End of Regular Season Player Regrades
by gore51 on Sep 8, 2010 9:45 AM EDT
Email
PrintNow that the regular season of minor league baseball has arrived, I figured it'd be a good time to start another regrade thread.
The last time we did one of these, it pretty much exploded the site with 1248 comments and some pretty good discussions. [http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/6/3/1500498/first-third-of-season-regrades]
The format that we used last time worked very well, with a user listing a players name, and then the rest of the community replying to that comment with a letter grade for that player, and possibly an explanation for why they choose that grade.
Post Away!
PS: I might also through it out there that I would be okay if we also included major leaguers who are still young and unproven, guys in their first or second year in the majors who we still don't have a great idea about the type of player they are going to become.
2195 comments
|
5 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
C
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
While I'm talking Marlins
Marcell Ozuna…..guy hit 21 bombs in NYPL but strikes out too much
C+
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B-
I’ll buy getting excited about the kid.
C++
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Jesus Montero
A- Great hitter, Position still wories me. Anyone else see something different?
A-
agreed. bat is real good, but not even sure if he can be competent a 1B as he hasn’t played there.
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
Same
I’m going with A-, but only because of the positional uncertainty. That bat is special, very special.
A-
Same concerns about defense
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
A-
I’m about as sold on the bat as I could be on a prospect, about the only prospect I can think of where I’m not going to discount him heavily for being a 1B/DH type.
A
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
montero
Probably A-. Was a B+ for me last year, same guy just a year older and has hit at AAA. I think he probably gets a slight markup, but couldn’t see him being close to an A when he hasn’t played a single game at his actual projected position.
A, but I could be convinced that he deserves an A-
I just worry that he’ll end up being a poor defensive first baseman with no other position to play, but a good bat plays anywhere and Montero could potentially have a great one.
Miguel Cabrera Part II?
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not following
But Martinez was one of the greatest hitters of his generation.
I’d give Montero an A+ if I knew that he’d hit like Edgar.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
I know no one can project that someone well hit like Edgar. But then again, we are here to project. What potential peaks do we see for Montero? Could he be Edgar-esque? How good does he have to be if he’s a DH? Miggy as a -4 uzr 1b this year is a top 10 guy in WAR. You mention Miggy part II, and that there is about as good a hitter as Edgar. Although Edgar peaked at 188 wRC+, and Miggy’s high is 175 this year. Still, if you can ask if he’s Miggy II, Edgar is not far beyond that. Just have to adjust for being a DH or a bad fielding 1b.
I always find it humorous when we use comps to the late career versions of guys...
I’m guilty of this myself on occasion. Its easy to go back to our last memory of the guy. Like… imagine if you hung a Jermaine Dye comp on a guy right now. What would you think of? You know?
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
And
He wasn’t bad at third, he just had injury problems
by Flamefox111 on Sep 10, 2010 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So you're saying being
Miggy Cabrera II is a bad thing?
http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/
by Matt Garrioch on Sep 8, 2010 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions
A
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
A
That bat is something special.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
by biggentleben on Sep 13, 2010 7:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Jacob Turner
Started off slow returning from an injury but really turned it on at the end.
Jaff Decker
Injuries slowed him early then ended his season abruptly. Many are still concerned with his body type, bat still seems legit to me though.
Joe Benson
Tools began to translate on the field into skills but still Ks too much.
Oswaldo Arcia
Got off to a blazing start and just kept hitting. Really interested to hear the end of the season reports on him.
Jedd Gyorko
Isn’t a regrade, so perhaps it shouldn’t be here, but I was curious what people would give him. I still don’t see how Cox or someone like Darnell is that much better than he is.
B
I’m going to give him a B for now but that is because I think he can stick in the infield somewhere. I’m curious to hear what everyone has to say about his defense though, could easily be a B- if a move to LF is in his future.
Freddie Freeman
Community seems pretty split on him. I’m not entirely sold on the power but that doesn’t mean he can’t be an above average player (which would make him a very good prospect).
B+
I think you have to give him at least B+ for what he has done in AAA as a 20 year old. The questions surrounding his power potential is enough for me to not get too crazy about his grade.
Wil Myers
Community seems less split on him but I’m still not entirely sold. If you don’t buy the need for a position change, I can buy a B+/A- grade but I’m a bit worried about his changes of sticking. Couple that with me wanting to see how he fares against advanced competition (AA/AAA), I have a hard time with the people wanting to give him an A- and especially a straight A.
Jeremy Hellickson
BA’s MiL POY, PP are hesitant due to perceived injury risk. I imagine most are sold but thought he could be a good discussion possibly.
A-
There aren’t a lot of guys I’d give a straight A to, so anyone who I give a A- type grade is extremely valuable in my eyes. Has to be near the top of rankings.
Aroldis Chapman
Electric arm, still struggling with control at times. Someone commented that if Feliz could be ranked so high in a stronger class, Chapman should at least be equally high. That got me thinking but I can’t help but think he has even less chances of sticking in the rotation. To me, he seems like a RP arm which limits his value.
B
I think he sticks in the pen eventually and will have occasional problems with control throughout his career. Valuable reliever, but still a reliever.
B+
His control problems are still pretty big. I’ll be honest, I could have gone anywhere from B to A and still had doubts. He has an electric arm for sure, but you need control to dominate in MLB, and he hasn’t shown it yet
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
Carlos Carrasco
He is probably going to lose eligibility, but if they cut him off after 2 more starts, he’ll still technically be a prospect, so we’ll see. Either way, he is pitching better than he ever has, and he’s sustained it for quite some time, plus he’s looked pretty solid in his 2 ML starts. I can’t see him being any lower than a B right now, and he could even be considered a B+ depending on how loose someone is with the grading…he is certainly close to the top 50 overall if not in there right now.
He's a B for me
His numbers this year aren’t really much different than last year at all, other than his ERA. He’s talented, but I’m just not sure he’s ever going to put it all together or not. He’s plenty young still, so time will tell.
http://bullpenbanter.com
He's 2nd half numbers
are very very very good
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
If this was his first taste of AAA
that might mean more to me. The fact is he came into the year with almost 200 innings of AAA experience under his belt.
http://bullpenbanter.com
Well
We don’t disagree TOO much, since I’d give him the same grade you would. I’d have to look it up, but not many pitchers in AAA have had better underlying stats the second half of this season.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
We probably disagree more than you think
I don’t believe Carrasco to be close to a top 50 prospect.
http://bullpenbanter.com
no
that was fairly clear to me. you gave him a B though, so he’s most likely at least a borderline top 100 player to you. or maybe you should downgrade him to a B-. In the second half a 3.5 – 1 K-BB ratio over a K per inning, 2:1 GO/FO. Plus the very good ERA/WHIP. Plus he’s not at all old for AAA. Plus the reports on his stuff are very good. Now, if we knew that was where he had settled in and it wasn’t luck, he’d be a very strong B+, but of course, he could be just getting lucky at the time one would expect him to get better, so it is tough to give him a B+ right now, though he’s close to me.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
By a quick count in John’s book there were ~116 B or higher grades. I want to say my personal list went something close to 125-130 B or higher grades last year. I could see as many as 150 B grades this year on my list. Carrasco would be nearer the end of the B grades for me because I just don’t have much faith in him. Our opinions of him are pretty different, even if the letter grade isn’t.
http://bullpenbanter.com
ok fine
i think there are fewer B guys than you, that’s for sure. either way, carrasco is definitely having a breakthrough type end to his season. to put him far outside the top 100, you’d have to completely disregard it as luck, which is a possibility, though a remote one to me. before the season, i’d say he was a B- probably at the back end of the top 150. this year he has been so much better, especially compared to what other prospects have done, that he’s just bolted up my list. if you had him outside the top 200 or 250 before the season, i could see him being barely a top 150 guy now to you. you just don’t like his stuff no matter how good he pitches. that is fair.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
He reminds me of Edwin Jackson
A guy who ends up underperforming his stuff for the most part. Now, maybe something clicks(or has clicked) for Carrasco like it apparently has for EJax now, but I certain wouldn’t want to gamble too much on that at this point.
http://bullpenbanter.com
+1
I’ve gotten a similar vibe. He doesn’t pitch up to his stuff like he should.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
B
The stuff is obviously still very good, but the questions about how he’ll translate to the majors keep popping up. I find it a tad worrisome that he’s been in the upper minors for roughly three-and-a-half years now, even if he did get there pretty early in the first place.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Andrew Cumberland
Tools finally translated into skills on the field but he still managed to get hurt. I was worried about his knee based on initial reports but the last one I read said it was simply a deep cut with zero structural damage. I suppose it depends on where he plays defensively, a SS with his skill set would be pretty valuable.
Ryan Lavarnway
This guy always sparked my interest. He took a huge leap this year, exploding into one of Boston’s eliteprospects. A lot of people see him as a DH due to poor catching, but from what Ive seen his catching is not too bad.
"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 Sep 8, 2010 12:05 PM EDT reply actions
C+ if he's a DH
B if he can catch, I haven’t heard very good things about his defensive abilities but his offense should allow him to at least do something at the major league level
Brandon Jacobs of Lowell > Brandon Jacobs of NYG
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Brett Jackson
I’m going B+ with the hitman
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B+
He slowed down in the second half with Tennessee, but his defense and overall numbers make him the top prospect in the Cubs’ system.
by Outshined_One on Sep 8, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
The all-around upside is damn exciting.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
and a good one
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Not too worried about the late season slump, although I’d really hope his K rate makes steady improvement.
Brett Jackson a grade ahead of Freeman?
That is…um…interesting to say the least
seems fair to me
Love Jackson, and he’s a totally different type of player from Freeman. It’s not hard to see Jackson being the better/more valuable player.
Sure its not hard seeing Jackson being better
Its the grade difference that seems strange to me. I just have a tough time seeing him significantly ahead of Freeman when he’s older, at a lower level, not hitting as well, and showing a pretty big problem with contact.
if it's not hard to see him being better
Than why is it so hard to see them having different grades? It could be that one player is high end on one grade and the other is low end on another.
I guess I'd expect them to be listed as borderline then
As in either an A-/B+ for the other two or B+/A- for Freeman. Giving them different grades with no mention of them being borderline implies to me that one is clearly ahead of the other in a person’s mind. I just can’t see the justification for that in this case. I can see an argument for them being slightly ahead of Freeman if really value defense and ceiling without placing a lot of value on floor, but I can’t see a real separation there in Jackson or Lawrie’s favor.
I was unaware we can do that
I mean, I’ve seen people doing that . . .but I’ve just been ignoring those posts. Unless you can make up your mind one way or the other, it’s not telling me anything, because I can probably figure out where a player should be graded to within a two-grade range. And if I can’t make up my mind just yet, I don’t post a grade.
You were unaware we do give guys borderline grades?
I’m pretty sure John does it sometimes in his preliminary lists (you know like this one is) and many people will list where a guy ranks within a grade. BTW, I don’t know about everyone else, but when I say B+/A- I don’’t mean in between the two, I mean I’m thinking a B+ right now, but once more current scouting reports come out I might go up to an A-. The opposite is true when I say A-/B+. Not sure why you’d have a problem with that. I need more info and I need to make my whole list before I actually decide exactly where my grade breaks will go. Until then I note where someone is on the line and which direction I’m currently leaning. Seems like the most reasonable thing in an exercise such as this one.
That's certainly what I've been doing
with the borderline grades I’ve given. We don’t have complete scouting reports on many guys so I see absolutely no reason not to err on the side of caution, especially in something like this.
http://bullpenbanter.com
I can maybe see the argument here, not Lawrie though
At the same time, Freeman was a year younger, a level higher, and his bat is already making up about half the difference in defensive value despite tougher competition. Jackson’s strikeout issues also look like they could be a big problem. I can see Jackson ahead of Freeman, but not a grade ahead of him.
Ryan Lavarnway
So do people think he is a prospect finally? I don’t understand why the Red Sox seem content allowing him to C (I just don’t see how he is going to be average behind the plate) but the bat really seems to be coming along.
Michael "don't hate me because I'm beautiful" Trout
I guess the only question would be A or A-.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.
B+
Like Myers, I want to see the bat again. I think I’d have Trout ahead of him because he has the tools to play above average defense at a premium position, but I still want to see the bat again against advanced pitching.
A-
on the same level as myers for me. Also want to see it against higher competition before giving a straight A
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
A-. Pessimistic baseline is a .290/.370/.400 hitter with decent CF defense (Denard Span, maybe?). I still think there’s a chance that his defense and bat together don’t live up to expectations. I’d probably rather have Myers than him, though Trout has crept into my top ten. That said, I’m probably one of the most conservative Trout watchers right now.
-1
and I think you are both underselling him by a ways.
May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.
-George Carlin
Didn’t you see the first two words? Pessimistic baseline? A pessimistic baseline of .290/.370/.400 with above average D in CF and I imagine a fair amount of SBs is underselling him by a good bit?
Why don’t you just give him an A+, rank him #1 on your list, and place him in CF next year for the Angels. He sounds like a multi-MVP winner at least, possibly HoF type player.
the thing is
A .770 OPS out of a decent fielding CF is still an excellent player. Most of the time, prospects don’t work out and they don’t hit their ceiling. Sometimes, you actually learn a lot about a player by looking at what his reasonable major league floor would be . . .I think people already do this implicitly when they suggest that a player can’t be rated highly unless they’ve hit AA.
