the first time two former Little League World Series participants have faced each other in the Major League Baseball World Series.”
Gary Daley
When was the last time you’ve seen a 5/32 K/BB ratio in 10 ip? From a 22 year old in rookie ball? From a third round pick? That’s just…wow.
Yadi is my hero
That reminds me...
of Jason Neighborgall. I used to root for him because his career stat line was just unreal: http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=25308
I’ve never seen WHIP, BB, WP, or HBP rates even come close to that over a career. The thing is, he had two plus-plus pitches in his fastball (hit triple digits) and curve (scouts graded it a 70 or 80 when he was in college) that would’ve made him deadly if he had ANY control, but he basically started to unravel in college before retiring after just his third professional season. I guess he just became nearly-deadly for all the wrong reasons.
Neighborgall Broke PECOTA
BP Link. I never get sick of talking about Neighborgall:
PECOTA can’t find anybody remotely close to Neighborgall’s numbers in its database, which covers all minor league players since 1997. When we finally do make it more and more and more tolerant, so that it brings in any ol’ rookie-ball pitcher with below-average command, it spits out nonsense: 12 innings, 3,217 walks, and negative 6,000 strikeouts. Things like that.
awesomest stat line ever
Space.
It's a problem we face.
So we never go anywhere.
We just stay in one place.
Math or poor catching?
32 K in 10 IP? Either a couple of guys got to first on wild pitch third strikes, or somebody’s math s a little off.
Carlos Febles
He had one decent season…
www.fantasyrundown.com
All of your fantasy baseball needs in one place
Gigantes.....
Jesse Foppert, Kurt Ainsworth, David Aardsma, Tony Torcato, Jerome Williams, Todd Linden
ditto on foppert… the rest, i never had huge amounts of hope for, but the reports i read on him out of the minors made it seem like he was nearly a can’t miss. but then, i guess when you read a guy throws 98 and then comes up and can barely break 90, something’s clearly wrong— either the reports were erroneous or he got hurt, but that’s a guy who really dropped off quickly.
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Nov 29, 2008 1:12 AM EST up reply actions
Eddy Martinez-Esteve, Marcus Sanders, Dante Powell, J.R. Phillips, Steve Hosey, Andres Santana.
Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal
by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 1, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
A few
Wes Bankston, John Van Benschoten (I still think his best chance is to convert into an OF, a la Rick Ankiel), and just about every pitcher who’s ever graduated from Rice.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
agreed on van benschoten
i still am not sure why he was not drafted as an OF
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
Chris Denorfia
His career isn’t per se over, but it doesn’t look like he’s going to get past 4th outfielder.
I have to support him because he’s the only D-III athlete I’m aware of in any major sports league (I went to D-III Pomona College). I loved it when the A’s traded for him, but he’s had trouble staying on the field lately.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
D-3
Devean George of Augsburg College in Minnesota….multiple world championships with the Lakers….in fact, his teams have had only one losing season in his 9+ years in the league….he’s only started about a full season’s worth of games during his career, but he’s been a valuable defensive player and outside shooter off the bench, often a team’s sixth man….
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 28, 2008 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
Shows you how well I follow the NBA
Good for him, though.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
no thanks to him though ;)
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
huh?
what are you talking about?
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 29, 2008 6:42 PM EST up reply actions
i'm saying that
the lakers probably would have won those championships without george
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
perhaps
but he was a very vital piece of that team…the team’s sixth or seventh man that came in and provided very good defense along with a solid outside shot for kobe to kick to….no, he wasn’t a 20 ppg scorer for those teams, but don’t kid yourself that he didn’t play an important part on those teams
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 30, 2008 2:36 AM EST up reply actions
Was...
Alcorn State a Div III school when Steve McNair played there? That’s how I seem to remember it.
Alcorn State is D-I
They’re in the SWAC, along with other HBCUs like Southern, Grambling, Alabama State, Jackson State.
So unless they’ve moved up, not D-III.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
no
it was the old D-1AA, like Marshall was before as well…
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Dec 1, 2008 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
D-III
Pierre Garcon, a wide receiver playing for the Colts played at D-III Mount Union. Matt DeSalvo, whom I’m sure some of you remember being a marginal prospect a couple years ago, pitched for D-III Marietta, also the alma mater of Terry Mulholland.
fred jackon - RB for buffalo bills
played at Division III Coe College
Billy Wagner
Pitched for DIII Ferrum University and running back Chris Warren played for them as well.
Phil Plantier
Plantier is my all-time favorite failed prospect. Watching him back then, you really thought he was in for a long and successful career even despite that on-the-crapper batting stance.
As for today’s players, I still hold out hope that Joel Zumaya can actually string together a couple of healthy seasons before he washes out of the league.
I remember hearing
in the late 90s that Plantier was one of the first steroid guys. Dunno whether it’s true, but it’s what I heard.
Ntema Ndungidi
Zaire born, Canadian raised Oriole OF prospect.
We went for him based on pure athleticism alone and that was a huge mistake
Member: Coalition For The Advancement Of Canadian Baseball Players
How about . . .
Reading Comprehension.
I’m hoping he makes a comeback and people stop listing random failed prospects of the past, which is not very interesting, and actually address the thread’s topic (‘failed’ former prospects who you hold out hope for), which is much, much more interesting.
Anyway, I’m still naively optimistic about old R. Comprehension’s possible future.
I used the term “favorite failed prospects” both to garner attention to the post and to aptly describe the plight of previously mentioned players. Guys like Komine, Szymanski, etc. are in my opinion failed prospects because they have no chance to hit the peak they once as prospects a few years ago, but still have a chance (I hope) on salvaging some major league action. Even though these aforementioned players not mentioned at all in this kind of community that loves to elucidate on top prospects, I wanted to see who in this community still had some kind of unusual hope for the Chuck Tiffanys of yesteryear (who was mentioned in the same breath as Cole Hamels a few years ago but is now a non-prospect).
Disregard that response
After coming home from work I (unfortunately) happened to read your response before reading much else that had been posted in the 7 hours since – I thought you were questioning my original fanpost. I’d like to think my reading comprehension needs a check-up, but I think I’ll play the ignorance card to save face.
R. Comprehensión
Isn’t he related to Davey and Onix Concepción?
jesse foppert
I was a HUGE fan. I was still hoping last season they’d give him a callup just to let him have a major league inning as a reward for his hard work after surgery. I wonder if he’ll be with the org in 09, although even I have to admit he’s done.
Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa
Snelling washed out due to injuries, but he did inspire one of the greatest online exchanges ever
Poster 1: How do you feel about Snelling?
Poster 2: I don’t know, I’ve never snelled.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
i have a good brazelton story
i work out with nick debarr (durham bulls rhp) on occasion in the offseason, and he told me this gem of a story about brazelton. when they were in A-ball (can’t remember what team), brazelton i guess came in with this ridiculous fit on, like striped, plaid, everything, you name it, looking all sad (probably because he had gotten shelled the day before). debarr says “brazel baby, what’s up?” and i guess brazelton turned like nothing was the matter and said “bro, i got my lady at home, and i just bought a brand new ferrari, son. it ain’t nothing.”
just awesome stuff.
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
+1 Brazy
Funny story on Brazelton. I’d love to clothe line him …
by Rupert Pupkin on Nov 30, 2008 6:23 AM EST up reply actions
He's still running around Tampa in his Bentley!
The dude bought well over a million dollars in cars after signing and rented a house in St. Pete. Brilliant!
Tools Whore
Sign Bonds!
+1 on snelling
one of may favs
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Nov 30, 2008 2:31 AM EST up reply actions
Some others
Hee Sop Choi, Jerome WIlliams, Jason Stokes, and Joe Borchard.
Never, Never, NEVER give up
Co-sign Joe Borchard
Borchard – I think he can be a .275/25 HR hitter.
Brian Stokes was impressive for the Mets this year.
As a Sox fan, I'm proud to announce...
Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy as failed prospects! (I know, I know, they still have plenty of time left, and I actually think Hughes will become a solid pitcher; Kennedy, I’m not so sure of). What do you guess think on these two?
I think along the same lines as you
I think along the same lines as you I think Hughes will be a good middle-of-the-rotation starter, but I never really liked the hype that proclaimed him to be ace potential. I’ve seen a couple of his starts in the minors, and while his stuff is good, he had a potential (small sample size, I know) to keep his fastballs up in the zone. If he can stay healthy and control his fastball more, he’ll be an above average starter for a long time to come. I’ve never seen Kennedy pitch in person, but I do think his two seasons were both exaggerated in opposite directions. His first cup of coffee (1.89 ERA in 3 starts) had people thinking he’d be a frontline starter(remember Aaron Small’s ’05 year?!), but his performance last year (8.17 ERA in 10 games) has people already proclaiming him a bust. I think somewhere in the middle (back of the rotation starter, close to league average performance) is in his future due to his pedigree and past success in the minors.
Chin-Hui Tsao
Chin-Hui Tsao — Top pitching prospect for the Rockies back in 2004… He was basically the Chris Snelling of pitching prospects in that he was totally awesome when he did play, which was basically never. He is only 26 but was apparently released by the Royals last year. I still hold out utterly irrational hope that he’ll pop up in a bullpen somewhere, but his career is probably over.
Ryan Anderson — He is out of baseball, and in fact was last heard from in culinary school. I don’t hold out any hope, though he apparently says he might give baseball another try if his arm heals. Yeah… ack.
(for anyone who doesn’t remember, he was a pitcher for the Mariners who was billed as the next Randy Johnson in the late 1990s. He had control problems but pretty much pwninated minor leaguers up through AAA before he missed 4 whole seasons with arm injuries)
"Amare respects [Shaq] so much and needs him physically." -Steve Kerr
Agreed on Ryan Anderson
And someone mentioned Kyle Sleeth up the page, I liked him, too.
As an aside, I would’ve said Josh Hamilton if this topic had been up two years ago. I remember ALWAYS getting excited when there was any rumor of him getting re-instated and then feeling disappointed when he would get re-suspended. Back in 2006, I was idly digging through a box of cards at the local baseball card store and came across a Josh Hamilton card. Naturally, I had to buy it, and it turned out that the next day MLB said they’d let him work out at the team facilities, his first step toward getting re-instated for real(later on in 2006, he played 15 games for NY-P Hudson Valley). I always thought that was a funny coincidence.
www.raysprospects.com
Trade for Billy Butler!
by Imperialism32 on Nov 29, 2008 1:12 AM EST up reply actions
Tsao
seems to be hoping to play back in Taiwan.
Fellow failed Taiwanese prospect Chen Chin-Feng is completely destroying the league here, he’s been the highest VORP guy since returning as a DH and basically singlehanded put the then rather uninspiring La New Bears on the map as the dominant team in the lague. though they been having some Yankeeseque choke jobs over the last couple of seasons.
On the other hand, Taiwan’s league was just hit hard by the combination of the financial crisis and their continued plague of illegal gambling rigging the games, as two of the teams just collapsed recently (leaving the league with only 4 teams now.)
cheng-feng chen
was a good pospect for a while with the dodgers
when did he go back?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
"If I go to this "party", I will give "save us" a piece of my knuckle sandwich…" -- miles
after
2005, he’s been amoung the leagues’ best player in the last 3 season. his OPS is 1.24, his lowest season was 1.04.
he hasn’t been too healthy though. but has hit the cover off the ball whenever he’s been around, he was 3rd in the league in HR this year dispite missing nearly 1/3 of the season.
funny enough, the best overall positional player in that stretch might be ex-Jays prospect Tilson Brito, (since Chen’s restricted to DH mostly, while Brito’s been a 3B playing almost every game) Brito had like 0 power in the minors , but for some reason he’s showing significant pop in Taiwan.
where do you get your stats?
online?
any good websites?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
in English?
that’s tough, I get it from www.cpbl.com.tw …which is the site of the league in Taiwan , which is obivously in Chinese.
for advance stats it’s mostly on BBS and stuff.
Travis Blackley, Josh Phelps, and Bucky Jacobsen
I was really hoping Bucky could become a big-time slugger, if only his knees could’ve supported him…
The 2008 Rogelio Moret League Fantasy Baseball Champions!
by The Congo Hammer on Nov 28, 2008 11:48 PM EST reply actions
nice list
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
Was Bucky ever a legitmate prospect?
Guy had power, no doubt about that, but it wasn’t just his knees holding him back. That whole trying to hit a breaking ball thing was a bit of an obstacle.
Yes
It is MUCH too early to say that.
"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift
by King Billy Royal on Nov 29, 2008 2:13 AM EST up reply actions
+1
It’s early but I’m glad you posted it. It deserved it.
by Rupert Pupkin on Nov 30, 2008 6:24 AM EST up reply actions
Jason Place
Craig Hansen got me too.
Got me bad – Josh Barfield.
Andy Marte. I expected a great deal more from Rickie Weeks and Phil Hughes by this point. Luke Hochevar Im still holding high expectations for. Brandon Wood I expected to explode onto the scene.
Matt Harrington
What a fun story line that was.
+whatever he was looking for to sign...some big number
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
Gary Scott and Oddibe McDowell
Scott – 2nd round pick for the Cubs in 1989. Punchline to many jokes in Wrigleyville.
McDowell – I loved his Olympic Topps rookie card and fun name to say.
www.fantasyrundown.com
All of your fantasy baseball needs in one place
okay guys
the poster asked for FAILED prospects who you STILL hold hope for….there’s not much hope for a bucky jacobsen, a phil plantier, an oddibe mcdowell, etc…..and someone like hughes or bailey is not truly a failure yet as their progress has simply stalled for one year or a year and a half, not truly failed….now pie is at least debatable as he’s had multiple MLB chances and never kept a job, but he’s also an excellent candidate for this post as he could still bounce back….
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
apparently
R. Comprehension is the topper of them all as I posted this and within two hours multiple more posts bringing up guys who have no chance of resurrecting a career as they are now years out of baseball are posted…sad to think he couldn’t have a revival of fortune….
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 29, 2008 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
Twins have had more than a few
David McCarty: 3rd overall pick became a utility player
Dan Serafini: First round pick has one of the worst major league careers in the history of baseball
BJ Garbe: #5 overall pick never made it to AA
Adam Johnson: #2 overall pick never made a major league contribution
Matt Moses: First round pick has no major league future
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Don't forget
Readin G. Comprehensión. Never had a chance.
it's not intended to be funny
it’s a sad state on this post, which could be a great conversation topic if folks actually responded to the original post with viable examples rather than just posting random failed prospects that have no bearing on the original post at all….
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 29, 2008 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
OK, Matt Moses
Should be the starting third baseman for the Twins. Not likely to get out of AA as a DH/outfielder.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Dennis Tankersley still is in AAA
I was shocked to notice at some point this year that Dennis Tankersley was with the Nats’ AAA club this year. I was pretty convinced back in 2001 that he was going to be an unstoppable force. I’m sure the chances of him contributing at the MLB level are pretty slim based on his numbers the past couple of years though.
I keep holding out hope that Merkin Valdez’s arm will stay attached long enough for him to be a solid RP arm, but I’m not sure that will happen. Same with Angel Guzman.
woo hoo
at least one person gets the point of the post :p
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 29, 2008 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
yea +1 on those guys
tankersley
peavy
eric cyr
thought they were all gonna be the next big 3 lol
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Nov 30, 2008 2:34 AM EST up reply actions
Restovich
I thought Micheal Restovich was gonna be a monster power hitter in the majors for years. Being from Minnesota I heard about him all through high school, the minor and when he finally made his MLB debut so I always a huge fan.
Damn shame things never panned out.
Ryan Wagner
I don’t know what, but something about him always made me believe he would put it together and be a great pen arm for some team. I think he got left off the Nats 40 – man roster or he’s a minor league free agent right now.
I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad
As a Cardinal fan
Blake Hawksworth comes to mind. He had a nice bounce back year in ’06, but has been terrible at Triple-A ever since. Although he has put up good K rates the last couple years and his FIP in ’08 was over a run lower than his ERA.. He could still be decent if given another shot.
First-rounder Chris Lambert was supposed to be a front of the rotation talent but in the end was traded for a half season of Mike Maroth. He had a good 2008 at Toledo and has some hope of filling in for an injured starter in ’09.
But everyone’s favorite Anthony Reyes has to take the cake. The guy who really shined in Game 1 of the ‘06 WS and never really got it together after that, but has always had decent peripherals and there is speculation(maybe more) that his lack of success was in part due to a difference in philosophy with Dave Duncan, who gets what he wants in this organization. Maybe he’s next year’s Cliff Lee…
I expect Hawksworth to be with another team soon
whether through trade or release. I then expect him , Reyes, and Lambert to eventually end up as serviceable ML starters.
I just hope we have better luck with the current group of young starters in the minors than the batch that included those three previously listed.
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
Reyes
Did pitch pretty well after he got traded to the Indians for a bag of chips.
The 1.84 ERA was misleading
He had a 15/12 K/BB ratio and a 4.19 FIP in 34 innings. I think he probably just got luckier in his handful of Cleveland starts.
But...
All of his component ratios (K/BB excluded) dropped significantly in Cleveland from the time he was in St. Louis. Also, a 4.19 FIP would have been 22nd in the AL over the entire season. And from the games that I watched the contact he was inducing was much weaker (as can be noted with the 2% drop in LD, and 10 increase in GB%), because he was able to locate his pitches where he could be effecitve with them. His breaking ball was also far more effective than it had been in St. Louis, both in terms of keeping hitters off balance, and producing outs. He was walking more people and striking out fewer, as you noted, but I would be far less worried about that, due to the small sample size. Anticipating that he will at least bounce back to his career average in that department isn’t a stretch.
Carlos Hernandez
This thread got me to thinking about one of my favorite Astros prospects from a few years back. I didn’t think he would fit into this thread topic, but it was nice thinking back about him and how I thought his potential was great before he ran into some small control issues and some large injuries. On a whim I typed his name into baseball-reference.com to remind myself of what got me so excited about him and I was surprised!! He put up a darned good 6 starts last year for Vero Beach in the FSL as a 28 year old in A+ ball . . . so perhaps he fits this topic after all! I will be checking in on him again come the spring.
CH
Didn’t he completely shred his arm? It’s good to see that he’s working his way back, and it sounds like he could still have some value as a bullpen arm.
Formerly Uncle Charlie of Minor League Ball
Injury
Partial left rotator cuff tear while diving back into 2nd base in 2001. Didn’t have surgery for it until 2003. Started rehab assignment in AAA in 2004 . . . had control and more injury issues. Took 2007 off . . . back with Vero Beach in 2008. I hope he does well . . . I got an autograph from him on a ball back in the day . . . it would be nice to have him make the majors again . . . it could come back out of the closet and be with the other MLB talent :-)
Two others
Josh Hamilton & Jason Allison
. . . oh yeah, 1 out of 2 ain’t bad.
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.
Chris Snelling...
He just needs to strengthen that knee, and…
Man, what a waste.
Does Ruben Mateo Count?
His snapping of his leg is still memory that makes me cringe when i think about it
That was going to be my pick
Maybe I’ll go with Colby Lewis.
I propose a 5-year moratorium on trading any young Ranger pitchers who throw over 90 mph.
where is mateo-leg
he should post on here
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Nov 30, 2008 2:35 AM EST up reply actions
How about Matt Anderson
That kid could throw the ball about as hard as it can. Too bad he couldn’t control it or have any other pitches.
Brien Taylor too as long as we’re on former #1 picks. Talk about the worst thing that can happen if you get into a fight.
neither case
works for this post….unless you believe matt anderson could make a comeback and pitch again….that’s what the post is about….guys who fell off as “prospects” but that you still hold out hope could bounce back….
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 30, 2008 2:39 AM EST up reply actions
Thank god
Thank god you responded to every single post that didn’t fit perfectly with the topic with the same generic post.
Rios is the next Juan Gonzales, thats right, I said it.
someone needed to
so i’m glad i could step up to fill the roll
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 30, 2008 7:33 AM EST up reply actions
fill the roll huh
so you’re a cook?
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
among many other things....
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
Apparently he has issues with tangents
I’m guessing he didn’t do well in geometry class.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
underrated joke
surprised no one commented on this one
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
I'm still holding out hope for its wider acceptance.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 6, 2008 10:56 PM EST up reply actions
Greg Miller
Has anyone seen him pitch the past year or two? A couple years ago people thought he was one of the top lefty pitchers in the minors, and now he’s just a head-scratcher.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Greg%20Miller&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=431141
The good: Large frame (6’6", 220 lbs.), still good age relative-to-league (Age 23 year in AAA), very good GB/FB rate, strikes out a batter an inning, homer rate isn’t bad (3 HR in 53+IP), throws with his left arm.
The bad: Is working solely out of bullpen, K:BB rate is less than 1, ERA hovering near 8, BAA increased while repeating league.
What do you guys think? Will his lack of control prevent him from achieving even a LOOGY spot in a big league pen? Do you think past injuries have altered his mechanics in any way? Is he just pressing too much considering his pedigree?
Brandon Wood
okay so not a failure at all but it is guys like this that bother me. They can play but they just need to be in the right situation. I would imagine that many teams are going to be inquiring about his services this offseason.
same old
and i imagine the angels will continue to rebuff all offers and send him back to AAA……they seem to have no interest in playing him
Rick Ankiel as a Pitcher
The Cardinals got the one good year from Ankiel(which should have led to a ROY award) but he collapsed after that.
I was looking forward to multiple Cy Young awards for Rick. The kid was absolutely sick. 92-95 mph heater, a faster version of Barry Zito’s curve and an improving changeup. And he had enough control before he melted down. He wasn’t like Daniel Cabrera.
I’d much rather have Ankiel in the rotation than in the outfield. I was extremely excited when he made it back in 2004. I really thought he was over his problems but then they came back in the spring of 2005.
