Guess the Prospect!
by John Sickels on Oct 19, 2010 3:00 PM EDT
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PrintWe haven't done one of these in awhile, but it is a fun feature to do. The first person to correctly determine who this player is will get to select the next team I do after the New York Mets for the Top 20 lists and the book. I will be back late this evening to determine the winner of the contest.
I am a current major league player, a position player. I was originally an infielder but then moved to the outfield. I was drafted between the fifth and tenth rounds after 1995 but before 2000, out of high school. I am from a good baseball state but it is not from California or Florida. I showed good power in my first two minor league seasons, was ineffective in my third season, injured in my fourth season, then ineffective/mediocore in my fifth and sixth seasons. I had good tools, including power and speed, but just didn't put up the numbers. Then, in my seventh minor league season, I broke out with big success. I am a good example of a tools player who figured things out suddenly.
Who am I?
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Think this is it
Bit tricky because he broke out in the majors in what would have been his 7th minor league season, but he’s the only guy that fits in the draft window that makes any since.
Yeah, hestitated for a bit due to that
But, couldn’t think of anyone else that made sense, and everything else seems too spot on for him
Hesitated?
It took you 9 minutes – that’s pretty damn impressive
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by OldProspects on Oct 20, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Yep
This has to be it
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Free Scott Sizemore!
by David Tokarz on Oct 19, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
his 7th professional season
was spend mostly in the majors, though…
by PrincetonCubs on Oct 19, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
upon further review
that seems to be the only qualifier, it almost has to be Holliday. many more things distinguish the other candidates from John’s description. great call
by PrincetonCubs on Oct 19, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
If John's not thinking Holliday...
then this guess still deserves the prize, due to the fact that it couldn’t be more dead-on.
WINNER
Yes,matt holliday.
Golden, what team?
by John Sickels on Oct 20, 2010 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Hmm... let's go with Texas
Few different ways I could go here, but in honor of Cliff Lee, I’ll say Rangers
by goldenblack on Oct 20, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
your a good man...
I don’t care what anyone else says…. your all right
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
Holliday's 7th minor league season
I see that Holliday was promoted almost immediately in 2004, despite a really mediocre 2003 at Double-A. What happened — did he have an amazing AFL performance, or did he tear it up during spring training? Why was he called up so fast?
sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew
by alexwithclass on Oct 20, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Injuries.
Entering the 2004 season, the Rockies expected to have an outfield of Jeromy Burnitz, Preston Wilson, and Larry Walker. Walker opened the season on the DL and Wilson hit the DL a week into the season, so that was when they called up Holliday. Holliday hit .375/.444/.675 in April (albeit in only 45 PA) and Walker and Wilson were both out until June.
Fascinating. Thanks!
sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew
by alexwithclass on Oct 20, 2010 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Garret Jones
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
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Not a good guess
Older than I realized…
by Rhody Royals on Oct 19, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
also a 36th round pick
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by bestbostonsports on Oct 19, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Besides Holliday...
the only one who makes sense is Bill Hall. Neither of them had much of a “7th minor league season” though. Holliday spent some time in the minors during his 7th pro season though, so he’s probably the answer.
Also...
he didn’t show power his first two seasons. I’m like 99% sure it’s Holliday.
Yeah I thought about that too.
As I said above, I didn’t think it was a good guess. For several reasons.
Whups...
don’t know how the double-post happened.
Craig Monroe
maybe
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by nostocksjustbonds on Oct 19, 2010 3:28 PM EDT reply actions
not a current major leaguer. I didn’t get the memo!
Neal before Zod!
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by nostocksjustbonds on Oct 19, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Cody Ross?
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by bestbostonsports on Oct 19, 2010 3:33 PM EDT reply actions
I just realized
what a stupid guess that was.
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by bestbostonsports on Oct 19, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Shane Victorino
That’s my guess
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
I was thinking Victorino too
but it says he showed good power in his first two minor league seasons but hit only 2 the first two years.
4th rounder
Deal with the life you’ve got. Solve the problems you have, rather than fantasizing about a life without them.
-Bill James
Sounds close...
… to being Marlon Byrd, but he doesn’t fit exactly. Close though.
Deal with the life you’ve got. Solve the problems you have, rather than fantasizing about a life without them.
-Bill James
I had the same thought
Doesn’t quite fit all the conditions, but he’s pretty close.
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Ryan Rayburn
I think he fits the mold. Drafted in the 5th round in 1999 and was primarily a 2B or 3B. Not a perfect match but close.
by King Billy Royal on Oct 19, 2010 5:08 PM EDT reply actions
5th round of '01
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by Dan Strittmatter on Oct 19, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Nobody's judging...
too harshly. ; )
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by Dan Strittmatter on Oct 19, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
It amused me for about a second and a half
I’d say it was plenty worth it.
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by Dan Strittmatter on Oct 19, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I would think so....
From what I hear “a second and a half” is all it takes to amuse you.
by King Billy Royal on Oct 19, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
Well that was an unnecessary jump into Harshness-ville. Settle down a bit. Life’s too short to be grumpy.
www.twitter.com/dstritt1 - Already beginning to hate myself a bit.
by Dan Strittmatter on Oct 19, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Take a joke Southie
If you dish it out, you should be able to take it. ;)
by King Billy Royal on Oct 19, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I dished it out?
You must think I suck at slagging. : P
www.twitter.com/dstritt1 - Already beginning to hate myself a bit.
by Dan Strittmatter on Oct 19, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
another guess
I think Holliday, but if we need more guesses…
Mark DeRosa?
by team name deleted on Oct 19, 2010 5:12 PM EDT reply actions
college guy
and NJ/PA are probably not considered great baseball states (maybe NJ)
by PrincetonCubs on Oct 19, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually both are...
considered pretty good baseball states. Especially new jersey.
ETHAN MARTIN!!!!
I would say Bill Hall
But a .212 SLG in his first stint at Helena doesn’t strike me as “good power.”
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by Dan Strittmatter on Oct 19, 2010 5:18 PM EDT reply actions
And being a super utility dude
Isn’t exactly converting from the infield to the outfield…
www.twitter.com/dstritt1 - Already beginning to hate myself a bit.
by Dan Strittmatter on Oct 19, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Went to college, drafted in 2000, in the 11th round, had a big 3rd season, etc.
by Kenneth Arthur on Oct 19, 2010 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I am of course kidding it has to be Holliday
although it was kind of impressive that the Rockies converted two corner IF into OF like that to carry themselves to the WS
Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have? Frank Chance 1908
Without Looking anything up
Jayson Werth?
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Oct 19, 2010 9:15 PM EDT reply actions
He was a 1st round pick in 97
I thought of Cuddyer, BJ Upton, & Corey Hart but Cuddy and Upton were both 1st rounders. Hart was an 11th rounder
Out of the box thought...Juan Rivera
If we consider Puerto Rico a “state” (though it really is a US territory), I’d guess Juan Rivera – drafted in 1995, 9th rd. as a catcher. He didn’t sign until 196 with the Yankees, and was converted to the OF. Made it to the majors to stay in 2004 with the Expos, after 6 seasons in the minors.
Too lazy to look up when he was drafted
But how about Carlos Lee?
except he wasn't an outfielder.
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by Daniel Berlyn on Oct 20, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
will there be more of these?
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by bestbostonsports on Oct 20, 2010 11:49 AM EDT reply actions
yes
Yes, but not right away. The team list after I finish the Braves is now the Royals, the Mets, and the Rangers. I’ll want to pick a couple of teams after that then we’ll have another contest. I try to keep things balanced geographically and league-wise as I go through the teams, plus somtimes I just feel like doing a particular team.
by John Sickels on Oct 20, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Cool, thanks!
It was a lot of fun trying to figure it out.
Watch The Internet Sport Show
Read about the MLB at Total Bases
"That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Oct 20, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I had no idea Holliday was originally an infielder.
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by thejd44 on Oct 20, 2010 9:23 PM EDT reply actions
his MiLB fielding numbers says he wasn't much of one
Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have? Frank Chance 1908
Which is shocking?
Generally speaking, if you start your career as a third baseman and end up in left field within a couple years, you probably sucked at third base.
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by Satchel Price on Oct 21, 2010 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
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