A
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
A-
The pedestrian Cal League numbers made me take him a step back.
pedestrian?
By what standard are his numbers pedestrian?
really?
He has an .800+ OPS with tons of walks and a relatively low strike out rate. He turned 19 about a month ago. He’s been very, very good in the Cal.
Meh
Those numbers are a disappointment relative to what was expected from him at the time of the promotion. A .821 OPS in the CAL league is nowhere near as impressive as a .970 OPS in the midwest league. With all the buzz about trout midway through the season, if you’d told some people he’d post a .820 OPS in Cal, they would have jumped off a cliff
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
what in the world are you talking about?
He’s played this year mostly at 18 years old in his first pro season, out of a New Jersey high school. In that context, the jump in competition is far more important than the environmental factors. The league average OPS in the Cal League is .767, even lower in Rancho (.765). This is IMPRESSIVE performance . . .why anybody would be disappointed in this performance is beyond me.
Because they don't recognize how awesome a 73/85 BB/K is?
For a 19-year-old plus defensive center fielder with plus plus speed, good hitting ability and developing power, that shows some truly impressive bat control as well as a very strong grasp of the strike zone.
I honestly don’t know how much more you could ask of Trout unless you wanted monster power numbers.
One thing that I do find curious are his base-stealing numbers, though:
Midwest: 45-for-54 in 81 games
California: 11-for-17 in 50 games
Less attempts, declined efficiency. What’s that about?
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not disappointed
But you don’t think people hoped for more than a .820 OPS? I’ll see if I have time to go back to the thread where we discussed his promotion, but the ‘predictions’ were pretty lofty.
There’s an expectation that when a super prospect goes to the cal league, he destroys that league and puts up superhuman numbers (whether fair or not). Trout didn’t do that, and so some people (like a couple posters above) were disappointed with that performance. he’s still an A / A- for me and on par with Myers though
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
not really
An .820 OPS is, as I said before, well above-average performance for any player in that league, let alone an 18 year old. He hasn’t destroyed the league, but then again, he doesn’t need to . . .if he did, he’d be the best prospect since A-Rod. A player doesn’t need to put up “superhuman” numbers to be an excellent, excellent prospect.
Anybody who is disappointed in his performance just doesn’t really get the process of evaluation.
Guess we have different expectations then
I was hoping for better results after his monster performance in the MWL given his top 3 overall prospect hype. An 800ish OPS in the Cal League doesn’t wow me.
okay
I’d love to hear exactly what you were expecting then. Like, give me a slash line. And just for sake of comparison, Trout’s actual numbers in the Cal were.306/.388/.434, .821 OPS, 27/33 BB/K in 196 AB.
Not to mention that it's easier to bash his OPS when it's OBP-heavy
His overall performance is better than his OPS would indicate, given his strong BA/OBP and impressive K/BB numbers.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
A-
Better than Myers, whom I gave a B+ to, in that I still want to see Trout in more work against the higher levels, but I like him a bit more than Myers at this point.
by Kenneth Arthur on Sep 8, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
A
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
A
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
Casey Crosby
Decent prospect with promise or continually plagued by injury and disappointing all Tigers fans?
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.
I'd give him a B-
a C+ seems too low and if he’s healthy, he could easily creep up and be a B+/A- guy next yea
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
Tough
B- ?
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Jonathan Singleton
Let the debate begin . . .
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.
B-
Like Myers/Trout, I want to see the bat again. Given that he is a 1B (very little defensive value), he gets a grade a good bit lower than them for me.
Solid grade B
Borderline B+. Show me an 18-year old who knows the strike zone that well, with his body type, and I’ll show you a player who is going to hit.
B-
As exciting as the start to his season was, his second half was pretty terrible. Has some potential, but I don’t know which Singleton to believe in
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
I don't give too much weight to in-season trends
Just a very small amount. Safer to just judge by the overall numbers. The only real weight I do give to in-season trends is strikeout and walk rates, because those are the only statistics which become reliable in that sample size.
And looking at his second half numbers, his BB/K rates were close to the same. The batting average and power dropped off, but is there any reason to believe they won’t return? Could just be random variation, or him tiring as his first full season wore on, or both.
Sure
It could also be a ridiculous hot streak to start the year and pitchers adjusting to him without him making the needed adjustments himself.
http://bullpenbanter.com
His BB/K numbers in the second half of the season
Make me doubt that is the case. If his strikeout numbers skyrocketed and his walks plummeted then I might agree. However, his strikeout/walk rates were pretty much the same in the second half as in the first half.
ISO, OBP, SLG, and especially batting average—none of those statistics are even close to reliable in on a 2-3 month sample size.
I’m not saying you discount his performance in the latter half of the season; they are part of the overall sample. I’m just saying it sounds like you’re giving them too much weight instead of just looking at his overall numbers, which (especially adjusted for age) are great.
The overall numbers
show average at best power for a 1B prospect. I think the second half numbers are important because I feel too many people are still looking at Singleton as the guy who hit .400+ the first month he played(not saying you are doing this). He’s a big kid who is pretty physically mature for his age. I want to see him against better pitching before going any higher.
http://bullpenbanter.com
Yes, he's pretty mature physically
But he’s still just 18 and playing in a pitcher’s league against a lot of guys who are a lot older than him. He’s going to be in A+ next year as a 19 year old and the only reason he isn’t now is likely because the Phillies are in no rush with him due to Howard’s ridiculous contract. ARL and league adjustment makes his .290/.393/.479 line look pretty incredible.
I forget what the average OPS is in the Sally this year but I think it’s somewhere right around .700.
Anyhow, with his OBP skills and athleticism he doesn’t have to mash 40 HR a year to be a really good offensive first baseman. Daric Barton is batting .281/.400/.415 this year and he is on track for a 5 WAR season. And Singleton has more power than that even if you think he’s not going to be a plus in that area.
Like I said
I want to see him against better pitching. The pitchers may be older on average but it doesn’t mean they are very developed or have solid secondary offerings. Singleton’s approach at the plate may be somewhat advanced for the Sally League but it doesn’t mean he couldn’t stumble once he faces better pitchers.
http://bullpenbanter.com
B
i have him somewhere just inside the top 50 overall….
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
John Lamb
John gave him a B-
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.
I'll go B+ as well
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Chris Dwyer
John game him a C+
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.
B
Love the upside, but I still like Lamb and Montgomery more.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Mike Montgomery
John gave him a B+
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.
B+
I’m fine with a B+. If he could stay healthy, probably an A- I like the arm so much.
Also B+
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B+ for me
He’s not so special that I can ignore arm troubles and the fact that his 3.97 FIP in Double-A isn’t that good.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Health is the only thing holding him back from an A-
+1
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
A-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Aaron Crow
John gave him a B
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.
C+/B-
I’m not ready to completely write him off yet. His stuff is still there and his components weren’t as bad as his ERA suggests. That he failed as a starter wasn’t a surprise – most people considered a move to the pen a matter of when not if for Crow.
If he still struggles this badly out of the pen, I could see a C/C+ but, for right now, he’s still straddling lower B-minus territory.
B
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
B- for me
Maybe not quite as polished as we all thought or maybe the time off from baseball hurt him a bit more than expected. He wasn’t good in AA, but his FIP was more than two runs lower than his ERA. If things don’t go well next year, it’s time to get concerned.
http://bullpenbanter.com
B-
But I think his season hasn’t been as bad as some have made it out to be.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
3 for the last 3?
you and I think very much alike, at least regarding Royals pitching prospects…
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Has to be
a C+
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
B-
It’s a year off, and it’s hard for me to see the floor as much below serviceable big leaguer. I think he’ll get it right but he’s got to get docked for the lost year.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
Tim Melville
John gave him a B
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.
Regressed a little
I’d go B/B-, his numbers look very strange. He is holding opponents to .240 BA (better than last season) but he really needs to get the walks down and be more consistent. Look at he starts, he will string together a few good outing then get unbelievably hittable for a game, then come back.
Yeah... its a mixed bag
I think he’s still ironing out his new delivery… stuff obviously very good. Results… not as great, though improved in the second half.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Danny Duffy
John gave him a B.
Dang—-gotta love the arms the Royals have stashed.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.
B
Interested to see how he does in the upper minors next season.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
either upper level B, or low level B+
surprised how well he came back after leaving baseball for a little bit
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Shelby Miller
Going A-
3 pitches that either are or project as plus pitches. Absolutely dominated upon return from working on mechanics and delivery. Got over 100 innings. Hard not to like this kid.
B+
I like Shelby Miller as much as I can like any pitcher at his level. I’m just generally opposed to giving any kind of A grade to someone that young and at his level.
He could easily be the best pitching prospect by this time next year, though
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
I can go with you on that
It is hard to give an A to a player in A ball or below. I just feel this is one of those special talents that deserves it if you are going to ever give one. The only players at this level who get an A- from me are Trout and Miller
Solid B
Borderline B+. He’s a 19-year old pitching prospect at A ball, so I can’t go higher than that. He’s definitely a top 50 guy for me though, but the combination of age, level, and him being a pitching prospect introduces a lot of question marks just by nature.
OK
How is this different than Trout who you gave an A grade then? Granted hitter vs pitcher but a full grade difference doesn’t make sense based on your criteria
It's a combination
Trout is a better talent, and he’s a position player who plays a premium position instead of a pitcher, and he performed pretty well at A+ in the second half of the season.
K
Seems like a big separation but that’s your opinion. I guess no matter what pitchers can’t have a higher grade than hitters?
Didn't say that
And you know it. That’s a straw man argument. The issue is that so many young pitchers out of high school flame out in the several-year period of their track to the big leagues, due to injury. This rarely happens to position player prospects.
If a pitcher is closer to the big leagues and has a healthy track record, I feel much better about giving them a high grade.
Gotcha
Just trying to understand your philosophy…not attacking. Just not sure I could justify giving Trout a full grade higher than Miller…but thats just a difference of opinions.
A-
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
B+/A- borderline
I can’t see putting him ahead of John Lamb, who is only 3 months older.
http://bullpenbanter.com
see now I think Shelby is a much safer bet than Turner
I’d have Turner at B+ too I think right now
But I’m much more confident in Shelby, I guess because I think He’s safer, and a better bet to reach the Majors healthy i guess
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
May I ask why you think that Miller is a safer bet than Turner?
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
are you predicting injury? That seem to me, to be unwise.
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
Very strong B+
Need to see it at a higher level, but potential certainly there to be straight A next year
by jc3 on Sep 8, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
The upside is tantalizing, but we’re talking about a 19-year-old who hasn’t even hit Advanced Single-A yet.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
B+++
the best B+ pitching prospect in the minors right now for me……
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
High end B
and not far from a B+. The scouting reports about his reworked swing back up the numbers(as far as they can anyway). I find it a bit hard to get an accurate read on a guy that moves through three levels in a year though.
http://bullpenbanter.com
I'll give into the numbers: B+
ISO: .268
BB/K: 93/99 in 595 PA
LD rate*: 25.0%
*To be taken with a grain of salt, but useful nonetheless
I've been dreading ranking Belt
I’ll give him a B+. The numbers are too hard to ignore
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B
But he could be a B+ if he proves to be a legitimate corner outfielder.
I’m becoming pretty convinced that we have to throw out pretty much everything that we thought about this guy coming into the draft.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
B
but one of the better “B” s
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Tyler Matzek
Do recent Velo issues and season long command issues have you concerned?
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
Yup
I’d even go as low as a B-. the concerns are not small ones…
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B/B+
Not overly concerned yet, as apparently the Rockies really tweaked his mechanics and were having him pitch almost exclusively FB/Changeup this year in an effort to give him three go to pitches (the curve was already sound). If the velocity doesn’t rebound or if he makes no progress, then I’ll start to worry.
Just for background, Matzek talked about what the Rockies have been having him do this year at Baseball Beginnings a few weeks ago.
yes
I definitely give B+ to players who can’t throw strikes with mid-80s fastballs. :)
According to him, and most people, it's not the FB he's having trouble throwing strikes with.
And your keying in on mid 80’s on him is like other people who key in on the occasional 96 or 98 other pitchers throw and say that they sit there.
okay
So you’re not concerned about a guy with crappy control and declining velocity? At a really low level of the minors, at that?
I'm not totally unconcerned, or I'd be rating him even higher
At the same time, I’m willing to buy that getting used to mechanical tweaks or the minor league grind could adversely impact the velo. As long as that effect is temporary and not permanent, I’m not really stressing that much. If we’re not seeing him sitting lower 90’s next May, that’s when I’ll start looking a little more critically at it, but even then, if the K rates and low batting average against stay at their current levels, I don’t know how deeply I’d knock him. An upper 80’s FB with bite could be as brutal or more than a mid 90’s flat one.
