Texas Rangers Top 20 Prospects List for 2010
by John Sickels on Jan 6, 2010 9:32 PM EST
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PrintTop 20 Texas Rangers Prospects for 2010
All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don't get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get beyond the Top 10. Grade C+/C guys are pretty interchangeable depending on what you want to emphasize. Complete reports on these and over 1,000 other players will be in the 2010 Baseball Prospect Book, now available for pre-order, shipping on February 2nd!
1) Neftali Feliz, RHP, Grade A: He's really, really, really good. Only questions going forward are what role he plays, and the standard concerns about injuries since he's a young pitcher.
2) Justin Smoak, 1B, Grade A-: I'm not too worried about what happened in Triple-A, given everything else he's done. Still expect him to become an All-Star first baseman.
3) Martin Perez, LHP, Grade A-: Could be a left-handed version of Feliz if all goes well. Expectations are lofty, but so is the talent.
4) Tanner Scheppers, RHP, Grade B+: Borderline A-. I'd make him an A-, but I still worry that the shoulder problems will recur. His ceiling is terrific and he could be number one next year if he stays healthy.
5) Wilmer Font, RHP, Grade B: Another very high ceiling arm, could be B+ or even A- with another year of development.
6) Michael Main, RHP, Grade B: The numbers don't support this, but he gets an injury mulligan due to the weird virus thing and I believe in his stuff.
7) Mitch Moreland, 1B-OF, Grade B-: I don't know how they fit him into the lineup, but I think the bat is legitimate. I like him better than most other analysts.
8) Kasey Kiker, LHP, Grade B-: A few command refinements and he could really take off. I think he's a bit underrated by some people, and yes I have seen him in person. I know reports of his velocity being down have folks spooked, but it's still in there. Read this scouting report.
9) Robbie Ross, LHP, Grade B-: Potent ground ball/strikeout combination. Another breakout candidate.
10) Danny Gutierrez, RHP, Grade C+: I really like this guy as a pitcher, but worry that he won't stay healthy. Off-field makeup problems seem pretty bad, too.
11) Engel Beltre, OF, Grade C+: Terrific tools but at some point he has to start living up to all the hype. I respect his youth and potential but remain skeptical that he'll live up to it, and as a result I won't put him in the top ten.
12) Guillermo Moscoso, RHP, Grade C+: I like this guy a lot, and he's ready to help now. Another underrated talent.
13) Max Ramirez, C, Grade C+: Grade gets knocked back some due to defense and durability concerns but I still think he'll hit enough to help someone.
14) Miguel Velazquez, OF, Grade C+: There are makeup concerns here but he's got the tools and he performed well in the Northwest League. Need higher level data and another year of makeup stability.
15) Omar Poveda, RHP, Grade C+: Looks like an inning-eater type. Worried about low strikeout rate.
16) Blake Beavan, RHP, Grade C+ Another low strikeout guy, throws strikes, still very young.
17) Carlos Pimentel, RHP, Grade C+: Another guy who seems underrated to me, could take another step forward in '10.
18) Robbie Erlin, LHP, Grade C+: Intriguing high school arm from '09 draft, but need to see more from higher levels.
19) Tommy Mendonca, 3B, Grade C+: Enormous power. . .but can he control the strike zone against better pitching?
20) Vince DiFazio, C, Grade C+: Very good pro debut from 2009 draft sleeper.
OTHERS (Grade C): Richard Alvarez, RHP; Mike Bianucchi, OF; Richard Bleier, LHP; Wilfredo Boscan, RHP; Andrew Doyle, RHP; Edwin Escobar, LHP; Craig Gentry, OF; Kennil Gomez, RHP; Michael Kirkman, LHP; Marcus Lemon, INF; Zack Phillips, LHP; Jurickson Profar, SS; Neil Ramirez, RHP; Luis Sardinas, SS; Ben Snyder, LHP; Pedro Strop, RHP; Tomas Telis, C; Matt Thompson, RHP, Braden Tullis, RHP; Joe Wieland, RHP.
Several of the Grade Cs have the potential to be much higher a year from now. 2009 international signees Profar and Sardinas get great reviews for their tools, but until we get some pro data for them I'm hesitant to put them on lists like this. International signees are getting more and more attention over the last couple of seasons. I applaud this trend in the press, but ranking a 16 year old accurately is very difficult, absent any objective data. If you want to give guys like Profar and Sardinas a Grade C+ and put them somewhere in the 15-20 range you can do that, but I've seen too many of these kind of players fizzle out to get any more aggressive than that. At least give me some rookie ball numbers.
Pitching is the cornerstone of this farm system. Feliz, Perez, and Scheppers all have number one starter ability and are ranked accordingly. Beyond them are a bunch of other live arms...I like Kiker a lot, Main seems a good bet for a rebound, Font is a potential B+/A- guy a year from now, and there are plenty of arms beyond them, both projectable/arm strength types and inning-eater guys.
Things are thinner on the hitting side. I still expect Justin Smoak to be an impact guy despite his problems at Oklahoma City. Mitch Moreland's bat is legitimate even if scouts still downplay his tools. Max Ramirez is more problematic...he just didn't look right this year, but he hit for power in winter ball and if the wrist is OK I think he'll rebound. Engel Beltre....yes, I know scouts love him and he's young and he's toolsy but his plate discipline remains so bad, I have doubts. He's not a top ten for me at this point given his performance.
Overall, this remains an elite farm system, with an outstanding balance of current production and long-term upside. Some of the C+/C guys could be B/B+ or even A- a year from now. Rangers fans have plenty to look forward to.
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What are your thoughts on Tomas Telis?
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Rather
with his successes @ Rookie ball and the NW League (and the dominican leagues last year), why isn’t he higher?
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
He's supposed to be a bad body guy too
by BrosbeforeShaincoes on Jan 6, 2010 9:51 PM EST up reply actions
Catchers can have bad bodies. Most do, actually.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
John
Do you worry about Smoak’s lack of power so far? Some within the Rangers prospect evaluation community have expressed a belief that he’s much closer to Overbay than to Teixeira. Agree or disagree?
lack of power
can possibly be attributed to the oblique strain he was battling this season.
JOSH THOLE > carlos santana
This was his first full pro season too
besides the injury. He made it AAA, and he was a machine before the injury in AA (which is where, again, he started his first full pro season).
also
I feel that if you watch this guy you can tell right away power isnt gonna be an issue for him. He’s not a top notch raw power type, but he’s got plenty.
http://www.prospecttube.com/main/search/search?q=smoak
He also does so while maintaining a very high AVG. He doesnt sacrifice contact for power too much, his power is natural product of his swing. He’s also a switch hitter, so platoon splits shouldnt be an issue either. Also, pretty adept in the field, not a big plodder. There’s really just a ton to like about Justin Smoak. One of the best hitters in the minors.
Another thing
His line drive rates were phenomenal. Minor-league batted ball data is sketchy, but what we have suggests terrific, solid contact.
Profar, Ramirez, Thompson, Gomez, Telis, Sardinas, Wieland all have a lot of upside.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
Which one has most upside?
Any have #1 starter potential?
by Jordan Tuwiner on Jan 6, 2010 9:51 PM EST up reply actions
Ramirez does
Wieland, Gomez and Thompson probably #2 ceilings
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
So besides Ramirez, Wieland, Gomez and Thompson are pitchers right?
by Jordan Tuwiner on Jan 6, 2010 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, all those are pitchers.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
Profar Probably
But he is a position player
by BrosbeforeShaincoes on Jan 6, 2010 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
SS
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
I really don't know much about him
Baseball America ranked him as the 15th best amateur available in Latin America this year. He’s a switch-hitter so that profiles to have good power for the position. Wish I could tell you more.
by BrosbeforeShaincoes on Jan 6, 2010 9:58 PM EST up reply actions
Possible Andrus/Escobar/Castro type?
by Jordan Tuwiner on Jan 6, 2010 10:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
A bit more power
(for what it’s worth as a freakin 16, going on 17 y.o.)
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Too early to tell
though reports are he has a strong arm and the Rangers people seem to like his power potential (for a SS, at least I guess.) There’s just not that much info yet.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
It just amazes me how little Castro/Escobar/Andrus signed for
I wish my Orioles would take some shots on those guys. I recently wrote an article on how the orioles need to spend more on international guys and I was amazed how little Feliz, Perez and others cost to sign. Yeah there is risk, but still worth it.
by Jordan Tuwiner on Jan 6, 2010 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
It's All Chance
You need a good scouting department, not the money in order to get players.
