Prospect Comparison

by Grudyfan on Aug 1, 2008 7:48 PM EDT

Prospect A (5'8, 160) AAA (Age 25): .312/.376/.509 16 SB/6CS

Prospect B (6'1, 163) AA/AAA (Age 25): .297/.346/.393 54 SB/17CS

I've often compared Prospect B to a possible Prospect A - Chone Figgins is Prospect A and Eugenio Velez is Prospect B. Both were seen as C+ type prospects throughout their time in the minors with the potential to be good utility players. Figgins has definitely reached that mark, becoming one of his own breed of super-subs for the Angels, while Velez has initially struggled in developing into that role.

Over their minor league careers, Velez actually hit for a higher average and slugged for a higher percentage (.295/.450 to .273/.384) while their OBPs have been nearly identical (.342 to .346). Both players played a variety of positions and excellent speed was their best tool, but my question for the community is do you think Velez has a decent shot in turning into a Figgins type player at the major league level? He really struggled when initially given the Giants' starting second base job, getting demoted when his average was barely above the Mendoza line. Velez did do very well in AAA, posting a line of .310/.372/.509 with 13 SB in 42 games leading to him being recalled a couple weeks ago by the parent club, but his time in the lineup has been relegated to mainly pinch-hitting duties.

WIth the glut of mediocre middle infield prospects in San Fran (Burriss, Bocock, Frandsen) can he do enough to distance himself from the pack or at least attain a regular supersub position? I've never had the chance to see Velez live, so any input from those who have would be greatly appreciated.

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Very average

he’s no Figgins.

by METSMETSMETS on Aug 1, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions

as someone who watches nearly every Giants game, Velez looked really bad after his 1st 2 weeks in the bigs, he seems to have very very poor baseball instincts, mostly on defense and on the basepaths. He got picked-off so many times that when he’d beat the throw to 1st on a weak grounder hit to the left side, I wouldn’t even get psyched about it because I knew he was gonna get picked-off immediately, and he would. I like his speed, and despite his rail thin physique, he’s got good gap-to-gap power. his terrible defense is what makes it hard to put him in the line-up, but if he can improve that and somehow learn to read pitchers pick-off moves better, I like him as a super-sub for the Giants. dude needs to eat some food tho, he really resembles starvin Marvin at times

I wanted to adopt, but all the good looking babies were taken

by joeytothelimit on Aug 1, 2008 9:22 PM EDT reply actions

Yep.
He lacks polish overall, though he still is an interesting prospect.I suspect he’ll learn how to read pitcher decently, and has already improved in that (though he’s improved from wretched to below average, and thus obviously has a way to go).

His defense is what worries me more, as he seems rather lost in any of the infield positions, and to be a super sub, he’d have to become adequate.

by haverecords on Aug 3, 2008 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I Fell into the Velez Trap!

I took him in a VERY deep league thinking he would be a spot starter/stolen base threat and backup at two or three spots much like a poor man’s version of Chone. Obviously, it didn’t work out so well!. I think Velez could still be useful, but he really needs to log a lot of games and gain more experience. Figgins had about 1,000 more minor league than Velez before making his debut to hone his craft.

Mike Newman
baseballhandyman.blogspot.com

by Baseball Handyman on Aug 2, 2008 8:40 AM EDT reply actions