As for the control, that seems par for the course for this kind of LHP. It’s a concern to him too, he’s working on it, we’ll see if he fixes it next year. The potential is still too great, and he’s still showing glimpses of it to knock him too far. Obviously, I’m going to be a little biased, but I don’t think I’m that far off base here.
wasn't purple row
saying this was the Rockies version of Clayton Kershaw?
by SeanMillerSavior on Sep 8, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
some there still are
Purple Row wasn’t the one to start that comparison, it’s a testament to how fantastic Kershaw is that fans would pick up on it and repeat it. Everybody wants the next great thing.
Anyway, up to a point this summer, they were following similar paths, Matzek veered off it pretty bad, probably right after I pointed that fact out. Tyler’s obviously not going to break into the MLB as a dominating 20 year old at this point. We can say that for certain. I’d be hesitant to write him off too fast, though. I think everybody in the NL West myself included was dismissing Bumgarner for similar concerns last winter. He’s throwing mid 90’s now.
uh
Bumgarner had a 1.93 ERA in AA last year while having a walk rate that’s less than half of Matzek’s this year. He had also pitched a full year of pro baseball the year before. I’d say it’s just a little bit of a difference there . . .
right. You know it's a big difference.
You also should know that I wasn’t meaning to imply Matzek and Bumgarner are the same pitcher at this stage either or draw any comparisons other than an example of a pitcher regaining supposedly lost velocity.
I saw them both as 19 year olds in the SAL. Bumgarner had a lot more FB command at this stage, but no decent secondary offerings (nice deception though). Matzek has a big advantage on him on the secondary pitch front already even though he’s behind the Bumgarner development curve overall.
Again, I’m just saying that the velocity concern is overblown for right now. The walks? That’s probably more of an issue, but one we’ve seen can be fixed in the past. We’ll see.
B
Still love the arm, but you can’t simply ignore what’s been a pretty long stretch of underwhelming performance AND scouting reports.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
Don’t like the velo drop or the control struggles
by soxaroundtheclock on Sep 12, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Zach Wheeler
Most projectable of the big 5 HS arms drafted in 09?
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
B+
Mostly because of projection, K’s, and ground balls. Might be a B… but I’ll go with my gut and give him the higher grade
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
B
i actually have him at a lower end “B” right now
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
B
the good: 0 HR allowed in 58.2 IP, high K rate, high GB rate
the bad: high walk rate
by TimLaser and MattyC on Sep 9, 2010 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
B
Don’t love the motion, but I love the stuff.
by soxaroundtheclock on Sep 12, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Chad James
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
+1
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
gets points for being young for the league, but to get an A in my book you have to have performance back up the tools in the upper minors
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
+1
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
A-
Tough year but we all know he was extremely young for AA. His stuff and projections are still dynamite
B
I know he was young for the league but he was terrible this season.
B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
could easily see A- though too
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
A-
Walk issues and questions about range on defense are what keep him from being an A. I think the home / raid splits are overblown a bit (which isn’t to say they aren’t a concern)
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
A-
I worry about his inevitable move off third base and the weak walk rates, like pretty much everyone else.
I just worry that he ends up as a corner outfielder with OBP’s in the .320-.340 range, which isn’t the kind of guy that you slap an “A” grade on even with his hitting ability and power.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I have the same concerns (A-)
He reminds me quite a bit of Delmon Young. (Of course, each prospect is a unique case, and Delmon is something of a interesting situation anyway)
His upside is huge, of course, but there is a risk with his skillset.
B+
He had great power number and a good BB ratio but the Ks are a concern.
You do realize that he's only striking out in 12.5% of his plate appearances, right?
Most guys would kill to only strike out one-eighth of the time.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that would make sense I suppose
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
A-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
A-
a low A-. I’m concerned about how his approach will fly in the majors, and with his defense. Of course, those concerns don’t run too deep when I’m grading someone A-.
B+
I’m just not sure he’s elite. I do think the home/road splits in AA are a warning sign.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
A
Saw this guy in AAA and he’s gonna be a cornerstone for the royals for years to come.
by soxaroundtheclock on Sep 12, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
B
He’s definitely not in my top 50. And I have to hold my nose a little to rank him in the top 75.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
probably between my 60-75. Not a Dee Gordon fan at all
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
Isn't B- not a top 100?
If so how can he be a B- prospect and be in your 60-75 range?
I’m a big Dee Gordon fan by the way. Players who can be plus defensive shortstops are rare. Add in some contact skills and plus speed on the basepaths and you have a guy who is likely to be a good player even if he doesn’t bring much else to the table.
B- and the ranking
A B- for me puts someone in that range. I didn’t know there was a universal scoring system for those kinds of things. If you’d rather focus on the ranking than the grade, that’s fine.
For all the talk of Dee Gordon’s “contact skills”, a player with his speed really should be hitting a whole lot higher than .277. He’s not hitting for a lick of Power, which makes the low-ish averag and high strikeouts somewhat concerning. He has 20 caught stealing this year, which makes his contribution as a base stealer (not as a runner as a whole, just in terms of SB / CS) pretty minimal, if it’s even positive.
There’s way too much of Dee Gordon’s game that is based on projection for me. He’s fast, but gets caught stealing a ton. he has “good contact skills”, but is hitting .277. He “projects to have good defense” but makes a ton of errors.
the only encouraging thing I see from Gordon is that his walks are still decent. If he puts it all together he can be a great player, but I just don’t believe he will
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
CS in the minors
I don’t pay much attention to them unless they get to really outrageous levels. Basestealers are pushing their boundaries, trying to figure out when they are going to get caught and when they won’t. They have to make mistakes to learn. My assumption is that they will be less aggressive and more efficient at the ML level.
I shouldn’t need to tell you not to put too much importance on batting average in a single-season sample size. Gordon’s career batting average is .297.
I don’t see his game as having that much projection involved. He probably doesn’t have star upside, but he’s a safe bet to be at least a solid everyday regular with his contact ability, speed, and defense.
CS in minors
I wonder if there has been a study done to track how speed translates from the minors to the majors, both in terms of efficiency and raw numbers. If anyone has seen one, I’d love to see the conclusions.
I know batting average has become pretty poo-poo’d recently, but it’s still a critical stat. Usually with a speed guy, you see extremely high batting averages in the minors driven by infield hits and crappy defenses. These guys hit the majors and their BA plummets. I’m concerned on why this isn’t the case with Gordon. Then you look at his Iso and his walk rate and his K’s and you realize that he really just isn’t a very good hitter: isn’t that patient, strikes out a lot, and doesn’t hit for a bit of power. What does he do well with the bat?
To me Gordon right now is a defensive minded SS who’ll bat 8th or 9th for a decent team. That not a great prospect to me. Useful? Yes? Capable of helping a team? Sure. But not someone who’s better than a B prospect to me
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
Batting average is important, yes
My point was that you shouldn’t assume you know what his batting average is going to be based on a single season sample size. Batting average doesn’t stabilize until many more plate appearances. I trust his career average (almost .300) more than his average this season.
