The List

by fartballs on Feb 26, 2008 12:36 PM EST Comment 40 comments

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/top-100-prospects/2008/265655.html

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This is the official thread

as dictated by me and due to seeing "fartballs" makes me giggle.

Joba vs. Clay must have been some knockdown drag-out fights.

The Rays have three pitchers (all at least AA and probably AAA to start the season) in the top 20.

I'm surprised Brett Anderson was so high.

by Galt on Feb 26, 2008 12:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The thing that first stuck out to me was...

Johnny Cueto #34 and Brett Anderson #36. I was really surprised Cueto was as low as he was.

by tt68 on Feb 26, 2008 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sox and Lowrie

Seven Red Sox in the top 100, including Jed Lowrie at #73

This is me being polite.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Feb 26, 2008 12:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not a huge List Fan in General.

I think they are pretty dumb and not worth the fighting. Regardless of number these guys are all in the top 5%? of minor leaguers.

Elvis at 19 was a shock. A lot of the guys who just missed were pretty good too IMO.

I agree with Galt on Anderson too..

Otherwise lists don't get me going. Not a huge deal.

Remember: baseball guys... baseball...

by Metty5 on Feb 26, 2008 12:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Some thoughts

Nick Blackburn has some X-rated photos of Callis and John Manuel engaged in lude acts.

Fuk U. Do me. # 30. Those who said he doesn't belong on our list - eat it.

Zero. The number of White Sux on the list. This makes me happy.

Send your top 50-100 prospects to slurveone@yahoo.com!!!

by slurve on Feb 26, 2008 12:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well

They traded their 2 best prospects in the Swisher deal, so it's no surprise that they have noone in the top 100. Poreda was the only guy with an outside shot. The rest of that system pretty much sux.

by guru4u on Feb 26, 2008 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I really just wanna see that guy pitch and see what he can do. It seems like guys like Gleeman don't even have him in the top 20 Twins prospects but then on BA he's a top 100??? I'm utterly confused by the broad range in opinions on that guy. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Here's to hoping BA is right on.

by halfchest on Feb 26, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Blackburn

Blackburn has a great fastball 93-95 with great command and movement and the rest of his pitches are all fringe average. Last year was the first he was really healthy in a long time his legs have been a problem in the past.

The stats don't say much good about him so I wouldn't expect a stats guy to be high on him.

And Frankly I'm mixed about him he should get a chance to start 10 games this year somehow and see where it goes from there.

1941 .406

by FrozenTed9 on Feb 26, 2008 11:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It says Ross Detweiler

was a 39th rounder on that list, kind of makes him sound like an under-dog

by Trenchtown on Feb 26, 2008 12:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Uncle

Deleting my diary. Curse you, fartballs, for having a better name than me!

I don't mind any of the individual placements on this list so long as you buy BA's "ceiling first" philosophy. Of course ceiling is seriously important, but I think likelihood of reaching it oughtta be a bigger consideration for them then it is. So I'd personally place people in the low minors and pitchers lower on the list, and pitchers in the low minors way down the list.

This is an old argument, and BA has actually gotten better about it, but still...

by abbreviatedman on Feb 26, 2008 1:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Errors

Also, there are a couple of obvious errors (and maybe some I missed)

LaRoche and Detwiler having the same blurb.
Neftali Feliz being listed as a Boston SS.

We all make mistakes, but come on, guys. You couldn't get a couple of people to read it over? You're Baseball America!

by abbreviatedman on Feb 26, 2008 1:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

my thoughts....

Placements I especially like on this list (i.e., in comparison to most other lists I've seen):

Morales
Adenhart
LaRoche
Kennedy
Teagarden

Oh -- and of course, I also think they're right about Lowrie in comparison to the recent consensus around here. And also I'm looking forward to the question "why is Tabata different than F-Mart?"

Placements I think they need to change:

Barton (WTF??? i think they're WAY off here -- he should EASILY be in the 20s, if not the teens)
Stewart (lower)
FDLS (higher)
Jurrjens (lower)
Gio (lower)
Parra (higher)

i guess my single biggest complaint comes from the number of rookie ballers and draft picks they have (and how high they're ranked). in large part, that speaks to the weakness of the minors right now, and for that i can forgive them. at the same time, i think they're overvaluing people who just haven't "established" who they are yet.

by bleedjaxblue on Feb 26, 2008 1:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My guess on Barton

They don't see him having enough of an impact with the bat to justify his lack of a position.

Remember: baseball guys... baseball...

by Metty5 on Feb 26, 2008 1:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

This is me being polite.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Feb 26, 2008 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well, yeah

that's obviously their thought.

i guess i disagree with it for a lot of reasons though.

i think he has a great bat that would make him a well-above average major-leaguer even as a DH
i think he'll at least be a first baseman for the next 6 years
he's already hitting in the majors at age 21 -- and he's ranked 48th????? that's just insane

by bleedjaxblue on Feb 26, 2008 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with

a lot of what you say about placements. On the other hand, I think you're a little off on how weak the minors is right now. That was quite the draft class year according to scouts.

I'm not too worried about the youngsters being established or not - this is a list that is predicated on the future. Anyone can report on a prospects accomplishments - the whole thing for BA, John and others forcasting what has the best chance of happening.

by slurve on Feb 26, 2008 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Where the heck is

Trevor Cahill.

by sully10x on Feb 26, 2008 1:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Top position for him was 103

but had 4 votes after that

Remember: baseball guys... baseball...

by Metty5 on Feb 26, 2008 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

another placement....

.....i think BA got right

by bleedjaxblue on Feb 26, 2008 3:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Another miss

Matt Latos. Interesting how John does a smackdown between he and Walden, and BA shortly thereafter comes out with Walden at 81 and Latos somewhere below 100.

FWIW - I agree with John more than BA here. They look very equal to me right now.

by guru4u on Feb 26, 2008 6:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreement

In the "just missed category":

Matt Latos, rhp, Padres 4 88

That means that all four had him in their top 150, with his highest ranking 88. So maybe he is number 101, and there isn't much difference between 101 and 81 at all.

by drwmsu1 on Feb 26, 2008 7:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

102

I believe is where Manuel said he was in the chat, but that nobody really argued for him to be included in the 100. I might be mistaken though.

by ajake57 on Feb 26, 2008 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Four Braves OF'ers in the top 100. Will be interesting to see how that all pans out the next few years

by dlpme77 on Feb 26, 2008 3:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lillibridge

No Lillibridge on their list either but still 5 Braves on the list is awesome 7 including the guys we traded to Texas.

by Jay212033 on Feb 26, 2008 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

James McDonald

No where to be found...not even on anyone's top 150 list. And yet guys like Blackburn and Sinkbeil are rated closer to 50 than they are 100.

WTF?

by dkny22 on Feb 26, 2008 4:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

McDonald

wasn't that high on most people's lists.

I think out of John, Goldstein, Law, BA, PP, he was only higher than 80 on one of the lists.

Stats aside, most of the scouting folks aren't very high on him.

by Galt on Feb 26, 2008 4:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

OMG

I just pulled a Bravesin07!

by Galt on Feb 26, 2008 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sure, typographically

but at least you didn't comp McDonald to Edwin Jackson

by bleedjaxblue on Feb 26, 2008 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Or to

Dale Murphy

gogotabata: "I'm like the biggest Walden fan around here (adult division)..."

by siddfynch on Feb 26, 2008 10:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: McDonald

Oh, I'm not saying he's a top tier prospect by any means. I'm not even saying he's a sure fire top 80. But not a single vote for the top 150? When the likes of Lance Broadway and Jeff Samardzija are getting votes and McDonald gets none, I think they all just plain overlooked him.

by dkny22 on Feb 26, 2008 9:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone know where to find a spreadsheet of list?

by jdm3s on Feb 26, 2008 5:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

no

but here's the full list you can put into a spreadsheet:

1 Jay Bruce OF, Reds
2 Evan Longoria 3B, Rays
3 Joba Chamberlain RHP, Yankees
4 Clay Buchholz RHP, Red Sox
5 Colby Rasmus OF, Cardinals
6 Cameron Maybin OF, Marlins
7 Clayton Kershaw LHP, Dodgers
8 Franklin Morales LHP, Rockies
9 Homer Bailey RHP, Reds
10 David Price RHP, Rays
11 Travis Snider OF, Blue Jays
12 Matt Wieters C, Orioles
13 Jacoby Ellsbury OF, Red Sox
14 Andrew Mccutchen OF, Pirates
15 Jake Mcgee LHP, Rays
16 Brandon Wood 3B/SS, Angels
17 Wade Davis RHP, Rays
18 Mike Moustakas SS, Royals
19 Elvis Andrus SS, Rangers
20 Fernando Martinez OF, Twins
21 Rick Porcello RHP, Tigers
22 Carlos Gonzalez OF, Athletics
23 Matt Laporta OF, Brewers
24 Nick Adenhart RHP, Angels
25 Jordan Schafer OF, Braves
26 Gio Gonzalez LHP, Athletics
27 Chris Marrero 1B/OF, Nationals
28 Jason Heyward OF, Braves
29 Adam Miller RHP, Indians
30 Kosuke Fukudome OF, Cubs
31 Andy Laroche 3B, Dodgers
32 Chase Headley 3B/OF, Padres
33 Angel Villalona 3B/1B, Giants
34 Johnny Cueto RHP, Reds
35 Deolis Guerra RHP, Twins
36 Brett Anderson LHP, Athletics
37 Jose Tabata OF, Yankees
38 Ian Stewart 3B, Rockies
39 Reid Brignac SS, Rays
40 Lars Anderson 1B, Red Sox
41 Austin Jackson OF, Yankees
42 Jeff Clement C, Mariners
43 Josh Vitters 3B, Cubs
44 Joey Votto 1B, Reds
45 Ian Kennedy RHP, Yankees
46 Jarrod Parker RHP, Diamondbacks
47 Geovany Soto C, Cubs
48 Daric Barton 1B, Athletics
49 Jair Jurrjens RHP, Braves
50 Matt Antonelli 2B, Padres
51 Ross Detwiler LHP, Nationals
52 Carlos Gomez OF, Twins
53 J.R. Towles C, Astros
54 Carlos Carrasco RHP, Phillies
55 Chin-Lung Hu SS, Dodgers
56 Nick Blackburn RHP, Twins
57 Daniel Cortes RHP, Royals
58 Chris Volstad RHP, Marlins
59 Desmond Jennings OF, Rays
60 Fautino De Los Santos RHP, Athletics
61 Neil Walker 3B, Pirates
62 Carlos Triunfel SS, Mariners
63 Luke Hochevar RHP, Royals
64 Justin Masterson RHP, Red Sox
65 Chris Davis 3B/1B, Rangers
66 Max Scherzer RHP, Diamondbacks
67 Chris Tillman RHP, Orioles
68 Brett Sinkbeil RHP, Marlins
69 Radhames Liz RHP, Orioles
70 Brandon Jones OF, Braves
71 Chuck Lofgren LHP, Indians
72 Manny Parra LHP, Brewers
73 Jed Lowrie SS, Red Sox
74 Dexter Fowler OF, Rockies
75 Tyler Colvin OF, Cubs
76 Adrian Cardenas 2B, Phillies
77 Eric Hurley RHP, Rangers
78 Troy Patton LHP, Orioles
79 Hank Conger C, Angels
80 Taylor Teagarden C, Rangers
81 Jordan Walden RHP, Angels
82 Sean Gallagher RHP, Cubs
83 Phillippe Aumont RHP, Mariners
84 Tim Alderson RHP, Giants
85 Bryan Anderson C, Cardinals
86 Collin Balester RHP, Nationals
87 Beau Mills 3B/1B, Indians
88 Scott Elbert LHP, Dodgers
89 Steve Pearce 1B/OF, Pirates
90 Joe Savery LHP, Phillies
91 Nolan Reimold OF, Orioles
92 Gorkys Hernandez OF, Braves
93 Neftali Feliz RHP, Rangers
94 Michael Bowden RHP, Red Sox
95 Hector Gomez SS, Rockies
96 Ryan Kalish OF, Red Sox
97 Chris Perez RHP, Cardinals
98 Greg Reynolds RHP, Diamondbacks
99 Jeff Niemann RHP, Rays
100 Drew Stubbs OF, Reds

by Galt on Feb 26, 2008 5:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I did it again!

kill me now.

by Galt on Feb 26, 2008 5:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

spreadsheet

here's a great compilation link:

http://blog.baseballdigestdaily.com/blog/_archives/2007/11/20/3365039.html

Enjoy.

by laughlin on Feb 26, 2008 5:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Impressed by BA's list

Who is Daniel Cortes. I've never come across his name before.

by SFG2008 on Feb 26, 2008 7:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

a guy

who BA whacked off in their scouting report, it was one of the ones where you stop and think the writer had a boner (kind of like heyward's)

by IHateMitchMustain on Feb 26, 2008 7:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cortes

Funny, I have heard of all the other top 100, but never seen Cortes's name before.

Maybe it is just that i've lost too many brian cells

by SFG2008 on Feb 26, 2008 9:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

from the white sox

i believe. . .think he was traded for mac dougal and was hurt for a bit (now w/ kc)

by SoCalSoxFan on Feb 27, 2008 12:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Grading my predictions

A couple weeks ago, I posted my predictions for the BA Top 100. Here's how I made out (1st # is my prediction and the 2nd # is the actual ranking):

1 (1) Jay Bruce
2 (2) Evan Longoria
3 (4) Clay Buchholz
4 (3) Joba Chamberlain
5 (7) Clayton Kershaw
6 (5) Colby Rasmus
7 (6) Cameron Maybin
8 (10) David Price
9 (11) Travis Snider
10 (9) Homer Bailey
11 (12) Matt Wieters
12 (15) Jake McGee
13 (21) Rick Porcello
14 (13) Jacoby Ellsbury
15 (18) Mike Moustakas
16 (31) Andy LaRoche
17 (14) Andrew McCutchen
18 (16) Brandon Wood
19 (23) Matt LaPorta
20 (17) Wade Davis
21 (39) Reid Brignac
22 (20) Fernando Martinez
23 (8) Franklin Morales
24 (22) Carlos Gonzalez
25 (30) Kosuke Fukudome
26 (44) Joey Votto
27 (28) Jason Heyward
28 (25) Jordan Schafer
29 (33) Angel Villalona
30 (37) Jose Tabata
31 (42) Jeff Clement
32 (34) Johnny Cueto
33 (27) Chris Marrero
34 (59) Desmond Jennings
35 (41) Austin Jackson
36 (36) Brett Anderson
37 (40) Lars Anderson
38 (26) Gio Gonzalez
39 (29) Adam Miller
40 (24) Nick Adenhart
41 (32) Chase Headley
42 (43) Josh Vitters
43 (35) Deolis Guerra
44 (60) Fautino De Los Santos
45 (51) Ross Detwiler
46 (19) Elvis Andrus
47 (46) Jarrod Parker
48 (58) Chris Volstad
49 (50) Matt Antonelli
50 (38) Ian Stewart
51 (74) Dexter Fowler
52 (57) Daniel Cortes
53 (84) Tim Alderson
54 (64) Justin Masterson
55 (83) Phillipe Aumont
56 (67) Chris Tillman
57 (62) Carlos Triunfel
58 (52) Carlos Gomez
59 (54) Carlos Carrasco
60 (55) Chin-Lung Hu
61 (48) Daric Barton
62 (63) Luke Hochevar
63 (45) Ian Kennedy
64 (49) Jair Jurrjens
65 (73) Jed Lowrie
66 (72) Manny Parra
67 (61) Neil Walker
68 (47) Geovany Soto
69 (53) J.R. Towles
70 (65) Chris Davis
71 (77) Eric Hurley
72 (98) Greg Reynolds
73 (70) Brandon Jones
74 (92) Gorkys Hernandez
75 (NR) Hiroki Kuroda
76 (81) Jordan Walden
77 (NR) Matt Latos
78 (89) Stephen Pearce
79 (79) Hank Conger
80 (80) Taylor Teagarden
81 (88) Scott Elbert
82 (66) Max Scherzer
83 (69) Radhames Liz
84 (NR) Madison Bumgarner
85 (NR) Aaron Poreda
86 (87) Beau Mills
87 (NR) Wladimir Balentien
88 (99) Jeff Niemann
89 (78) Troy Patton
90 (71) Chuck Lofgren
91 (95) Hector Gomez
92 (NR) Brent Lillibridge
93 (94) Michael Bowden
94 (75) Tyler Colvin
95 (76) Adrian Cardenas
96 (NR) Bill Rowell
97 (86) Colin Balester
98 (NR) Mike Burgess
99 (100) Drew Stubbs
100 (97) Chris Perez

HM (96) Ryan Kalish
HM (NR) Will Inman
HM (NR) Jeremy Hellickson
HM (NR) Henry Sosa
HM (NR) Jaime Garcia
HM (NR) Wes Hodges
HM (68) Brett Sinkbeil
HM (NR) Cole Rohrbough
HM (85) Bryan Anderson
HM (56) Nick Blackburn

I think I did pretty well. I'd give myself at least a B+. There were only 8 guys on BA's list that werent on mine and none of these were above #75 on my list. The 2 highest guys on their list that I didnt have were Blackburn at #56 and Sinkbeil at #68, and both of them I had among my 10 Honorable mentions. The other 6 I missed were Sean Gallagher (#82), Bryan Anderson (#85), Joe Savery (#90), Nolan Reimold (#91), Neftali Feliz (#93) and Ryan Kalish (#96).

The biggest surprises were Andrus and Blackburn, and I already knew that was going to be, and I commented on them in the original thread. I wasnt that surprised that Rowell didnt make the list but was very surprised that Reimold did. He was only an HM last year, and had another injury-plagued season. I cant explain that one, even tho I'm still a Reimold supporter.

Brignac being as low as he was was another surprise. Even tho he's still #39, I just dont see where his status should have taken much of a hit at all.

Morales at #8 was surprising. Knew he was going to be high but hadnt heard anyone rank him on a par w guys like Kershaw. Adenhart at #24 also was surprising considering his K-rate last year and other concerns. LaRoche and Votto being as low as they were also surprised me.

As I predicted, 5 Orioles were on the list (including Patton), and I'll bet Rowell is an honorable mention. Things finally may be looking up!

by rhd on Feb 27, 2008 12:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

morales

Morales at #8 was surprising. Knew he was going to be high but hadnt heard anyone rank him on a par w guys like Kershaw.

i could have sworn i myself made that exact comparison a few months ago on this site. i may have even said "clayton kershaw in 2 years will be franklin morales."

having said that, i'm actually totally shocked that BA ranked them so close. i was pretty sure they were going to slot kershaw in ahead of buchholz & joba (which would have been a massive error in my opinion).

by jpahk on Feb 27, 2008 9:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs