Discussion Question: Maybin vs. McCutchen

by John Sickels on Aug 24, 2008 11:26 AM EDT

Ok, so at this point who is a better prospect, Cameron Maybin or Andrew McCutchen? I still think Maybin, but is that right? Maybin's physical tools are better than McCutchen, but his strikeout rate is a lot higher. Neither has dominated this year. Maybin's +11 OPS is better than McCutchen's +3, but McCutchen has been playing in the more difficult Triple-A environment.

So, if you could have one or the other for your favorite team's farm system, who would it be and why?

Poll

Who would you rather have for your favorite team's farm system?

Cameron Maybin

694 votes

Andrew McCutchen

470 votes

1164 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 19 comments

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Comments

I haven't gotten to see Maybin this year

but I jsut saw McCut hit a few times vs. David Price and man did he look good.

He didn’t even have that great of a game but his swing was quick and he did such a good job of making hard contact even on outs. There is some power in it too.

At this point I’m thinking his DOWNSIDE is a plus CF and baserunner with an average bat, and hes got the potential to hit alot more than that too

by nms on Aug 24, 2008 1:38 PM EDT 0 recs

I'll take McCutchen

I’m just too fearful of Maybin never hitting better than .250 in the bigs. Yes, he has good IsoDISP, and yes, he has great power, but even a sabermetrician has to be worried about a .278 AVG propped up by a BABIP in the .370’s.

And his 31% K rate is not going anywhere but up once he reaches the bigs.
It’s impossible to succeed with that kind of skill set without incredible tools. Luckily, Maybin has them, but unless he has a once in a decade (think Jose Reyes) discipline upgrade, it’s not going to happen.

McCutch has nearly as much upside and a much higher floor. He really impressed me at the Futures game…

I'll warm up with you anytime

by ufoboy90 on Aug 24, 2008 5:10 PM EDT 0 recs

Plate discipline

Maybin has 56 walks in 101 games. In an MLB season that would put him on pace for 85 walks which is VERY good.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Aug 24, 2008 6:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

I take Daryl Jones over both of them

Walks more than both, has stolen as many bases, K’s significantly less than Maybin, hit for more pop than McCutchen. Nearly 3/4 of a year younger than Cutch, 3 months younger than Maybin.

by Bravesin07 on Aug 24, 2008 8:05 PM EDT 0 recs

walks less, my mistake

by Bravesin07 on Aug 24, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up 0 recs

Didn’t you just rate McCutchen and Maybin the 5th and 7th best OF prospects with Jones not in the top 10 in the other thread ?

by bigboy1234 on Aug 24, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

Really Braves?

Because just a few days ago you posted this:

1)Rasmus
2)Heyward
3)Jackson
4)Fowler
5)McCutchen
6)Stanton
7)Maybin
8)LaPorta-DH in the making, knocks the rank down
9)Snider-DH in the making, knocks the rank down
10)Saunders

Where was Jones on your list?

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Aug 24, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

mistake on my part for that, I would rank Jones #4 on that list

by Bravesin07 on Aug 24, 2008 8:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

Maybin

Maybin’s strikeout splits are eerily similar to that of Eric Davis’. Whiffs a lot against right-handers. Not the worst problem to have for a quick, compact power stroke. By 2010 he’s going to be a legit five-tool big-leaguer, and a potential three-hitter. McCutchen projects to someday be one of the better lead-off hitters in baseball, but I think his all-around tools can’t touch Maybin.

by StickRat on Aug 24, 2008 8:23 PM EDT 0 recs

I know most people are going to argue that it should clearly be one or the other.

by alskor on Aug 24, 2008 8:48 PM EDT 0 recs

BUT

Although I think its Maybin, I think its a pretty close call.

by alskor on Aug 24, 2008 8:49 PM EDT 0 recs

Maybin tops McCutchen

Although many naysayers would criticize Maybin for his high K rate and McCutchen for his lack of HRs, both players are still refining their raw skills (drafted out of HS) and should continue to make the necessary adjustments going forward.

My nod goes to Maybin for his physical size and plus power which McCutchen lacks.

by bryeic on Aug 24, 2008 10:22 PM EDT 0 recs

+ 1

2010 can't come soon enough

by deportesfan on Aug 24, 2008 11:43 PM EDT 0 recs

Nice

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Aug 25, 2008 2:56 AM EDT up 0 recs

+1

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Aug 25, 2008 4:55 AM EDT up 0 recs

Vote surprising

The vote strikes me as surprising, considering Maybin is winning a good amount.

Although it’s within a few players, most of the rankings lists I view have McCutchen over Maybin.

by barlow078 on Aug 25, 2008 7:39 AM EDT 0 recs

Maybin

It comes down to tools and potential here. Maybin has more than McCutchen.

Go Pirates!!!

by cool hand Charlie on Aug 25, 2008 11:02 AM EDT 0 recs

Upside versus Probability for me

I see red flags and upside with both, but to me, McCutchen looks like he’s going to be a Marquis Grisson type player (which is very good if you remember his early years), while Maybin has more potential for full-on stardom. I think McCutchen is more likely to fulfill that potential, but I still take Maybin’s upside.

by aap212 on Aug 25, 2008 5:54 PM EDT 0 recs