The reality is probably somewhere between the two. Adjust for age and getting a little stronger as he gets older and I have no problem envisioning him with a .280 batting average in the majors.
He’s never going to be a great hitter. But, and I gave this example in another thread, you shouldn’t understate defensive value and baserunning. I watch Michael Bourn play all the time, he hits some liners but mostly just slaps the ball on the ground. His OPS last season was .736 and his OPS this season is .676.
He produced 4.3 WAR last year and has so far produced 3.3 WAR this year. And this is as a center fielder, a less valuable position than shortstop. That’s a really nice player and I don’t think similar overall value is an unreasonable most likely projection for Dee Gordon.
Hmmm
I think that last part is pretty fair. Sometimes I think I (and some others on the site) focus too much on fantasy production in these rankings. If Gordon really is a plus defensive shortstop, he’ll have value.
I still don’t buy his bat, but I’ll up my grade to a B. Good arguments on your part, OremLK
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B-
Just not a fan. As Jgaztambide said, he’s projection at this point. I know he’s young and doesn’t have a ton of experience, but I’m not sold he’ll turn the athleticism into skills to the point where he’ll be that valuable.
http://bullpenbanter.com
B / B+
toughie
because there may even be those only willing to give him a B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
The raw offensive numbers are far from special. What I am impressed with is the fact that he hit almost exactly as well at AA as he did at A, even while making the huge jump over A+. Gordon’s floor is a AAA/backup shortstop, sure. On the other hand though, he’s an extremely athletic, raw (in terms of experience as well, which is important) baseball player who has a very enticing upside, and he plays great shortstop defense. He’s a low B+ to me, but a B+ all the same.
Still a B+
he didn’t progress a ton, but he didn’t falter when challenged by AA
Usually I agree but Arcia could probably hit a bounced pitch out of the park right now. -KBR
Thanks
got lost in the long name…ha
Kohnfed.
by angelskid2210 on Sep 8, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
High end B
Glad to see the power, not thrilled with the walk rate. Could just be the pessimistic A’s fan in me, but I’m not sure I can give him a B+.
http://bullpenbanter.com
B
I doubt he sticks at 2B and his bat is just okay for me.
I doubt he sticks at 2B
Based on? His biggest defensive problem is his arm strength which wouldn’t hurt him at 2B.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
Agreed.
He’s a B/B+ for me, I’d like to see some more definitive reports on his defense before committing to one way or the other.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
i do have him ranked at #38 overall right now though
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
B
but i could see B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
B
Still has upside, but not a great performance in AA. Same kind of grade as Martin Perez and for the same reasons, though Perez is higher for me
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B / B-
his stock is dropping by the second to me
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
+1
It was low already to me. When someone touts a prospect’s “pitchability”, they usually mean, “this guy’s numbers are lucky, but he’s on a team I really like”
B+
Kind of a weak B+, but I still like him.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
A-. Hard to quibble with the results at such a young age and from such a live arm, but I need to see more in the high minors in order to give him a straight A. The FB rate in particular is somewhat of an issue.
+1
A- for me. Really exciting prospects, but just a couple of things keep him from getting a straight A
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
Borderline A-/A
I really want to see the scouting reports on him. I’m not sure if the FB problems are due to the stuff or command/consistency. If a large portion of the FB are due to inconsistency in keeping the secondary stuff down, I’ll feel a lot more comfortable than if the fastball is what’s leading to the. As much as I’d love to go A right now, I think the questions are enough to keep him at an A-.
+1
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
A
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
B+/A-
I’ll go with a B+ on this one, since his K rates in AA and AAA weren’t excellent. Still, the groundouts, the low walks, and the (still good) k-rates make him a really nice prospect. Combine it with his proximity to the majors and he’s one of my favorite prospects right now
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B+
the second best B+ pitching spect in the minors to Shelby Miller
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Arguably my favorite breakout player from this year.
He’s gone from borderline non-prospect to potential star catcher. That’s legit.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
probably closer to “B” than A- though
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Disagree
He’s closer to that A- than B. Playing a premium position and he has flashed plenty to make me think he’ll be above average both offensively and defensively.
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
ok i could see that
but to me, that would indicate He’s in you’re top 25 or so players OVERALL
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
i guess I have him at #30
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
High end B
Struggled early but seems to have righted the ship in July/August.
http://bullpenbanter.com
so you'd have Friedrich over Matzek?
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
just curious because I have Friederich in the 60-85 range
and Matzek in the top 30 or certainly 40 overall
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Friedrich would be ahead at this point
I had him ahead coming into the year too, though both have dropped in my rankings. Friedrich has some warts but doesn’t have as much to overcome as Matzek, and is much closer to the majors. His floor looks like a 7th inning arm to me, where Matzek’s floor is probably never seeing the majors. Matzek has the advantage in ceiling though.
http://bullpenbanter.com
B
Pretty disappointing year though, could totally understand a B- ranking. He did pitch much better in July/August though, as gatling pointed out.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
could be slightly better
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
B
Injuries a concern, but FIP wasn’t bad. Can still miss bats, still is left-handed, still has a killer curve.
A-
I think he’s going to be damn good.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
A-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
B
bordering on B-
I’m not as high on him as most
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Didn’t break out this year, but still has silly upside and had a decent year
PPPPPPUNTO 4 MVP 2010
B/B+
Project and decent production this year keep him in the 25-40 range for me, but he’s not one of the elite prospects for me right now
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
A-
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
interesting
you definately must be expecting a breakout next year in the Florida State League… yeah
I could see 10-15 maybe even say 18 homers with a .275-.285 Batting Ave with a 340+ OB% and lots of steals too with laser rocket arm, solid defense
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
honestly i don't CARE what he does next year there
beside ONE thing cut down some K’s Aaron!!!!
(keep those outstanding walks up too)
Bobby Abreau like in the BB department
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
simple for me
He had a very very good year. Has unmatched tools for someone with his pedigree. Still love him.
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
yeah the only knock on him is that he simply
Repeated the SAME level
and maybe a smidge less power than you’d like to see
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
what does that actually mean?
That he repeated the same level. That is of zero consequence. None. No one should ever bring it up again. Ever.
First, players are moved into and out of that league all the time. Second, I would imagine the largest sample he has against a single pitcher over those two years is 20 PA. MAX. Should we discount players who spend and entire year in one league and get a chance to adjust to pitchers the second time around the league? How about for players who get that chance but do not play well?
Whatever the premise is, its wrong. I feel very strongly about this topic.
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
yeppers
Like I said, we don’t rag on college players for playing at the same level three years in a row . . .and this competition isn’t nearly as good as full season pro baseball!
