Last year's rookies-top community prospects for future performance #4

by Dalman on Nov 14, 2009 2:01 AM EST Comment 20 comments

After two consecutive rounds in which Brett Anderson had narrowly outpolled McCutchen as others won the polls, this time Andrew McCutchen narrowly outpolls Brett Anderson- 33% to 30% and so is the third best prospect for future performance among last year's rookies

1. Matt Wieters, C Baltimore

2. Tommy Hanson, P Atlanta

3. Andrew McCutchen, OF Pittsburgh

David Price and Colby Rasmus go back on the poll this round. We'll also give Rick Porcello a try and take a bit of a flier with Kyle Blanks, who barely exceeded the rookie limit, but did it with quite a bang.

Chris Coghlan, Chris Tillman, and Matt Laporta all got less than 5% of the vote and are being dropped for the moment, although in the case of Tillman and Laporta they will definitely be back very soon, probably next round.

temporarily dropped because of low support: Travis Snider 2% (2), Cameron Maybin 0% (2), Chris Tillman 4% (3), Matt Laporta 4% (3), Chris Coghlan 1% (4)

Among those likely to be tested in the next two rounds are Trevor Cahill, Jeff Niemann, and Mat Latos in addition to bringing back Laporta and Tillman. Other suggestions greatly appreciated.

Poll

Who is the best prospect for future major league performance among the following players, who used up their rookie eligibility in 2009?

Brett Anderson, P Oakland

73 votes

Gordon Beckham, 3b CHW

36 votes

Elvis Andrus, ss Texas

7 votes

Dexter Fowler, OF Colorado

5 votes

Rick Porcello, P Detroit

10 votes

David Price, P Tampa Bay

6 votes

Colby Rasmus, of, St. Louis

7 votes

Kyle Blanks, of San Diego

5 votes

149 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 20 comments

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Comments

anderson

potential front of the rotation lefties are hard to find, and he’s coming off an excellent rookie campaign. If I had to pick a number 2, I’d go Andrus, as his defense is that good and he should get a bit better offensively.

by toonsterwu on Nov 14, 2009 3:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Michael Saunders.

Can’t be any worse than he was last year.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Nov 14, 2009 4:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh oops. I think Saunders is still rookie eligible. So nevermind.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Nov 14, 2009 4:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brett Gardner

Obviously, a lot of people are still ahead of him, but he needs to be add a bit later on. Great season until the injury. Pretty bad in September though.

by sjkqw on Nov 14, 2009 9:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ricky Romero too

by sjkqw on Nov 14, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and Derek Holland

"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.

by Kinslerhomer on Nov 14, 2009 7:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

On Holland and Romero.

by alskor on Nov 14, 2009 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brett Gardner. C'mon dude. He's already hit his ceiling with a .724 OPS.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Nov 14, 2009 10:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

terrific defender though

shouldn’t be on the list yet. could be a very solid player.

baseball rules.

by doublestix on Nov 15, 2009 2:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

anderson

I pick him just over Beckham. Being a lefty helps a lot, but he should be a solid arm for Oakland in the future. He, Cahill, and some of the other prospects will dominate.

by sjkqw on Nov 14, 2009 9:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Fowler

seems really early for him to be getting double digits. Questions about his defense and power right now . . . I think he’s a long-term regular, but Rasmus looks more like a future all-star right now.

by gogotabata on Nov 14, 2009 10:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Are we really...

taking Travis Snider off of the list while Kyle Blanks is getting votes? I’d love to hear a defense of that.

by PissedMick on Nov 14, 2009 11:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

someone noted this on the other thread...

but i would take Mat Latos as the next pitcher before daivd price and rick porcello..

by matthewmafa on Nov 14, 2009 12:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm a bit puzzled by this

Anderson had a great rookie season, but Beckham’s about as close to a surefire star as you can get. .800 OPS from a 22-year-old rookie about to shift to 2B where his defensive tools will play up in a big way? I think Anderson’s going to be a great pitcher, but Beckham’s a better bet.

by slamcactus on Nov 14, 2009 12:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'll take an ace over a great-hitting 2B.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Nov 14, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I won't.

Their upside projection is comparable, and even the very best pitchers fall off a cliff. In terms of pure value added to the team, i think there’s about an 85% chance Beckham compiles more wins over his career than Anderson. Great hitters who don’t have old player skills are just a much, much better bet than a young starting pitcher with a good scouting profile and 1 quality major league season under his belt. Even if Anderson’s career works out, the life expectancy of a frontline starter is about half what you can expect out of someone like Beckham.

by slamcactus on Nov 15, 2009 2:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Anderson may not even turn out to be as good as Porcello when their careers are over.

"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 Nov 15, 2009 9:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He might not, 20 years from now. Sure.

But RIGHT NOW, he’s already significantly better. The best way to predict future performance is by evaluating current performance.

by PissedMick on Nov 15, 2009 10:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

just testing a few

it seemed pretty clear that Anderson was way ahead of Snider, Tillman and Laporta in the voting, giving those three no chance to win this round, so it was just a chance to try out a few guys who probably are at the edge of belonging at the moment.. Unless there is strong sentiment otherwise I am thinking of Latos as the add, and bringing back Tillman, Snider and Laporta next round. Other thoughts?

by Dalman on Nov 14, 2009 12:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs