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Top Shortstops in the MiLB

Please rank the top shortstops by ceiling to floor.

At this point I believe Starlin Castro is the #1 SS in the MiLB.  I don't think that Mier or Green are too far behind.  I know Flores, Sano, and Salcedo are currently listed as SS's, but they'll probably end up at 1B, 3B or OF.  Espinosa is interesting as is Dee Gordon, but I don't think that they'll be anything more than solid regulars.  Tim Beckham doesn't seem to have the defensive wherewithal to stay at SS, but seems to have a mountain of talent inside of him.  Brignac looks like he'll man either 2b/SS/Utillity in the MLB.  Who else is there? I know I'm missing a bunch of players, but these are the guys that jump out at me off the top of my head.  Please don't include Escobar in the discussion as he is a surefire bet to start for the Brewers.  Please do include the Inglesias and Hechavaria as they project to be solid if not very good prospects.  Who else am I missing... Give your rankings of the guys above and the guys I have forgotten...

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One Concern on Castro

My only concern about Castro at #1 is that there are some rumblings that a player in the same system, Hak Ju Lee, might move him to second base sometime soon.

by gpellet41 on Mar 10, 2010 6:04 AM EST reply actions  

shortstops

Top five are: Castro, Gordon, Green, Espinosa, and Brignac. While I can’t really justify putting Brignac TOO high (high upside, but hasn’t made much progress with the bat in the last several seasons), the others all sit well within the top 50 prospects in the game right now.

Tim Beckham is supposedly in much better shape this year; if his tools have really improved as a result, then he might rise back up quickly.

I wouldn’t worry too much about Castro moving in the near future. He’s a full two levels ahead of Hak-Ju Lee . . .if Lee catches him and forces a move, it’ll be because A) Castro and Lee are both major league caliber hitters, in which case there really isn’t a case for complaint about Castro or B) Castro’s offensive development has stagnated, in which case he might have bigger problems than where he slots in on the field.

by mrkupe on Mar 10, 2010 7:09 AM EST reply actions  

-10...

on Espinosa. Chase D’arnaud has just as good of tools if not better and has proven just as much. Espinosa has more power, but D’arnaud has much better plate discipline and he can actually hit for contact. I can’t see Espinosa being anything more than a utility player if he doesn’t improve his pretty horrible contact.

by joegonzo on Mar 10, 2010 7:17 AM EST up reply actions  

D'Arnaud

and Desmond would make my top 5. I am not as high on Castro and Gordon as some are yet due to their walk rates and power numbers, understanding that castro was very young and Gordon was in Midwest League. Since almost all scouts have them higher I suppose they would still be higher than D’Arnaud and Desmond, but I really like those 2 and am not convinced yet on Castro and Gordon.

by wobatus on Mar 10, 2010 12:02 PM EST up reply actions  

this sounds like you just read their stats and extrapolated from there

Espinosa actually walked more than D’arnaud did, so suggesting that D’arnaud has “much better plate discipline” really doesn’t show up statistically. From the scouting perspective, Espinosa actually makes good contact – the reason why his strikeouts are high is because he does have considerable loft in his swing that will need to be toned down a bit.

I tend to think the area where Espinosa is really underrated is power, and it’s definitely a separator between him and D’arnaud. While Espinosa didn’t get much credit for his power in college, he played in a home park that traditionally really depresses offensive production, which is reflected in his college splits. As a pro that power is showing up. D’arnaud was a gap power guy even against players that he was much more refined than, so I have to believe that there’s really not much that’s left untapped at present and he’s really not going to add power.

I’d take Espinosa and wouldn’t think twice.

by mrkupe on Mar 10, 2010 3:13 PM EST up reply actions  

espinosa/d'arnaud

Their walk rates were fairly similar, espinosa a little higher, but d’arnaud K’d less, 27% to 19.5%. If you say the loft in his swing causes Espinosa to K more, what happens to the homers if he tones it down?

I can understand preferring him, but they were the same age in the same league after d"arnaud’s promotion, and it does seem like d’arnaud is less likely to have k issues as they both move up.

by wobatus on Mar 10, 2010 5:48 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't hate Espinosa...

I just don’t like him. It is obvious though that the SS position is very weak in the minors. D’arnaud is a player that has above average tools acroos the board and will make the most of them with his work ethic. Espinosa strikes out too much for me to rate him ahead.

by joegonzo on Mar 10, 2010 6:35 PM EST up reply actions  

blah

You are correct in that Espinosa walked more often. I’m also aware that Espinosa struck out more, which probably doesn’t surprise you even though you were compelled to remind me.

As for your second point, the easiest answer is: he trades a little power for a little more contact. His average goes up, and his raw power numbers could do anything from decrease slightly to actually increase (more contact resulting in more XBH). In other words, if Espinosa has to make adjustments in order to succeed, it’s certainly not going to doom him. And in any case, he demonstrates an ability to hit for power that D’arnaud just doesn’t have.

And yeah, D’arnaud probably isn’t going to strike out as much, you’re probably not going out on a limb there. His offensive floor is indeed higher than Espinosa’s, which is great if you’re just hoping for a utility guy. But if you’re looking for the guy who has the higher potential to be an average major league starter or better, Espinosa is the guy you want. The only top prospects list I’ve seen thus far that doesn’t underrate him is my own.

by mrkupe on Mar 10, 2010 8:28 PM EST up reply actions  

There are different ways

of generating value, as you are aware, and apologies if I was pointing out the obvious, but it seems to me someone who has 10 homer power can have more value than someone with 20 homer power, depending on things like K rate and hence batting average. D’Arnaud did have a higher wOBA despite less home run power, and I don’t think he’ll be relegated to utility guy necessarily. Sure, home run power is usually more of a constant than BA, but I still think d’Arnaud will generally have higher averages, has doubles power, may still develop a little more home run power, appears to be a good base-runner, and reports are he has the glove for ss.

by wobatus on Mar 11, 2010 9:42 AM EST up reply actions  

you're absolutely correct in some areas

D’arnaud could have more value, but I think you’re being rather pessimistic about Espinosa. D’arnaud is a gap power guy, and I’m not convinced that he’ll really add much to that at all as he moves up. Espinosa is also a solid base runner, although D’arnaud obviously has an edge there. Both players get praise for their defensive potential, with both being possible plus gloves.

by mrkupe on Mar 11, 2010 6:43 PM EST up reply actions  

No Castro

I’m apparently one of the few not buying into the Castro hype machine, I think he’s a good bet to get to the majors but I don’t see any chance he is a star player. He is more likely to become a utility guy than a star IMO. I would take Mier and Green over him without a doubt, I would group Castro with the guys mentioned like Espinosa and Beckham and Iglesias, and others as being pretty much equal.

by GoldenSpikes24 on Mar 10, 2010 9:19 AM EST reply actions  

+1

Castro is a very good contact hitter. What he isn’t is a power hitter, a speed demon or an elite defender.

Overall I would say the SS crop is very poor at the moment. Noone really stands out as the A+ guy. These things go in cycles though, and we could be saying something different in 3 years.

by guru4u on Mar 10, 2010 2:49 PM EST up reply actions  

What Castro is...

is 19 about to turn 20. Let’s not be quite so quick to pigeonhole him into what he can and cannot do in the future just yet, eh?

Cub Fan - Bud Man

by Orangeman94 on Mar 10, 2010 6:45 PM EST up reply actions  

well, cuts both ways

as far as folks saying he has 20 homer ceiling and a good major league ss glove. People are trying to project, not pigeonhole. Sure, he’s going on 20, so there are wide variables in projections.

by wobatus on Mar 11, 2010 9:44 AM EST up reply actions  

Do you really think he will improve his range at SS?

Or somehow pick up a couple extra steps of speed?

The only thing he could improve upon is power, and from what I have seen and read, it will be very difficult for him to ever get to hit for above-average power. I really like that Yunel Escobar comp we were throwing around earlier. Castro’s approach and swing are very comparable to Yunel.

I live in Chicago myself, so I keep reading all these quotes in the Trib on how great Castro looks. Just don’t get swept up in those reports from Phil Rogers. I really think Castro ends up being a very solid major leaguer… just not someone that ever turns into a star.

by guru4u on Mar 11, 2010 11:07 AM EST up reply actions  

the "only thing"?

Apparently somebody should just call Starlin Castro right now and let him know that almost nothing he can do matters. He is what he is at the ripe age of 20.

by mrkupe on Mar 12, 2010 1:17 AM EST up reply actions  

Ugh

You obviously don’t get my point. Do you think he will magically become faster?

by guru4u on Mar 12, 2010 11:29 AM EST up reply actions  

Golden Spikes..

you realize there is a wide range of players between ULTI player and star right lol. if he hits around .300 with 10-15 HRs down the line with above average defense…that is much greater than a ULTI player.

by jsmall404 on Mar 11, 2010 11:30 AM EST up reply actions  

LOL

You realize that only 23 players in MLB hit .300 15 HRs last year, and if you want to take it further only 31 hit .300 and 10 HRs, and only 42 hit .290 with 10 HRS. your just throwing it out there like it isn’t much of a stretch that Castro can do that, people throw out projections with no idea what the numbers mean. If he hits .300 15HR and good defense at SS your basically saying he’s a multiple time all star which is a pretty crazy projection at this point.

by GoldenSpikes24 on Mar 11, 2010 7:13 PM EST up reply actions  

ok?

how many ULTI players hit 300 with 15 HRs while playing SS????

I am the one throwing out projections??? you are the one who said a 20 year old looks like a utility player LOL

by jsmall404 on Mar 11, 2010 10:25 PM EST up reply actions  

castro

.300 and 10-15 HRs seems very possible for him.42 players is a not-inconsiderable number of everyday major leaguers.

I think his bat is being a little underrated at this point because admittedly, there is a gap between what he is/has been and what he can be. That’s going to happen with any guy who played against A+/AA competition at age 19, regardless of how well he played.

I have him at #13 currently . . .I’d say multi-time All Star in the Edgar Renteria mold would be his upside, but not what I’d be expecting out of him. I’m expecting an above-average player at one of 2B, 3B, SS all things considered. Even if he moves off SS, he has enough tools and ability to be a very good defender at either 2B or 3B, and his bat should be fine.

by mrkupe on Mar 12, 2010 12:51 AM EST up reply actions  

I think its a possibility

that because he has probably been themost hyped prospect this offseason, people feel the need to take him down a few pegs just for the sake of not drinking the kool aide. I am not saying he is Hanley Ramirez, but to say he is a ULTI player is assinine.

by jsmall404 on Mar 12, 2010 10:39 AM EST up reply actions  

I think I'd go

1. Dee Gordon
2. Starlin Castro
3. Grant Green
4. Reid Brignac
5. Jose Iglesias

I just don’t trust Castro’s defense enough to put him at #1. Dee Gordon looks like a potential plus defender at SS and it’ll really be a question of whether or not he can refine his tools. The more that I hear about Iglesias’s defense, the higher he climbs on my list.

by Jeff Reese on Mar 10, 2010 9:25 AM EST reply actions  

real quick

but what questions are you pointing to defensively? Most of the reports are actually quite positive, including the reports this spring. There’s some concern on his limited straight line speed (which is what Adam Foster and others have argued), but he has very good lateral movement. No, he’s not going to be … say, Jose Iglesias, but he has a shot to be anywhere from above average to plus defensively.

Down the line, he may have issues. But for … say, his cost-controlled years, if he isn’t a shortstop, I think that’ll be because Lee won the job, and not because Castro isn’t good enough (if the issue is defense). Actually, if I was concerned about something defensively, it’d be the side-arming potentially impacting his accuracy a bit.

by toonsterwu on Mar 10, 2010 3:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Well there is Adam Foster’s concern and this portion of Goldstein’s write up:

Several scouts noted below-average running times to first base, and his range is affected by it, possibly leading to a move to second base down the road.

When range is questioned, I get very nervous about a player’s defensive future at a position. I can forgive errors, inconsistencies, or a questionable arm, but range is vital.

by Jeff Reese on Mar 10, 2010 3:29 PM EST up reply actions  

also have to realize...

that KG is lower on Castro than almost every other report I have read.

by jsmall404 on Mar 11, 2010 11:31 AM EST up reply actions  

I wouldn't say he's that low

He’s just not hyping him as much as BA. Adam Foster/PP has him in a similar position on their top 100.

by Jeff Reese on Mar 11, 2010 5:37 PM EST up reply actions  

his scouting report..

is much less flattering than BA and Law. I dont care what Adam Foster has to say about him.

I was talking about “low” as in spot on the top 100

by jsmall404 on Mar 11, 2010 10:26 PM EST up reply actions  

Goldstein put him 37th

I don’t think that’s all that low. As for Adam Foster, he makes it two sources that question his range. I just don’t see why I should ignore those reports. This doesn’t mean he won’t be able to stay at SS, just that the concerns about his range should be noted.

by Jeff Reese on Mar 11, 2010 11:11 PM EST up reply actions  

oops

I meant to say “wasnt* talking about low in the top 100” i was referring to KGs scouting report…which if it didnt have stars or a ranking to go with it, you wouldnt think he was a top 100 guy.

by jsmall404 on Mar 12, 2010 10:41 AM EST up reply actions  

Bleah

Using Adam as a creditable source is like using an Amish person about their opinions on an iPad.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Mar 14, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

While I have my disagreements with PP

I think that’s taking things a bit far. I am skeptical of Starlin Castro’s range because two different sources have reported it. I don’t think that’s unreasonable.

by Jeff Reese on Mar 14, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

I see it like this...

1. Castro
2. Mier
3. Green
4. Lee
5. Brignac

I don’t see Dee Gordon as anything other than a very borderline top 100 type, because I don’t really see the upside other than speed. Iglesias is sort of in the same camp but I think his hitting upside is a little better (both need to basically reach their offensive upside to ever be a regular starter too). Beckham is outside the top 100 to me as well, but he has the most upside of these guys.

by auclairkeithbc on Mar 10, 2010 12:52 PM EST reply actions  

If the reports on Iglesias' defense are to be believed

He’s not going to have to hit much at all to be a regular starter. From the sound of it, he may be the best defensive SS in all of baseball already. If that’s true he could still be a 3 win player even with a line of .250/.300/.350

by nixa37 on Mar 10, 2010 1:42 PM EST up reply actions  

He's actually impressed me at the plate so far, too

Really quick hands and bat speed. Hit a HR off Cardinals relief prospect Eduardo Sanchez. He throws pretty hard. I didn’t expect him to be this good a hitter. Its spring training, so take it with a grain of salt, but he’s definitely moving up my prospect lists already. He also got great reviews from scouts in Arizona, where he was the youngest player in the league.

www.bullpenbanter.com

by alskor on Mar 10, 2010 3:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Mier

Seems like just yesterday that people were saying that he was a bad pick by the ’Stros.

200 rookie league PAs was enough to change everyone’s mind?

"Chicks dig the long ball, although fat chicks will settle for warning track power" - Nick Diamond

by hero66 on Mar 10, 2010 8:41 PM EST up reply actions  

who needs scouting reports?

He wasn’t a bad pick. It’s just that while the rookie ball performance is very encouraging about Mier’s likelihood to reach his offensive ceiling, I don’t think anybody who is in a position to know has changed their projection of what that ceiling actually is.

by mrkupe on Mar 10, 2010 8:44 PM EST up reply actions  

1) Alcides Escobar
2) Grant Green
3) Jiovanni Mier
4) Reid Brignac
5) Starlin Castro
6) Dee Gordon
7) Timothy Beckham
8) Hak-Ju Lee
9) Chase D’Arnaud
10) Danny Espinosa
11) Ivan DeJesus
12) Gabriel Noriega
13) Reese Havens
14) Carlos Triunfel
15) Jose Iglesias

Honorable Mentions: Nick Franklin

Haven’t gotten any farther, but I have no faith in Ian Desmond at all

by Navi's_Navy on Mar 10, 2010 4:40 PM EST reply actions  

1) Alcides Escobar
15) Jose Iglesias

Makes absolutely no sense to me.

www.bullpenbanter.com

by alskor on Mar 10, 2010 4:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Desmond

I know he had an outlier year and his babip was high, but he has always been thought talented, he was pretty good at 21 in high A, and i think he is better than some of the guys on your list currently. Triunfel and havens won’t even be ss in the majors.

by wobatus on Mar 10, 2010 5:58 PM EST up reply actions  

Desmond is probably 17

Want to see another year of offensive stats because he got pretty lucky last year. He isn’t a stellar defender himself either.

by Navi's_Navy on Mar 10, 2010 6:55 PM EST up reply actions  

he has good fielding tools

Reports are more along the lines that he coasts sometimes. Which may not be a good reflection, but he doesn’t have bad range and he has a strong arm.

by wobatus on Mar 11, 2010 9:48 AM EST up reply actions  

Where does Jurikson Profar sit on your list?

If Havens isn’t likely to stay at SS, you should include Sano, Salcedo, Flores, Truinfel, et al…

"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree

by JT12340 on Mar 10, 2010 6:54 PM EST up reply actions  

You're right

Truthfully I think Triunfel has the better chance, Flores has absolutley no shot. I left off Sano and Flores for that reason. Profar is probably going to be a good bit better than some of the guys on my list, but I need to see concrete data first.

by Navi's_Navy on Mar 10, 2010 6:58 PM EST up reply actions  

Hasn't Triunfel

already been moved off of SS?

http://bullpenbanter.com

by gatling on Mar 11, 2010 4:48 PM EST up reply actions  

I like this list...

though some of the bottom guys have some upside and I expect some big seasons in 2010 from Havens and Truinfel. I’d prpbably drop Dejesus all together for Franklin or Sano.

by Havok1517 on Mar 11, 2010 12:50 AM EST up reply actions  

I personally have him behind Franklin

too many holes in his offensive game. I don’t expect much contact ability giving that high K rate, even if he improves his plate discipline he wont be more than average in that department, and given his FB rate is only 30% I don’t expect him to be able to put up more than 8 – 12 HR in the majors power-wise. At least an average defender, but could be overcome offensively by a lot of holes. No hole is glaring, but the combination of them, as it stands right now, make me feel like he will be a pretty big offensive liability on the major league level.

by Navi's_Navy on Mar 10, 2010 7:03 PM EST up reply actions  

So where does Adeinis Hechavarria sit in this discussion?

"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree

by JT12340 on Mar 10, 2010 6:38 PM EST reply actions  

I have heard...

some like him more than Iglesias so he would be top 3 for me because of that, but I have to see more of him to rank him above 3.

by joegonzo on Mar 10, 2010 6:41 PM EST up reply actions  

If Sano, Salcedo, Flores, and Truinfel could stay at the position,

were would they fall in your current SS rankings?

Rate anyone currently playing SS or signed to play SS is what I was trying to get you guys to do…

"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree

by JT12340 on Mar 10, 2010 6:52 PM EST reply actions  

ok

1. Starlin Castro
2. Alcides Escobar
3. Dee Gordon
4. Grant Green
5. Reid Brignac
6. Tim Beckham
7. Jose Iglesias
8. Jio Mier
9. Wilmer Flores
10. Hak-Ju Lee
11. Danny Espinosa
12. Chase D’Arnaud
13. Miguel Sano
14. Gabriel Noriega
15. Jurickson Profar
16. Reese Havens
17. Daniel Fields
18. Jonathan Galvez
19. Billy Hamilton
20. Mychal Givens

by daveh33 on Mar 10, 2010 9:05 PM EST up reply actions  

tiered

cream

1. Starlin Castro
2. Alcides Escobar
3. Dee Gordon
4. Grant Green
5. Reid Brignac
6. Tim Beckham
7. Jose Iglesias

8. Jio Mier
9. Wilmer Flores
10. Hak-Ju Lee
11. Danny Espinosa
12. Chase D’Arnaud
13. Miguel Sano

14. Gabriel Noriega
15. Jurickson Profar
16. Reese Havens
17. Daniel Fields
18. Jonathan Galvez
19. Billy Hamilton
20. Mychal Givens

by daveh33 on Mar 10, 2010 9:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Tigers Shortstops

There are reports that Dan Fields could eventually outgrow shortstop and move to thirdbase or leftfield.
No love for Gustavo Nunez?

by KalineCountry on Mar 12, 2010 3:39 PM EST up reply actions  

auther of thread said anyone currently playing SS

I doubt Havens, Flores, D’Arnaud, and Fields are staying. that said, I love Fields’ bat. Nunez would be next tier i think

by daveh33 on Mar 12, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions  

d'Arnaud doesn't really fit in that group

I think he moves eventually, but those other three (Havens, Flores and Fields) are SS’s in name only.

by Jeff Reese on Mar 12, 2010 6:05 PM EST up reply actions  

What do you guys think of Hector Guevara

Really showed a legitamate big stick last year, although in the VSL. Sees the plate well, and discipline isn’t SO far off. If he can stick at SS (although I think his second position would be 2B) then I could see some value coming from here. Does anyone have any scouting reports on him implying if his numbers were a mirage or not? All I’ve heard is the bat is real, but a position switch is likely if he keeps adding bulk.

by Navi's_Navy on Mar 10, 2010 7:11 PM EST reply actions  

Im suprised about how little people like Dee

He has plus defense, and the potential to be plus plus. He has contact, is patient, is one of the fastest in the minors, and the only question is how(or if) he fills out physically. And, he has done this in just his 4th or 5th year in the game(didnt start playing until he was a senior in HS). He has all star potential and is already being compared to some of the best the league has at the SS position.

With Castro, Im not convinced yet. I have heard reports that his defense will not be good enough for the majors and his bat at 2B is much less impressive than at SS…IMO, he will be a 2B sooner rather than later, whether Lee forces him there or his own play does.

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Mar 10, 2010 7:33 PM EST reply actions  

I think you're a little jaded about Castro

His bat will play just fine at 2B/3B if need be. He’s 20 years old in 2010 and already a pretty good looking bat. But I think he’s got enough to be a solid SS . . .there are those who say he’ll be an excellent SS, those who say he’ll be below-average, I’ll split the difference for now.

But yeah, people are pretty weird about Dee Gordon. It’s the ARL, really, that gets people. His upside is huge, and he shows aptitude for developing real baseball skills. No way I would even think about taking the likes of Mier or Brignac over Gordon at this point.

by mrkupe on Mar 10, 2010 8:36 PM EST up reply actions  

I've heard arguments on both sides for Castro

I feel that his bat in very unique for SS but at 2B, it isnt nearly as special and maybe just slightly above average…

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Mar 10, 2010 9:04 PM EST up reply actions  

agreed on Gordon

people see his age/arl and don’t assume he will get much better. I agree on the side that says he won’t fill out much/any more… but his speed is plus/plus and he could really be special

by daveh33 on Mar 10, 2010 9:07 PM EST up reply actions  

++ Baserunning / Speed and potentially ++ Fielding from a SS that should be slightly better than a free out with the bat

is valueable. High bust potential if some things don’t start improving, but…

.265/.320/.375 with + Speed and +Defense is pretty valueable. Offensive potential is certainly higher than a .695 OPS, though, and if he can raise that to a level where he could put up .750 consistently in the majors then he could be very special.

by Navi's_Navy on Mar 10, 2010 9:41 PM EST up reply actions  

I have him 6th, but he is 60th overall on my list

I was a bit higher on him, but until I see how the lack of power effects him offensively on higher levels I wanted to keep him out of my top 40. I’m scared that if power doesn’t develop then the strides he has made in terms of plate discipline will evaporate as pitchers challenge him more. Now, I don’t think he will be as hopeless in that regard for that to be a major concern, but it is one.

by Navi's_Navy on Mar 10, 2010 9:15 PM EST up reply actions  

No

There are plenty of other questions about Dee which you choose to conveniently ignore because you’re a Dodgers’ homer. Dee was caught stealing more than any other player in the minor leagues last year so that negates alot of his biggest strength. You pan Castro’s defense and yet Gordon had the most errors of any SS in the Midwest league. You use his inexperience as a plus whereas most everyone else knows what that really means is that he’s very raw in just about every facet of the game. That makes his range of outcomes incredibly huge. Finally, you say Gordon has all-star potential while completely ignoring Castro’s identical ceiling.

Most everyone in this thread is ranking him as one the best ten (and many top 5) SS prospects in the game and almost everyone puts him in their top 100. I think he’s getting plenty of love here. He’s just not getting as much love as a Cubs’ prospect which I know galls you to no end. Just in case you’re wondering, I’m with the majority here in putting him in the top 100 with him somewhere in the middle and think he’s maybe the 4th or 5th best SS prospect.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Mar 14, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

wow, ok

I have no problem with saying Castro has all star potential. I’m saying that his biggest plus, his bat, becomes a little less special if he plays 2B than SS… that’s not something that anyone is mightily against.

And if anyone doesnt think that Gordon is raw, they are insane. He is probably one of the rawest top prospects of the game.

With Gordon’s problems, I’ll go one at a time. Yes, he was caught I believe ~20 times. And he stole ~70 bases. What does that say? He is really f*in fast, but needs coaching to learn how to read pitchers better. When you have the raw speed that he has, and the inexperience that he has, and you still steal 70+ bases, your speed is something special.

With his fielding, here is MOKM’s fielding part of the prospect profile of Gordon:

Fielding-There have been some rumblings that Gordon might eventually end up as an outfielder, as he totaled 34 errors at shortstop in 2009. However, watch some of the plays he makes at the position, and it’s hard to convince me that it would be in his best interest to move. Gordon has good hands, a good arm, and plus-plus range. He moves well to both his left and right, and is athletic enough to make throws on the run from either side. Basically, he has all the tools to be a plus defender at shortstop.

Gordon does make a lot of mistakes at the position, but they usually come from poor positioning or poor throwing mechanics. Sometimes his feet will get a bit jumbled and he’ll be forced to take a bad hop, or he’ll get careless with a throw and it’ll sail on him, but I don’t see any reason why these issues wouldn’t fixable.

Again, Castro is in no way a bad prospect and if that’s how you interpreted my post, I apolgize. I simple said that his bat at 2B, which he may have to be moved there in the semi-near future, is not as special as it is if he is a shortstop. Is he a top 100 prospect? Yes. Because he is still a shortstop prospect. But do I think he will be an amazing shortstop? No, because I dont think he will be a shortstop

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Mar 15, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think Brignac is going to have a big year

he has spent the last few years working hard to go from a defensive liability to one of the best defensive SS in the minors and now he is looking to get his bat back to where it was. He has been on fire to start the spring 8-17 and while it is far from the best stat to use he is tied for the league lead with 10 RBI. Unfortunately for him (and I think it hurts his perception) he is blocked by Jason Bartlett and Sean Rodriguez has been on fire as well so 2B may not be an option either so he may spend more time in AAA.

by Dbullsfan on Mar 11, 2010 9:07 AM EST reply actions  

I agree

In looking at it, I think I’d take Brignac over any of these guys. His defense is excellent, in the top tier of any of these guys. And his bat has good pop. Bottom-line is unlike most of the others being listed, we know (as much as one can “know” anything — nothing is certain, of course) that he’ll be a major league level SS, with above average defense, enough pop to hit 10-15 homers, and questions about his OBP. Right there that makes him a league average SS. If he can increase his batting average and/or walks, then he starts to become more than that.

Or another way to put it: mid-level floor, high ceiling.

He’s being ignored because he’s like an old pair of socks, but I’d take him for sure over Starlin Castro or Grant Green or others being regularly mentioned above him. Those guys have far more questions, and not really a ceiling that is particularly higher than Brignac’s.

by scooter on Mar 19, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions  

1. Dee Gordon
2. Starlin Castro
3. Jose Iglesias
4. Grant Green
5. Reid Brignac

All add value in their own way…
Did you know that the Red Sox measured bat speed of roster players and #1 was Pedroia and #2 was Iglesias.

Gordon will be a lead-off spark plug and has some pop to go with all that speed; he still needs to refine his stealing technique, but the Dodgers have excellent coaches. Brig can hope to get traded and start; power, no speed, BA .270.
Green comes out of an excellent Cal program: Jeff Kent
Maybe Castro goes to 2b in future years and is a Jeff Kent?

by Baseball Gizor on Mar 11, 2010 7:32 PM EST reply actions  

Did you know that the Red Sox measured bat speed of roster players and #1 was Pedroia and #2 was Iglesias.

Damn. Didn’t see that, but I’ve been saying recently how fast his hands and bat speed are. He showed some very good plate coverage in the limited times I’ve see him, too.

www.bullpenbanter.com

by alskor on Mar 11, 2010 8:52 PM EST up reply actions  

haha

and BA really swung and missed with not including him in the 100… srsly, i think my list is better… I have Bumgarner way lower than they do

by daveh33 on Mar 11, 2010 11:03 PM EST up reply actions  

It's kind of sad,

it seems that every post regarding top prospects warrants you patting yourself on the back for your list. Maybe I’m being captain obvious, but it’s starting to get kind of sad…

"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree

by JT12340 on Mar 11, 2010 11:53 PM EST up reply actions  

lol

i have over 3100 comments on this forum. show me more than 12 where I say my list is better than BA. or better yet, make a compelling argument that there list is better, and I’ll shutup. also, i joke a lot bro. [but this time i ain’t]

by daveh33 on Mar 12, 2010 12:14 AM EST up reply actions  

did a search

counted 10 such times.

not trying to toot my own horn. i’ll toot anyone else’s if i feel they put the work in. and I often do…

I pick on BA [and goldstein] because it fascinates me how a team of writers with paying jobs and unparalleled resources can still put out a list that is so uninspiring/lacking to me. and yet the masses still eat it all up and wash it down with a can of goldstein

by daveh33 on Mar 12, 2010 1:16 AM EST up reply actions  

you lose respect

I said this in the BA thread that it is painfully obviously you are looking for attention and your list.

You do this for a hobby, they do it as full time jobs…you get your info from videos and information THEY give out. You arent a professional at this, stop acting like it.

by jsmall404 on Mar 12, 2010 10:44 AM EST up reply actions  

BA has videos? first I've heard of this.

I don’t think you realize how much info is out there. and whether or not it is touched by BA, I have no idea. And whether I get paid to do something or not, that does not affect how hard I work on something. And I doubt you have a video feed in their office to see how hard or how intelligently they work on theirs.

by daveh33 on Mar 12, 2010 11:41 AM EST up reply actions  

LOL

Vanity is definitely my favorite sin.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Mar 14, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

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