In fact, I’d venture to say that the way the Twins handle position player development is closer to what teams should do than the standard one-level-at-a-time approach. The only young player they’ve moved aggressively in the last few years is Ben Revere, who is noted as being a rather advanced hitter for his age . . .and they even kept HIM back in XST for a while. Let guys repeat a league, let the game slow down for them, let them learn against competition that’s appropriate for their background, skillset, etc. and then when they’ve learned, you let them move as their skills dictate. Usually it’s not too hard to see when a minor league player has moved beyond his competition . . .it doesn’t always show up in the numbers (just like really strong performance doesn’t always indicate a player is ready for the next level), but sometimes it does.
+1
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
It depends...
If its a young, toolsy kid like Hicks then I don’t care if he repeats… if its an older/age accurate ARL guy with unimpressive tools and whose prospect status is largely based on minor league success (Like Kila) then yes… it does count as a negative for me.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
+1
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
ohh i know!!!!
I was saying what others perceive is “‘wrong’” with him
some think he should of had much better numbers in 2010 than 2009 based on Hicks being in the Midwest League again…. AND he had better numbers just not much much better.
I love it when Players repeat levels just not more than 2+ years obviously….
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
B+/A-
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
one of the weakest B+ ’s in the minors though
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
B
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
A- sounds good
The talk that he’s had an “underwhelming” year is silly. He’s played much better this year, especially in the second half of the season. If he was in college (where you basically repeat a level twice), this would be treated as really outstanding improvement in an already-excellent prospect, and college is MUCH easier than the Midwest League.
B+
. . . is there any talk of aaron Hicks just batting from the right side? He is so much better from the right side – and terrible from the left – that I just assume this will happen.
I agree with most of your guys assesment of him and his season but, I think he has a bit less star potential perhaps. Lots to like though.
May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.
-George Carlin
B-
Not impressed
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
B
It took him two months to adjust to AAA, but he slashed .296/.345/.484 in the second half.
He’s not elite, but he’s still got a ton of skill he can tap into
Usually I agree but Arcia could probably hit a bounced pitch out of the park right now. -KBR
can he play enywhere besides 1B ?
if so I like him, if not I don’t very much
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
C+
Hoping he advances a lot next year at the plate.
by Kenneth Arthur on Sep 8, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
I’m not sure what’s more worrisome: the fact that he had a total of 20 walks and hit-by-pitches, or the fact that he hit only 20 extra-base hits.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
C
he’s going to be moved off of SS, he doesn’t walk, and he doesn’t hit for power. A little unsure on the allure of a player under that criteria.
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
the allure is that he is so young for his level (20 in AA and holding his own)
PPPPPPUNTO 4 MVP 2010
+1
No idea why anyone still considers him a C+.
His ARL becomes less impressive considering how overmatched he’s looked at AA. His work ethic is nonexistent, and he hasn’t shown any signs of improvement in the last 3 years. For a guy who didn’t have an astronomical physical ceiling to begin with, that’s a very bad thing.
I may even go C- at this point, but at least the contact skill is still there.
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
He still has potential, he’s just unlikely to reach it
by Flamefox111 on Sep 11, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
B
Crazy good year for him though. Is he the best pitching prospect in that system now?
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Very true
I like quite a few of their arms. I’m just not sure any of them are that close to Odorizzi.
http://bullpenbanter.com
none are
but the combo of Arnett, Jeffress, Peralta, Scarpetta, Heckathorn, Rogers, etc. is a very nice situation for them
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
Arnett is a question mark for me
I didn’t grade him below where you listed the Brewers arms. I just don’t know what to make of him right now.
http://bullpenbanter.com
me neither
I was fully on the bandwagon at the beginning of the year, and he’s done pretty much everything possible to kick me off
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
B+
love Odorizzi more than pretty much everybody on this site (except maybe JDizzidy)
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
+1 i could see this
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I think I'm changing to B+
he’s either one of the weaker B+ starts at the moment
or probably the single best “B” starter in all of the minors right now, honestly
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
*starters
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Kenneth "Trey" McNutt
I have him in a dog fight with Chris Archer for the #2 spot in the Cubs’ system. He’s somewhere between B and B+ for me, trending closer to B+.
I'll go with a B
nice season though. Agree with jar75, I’d rather have Archer
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B-
still for now but definately rising…..
(too bad seasons done)
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I pondered B+ as well, but want to see improvement on consistency and control before going B+. I want to know that his stuff can dominate AA batters before going B+.
Nick Weglarz
This’ll be controversial, but I’ll give him a B+ / A-. I love Weglarz
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
top 30 or so
yeah. I really like his bat
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
If you really believe in the bat, I can understand your grade
I just don’t have nearly that much faith in him. He’d be a B-/B type for me at best.
http://bullpenbanter.com
B
a low end B, but I think he belongs in the conversation for top 100, which all will be B’s for me, and then some.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
B- for me
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
another toughie
i had him #36-42 overall earlier but right now On my current list (i may or may not post soon)
I have him at #55 soooo………………………….
hmm B / B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I imagine JD Drew with bad defense (probably a DH before he hits 30), less average and poor speed. He’ll have a good 3 year span from 26 to 29, and then will become a hated, overpaid over the hill guy by 32.
C+
Horrible athlete and only a solid bat. Need to see some truly great offensive performance eventually for me to think he’s anything more than a decent NL bench bat.
B
love the bat, iffy on the glove. Interesting guy to watch
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
Better than Cord Phelps? :)
Is Phelps ok with the glove?
B
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I’m not super thrilled by him, but he should be good enough.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
B
solid
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Great adjustment to second base, and he can hit pretty darn well.
by soxaroundtheclock on Sep 12, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Yonder Alonso B+
I’m sure I’m higher than most but, Is there anybody else who thinks he’ll take off once he starts to get regular playing time?
May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.
-George Carlin
B
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
B
could be B- if he has to stick at 1st base
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
B
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
C+ / B-
there will be those that think he’s B-/ B territory but I think he’s overrated
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Overrated?
He is probably one of the best MLb CFers already. He already leagues the AL in OF assits. Yeah his bat will need some time to come around, but he is definitely not over rated.
Kohnfed.
by angelskid2210 on Sep 8, 2010 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
Although, a good AFL showing would get him up to a B-. The Cubs have really done a poor job with him in terms of promotions.
by Outshined_One on Sep 8, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
B-, but I'm being a tad optimistic
The .252 BABIP in Double-A is a joke, he’s only 21, and there’s a lot of upside in that bat still.
He needs to stay healthy and make some freaking adjustments though. It’s astonishing how much his plate discipline is affecting his offense though, he could improve so damn much if he’d take some freaking pitches.
