Sleeper Alert List for 2010
by John Sickels on Feb 23, 2010 8:00 AM EST
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Last month we reviewed the Sleeper Alerts from the 2009 book.
I want to start the tracking process for this year, so here is a list of the Sleeper Alerts from the 2010 book. If you want full comments on these guys to see why they are sleepers or how quickly they could advance, obviously you should buy the book!
There are other guys who qualify as sleepers and are indicated as such within their player comments, but these are the ones with the "sleeper alert" in boldface.
Fernando Abad, LHP, Houston Astros
Kyle Allen, RHP, New York Mets
Alexia Amarista, 2B, Los Angeles Angels
Jeff Antigua, LHP, Chicago Cubs
Jon Bachanov, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
Chris Balcom-Miller, RHP, Colorado Rockies
Jeff Beliveau, LHP, Chicago Cubs
Robert Bell, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Nick Bucci, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
Jose Casilla, RHP, San Francisco Giants
Ryan Chaffee, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
Edward Concepcion, RHP, San Francisco Giants
Brandon Cooney, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Drew Cumberland, INF, San Diego Padres
Justin De Fratus, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
Enerio del Rosario, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
Vincent DiFazio, C, Texas Rangers
Jeurys Familia, RHP, New York Mets
Cory Gearrin, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Miguel Gonzalez, C, Chicago White Sox
Connor Hoehn, RHP, Oakland Athletics
T.J. House, LHP, Cleveland Indians
Jiwan James, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
Steven Johnson, RHP, San Francisco Giants
James Jones, OF, Seattle Mariners
Josh Judy, RHP, Cleveland Indians
Kyeong Kang, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
Nathan Karns, RHP, Washington Nationals
Pat Lehman, RHP, Washington Nationals
Robinson Lopez, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Brett Lorin, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Jeremy McBryde, RHP, San Diego Padres
Roman Mendez, RHP, Boston Red Sox
Diego Moreno, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Matt Nevarez, RHP, Houston Astros
David Newmann, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays
Juan Nicasio, RHP, Colorado Rockies
Hector Noesi, RHP, New York Yankees
Blake Parker, RHP, Chicago Cubs
Alexander Perez, RHP, Cleveland Indians
Carlos Perez, C, Toronto Blue Jays
David Phelps, RHP, New York Yankees
Carlos Pimentel, RHP, Texas Rangers
Carlos Ramirez, C, Los Angles Angels
Jose Ramirez, RHP, New York Yankees
Wilking Rodriguez, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
Rusty Ryal, INF, Arizona Diamondbacks
Eduardo Sanchez, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
Juan Silva, OF, Cincinnati Reds
Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies
Andrew Taylor, LHP, Los Angeles Angels
Ashur Tolliver, LHP, Baltimore Orioles
Matt Way, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies
Allen Webster, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
The basic point is to find players who are not well-known as prospects on a national basis, but who could develop into something very interesting within the next year. Note that most of these guys aren't going to appear in the majors in 2010 even if they do have a breakthrough. The biggest exception to that is Rusty Ryal, who should see significant action as a superutility player for Arizona. Josh Judy of Cleveland and Fernando Abad of Houston could also sneak in some major league time.
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I like that you included Judy in this list. He’s only a relief prospect, but a very good one and will likely see some time in the majors this year. He has the ceiling of a 8th or 9th reliever.
I feel the same way about Blake Parker and like his inclusion for that reason.
by Outshined_One on Feb 23, 2010 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
I like the idea of relief prospects as sleepers.
While some guys may never get the national attention they deserve if players can develop into solid 7th/8th inning guys they can be extremely valuable. On that note I’m interested to see what Tom Boleska (Pirates) can do this season if he can stay healthy. He put up great numbers last season while battling injuries all year.
I feel differently
I recognize that future middle relievers and setup men should get some attention, but it seems like they’re getting a little bit too much, now, oddly. I think like 9 of the players BA highlighted as sleepers or breakout prospects were middle relievers; there’s no way that middle relievers constitute 1/10 or more of the value contributed by prospects
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by OldProspects on Feb 23, 2010 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
Singleton
Color me intrigued as well. Anyone else?
Highly
History is littered with short season flash in the pan types, but I love his walk rate and plate discipline, as those aren’t signs he got lucky, but may have some actual skills to play well at higher levels. He’s my second favorite Phillies prospect, though I think of Boyz In Tha Hood every time I see his name.
Singleton
Frankie Piliere is also bullish on this guy: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/29/scouting-notes-with-steady-talent-pipeline-phils-can-swing-blo/
And BA said last June that “he could also shoot up draft boards in three years if he opts for Long Beach State instead of pro ball.”
Love the book, love the list of sleepers too
There were quite a few names marked as sleepers in the book and here that I was high on or drafted in a fantasy league towards the end of last season. Guys like Allen, Bachanov, Cumberland, Noesi, and Lorin are ones I was already tracking so seeing them on your sleeper list makes me feel pretty good. Plenty of other names here to keep an eye on now though.
RIP Nick Adenhart
Steven Johnson
I saw you listed him as a sleeper but as a rule 5 pick do you see him staying with the Giants the whole year or do you see him returning to the Orioles?
Kevin Frandsen: The best SS on the Giants roster
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
by Gobroks on Feb 23, 2010 5:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I’d assume the odds have to be against him to stay with the Giants. But then again what do I know.
Please tell me we have moved past the dark ages of post hoc ergo propter hoc.
by Yeti Monster on Feb 24, 2010 5:18 PM EST up reply actions
Trayvon Robinson could be one
John. Had a great last year but almost everyone is shrugging it off, partly because of where he did it. If he has another great year, he could be the LF in 2011 for the Dodgers…
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Feb 23, 2010 5:30 PM EST reply actions
Can anyone give me more info on Allen Webster?
I’m trying to figure out what his repertoire is… Also what does he project to be. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him, but I haven’t hear specifics….
"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree
Cubs ...
I’m curious about the inclusion of Blake Parker as a breakout candidate. Btw, he’s got a pretty good shot of being in the bigs this year. He could break camp, but if not, he’ll likely be the closer at Iowa. But … I’m just not sure what you are expecting to consider him as a breakout. Do you expect him to do much better than he did last year? I have a hard time seeing it. He’d have to drastically cut down the walk rates, and even then, his stuff probably doesn’t play as a top tier closer (low-mid 90’s fb, with decent life, and a good slider – could work as a closer, but not top tier). He sorta broke out last year (and 2008 I guess was his real breakout when he jumped into Cubs fans awareness).
As for the other two, both could be breakouts. I think Cubs prospect followers are largely excited about Jeff Antigua. Good arm with 3 potential above average pitches, and he showed real well in Low A last year. Beliveau has the plus breaker, although he’s going to have a tough fight to get a rotation spot and might be put in the pen.
Some other Cubs I think could breakout -
Justin Bristow – I don’t believe John is all that high on him, IIRC a comment he made recently. That said, he was working his way back from injury (don’t recall off the top) and most Cubs followers didn’t have high expectations for him in 2009. He had a decent season, but late in the year, the velocity started climbing (touched mid-90’s more) as he got stronger. The curve shows enough potential. Good athlete (former 2-way guy who played short), no real significant issues on the delivery as of now. I might be a tad higher than most on him, but if he puts it together, as he started to show late in the year, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him in AA/AAA at year’s end, and being considered one of the Cubs top prospects (considering he’s largely being plopped in the 30’s right now, that’s a big climb).
Trey McNutt – He throws gas with a good breaking ball. After the Dan McDaniel struggles of last year (I was high on him … that said … he had an injury), I’m a bit tentative, but the potential is there to step forward in a major way.
Rafael Dolis – More of a closing candidate than a rotation option, Dolis sort of stepped forward a bit in instructs, if possible, leading the Cubs to protecting him, as there were rumors he’d be the top pick in Rule 5 if available (Cubs sites mentioned it, as did BA). Plus fastball that runs in the high 90’s and a solid breaking ball (albeit, needs better consistency). Some weight concerns, a la Jose Ceda.
What're your thoughts about Dae Eun Rhee?
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by OldProspects on Feb 23, 2010 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
I don't really consider him a breakout
because he sort of broke out in 08 in regards to getting on the radar. But yes, I could see some folks ponder him as a top sleeper/breakout candidate. Last I read, he supposedly still had the feel for all of his pitches.
I imagine the Cubs are going to be careful with him, considering recent history, and considering that he isn’t the biggest guy out there. I’d look for him to be on a IP limit/pitch count for much of the year, and I imagine he’ll be at Peoria for most of the year as well.
btw
I understand why guys like Parker/Antigua are included in this sleeper/breakout list, as their general recognition isn’t all that high. I’m just not sure, in Parker’s case, what more we can expect out of him to push him forward a bit.
John,
Who are the top 2 or 3 guys you could see from this list taking a jump into top 50 prospect range by this time next year?
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