Schedule and Suggestions

by John Sickels on Jul 7, 2008 10:37 AM EDT Comment 61 comments

I have a busy week ahead. I need to get my Rotowire Top 100 List finished, and an update to Baseball Prospect Report subscribers. I have some other research things I need to make progress on as well. For the blog, I have lots of room on the schedule.

UPDATE: Thanks for all the suggestions. Here is what I have picked. Exact days may slip a bit depending on other things.

Monday/Tuesday: Lars Anderson Update
Wednesday; Michael Burgess Update
Thursday: Ricky Nolasco Prospect Retro
Friday: Julio Borbon Update
Saturday: Denard Span Update
Sunday: Sean Rodriguez Update
Monday: Logan Morrison Update

Make some suggestions please.

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Retrospective: Josh Johnson

He’s almost back from TJ surgery, might be a good time to revisit where he came from and what his upside looks like going forward.

by Ophidian on Jul 7, 2008 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Chris Davis

Russ Branyan or Ryan Howard?

Also like to see some stuff on the Baltimore pitching prospects (Tillman in particular)

Who would you take Justin Smoak or Matt LaPorta?

by bushe on Jul 7, 2008 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like these Bushe

I am curious of John’s thoughts on your 1st and 3rd questions

by madisonp on Jul 7, 2008 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Smackdown

Tillman vs. Helikson

Remember: baseball guys... baseball...

by Metty5 on Jul 7, 2008 11:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Neftali Feliz

update…

by booyahcaveman on Jul 7, 2008 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he just talked about him a couple of weeks ago

"I really think JD is probably going to be one of the best things ever to happen to the Rangers." - Longhorn, May 27th, 2007

by Longhorn on Jul 7, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Was going to put Feliz.

Whichever way you want to go, John. We generally gobble up anything about him. His first AA start is tonight, for enquiring minds…

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 7, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah i know..

Im going to the game tonight. Complete with my camera and the scouting charts we used in college when we scouted other teams

by booyahcaveman on Jul 7, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm tempted to drive out there just to see him

Most excited I’ve been about a pitching prospect’s debut since Volquez in the Majors.

Hard Drive Manufacturer Hires Barkley

by BudLight on Jul 7, 2008 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Angel Villalona update please

Jesse English: He is BAAAAAACCCCCKKKK!

by gianator on Jul 7, 2008 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Suggestion

How about a rough top 30 ranking of best farm systems, by team?

by Kevin Gengler on Jul 7, 2008 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

suggestion

take the week off and attend to what you need to attend to.

by Galt on Jul 7, 2008 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

I agree with Galt here. This is a free site, treat it as such. Make sure the moneymaking stuff is taken care of first, as well as family matters. Then, if you have time and feel up for it do something small for the site. A quick analysis of the Sabathia trade might be nice.

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Jul 7, 2008 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the ads on this site aren't for free

John makes plenty of money on this site…. probably not what he makes for his other stuff, but he certainly has income from this site that is plenty significant.

http://www.redsminorleagues.com and http://www.RedsPitchFX.com

by dougdirt on Jul 7, 2008 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Julio Borbon

Scouting reports from his first week in Frisco have been positive. We know he has the speed and defense, and I have heard he has power potential, although so far is extra base hits rarely leave the park. How do you see his game projecting at the major league level. We have heard a variety of comps with the most positive being Damon and Crawford. Would love to hear your thoughts.

by clark on Jul 7, 2008 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

"I really think JD is probably going to be one of the best things ever to happen to the Rangers." - Longhorn, May 27th, 2007

by Longhorn on Jul 7, 2008 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

by thomasps3 on Jul 8, 2008 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Julio Teheran

HUGE hype around this kid. Would love your 2 cents on him and his outlook.

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Jul 7, 2008 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Need to be promoted

Maybe an examination of guys who really should be pushed ahead. Off the top of my head, I’d say Jamie Romak certainly qualifies and probably many more.

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

by mckeeno on Jul 7, 2008 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How about...

....a Sean Rodriguez progress report? Has he recaptured the magic in his bat he had in 2006 and lost in 2007? How much of it is due to playing in the hitter friendly PCL?

by dkny22 on Jul 7, 2008 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by thomasps3 on Jul 8, 2008 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

TOP 20 IN REVIEWS

Don’t you usually do top 20 in reviews by now?

by rdf8585 on Jul 7, 2008 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Also....

....wouldn’t mind seeing a piece on Jordan Walden. Doesn’t seem to get the prospect hype of the big strikeout guys, but he throws as hard as anyone and he’s quietly putting together a fine year in the Midwest League. Should the relative lack of K’s a concern?

by dkny22 on Jul 7, 2008 12:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jose Vallejo

Any thoughts?

And any predictions for John Whittleman’s future?

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 7, 2008 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

trades

Would love to see your analysis of the prospects traded, or even just seriously talked about during the trade discussions leading up to the 7/31 deadline. I.E., how well, or not, did the Tribe do in trading Sabathia? Who’s likely to be traded for Bedard? Just who is available from the Dodgers? ETC.

by JimBeau on Jul 7, 2008 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am sure I am going to get killed for this but a Lincecum Crystal Ball would be interesting

I am Cameron Wood and this is my son and business partner CW Culberson.

by camwoody on Jul 7, 2008 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tim Alderson and Brett Anderson always seemed to be similar prospects to me – a lefty and righty version of polished high schooler with good but not overpowering stuff. I know we recently had a “Thinking about” thread for Alderson but prospect smackdown between these two would be interesting.

by DeJay on Jul 7, 2008 1:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

how about

Something on Brett Wallace? I’m living in the Quad Cities this summer, and he just got added to the River Bandits roster last week. I’d be interested in your thoughts on him.

by BenB on Jul 7, 2008 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't get used to seeing him there

he’ll probably be in Palm Beach before the end of August :P

boo cubs, hooray beer

by Raconteur on Jul 7, 2008 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Denard Span

Can you do a retrospective on Denard Span. He is having a great season since being called back up from Rochester.

Could you also Detail the other Kids in the Sabathia trade.

"And we'll see you tomoorrow night!" Jack Buck

by Love Twins on Jul 7, 2008 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Alex Gordon

Is it possible he’s going to bust? What the hell is with him?

by 31Boots on Jul 7, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Prospect Retro--- All Star Edition

Man Ram, Chipper, Duchscherer, Aaron Cook, Dempster, Haren, Lidge, Wagner, etc

by sagecoll on Jul 7, 2008 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hrmm..

Perhaps a few prospects retros or thinking abouts on players who interest you, to see how the community reacts to them. I’d also be ok with Galt’s idea, if you just want to take some time off from the site. I know I speak for the community when I say that we all really appreciate your diligence in a really tough personal time.

Other than that, I’d second the idea about something on Denard Span. Perhaps an alternate universe for Matt Murton, where he actually gets playing time. Or, perhaps, something on Rick Ankiel, who’s having a quietly good season (on pace for 35+HR).

How about if you were to select the all-star rosters, whether for the majors or the minors?

Thanks a ton!

by GuyinNY on Jul 7, 2008 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Michael Burgess

Will he be a stud, or will the K’s kill him?

by getupkid82 on Jul 7, 2008 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Very interested in Burgess

by smk1363 on Jul 7, 2008 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+2

Just drafted him so I wouldn’t mind reading a little more on him.

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Jul 7, 2008 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

SS-A guys

any promising guys in the NY PENN League, AZL, and GCL. Some names like Barnese, Flores, etc.

by Bravesin07 on Jul 7, 2008 4:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Another Cahill topic

haha just kidding

ProjectProspect.com - Sullivan10x@yahoo.com

by sully10x on Jul 7, 2008 4:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Indians corner prospects

Considering that LaPorta was primarily a 1B in college, where do you see him, Wes Hodges, Beau Mills, and Andy Marte shaking out over the next couple years for the Indians?

by stokeddaddy on Jul 7, 2008 6:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Prospect Timeline

How about something for some of the best Latin American prospects that maps out a timeline for their ascent to the big leagues? It might be a little boring without some analysis based on scouting reports, but that’s what John does best. Anyway, just thinking out loud with Michel Inoa on the brain (I refuse to call him Michael – asking him to Americanize his name is bush league on the part of the A’s).

by ToddyBaseball on Jul 7, 2008 6:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Has to be Michael...

You got to have a cool or at least decent name to be a star athlete. And being named Michelle (I know it’s spelled Michel) isn’t gonna cut it. That’s a girl’s name.

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Jul 7, 2008 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plenty of great Michaels in baseball history

But no Michels. Let’s collectively get over our raging Americentricism and let him honor the name his parents bestowed upon him at birth.

And Albert Poo-holes says hi.

by ToddyBaseball on Jul 8, 2008 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zach McAllister

or Mark Melancon

http://yankeesmtom.blogspot.com/

by hallofamer2000 on Jul 7, 2008 6:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Michael Saunders

would love to see a piece on Mariners CF prospect Mike Saunders

by smk1363 on Jul 7, 2008 7:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Logan Morrison

Looks to be better than Gamel last year.

ProjectProspect.com - Sullivan10x@yahoo.com

by sully10x on Jul 7, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Scott Campbell

went from low A Lansing last season to AA New Hampshire this season and is hitting roughlt 340. How does he look to you? Would also like to hear your thoughts on Justin Jackson down in lansing?

by JJACK on Jul 7, 2008 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Looks platoon to me

The gap in his splits is huge:

v. RHP he is 382/467/518
v. LHP he is 180/306/246

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Jul 7, 2008 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

whats the sample size against lhp?

regardless he seems to have a good eye at the plate, and is on the right side of the platoon.

by JJACK on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

According to MiLB.com

he has 221 at bats against RHP and 64 against LHP. So it looks like they have been platooning him a bit or pinch hitting for him later in games. Or it could just be that they haven’t faced a lot of LH starters. Either way, it’s not a pretty thing. I agree that he is on the right side of the platoon since it’s RHP he can hit, and I like his numbers overall, I just think he needs to improve against LHP if he wants to become a full-time player. Of course Carlos Delgado and Jim Thome struggle against LHP too and they are multi-millionaire regulars.

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Jul 8, 2008 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A bit off track...

but your insights into Delmon Young’s season would be interesting – his power “struggles”...are they surprising? his defense, about what you expected, etc? Call it, an insight into the early evolution of a highly ranked prospect…Thanks as always John…

by almantle on Jul 7, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs