Prospect Profile: Tyler Flowers

by John Sickels on Sep 19, 2008 2:56 PM EDT Comment 15 comments

Tyler Flowers was drafted by the Braves in the 33rd round in 2005, a draft-and-follow pick out of Chipola Junior College. He signed in 2006, hit .279/.373/.465 for Danville in the Appalachian League, then tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. I didn't put him in the 2007 book, but would have rated him a Grade C prospect, a guy with offensive potential but a big question mark over his head. How would he do without the juice?

Flowers missed much of the first half of 2007 due to his suspension, but when he came back he played well for Rome in the Sally League, hitting .298/.378/.488 with 34 doubles, 12 homers, 49 walks, and 74 strikeouts in 389 at-bats. Defensive reviews were mixed. A knee injury kept him at first base much of the season, but Braves officials were optimistic about his defense long-term. I gave him a Grade C+ in the 2008 book but noting that he "had some breakout potential."

2008 was a strong season: he hit .288/.427/.494 with 17 homers, 98 walks, and 102 strikeouts for Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League. Obviously I love the walks, and his strikeouts aren't out of bounds for a young power hitter. His overall production was quite impressive at +27 percent OPS compared to league. He was consistent from month to month, until a massive August hot streak (.355/.474/.671) ended his season on a positive note. He did show a strong platoon split, 1.042 OPS against lefties, .885 against right-handers, but I'm not overly worried about that. On defense, he threw out 28% of runners attempting to steal. He also made 12 errors and allowed 11 passed balls, so he's got some work to do polishing up the defensive skills.

Flowers will move to Double-A in 2009. I'd rate him a Grade B prospect at a minimum right now, and am considering a Grade B+.

0 recs | Comment 15 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Doubt he sticks at catcher

As a Braves fan, I’d love it because that would significantly drive up his value. As an objective observer, I very much doubt that he ends up behind the plate. Plainly, he’s just too big. I know people get real defensive when that reason is used but the man is pushing 250 lbs and has already had serious knee problems. The chances of him sticking at a position that kills your knees just doesn’t seem likely. Still, I think he’s got the bat for first base or maybe he could move to left.

by was385 on Sep 19, 2008 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I dont think

that he’s too big. I saw him play in August and was actually surprised at what he looked like. To me, he looked fit and would even add a bit to his frame. As a reference, he’s listed 6’4" 220. The eye test for me thought it was accurate. McCann is listed at 6’3" 230. He looks heavier and shorter than that to me. Also, what about someone like Wieters? He’s just as big.

by benzalman on Sep 19, 2008 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

listed as 245

at milb.com

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Tyler%20Flowers&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=452095

and here’s a pic of him I shot in spring training (that is much bigger than 220).

http://flickr.com/photos/22484308@N07/2363123090/

Again, it’s not just that he’s that big. It’s that he’s that big and he’s already had a serious knee injury. Catcher’s have knee issues, that’s just how it is, and having that much weight significantly increases the pressure on the joints.

by was385 on Sep 19, 2008 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

B+

Seems a bit aggressive for a guy who may or may not stick at catcher. I would even think B was a strong, aggressive grade. He’s definitely a nice young catching prospect, but I would place him behind say Wilson Ramos and even Travis D’Arnaud on my own depth chart.

by gogotabata on Sep 19, 2008 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He is easily a top 5 catching prospect

If he stays there. His power is just unreal to go with the walks. He is going to hit for more power than he’s even shown. He is a big guy and can play 1B. I think he’s a 30 homer guy in the majors down the road. Im quite bullish on him. I am not sure if the Braves will have room with him but if Kotchman falters he could be the guy in 2010.

by bravitos5122 on Sep 19, 2008 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Flowers or Freeman?

Whom would you want to see at first base? I think Freeman will face a signifcant test at Myrtle Beach next year; I guess we’ll see what he’s made of. It would appear that Kala Ka’aihue is fading.

by royshowell on Sep 19, 2008 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Freeman

Much bigger upside.

by aCone419 on Sep 22, 2008 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And...

…he’s a full three years younger.

by royshowell on Sep 23, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Flowers

Flowers had one of the most impressive seasons at the Beach in recent memory. I agree that he has the chance to hit 30 HRs in the majors. That said, Brian McCann is the biggest reason why Flowers will need to move off the position. I think that B+ is a fair grade—but I wonder if he has the mobility to play LF. At this point, I am not sure the Braves know what to do with him. By the way, given McCann’s long term contract and Flowers 2008 breakout season, it would not surprise me to see the Braves trade him this winter—but only for a top quality player. I certainly hope that it doesn’t happen and that we see him in Atlanta by 2010….

by Stephen in the UAE on Sep 20, 2008 5:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Max Ramirez

Who would you take of Flowers vs Ramirez?

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

by mckeeno on Sep 20, 2008 12:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Flowers

Max Ramirez is a great bat, but everything that I have read suggests that he is defensive liability….

by Stephen in the UAE on Sep 21, 2008 1:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Flowers!

B+ is selling Flowers SHORT. Gogotabata is either a Mets fan, and/or has never seen Flowers play.

I’ve seen him over 15 times just this season, and let me tell you, Flowers is a BEAST. I mean an absolute on-base machine and he’s got power to boot. The fact that he can play and stick at the C if the Braves had room makes him an A+ prospect. If he’s moved to 1B or LF, he’s still an A prospect, given his age. Remember- he put up numbers just short of Matt Wieters and is only a month older than Wieters (I know Wieters put up even sicker numbers at one level higher- so Wieters is clearly in another class, but I’m just throwing that out for comp’s sake). Wieters is a top 5 prospect in all of baseball… Flowers should be top 50 easy.

He had a .430+ OBP for god sakes.. Flowers is a future .900 OPS bat in the majors. and that gets a B+?? WTF????

by phoenixscienter on Sep 21, 2008 9:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rose Flowered colored glasses....

I think gogotabata is right, it actually seems like you are the one who may be a little off base. You say Flowers is an “A+” prospect, but then admit he may only be a Top 50 guy. What kind of grade do you give the forty plus prospects in front of him? A+++?

Hitting in A-ball is much different than hitting in the majors, and it’s not like every catcher who can hit A-ball pitching goes on to put up a 900 OPS in The Show. If Flowers doesn’t make it, he won’t be the first, and he won’t be the last. Actually, the way I see it, the fact that he is a catcher right now makes it even harder for him. It seems more catchers stagnate than any other position (other than starting pitcher of course because of sheer numbers). But lucky for him, there is very little chance of him staying at catcher. He likely moves to 1B I think. And as a 1B, he is far from an A+ prospect. Even if he has a 900 OPS in the majors, as a 1B, it’s not that special. Nick Markakis has a 900 OPS right now, if he were a 1B, would he be a top one?

Let’s see Flowers make the Double A Transition before everyone starts sucking each other’s lollipops over him. I think he deserves a B grade as well. Giving an A grade to a low minors kid who probably has less than a 50% chance of being a successful major leaguer just isn’t a wise idea.

"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 Sep 21, 2008 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm pretty sure there are only 3 possible outcomes for flowers

if he’s an elite hitter, he’ll be an above average 1B.

if he’s a good hitter, he’ll be an above average C.

if he’s neither, he won’t make it, but that’s true for just about any prospect. i think the odds are about 50% that he’ll be a successful ML hitter, but i also think the odds are much higher that he’ll be a productive major league player.

ANATOMY OF ERA:
Variables Don't; Constants Aren't

by variablesdont on Sep 21, 2008 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs