Suggestions

by John Sickels on Feb 29, 2008 5:31 PM EST in News Comment 55 comments

Weekend: Community Projection: B.J. Upton
Monday: Prospect Smackdown: Jay Bruce vs. Colby Rasmus
Tuesday: Not a Rookie: Adam Lind
Wednesday: Prospect Smackdown: J.R. Towles vs. Geovany Soto
Thursday: Not a Rookie: Adam Jones
Friday: Is There Any Hope for Andy Marte?
Saturday: Not a Rookie: Justin Upton

Help me fill in the gaps. Prefer to mix other things in this week rather than just NARs.

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Smackdown!

Jay Bruce v. Colby Rasmus!

Otherwise, I think we'd all love to see a Justin Upton Crystal Ball.

One thing I'd love to see is a review of Edwin Jackson, who is only 24 this season and has alot of very mixed experience thus far. It'd be really interesting to see your take on him.

by GuyinNY on Feb 29, 2008 5:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

on the colby vs. bruce

Future Redbirds

by erik on Feb 29, 2008 5:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And +1 on a Justin Upton crystal ball

or Not a rookie

by OldProspects on Feb 29, 2008 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+ 1

by Bravesin07 on Feb 29, 2008 6:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Justin Upton Crytal Ball.

by Baseball Mastermind on Feb 29, 2008 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

and i'd like to see Cameron Maybin thrown into that mix too

by davidj on Feb 29, 2008 7:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

on both Upton and the smackdown

by nyy601 on Feb 29, 2008 8:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!!!

by GuyinNY on Mar 1, 2008 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1 more

but I'd also like to see crystal balls for them too.

by JopeX37 on Mar 3, 2008 12:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

a couple of suggestions

Not a rookie: Matt Diaz. I'd like to get your opinion on why nobody thought much of him, even though he put up absolutely monster numbers in the minors. He was released by KC and Tampa Bay despite (apparently) showing tons of promise.

I'd also like to get to know more about your opinions on the systems of various clubs. More than just a prospect list, but your judgement on coaching, treatment of prospects, strengths/weaknesses, etc. This could turn into a long-term series, obviously.

by subwindow on Feb 29, 2008 5:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I know It's too early

for Failed Prospect: Andy Marte. Maybe by next year? Well you could put him under NAR, I'm interested to hear what the consensus is on him now.

Hey fish, leave those kids alone!

by The Congo Hammer on Feb 29, 2008 5:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Best of lists??

Maybe best drafts in the last 20 years:
Top 5 drafts by team i.e. Cubs 1998, Rockies 2004 (something like that)
Top 5 drafts overall
Top 5 drafts for pitchers
Top 5 drafts for catchers, corner infielders, middle infielders, outfielders and so forth.
Top drafts of high schoolers

Just a few ideas.

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.

by Savoy on Feb 29, 2008 6:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

prospects you're higher on than most

and why

by Galt on Feb 29, 2008 6:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Prospect Retro

Brad Wilkerson

The Dodgers won't win a playoff series until the Cool-a-Coo returns.

by mckeeno on Feb 29, 2008 6:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wednesday

Not a current TV show: Adam 12

by drwmsu1 on Feb 29, 2008 6:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I was an "Emergency!" guy myself

Prospect retro: Julie London

by Flynn Blake on Feb 29, 2008 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

BTW

I LOVE the not a prospect series, wasn't knocking it. I was just putting an Adam in between two Adam's. Maybe should have selected prospect retro---Adam. What was the park factor for the Garden of Eden?

by drwmsu1 on Feb 29, 2008 8:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Garden of Eden

I don't think the dimensions were bad -- as I recall, no one had a problem with that. But the concessions, on the other hand ...

by Flynn Blake on Feb 29, 2008 10:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Crystal Ball

How about Curtis Granderson (provided you havent done one before)?

by demondeaconbaseball on Feb 29, 2008 6:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

In a parellel universe....

Here is an idea John:

Take a failed prospect (like Hee Sop Choi or Ben Davis) and put him in another organization to begin his career (say Minnesota or KC). What would have happened..maybe with a ficticious "parellel universe" crystal ball. What do you believe would have happened? Would he have reach his potential or still fallen flat? Gives you time to be creative, and let your imagination run.

Also would love to see an all questions answerede thread when you get the time. I missed the last one :(

by dlpme77 on Feb 29, 2008 6:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

by GuyinNY on Feb 29, 2008 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

U-25 lists

How about a series on the top players in the game, minors & majors combined. Under age 25 by position.

MelonvilleSports

by Melonville on Feb 29, 2008 6:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

U-25

by davidj on Feb 29, 2008 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

good one

by RollingWave on Mar 1, 2008 12:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You're the GM

I like the You're the GM feature.

Teams that could go in different directions:

Blue Jays?
Cards?
Reds?

by spetro on Feb 29, 2008 7:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

A little early

for that wouldnt you think? isn't that something you do either close to the deadline or right after the season?

by RollingWave on Mar 1, 2008 12:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

how 'bout

failed prospect: jesse foppert

--http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Bobby Mcnally (alias) "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."--Napoleon Hall

by bobbymcnally on Feb 29, 2008 7:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Tommy John surgery

doesn't have a 100% success rate. It ruined him.

by drwmsu1 on Feb 29, 2008 8:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Crystal Ball - Andy LaRoche

or Jeff Clement

by The Colonel on Feb 29, 2008 7:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

NAR

Adam Loewen

I also like the top players for each position 25 years and younger.

by cowboy4eva on Feb 29, 2008 7:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thoughts On......

Chase Headley and Steven Pearce. Two players I find very interesting.

Speaking of which.....how about a series on blocked prospects, how should the teams involved resolve the blockage? What teams could be involved in trades that would benefit both teams i.e. unblock prospects at different positions for both teams?

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 29, 2008 8:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

NAR/Smackdown/Prospect Retro -

Alex Gordon vs Hank Blalock

by rothe on Feb 29, 2008 10:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Slot em

we had a diary on this a while back. Slot where the rookies last year would rank on your prospect list if they still qualified.

by nyy601 on Feb 29, 2008 10:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

failed prospect

ruben mateo? gabe kapler? alex escobar? dewon brazelton?

by jpahk on Feb 29, 2008 11:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not a Rookie....

Josh Hamilton would be a fun one....

Batting practice tomorrow you be there....I have Pop, everyday

by laxtonto on Feb 29, 2008 11:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

How far will Eric Young Jr. get?

Looks like he has a good offensive game, but the glove looks baaaaaaad.

Can he improve? If he can't, what are some comparable players that died out because of no glove?

by davidsabin on Feb 29, 2008 11:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Almost the opposite of failed prospect

I'd like to see a look at some players who you didn't rate very highly as they progressed through the minors, but who eventually turned out to be very good players. I suspect this will be harder to find guys since you never made a list of "players who aren't prospects." Perhaps this could be called the Diamond in the Rough analysis.

by thejd44 on Feb 29, 2008 11:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

good one there.

by RollingWave on Mar 1, 2008 12:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good idea...

I'm sure John could find some guy who were B-/C+ rated prospects who turned out a lot better.

by Oenophile on Mar 2, 2008 1:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How about a segment

"Make or Break Year:"

-Jed Lowrie
-Austin Jackson
-Taylor Teagarden
-Ryan Royster
-Ben Revere
-etc...

AND/OR:

"Undervalued/Overlooked Prospect:"

-George Kontos
-John Shelby
-Chorye Spoon
-Charlie Furbush
-Josh Reddick
-John Tolisano
-etc...

by alskor on Mar 1, 2008 2:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

not a rook.

Francisco Liriano
Ronny Paulino
Matt Capps
Chuck James

by jwjc11 on Mar 1, 2008 3:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bloodlines

What about a "bloodlines" feature...we're starting to have kids/prospects who's father/uncle/great grandfather twice removed on their mother's side have played in the Majors...not really a comparison to how they would stack up against dear old (insert relative here), but pros, cons etc of the player himself

by Caernarvon on Mar 1, 2008 4:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

not a rookie...

Jason Hirsch

He tore up the minors for a couple of years, but hasn't been very good in the majors. Is this just the kind of pitcher he is or is he expected to improve?

by DenverBears on Mar 1, 2008 7:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

not a rookie...

Jason Hirsch

He tore up the minors for a couple of years, but hasn't been very good in the majors. Is this just the kind of pitcher he is or is he expected to improve?

by DenverBears on Mar 1, 2008 7:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

not a rookie...

Just wanted to say how much I like this idea of profiling guys who have moved past prospect/rookie status. It's really great to get some perspective about guys who have logged some time in the Show, especially those who have not yet lived up to the expectations laid out when they were prospects. Sometimes it seems that the MLB teams appear to give up quickly on a prospect who doesn't immediately have a big year, and before you started this feature it was always hard to get any info about what the club's plans were going forward. Thanks again for instituting this feature.

by dwill66 on Mar 1, 2008 8:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

community projections?

easy on you,
gets us involved,
and fun.

by god allah star on Mar 1, 2008 9:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Smackdown

How about a cheesecake smackdown? Jessica Alba vs Brooke Burke.

MelonvilleSports

by Melonville on Mar 1, 2008 10:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

wait about a year and have

who looks better after having a kid smackdown.

by Bravesin07 on Mar 1, 2008 10:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Incoming Latin Players

It seems to be so hard to get any real info on Terehan, DeLeon and others. I would like to know what you know about any of these guys.

"Ninety percent I'll spend on good times, women and Irish Whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."

by strums on Mar 1, 2008 11:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Awesome for the Colby vs. Bruce smackdown

by Bravesin07 on Mar 1, 2008 11:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

New Suggestion

I like the fake Twins franchise, and I'd love to see something similar starting from scratch.

John, you've been given MLB's 31st expansion franchise, and in a special draft invented just for my question, you may populate your new team with a 25-man roster of minor league players stolen from any system. You'll need a workable lineup, of course, including a rotation and bullpen, so four catchers is not an option. Your goal would be to win the World Series as soon as possible, of course, to keep those fans happy.

(To make it more interesting and remove some slam-dunk write-ins, I'd disqualify the Jobas, Buchholzes, LaRoches and any others who have already played in MLB games.)

I'd love to see who John would pick if forced to make his own roster decisions like that.

by DoctorK on Mar 1, 2008 7:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs