I listed 9 guys by mistake. Sample is actually No. 10.

I forgot him a bit, but even so he’d somewhere around 12-16 for me. I see Pedroia lite, possibly. He’d be near the top of ny also-rans, but I don’t think he’ll have a lasting impact on our team (SEE: Felix Jose for the definition line, he’s right on it).

He reminds me a little of Chris Tillman – both righties with good, though not terrific stuff who at age 19 did very well in A ball (though Cegarra did better) and then struggled in A+ ball. Tillman strikes out a lot more batters than Cegarra does, though Cegarra has much better control. Also, in the one period when Cegarra faced age appropriate offenses, he struck out a batter per inning. Even when he pitched in A+ ball, he seemed to have a number of good games ruined by being held in too long. What’s most intriguing about Cegarra is his last three starts, when he seems to be putting together a nice run against A+batters – 16 K and 3 BB in 18.2 IP and only 6 ER – not the largest sample size to be sure but a little reminiscent of Tillman’s August last year that convinced a lot of people he might be for real. I don’t know what he’ll become, but I think he’s a very promising prospect

He should definitely make the top ten somewhere, probably in the 6-10 range. I guess that would kick out Bianchi.

I seem to remember a thread on here awhile back showing how rough the Texas League is on pitching prospects during their first run through it. The peripherals have stayed strong, so I’m not worried.

with a 4.23 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. Over his career, his ERA was 4.61, just 0.02 better than the league average ERA during that period, meaning that he was about as close to an average pitcher as you can find. Now, an average pitcher is something of value – by definition, there are quite a few below-average pitchers in the major leagues – but to focus on his 19 wins seems a bit disingenuous.

Shawn Estes is an unusual case in that he had one terrific year in which he also won a lot of games, but over his career he was pretty bad, with an ERA+ of 91. There are worse results than if Blake Wood would become one of them, but it isn’t exactly ideal.

So Royals’ hitting prospects will not succeed because of previous failures? Great logic…

1. Gordon is a lefty. It takes time for lefties to adjust to hitting other lefties…Gordon is crushing righties, if he adjusts, he should be a great hitter. Butler is only 21 and has flashed serious power since his call-up in July…Way too early to consider him a bust.

2. Gordon and Butler were developed under the old regime…Not the Dayton Moore regime…A regime that is widely thought to be one of the best FO’s in the league.

3. Why aren’t Moose and Hosmer as good as Butler or Gordon…Moose is flashing probably the best power bat in the minors in the MWL, while Hosmer was said to be one of the Top 3 HS hitting prospects in the last couple of years.

4. You can’t place all the blame of Gordon and Butler’s shortcomings on the Royals…That is way too simplistic…Dallas McPherson failed in the Angel’s system, but the Angels continue to produce good hitters.

Your argument is fatally flawed and utterly simplistic

Id say they’re damn successful being as young as they are. It looks to me like theyre both on track for pretty good careers here.

If you consider those beginnings to be a “failure” there are many HOFers you would have written off.

To read the other posts regarding this, but this is dumb. Those guys are 22 and 24 respectively…Not everyone is Ryan Braun (not even him this year).

Maybe top ten, but not top five yet. I think it’s now one of the deeper systems in the league, but the extreme majority of the prospects are in the low minors, and that hurts a bit.

As discussed above, alot of the reason his numbers arent impressive is that he’s pitching in a harsh environment that boosts HRs. He still:

1) Has great stuff
2) Is Striking out a lot of guys; and
3) Is allowing less hits than IP

He’s still very impressive, and in fact I would argue his ability to handle the Texas league has helped his stock. He is still walking guys, and because he’s giving up so many HRs his ERA isnt going to impress. Not that many HRs, actually, but league and park effects are hurting him despite good periphs.

Overall Id say his status as a top prospect is right where it was when he began the year. He is on the same track he was when the season began and is looking good. The walks dont bother me at all. Good stuff, missing bats and not giving up hits = looking good.

Ummm, look at the splits, since early season. Look at the league. Clicking on Baseball America stats tells a story, and a misleading one at that. Look at splits and scouting reports too. They might explain why a SP is only allowed to throw certain pitches. Now, go back and look at the numbers AND scouting reports. He’s a step below James McDonald.

His only chance is as a late bloomer, simply because he’s pitched relief, and still can’t cut it….Honestly, his only chance is a Salomon Torres type resurrection. At best, he’ll have a good year or 2.