Hey guys, I run a music blog. alternative, powerpop, punk, electronica, screamo, etc etc, check it out. http://muzikdizcovery.blogspot.com/ artist interviews and many other stuff. free cookies! (not really, but still) :D
kiker
He was throwing 90-94 when I saw him. Plenty of velocity and movement. Problem was his release point wandering.
I charted all of Frisco's home games this year.
For the most part, he sat at 87-89 with occasional bursts into the low-90s.
I only saw 1 game where his fastball was consistently over 90, even hitting 96 at one point. I guess you caught him on a good day.
Is that why
He’s projected as a reliever? There’s some thought that the role would settle his velocity disparity?
I think that idea is based on him being to have a more consistent velocity.
His upper limit velocity is still pretty high, but as a starter he doesn’t really seem to get anywhere near it aside from an occasional pitch here and there.
The idea is that, as a reliever, he can just go out there at 100%, presumably back in the 93-95 MPH range, which should enhance his promising change up.
This is the same as I saw
Caught about 3 kiker starts and I rarely saw the scouts guns go above 90. Pretty consistently in the range you mentioned
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
very glad
to see him higher than some of the rangers “fans” out there.
by auclairkeithbc on Jan 6, 2010 9:50 PM EST up reply actions
kiker
the other thing for kiker is that i think people are expecting every rangers ptiching prospect to be Neftali.
walks
i agree about the walks…that’s why he’s a B-.
But i know what I saw in tulsa…the velocity is still in there somewhere.
Oh, I agree that it's in there somewhere.
I just don’t think he can go to it often enough to be an effective starter at the Major League level.
kiker
I put a link to the observations I made of him in august.
by John Sickels on Jan 6, 2010 10:04 PM EST up reply actions
True,
the other thing for kiker is that i think people are expecting every rangers ptiching prospect to be Neftali.
We r so enriched in very good pitching prospects that we expect them all to be at that level of intensity. If it means having him pitch in the pen to increase his velocity so be it. He should become at least a serviceable and cheap pen option that can come in and change a game I believe.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
From everything i've read...
He is one of the most intense pitchers out there, if we are talking about his persona. I don’t think he is destined for the bullpen. I know there is a logjam for Rangers SPs, so the natural tendency is to knock the guys you like least, and call them future bullpen guys. Remember, trades happen, injuries happen, life happens. He is a good SP prospect, playing pretty young for his level. Maybe he’ll be moved to the bullpen if the Rangers have specific needs, but that isn’t the ideal thing.
by auclairkeithbc on Jan 7, 2010 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
I'd call Kiker a reliever at this point
no matter who else was in the system.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Yep
he is an angry little guy out there.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 8, 2010 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
Why don't you like Strop?
Look at his numbers as the year progressed.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
My question is did you stop at 20 with the C+'s
and there are more left or is there exactly 20 C+’s in the Rangers system
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
Where would Matt Purke
have ranked on this list?
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
depends
depends….if we got some rookie ball data out of him and it was good, maybe a B+. If no data, maybe just a b.
Still hurts a little to read his name…
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on Jan 6, 2010 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
Its gonna hurt when Pomeranz (sp?)
gets drafted, though some guys say I’m going to school don’t draft me and they still get drafted just for a chance, not sure if he was one of these guys or not.
by groundingout on Jan 6, 2010 10:51 PM EST up reply actions
Ranaudo and Pomeranz
back to back rounds. THat 2007 draft would have been nuts.
Pomeranz was actually announced as signed before the deadline, but it was retracted. Kind of like the Matt Purke fiasco, but hurt 10 times less.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
let's just stop bringing up that name
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I'm totally agreed with your assessment of Beltre...
Which is why I’m wondering why he’s still in front of Moscoso, at least. Based on what you said, it seems like he should be back among the other C+’s who’re young but have problems to overcome/rebound from, like Beavan and Poveda.
If the Rangers were in the playoffs... the soundtrack could be one long continuous fart, and I would love it. - cmkelly
beltre
you can make a case to have him as low as 20. ultimately i decided to cut him a little slack…but just a little.
Font
Would you say Font actually has the most upside of anyone in their farm?
Weight
Were the reports on his conditioning positive? I’ve read that has been an issue in the past
by BrosbeforeShaincoes on Jan 6, 2010 9:56 PM EST up reply actions
Yes
He showed a lot more maturity this year on and off the field per the Rangers people.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
Who would be 21-25?
I agree with you on Beltre. It is time to learn how to use those tools. He likely has the biggest bust potential.
|Space for Rent|
How many guys on this list did you think have the potential to be B+/A's?
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
potential
POTENTIALLY including the ones who already are, probably 20 of them COULD end up as B+ or higher eventually.
AJM was, anyway
He had it linked over on LSB within 8 minutes of you posting it.
If the Rangers were in the playoffs... the soundtrack could be one long continuous fart, and I would love it. - cmkelly
Twitter also really helps
"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 Jan 6, 2010 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
huh?
"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 Jan 6, 2010 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
Ah.. thats right but I'm sure he was really eager before too.
"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 Jan 6, 2010 10:26 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, you bet.
These are exciting days to follow the Rangers system.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
+1 MM
"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 Jan 6, 2010 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
Texas
also happens to be the only org that neither BA nor BP has ranked yet.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 6, 2010 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
What do you know about FL WR Riley Cooper?
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
actually he is only commited to the Sr Bowl and the combine
and is not guaranteed to the the NFL.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
He has already said so recently
he is looked at as a 4th/5th rounder right now and may instead stick with baseball.
A lost depends on how much he likes baseball and how he looks in the combine
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
I'm to the point I'd rather see him go to the NFL and put that 250K into the hands of Leo Perdomo.
or take a flier on DePaula
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
He kind of comes off as a douche
and he apparently can’t hit.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
and he apparently can’t hit.
Got the tools, just hasn’t had enough time to polish it into production. His odds of working out as a baseball player are pretty low, but can’t blame the Rangers for giving it a shot.
Being that he's already 22
his tools would have to be pretty outstanding for that kind of commitment.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
They are
He’d be one of the most physically gifted WRs in this year’s draft. Not your standard issue Joe-Jurevicious-type white wideout.
then why the 5th round projection?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jan 7, 2010 3:47 AM EST up reply actions
Inconsistent
Based on the indications I’ve gotten from the draft websites. He doesn’t run the greatest routes, and his hands aren’t as sure as you’d like. I haven’t seen a full scouting report for him, though… those tend to come out closer to March-April.
Found a scouting report
This one actually projects him as a 2nd or 3rd rounder. If that’s the case, bye bye baseball.
if you think
that kid is one of the most physically gifted wide receivers in college football, you don’t watch much college football.
by richieabernathy on Jan 7, 2010 9:43 AM EST up reply actions
Admittedly, I don't
I get no joy out of watching college FB. A game between the Lions and Rams would feature better overall skill than CFB’s National Championship game.
I do, however, read tons of draft content. Evaluators seem very high on Cooper’s talent.
You mean the $250K commitment?
It’s really not that much in the scheme of things. Purke wasn’t signed, and I think Cooper was at least a little bit of a hedge against that happening. Cooper’s got the tools to be an above-average Major League outfielder, but with a great deal less polish than your average aforementioned 22 year old college hitter. I don’t think anyone thought he would turn into a great prospect immediately or within the next year or two, but he’s got potential. It wasn’t a bad investment, especially since the money comes back if he chooses football.
I hear he hits the curve like Drew Henson.
Do like the hell out of his athleticism. Also liked Donald Harris’ as well.
"Ho visto il tuo agire, non solo rendono per me. Basta un sacco di fluff".
I think we could use a douche or two
we got rid of the biggest in the history of the franchise…need to fill the empty tanks back up
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jan 7, 2010 3:47 AM EST up reply actions
Wow. We were jumping on this thread within 10 minutes after it posted.
A little bored right now, are we Ranger fans?
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Do you want to discuss Mike Leach again?
Because we certainly can for the 8th time.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
heh
"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 Jan 6, 2010 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
Naw. How about let's discuss josey or goyo.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Can we pull the statistics on which LSBers have posted here the most?
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
will it be an ode to sheets?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jan 7, 2010 3:48 AM EST up reply actions
The Rangers also just signed 16 y.o. LHP Victor Payano
whom the Red Sox almost signed.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
John Sickels
What was your take on the Mike Lowell to Texas for Max Ramirez trade that fell through?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
I get really excited about the A's system until I see what the Rangers have.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jan 6, 2010 10:24 PM EST reply actions
At least it's not the Angels.
I’d much rather the A’s lose out to Texas. I just despise the Angels organization. Can’t stand Scoscia, hate how they handle certain prospects, don’t like their style of ball. And listening to their announcers (who I think I heard were let go) makes listening to Hawk Harrelson seem like the best thing in the world. The Rangers don’t offend my baseball sensibilities in the least.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jan 7, 2010 3:09 AM EST up reply actions
Announcers
Hudler and Physioc were let go. Rory Markus was our main TV announcer and he just died on Monday. Would you like to make some unkind words about Adenhart as well?
In Arte I Trust.
Profar
I’m surprised to see him not rated as high
I just got on twitter.Follow me at http://twitter.com/JDSussman
I'll be trying to post lines and analysis as much as possible.
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
Profar
The level of variance there will be huge. Most have no idea who he is, but Newberg had him 6th, as I recall, and Kevin Goldstein has hunted to being high as a supercharged kite on him.
I can't imagine him being any higher than C+
Putting him at 6 is down right silly. This is a guy, who by all reports from the pre-signing IFA coverage, was a much better pitching prospect who only is a SS because he absolutely refused to pitch. Even if those are wrong, and he’s the best signing of the season, C+ is the same grade the ostensible best IFA Miguel Sano got.
100 comments within the 1st hour...
Who says no one follow the Rangers?
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
Main v. Gutierrez
Gutierrez ranks a C+ because of injury proneness. Why not Main?
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Just asking John his opinion and to clarify.
This has been discussed ad nauseum at lonestarball and lonestardugout.
My opinion is that John has them ranked about how I would rank them. I’d probably give Gutierrez a B-.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
I would actually give Gutierrez a B-, too
Only saying the injuries are very different cases. A virus is something totally different.
I know it wont be a popular opinion, but I still might give Beltre a B- too.
He was injured the year before.
And in high school. Though I don’t agree with the label of injury-prone.
you don't agree with the label
or the label on Main
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
makeup
Gut’s off-field/coachability issues factored into it, and I’m glad, because that scares me about him too
What's the rumpus?
A couple of incidents
public urination, other law problems.
He also apparently is kind of resistant to adding a changeup in game.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Yeah
He outright refused the suggestion from the KC coach. Whether or not it was a bad idea, I do not like that coming from a kid looking to get a job as a ML player.
What's the rumpus?
Never heard that
Danny Clark told Jason Cole that Gutierrez didn’t believe he needed a changeup.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Kind of attitude that almost makes you want to see him get thrashed at a higher level
Just to get some air let out of his balloon.
If the Rangers were in the playoffs... the soundtrack could be one long continuous fart, and I would love it. - cmkelly
I thought Cortes was the one who was busted for public urination
and thats why he was traded for one of the worst SS’s in the game
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
Cortes was arrested for the public urination, yes.
I think this was Gutierrez:
http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx (Disorderly Conduct – Fighting + Failure to Appear)
http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx (Driving w/out a valid license + speeding 20/45 over)
http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx (Assault – touched to injure)
Im not sure if the fighting and assault were the same event, as they were in different courts.
Though I also recall Royals fans saying he was arrested for possession of marijuana.
he got suspended by the team for pot before the MLB/MiLB could step in and do the drug testing. saved from some public embarrassment.
and then those. beating on his girl. what a tool.
it’s too bad cuz he has talent.
baseball rules.
Only one to really be concerned about is the Assault, and if there was a possession charge that also
But fighting and driving with no license? Come on the kid is human and is a kid after all.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Overlooking the obvious again Bs?
Makeup Matters:
10/13/2009 JAIL/PRISON D 1
10/13/2009 FUND: BASE FINE (84%) D 1
10/13/2009 FUND: MUNI COURT FEE EFF 0609 D 1
10/13/2009 COMMUNITY RESTITUTION D 1
10/13/2009 SENTENCING D 1
10/13/2009 ALCOHOL SCREENING ORDERED D 1
10/13/2009 PLEA AGREEMENT RECEIVED D 1
10/13/2009 PROBATION D 1
10/13/2009 ANGER MGT COUNSELING ORDEREd
What are you trying to show?
Seriously is there something im missing here? He went to prison, paid a fine, paid court costs, was sentenced to probation and ordered to undergo alcohol screening and anger mgmt? Yeah like I said, the assault charge gives me pause and he would be on a short leash if i was the GM but he has completed the community service and alcohol screening already.
So the kid got into a fight at a bar when he was 21. Shit happens. He was driving without a license. OK big deal. He didn’t pay the ticket and got a warrant issued. Not a big deal.
The assault is especially if its against a woman. Thats why you make sure he understands hes on a short leash. If it happens again you cut him loose. If not his talent on the field is pretty special. A assault charge from when he was 22 years old will have no bearing on his hammer curveball in a few years.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Go fuck yourself
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Neither of the last 2 comments were necessary but I think, depending on the circumstances, the fight and driving without a license are possibly cause for concerns. If nothing else, it shows a general lack of ability to follow rules/laws and a certain lack of respect for authority. I wouldn’t have jumped to conclusions about the fight because perhaps it wasn’t his fault or he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. There really isn’t much of an excuse for driving without a license or failing to pay the fine. More than single occurrences, when you have several infractions it does show a trend. Even the people laughing off public urination should reconsider what that type of reaction (laughing at it) says about the act and about yourself. I don’t think you should be going to jail for relieving yourself in an ally but laughing it off in front of an impressionable person is definitely the wrong message to send.
Public urination never hurt anyone
I don’t know what all else Gutierrez has done, but I can’t knock a man for that.
Heh
I live in New York and it hardly phases me anymore.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on Jan 7, 2010 9:37 AM EST up reply actions
Moreland followed by Kiker
those rankings surprise but excite me. I think it’s pretty indicative of the layfan having easy access to the AA squad and Kiker’s been scrutinized a lot. I’ve really gotten to love his attitude, but I do not like his command issues. Yes, he’s still a kid, but his BB/9 still scares me. To the point that I’d think he’d be a C (within the strictures of your ranking system).
Moreland being that high surprises me as well. Obviously you see him breaking out of the dreaded Jason Botts model and becoming something on a Major League roster. Most that have had the opportunity to watch him (myself included) do not like the long swing and K tendencies. We shall see and if we can’t get our DH situation sorted this season, Mitch might have a spot ready for him come 2011
What's the rumpus?
K tendencies
Mitch Moreland struck out about 12% of the time last year. That’s perfectly in line with his career across 3 levels (and his college career). The only Rangers prospect who could claim a lower K rate was Julio Borbon (who checked in at about 9%).
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
To elaborate
Mitch Moreland, to me, is quite unlike Botts in almost every way. Botts struck out quite a bit, easily doubling and sometimes tripling Moreland’s strikeout rates. But there was no question about his power.
Moreland is a much more polished hitter. Low K rates, decent walk rates (though it dovetailed a bit in AA), solid linedrive rates across the board at every level, hits lefties better than he hits righties despite being a lefty himself. His question is about power and whether or not they’ll be closer to his A Clinton/Bakersfield levels or AA Frisco levels.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Mitch
There’s no question Moreland is a good looking prospect. The fact, that he is graded as a B- for me was the surprising part. As far as the K Rate being only 12% (of which that number surprises me), is that still good enough for a B-? Obviously to Jon, it is, and I am excited about that. I was just thinking coming into this exercise that Mitch’s ability would get him into the C’s.
What's the rumpus?
Considering
the average, the power profile and such, that’s really good. He has ?s, but ability to make contact shouldn’t be one of them.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Given that the biggest controversy in ranking prospects is how much to weight upside
vs chances of reaching that upside, have you thought about showing 3 grades - Upside, Chance of Reaching, and Overall? It seems like this list particularly is filled with lower rated guys with much better upside than others with similar B/C+/C grades.
If having 3 letter grades is too confusing, how about an overall letter grade with a one word description for upside vs chance of reaching, like Great, Good, Fair, Poor?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
Yikes, I didn't want the strikethrough.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 6, 2010 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not sure...
I get Starlin Castro’s upside. He seems like that prospect that gets overhyped just as a farm system is about to pump out talent. I like some guys in our system quite a bit more, though I respect his polish and ability to impress at such a young age.
what?
"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 Jan 7, 2010 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
Seems like Boscan's stock keeps dropping
in the minds of smart baseball people. Is that an outgrowth of having so many good prospects, or is he losing his luster?
That's why they call them business sox
He's just not a #1 or #2
Still a solid prospect. I think he just got over-hyped early on last season.
Sorta the same thing that happened to Poveda this year
His strikeout rate did a swirlie, only it happened to Boscan at a much lower level.
If the Rangers were in the playoffs... the soundtrack could be one long continuous fart, and I would love it. - cmkelly
by LSJ on Jan 7, 2010 1:57 AM EST up reply actions
You are under rating Poveda....
I think he will either be a #2-3 type, or a terrific middle reliever.
there is nothing wrong with an innings eater
but he has had comparisons to Shields, and I think Poveda has the assortment that he could possibly reach that ceiling. He is still very young and will be in AAA
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I bet
Come this time next season, Main and Perez are A’s and Font and Scheppers are A-’s.
Also a B+ in Robbie Ross.
and the Rangers win the WS!!
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
What do you think about Braden Tullis and his ability to breakout next year
he has a very good GB/FB ratio and pretty good K rate right now.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I agree
He had a very under the radar successful season for his age and level.
by auclairkeithbc on Jan 7, 2010 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
Chad Tracy
I’m not making a pitch for him to make the list. Just wondering if anyone can provide a scouting report on the outfield defense.
Yeah, probably.
Better in LF than at 1B. He’s probably still got the ability to be a passable emergency catcher, too.
I agree about the better in LF than 1B, as hard as that may be for folks to believe. Like you guys said, I don’t really think he’s every day caliber at any spot, but he has some low end versatility. Knowing MLB managers, however, most would probably hesitate to use him there, even though he’d serve fine as an emergency guy.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 8, 2010 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
last sentence, in reference to catcher
by Brett Perryman on Jan 8, 2010 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
Tanner Scheppers
Given the shaky, fragile nature of his moving parts, would you develop him as a starter or as a late-inning thrower?
Scheppers...
Almost an A-? Am I the only one that is baffled that a guy who has yet to throw a single pro pitch is “almost A-”? I’ll give it to Strasburg, but if Scheppers was anywhere near that good he would have been drafted higher than the supplemental round (even with the signability questions).
Even at B+ you have him at the same grade as Drabek who will be Top 25 in pretty much every list.
Yeah, hard to give someone coming off an injury who probably has a 30-40% chance of ending up in the pen an A- without throwing a pitch in affiliate ball. If the shoulder is bad, he may never even throw a pitch in the bigs. Pretty low floor if you ask me, plenty of potential but let’s at least try to manage the risk.
other than Strastburg
Scheppers was the most impressive pitcher in the AFL. The only reason he went as low as he did, was purely based on his shoulder from a couple years ago or so. He had some of the highest rated pure stuff in the 09 draft.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
He's a pretty ridiculous talent.
You want to drop him below guys who profile as #3 starters just because he hasnt pitched professionally?
Not me. I’ll take a chance on the kid who throws very hard with nasty stuff. Those guys tend to do pretty well when they do finally pitch professionally.
Once again
The point isnt to find the safest players who will be MLB producers. The point of this for me is to find the best players.
He's thrown a pitch
against arguably better competition than regular season AA, too.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 8, 2010 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
Haha
So without the injury, he is a A-? I thought John tended to be conservative with his grades? I’ll admit his ceiling is that of an ace (given the stuff) but you can’t ignore the concerns. GL with all of it, 20-30 B+ or better players from the looks of the comments.
wow everybody knew this system was good
but are they really better than Cleveland’s system?
I'd rather have Nick Punto playing 3B and Felipe Lopez playing 2B
than Punto playing 2B and Kouzy, Crede, DeRosa or Glaus playing 3B.
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jan 7, 2010 5:22 PM EST reply actions
they are better at the top..
but not as a whole.. depth wise
It wouldn't take very many of the C+ guys to step up to easily surpass Cleveland.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
The depth
at the lower levels is pretty ridiculous. The way someone described it is that their 1-4 is top 3 in baseball, the 5-20 are middle of the road, but the 20+ are the best baseball have to offer.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Cleveland
has a decided advantage in the back half of the top ten. They are both really deep, though, when you start talking about how many fairly legitimate, interesting prospects they have outside of their top 20 or so.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 8, 2010 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
now why did i get flamed
when i said this was the best system in the rangers top 10 community discussion? sounds right to me
BOOO!!!
That kind of talk can get you banned from a place like this!
by auclairkeithbc on Jan 8, 2010 9:53 AM EST up reply actions
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