I’m so glad I taped his NLDS start against the Braves. I can still watch Ricky pitch 2 dominating innings. Although I will say watching the 3rd inning blows.
so you still want to see him return to pitching someday?
i think that’d leave a sizable hole in the cardinals outfield now…
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 30, 2008 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
ankiel
with the kind of stuff he had, and presumably still has; I don’t think it is a stretch that you’d rather have him in the rotation if he could still pitch. Swap Rasmus for Ankiel in the outfield and add Ankiel to the rotation and I think you have a better team. Who knows if Ankiel has even been on a mound in the last couple of years but if he could throw strikes again I personally would rather have a pure ace over Rick Ankiel the outfielder. Also, quit being a jackass
not a donkey
not sure where that comment comes from…
i guess i’ve heard nothing of him even wanting to return to pitching, so i don’t know if it’s even feasible to hold out hope for….
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 30, 2008 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
Ankiel as pitcher over hitter anyday
Right now, there is a bigger hole in the Cards rotation than in their outfield, so it’d be a no brainer to move Rick back to pitching if he could throw strikes and if he wanted to.
As mentioned, the outfield would be Ludwick-Rasmus-Schumaker/Mather/Duncan with Jon Jay in AAA and possibly Brett Wallace heading out to LF if need be. Outfield depth is a strength for the Cardinals. That is why you’ve heard reports that Ludwick could be dealt to ATL for Yunel Escobar. Its also believed that Ankiel is on the trade market.
In terms of Ankiel’s best position, from what I’ve seen Ankiel in the big leagues, he was a better pitcher. He is a talented hitter with 35 HR potential but there is no doubt in my mind that he would have won a Cy Young.
by UncleBuck44 on Nov 30, 2008 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
escobar
heard nothing of that rumor….nothing from anyone i’d consider reliable, anyway, so it might be out there possibly, but i’ve not read anything like that in the sources i trust….if escobar can be the centerpiece to acquire an ace cy young pitcher, i doubt he’d be seriously moved just for ludwick….
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 30, 2008 1:32 PM EST up reply actions
The talk I've heard is Kelly Johnson for Ludwick
Though I’d wager the Cards would rather have Escobar, who is cheaper and under control for two extra years.
And better...
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
exactly
that’s what i’ve seen and read….
off-topic, but when did keith lockhart hand over the blackmail pictures to martin prado?! i’ve been waiting forever to see kelly get a major league job, he’s done nothing but produce very respectable numbers, and he’s quick trade fodder because the organization seems to think they’ll be fine with prado….ugh
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Nov 30, 2008 5:57 PM EST up reply actions
Escobar
I’m not too sure Escobar can be the “centerpiece” to a Peavy deal. It seems a deal would have been done by now if that were true as Atlanta has been dangling him out there for awhile.
As for the Ludwick trade, it was reported awhile ago that the Braves would only trade one of their middle infielders this winter and that it could be either Escobar or Johnson in a deal to STL for Luddy or possibly Ankiel(if they’d rather have him I guess) if the Braves don’t deal either one for Peavy.
It was reported by David O’Brien(ATL writer?) and confirmed by Joe Strauss(STL writer). Either way, the Cardinals are looking to move outfielders, so moving Ankiel to the rotation would be a no brainer.
A no brainer?
moving Ankiel to the rotation would be a no brainer.
This is a guy whose last significant innings were in 2003 (five years ago) in the Southern League led to an ERA of 6.29 with nearly a walk per inning pitched. That doesn’t sound like much of a no-brainer to me, unless you mean that such a decision would be brainless. He’s done pitching. It would be much better for the Cardinals to trade him for a pitcher than to try to resurrect his pitching career.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
It helps if you actually read the context of a post before nitpicking it
it’d be a no brainer to move Rick back to pitching if he could throw strikes and if he wanted to
was the original quote, emphasis added.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Greg Miller
Miller was Kershaw before Kershaw was. Hurt his shoulder in ‘04 at age 19; hasn’t been able to throw strikes since.
+1
Miller & Edwin Jackson were going to be the 2 aces to bring the Dodgers back to the playoffs.
Sigh….
The Dodgers won't win a playoff series until the Cool-a-Coo returns.
The Dodger and LHP
they seem to have a knack of getting super good LHP that got hurt. Miller, Kuo, Elbert…. Kuo sort of survived as a dominant RP but one can’t help to think what he could do if he was starting consistently, he had several spot starts over the last 2-3 season that was simpl mind blowing.
Hopefully Kreshaw avoid this well trotted path…
Alex Escobar!
Get healthy, son! He can rake when healthy. Never healthy. Sad story.
Who's world is it? It's yours.
good one
that guy was supposed to be a stud like ten different times
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
I am also on board with Chris Snelling.
I still hope he can hold it all together and get in one or two MLB seasons with someone.
Jays spects
Guillermo Quiroz – with the O’s as a backup last season with a +39 OPS…ouch.
Russ Adams – I’d say he still has a chance to catch on as a utility guy but his arm sucks. He looks like he was rushed despite some success in the minors… never really got it together in the majors.
Josh Phelps – I thought at the time we gave up on him way too early…
+1 Russ Adams
I agree that he was probably mishandled. Didn’t have the arm to be a SS, but was more than decent at 2B. Being jerked around seems to have shot his confidence. He needs to be “freed”, and in new surroundings he might still make it as a major league 2B.
I’d add Francisco Rosario to your list of (ex-)Jays prospects. Did he get hurt? I expected him to catch on in Philly.
Arquimedez Pozo
followed closely by Roberto Petagine and Sherman Obando.
Alex Ochoa, Tony Tarrasco and Manny Alexander....
… and do I dare mention Ben McDonald!?
I've got a McPheever, and only JoJo Reyes can help me!
Ochoa (almost) had it all...
Speed, contact, a cannon for an arm… everything except being able to hit. Good choice. I would have included Big Cal Pickering on this list, but for his brief renaissance with the Royals.
But still: calling Manny Alexander a prospect is an offense against humanity!
McDonald
I wouldn’t say Ben McDonald failed. He did post a 3.91 ERA in 1291.1 career innings. He also pitched 3 seasons of 220+ innings and would have had 4 if not for the strike.
He didn’t live up to expectations but a solid middle of the rotation starter he was and he had a pretty darn good year in 1993.
McDonald
I had to assume that was a joke; Big (but fragile) Ben won 78 major league games, and, like they say, “that’s a hell of a lot more than you ever did.”
McDonald’s problem was that, in coming off of an injury-plagued 1995 (and part of ’94, too), he signed a massively incentive-laden three-year-contract with the Brewers. He pitched well in 1996 for a measly $2 million, and then again in ’97, albeit with injury issues.
You probably see where this is going. As usual, McDonald’s contract was back-loaded, with a big (for 1998) $6.3 million option year that would kick in automatically if Big Ben made at least 21 starts in 1997. So, in mid-July, with a torn rotator cuff and 20 starts under his belt, Ben shook off the medical staff and took the mound against Cleveland. He labored through six innings and lost. Ben’s 1998 option kicked in and he got his $6.3 million, but McDonald never pitched another inning in the majors.
by AndrewTorrez on Dec 1, 2008 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
Oh man....
Andy Sisco, Justin Jones, Luke Hagerty, Chad Blasko, Ryu, Mark Prior?, Bobby Hill, HEE SEOP CHOI!….
Holy crap I could do this all day just for the Cubs.
Then theres personal favorites I had like Clint Everts, Greg Miller, Brandon Claussen, Mark Phillips, Russ Adams…yea I could do this all day…
Sisco
Whatever happened to him? In ‘05 he made the Royals looks like geniuses for plucking him out the rule V draft and seemed like he was going to be a breakout relief pitcher – good K/IP marks, good ERA (though a 1.46 WHIP with a 3.11 ERA makes me think he was a little lucky) and BAA, but his walk rate was high. After that, the wheels came off and he didn’t even pitch professional ball last year. He’s only 25 – was he injured or did he go to the indy/foreign leagues?
Colby Rasmus
Just kidding, but check out some of the Cardinal message boards. They are already starting to talk about him as if he were.
I'm on board
with Foppert. I’m an A’s fan, but I always liked following Foppert, for whatever reason.
I still have an irrational belief he’s going to put it back together.
RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.
agreed
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
Eric Duncan
He needs to get as far away from the Yankees organization as possible. Overly aggressive in promoting him and never put him in a situation to succeed.
...or he was never that good.
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
"If I go to this "party", I will give "save us" a piece of my knuckle sandwich…" -- miles
If you can't beat them . . .
I’ll add Ryan Leaf and Dan McGwire to the list.
How about Drew Henson
I’d say going from one of the top rated prospects in baseball and the Yankees between 1999-2003 to a backup quarterback on the Detroit Lions qualifies you as a failed prospect.
*tear*
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
"If I go to this "party", I will give "save us" a piece of my knuckle sandwich…" -- miles
Floods of tears
Recall these former Ranger prospects: Jovanny Cedeno, Chris Russ, Ryan Dittfurth.
I propose a 5-year moratorium on trading any young Ranger pitchers who throw over 90 mph.
the worst was mateo
and you forgot colby lewis!
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
He looked good after TJ in AA Frisco
Arm is definitely not in shape at the end of the season and he loses location when he tires, but he is not a bust
Ty Griffin
I think he was drafted by the Cubs in the late 80’s. I had his Topps Superstar card.
"Never prioritize one year over the future"
If we're talking about TOP prospects...
Just to name a few (top 10 guys):
Kiki Jones (Dodgers)
Roger Salkeld (Mariners)
Todd Van Poppel (A’s)…of course
Brien “Bar Room Brawler” Taylor (Yankees)
Ryan Anderson (Mariners)
Ruben Rivera (Yankees)…I was fooled by this one BIG TIME
Matt White (Devil Rays)
…and, frankly, Rickie Weeks is treading water.
everyone was fooled by rivera
dont feel too bad
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
"If I go to this "party", I will give "save us" a piece of my knuckle sandwich…" -- miles
Generation K!
As a trio they’re pretty tough to beat…
As starting pitchers, yeah.
But Jason Isringhausen went on to have 7, 30+ save seasons and make 2 all star teams. Not too shabby.
paul wilson
reinvented himself and also had at least a productive career….nothing spectacular, but not shabby neither
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
Bill Pulsipher
was really awsome for like half a season in Taiwan a few years back.
Cubs just signed
Chad Fox – I know he’s not a prospect, but I’ll be rooting for him – he’s had 2 or 3 TJ.s I was watching the game when he blew it out last time and felt really bad for the guy…
Sil Campusano!
Back in the mid-late 80s, Baseball America was pushing this guy as the next Roberto Clemente.
Ryan Ketchner.
Ryan Ketchner was Bobby Livingston in the M’s system before Bobby was, but what made him particularly intriguing to me was that he’s almost completely deaf. The M’s for some reason have had a few players like that since I’ve been following the system, one of the Luis Figueroas being another one and presently Tyson Gillies, who is only partially deaf.
I remember reading a story about Ketch in a San Bernardino paper, where he was pitching one night and saw the umpire call time while everyone behind the plate had their attention elsewhere. He turned around and realized that there were fireworks going off in the distance behind the field, and just laughed because he would have just kept on pitching if someone hadn’t pointed it out to him. I felt compelled to cheer for him after that. He put up solid control numbers at a number of levels after that, but he had a minor arm injury, elbow I think it was, and left the system for a time before coming back this past year. I thought they’d give him a chance, what with how miserable the team was, have there be two deaf major leaguers in the history of the game, but he started getting tagged at the wrong time and never got the call.
Continuing the M’s theme, I’ll throw Travis Blackley in there. I’d add Nageotte too, but to be honest, I don’t even know if he’s still in baseball. Incredible sliders, but ultimately a self-destructive approach.
"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://mvn.com/marinersminors/
Dallas McPherson
Maybe it was just the gaudy power numbers that got to me, but I really liked him
Yeah Cmathewson, Twins have had their fair share
Brad Thomas, C.J. Nitowski can sort of be added to Adam Johnson and Matt Moses
a non-Twin I’ll go with
Billy Owens
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 6, 2008 11:56 PM EST reply actions
re: hmm
how about: Brien Tyler(yankees), Matt Drews(yankees), Ruben Mateo (rangers)and Tony Gwynn Jr.(Brewers)? Looks like Tony Gwynn Jr. is turning out more like his uncle than his dad.
"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"
Roberto Petagine
No one broke my heart more than Roberto Petagine. I suppose you could argue that he didn’t fail given that he was a star in Japan, but in terms of being the long-time star 1B of my APBA team, he was a disappointment. I still think he could have done something had someone given him the chance….
re: Petagine/Scott McClain
are these guys really prospects to begin with? and they’re not really failed, since they weren’t really given a chance in the majors.
you could add a whole bunch of “never had a chance guys” like Stubby Clapp, Pedro Swann etc…
"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"
Stubby's best chance
Was the All-Name team, really.
"That is like saying my ‘upside’ is Brad Pitts face, with Einstein’s brain, and Ron Jeremy’s unit. It is nice to dream, but that ceiling isn’t going to happen." (King Billy Royal)
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