Definitely a high-risk, high-upside guy that’s running out of time, though.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
running out of time?
Vitters turned 21 on August 27.
I meant running of time to maintain his status as a top prospect
Obviously we’re not writing off a guy with his talent because of a couple bad seasons.
But you’d hope for a lot more improvement by now then he’s shown.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, I'd hope for more
But he’s still got natural talent, and he’s made slow-but-steady progress over the last few years. His biggest struggles have been when the Cubs have promoted him too quickly. I haven’t decided yet with Vitters . . .leaning B-, but I think I might go B for one more year. Still doesn’t strike out very much at all, and hit pretty well in the FSL, where he was very league appropriate. Next year in AA will tell a ton . . .as somebody mentioned in this thread about a different prospect, succeeding in AA at age 21 is a BIG deal, and the conversation will probably have to start shifting from whether or not Vitters will be a major leaguer to what kind of major leaguer he’ll be.
To borrow from the Aaron Hicks example above, I wonder what kind of prospect Vitters would look like right now if he had been drafted by the Twins rather than the Cubs.
C+
but barely
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I really don't know
I pondered B- (there were reports of approach improvement, and the upside is still huge) but at some point, he has to produce, and consistently produce. I’m really not sure what I’d do with it right now.
B-
young, potential hasn’t changed, and he’s produced in his second shot at every level so far (with ARL working against him).
by PrincetonCubs on Sep 9, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
not a believer
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
another reply fail
That was for Josh vitters. Sorry guys, I’ll get this whole “reply” thing down
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B
Aggressive grade. I believe in him. He should have stayed in FSL all year. He needs all year in AA next year and he’ll respond.
http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/
by Matt Garrioch on Sep 8, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Dellin Betances
B/B+ for me with potential to be in the A/A- category at this time next year. If he stays healthy and has another productive year he has the stuff to be special
B
a weak one though, closer to B- than B+ for sure at this stage of the game
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Could be an A by this time next year, tho.
I go B+
I’m bullish on him. Now that Chapman’s up Betances’s pure stuff is as good as anyone in the minors, including Teheran.
B+
He’d probably rank pretty high among my B+ guys and I could see going higher if scouting reports on his stuff are really strong.
+1
Agree completely. B+ for me with the potential to be higher
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
high B probably
Solid year, solid pitcher, but not a frontline guy for me.
Probably a B+
but not one of the stronger ones. I just don’t see high end upside with him.
http://bullpenbanter.com
B+
I’d have him as an above average B+ type…not a borderline A-, but significantly closer to an A- than a B.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
I just wonder if he’s capable of dominating enough to be a top-of-the-rotation guy.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think many people think that
There aren’t too many pros that fit that description…even Hellickson doesn’t really project to be that good.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Depends
On what “top of the rotation” means. If he projects the way I think he will, I think he can be one of the best thirty pitchers in baseball in his prime.
B+
thats defiantely all i can go
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
A-
I’m probably the highest on him of anyone around here, and if he hadn’t struggled at AAA he’d be borderline straight A. Everyone gives credit to Kelly/Perez for ARL, but a lot of times its failed to mention that Lyles is a full year younger than Kelly and only 6 months older than Perez
Usually I agree but Arcia could probably hit a bounced pitch out of the park right now. -KBR
Doesn't have the stuff
to be a straight A, but can’t go lower then A-
http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/
by Matt Garrioch on Sep 8, 2010 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
ARL doesn't mean anything to me, he's a B
But besides that, Kelly and Perez both have better raw stuff than Lyles. I’ve only seen Perez and Lyles in person, but Kelly’s raw stuff seems to be improving (up to 96 MPH in his last appearance this year). I think the bigger problem for Kelly is that for a guy who does rely on command regardless of the velocity of his fastball, his command just wasn’t there this year. When strengths turn into weaknesses, we have problems.
When you say ARL doesn't mean anything to you
Does that mean you give him no credit for his age? I know it’s not the same as for hitters, but come on. It still matters to an extent, especially for the more projectable guys like Lyles (both skills and physically).
Nope, nada
For what it’s worth though, he does get credit in my eyes for his amount of experience.
That seems like almost the same thing
It sounds like you are giving him credit for the experience component of ARL but not the physical component.
What I don’t get is why he wouldn’t get credit for the physical part as well? You can tell just by looking at him that he has room on his frame to add muscle.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
B+
Same category as Shelby Miller
One thing we should mention with Moore: his walks rates dropped in the second half of last year too, and he came in this season and was pretty terrible. Obviously that’s not much of a trend, but how he performs to open up next season will be pretty important to me
I’ll still give him a B+
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
A-
Level up from Miller, walk rate went down as year progressed, massive K rate.
B+
another above average B+, maybe a top B+. Still not quite a borderline A- though.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
A-
And it helps that Tampa Bay is really good at developing pitchers.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
right with Lyles
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
holy crap
i’m a little surprised with all the “A-” s for Matt Moore
i would think there’d be more B+s like a 2:1 ratio the other way
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
i don't think so
If so, there should be more of “me’s”
50 me’s – 50 you’s
instead of 80-20
because you know a lot of these guys won’t ever make it
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
But...
it is all subjective anyway. grades are basically defined by consensus. obviously year-to-year it should shift around, but unless you think this year’s class is a LOT worse than last year’s class, then it just confuses things. i mean, i’m not criticizing your methods. but tougher grades don’t really mean anything if you grade tough every year.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Probably has something to do
with the 130/24 K/BB ratio in 84 innings in the second half of the season.
http://bullpenbanter.com
B/B-
Really impressive season for Locke.
It just kinda sucks that the Pirates don’t have anyone with frontline upside in the upper minors. You got Tallion, Allie, Heredia, ZVR, and guys like that. But realistically, it’s hard to see guys like Locke, Owens, Morris, Wilson and Lincoln becoming more than No. 3 starters.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I have to agree...
only Locke and Morris even have a chance, but they are doubtful. Not the worst thing to have a rotation of number 3 guys though.
ETHAN MARTIN!!!!
I remember thinkign he was a C+ / B- guy
kind of like ummm…. teamate Tim Alderson
but now Alderson is proabably C+ and Locke definitely B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I feel like that is a strong grade too. Maybe not.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
B+/B
I’m warming up to him as I’ve bought into the power more and more. You’d like to see better on-base skills, but he’s still a regular with a solid MI glove, 15-20 HR power and good speed.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
On-base
I agree. because he has the infield glove I think people are willing to credit the pop and not debit the 7.5% bb rate and the 24% BB rate. Of course he has come up to the majors and mashed. Were the Nats jus not wanting to move Desmond because it’s late in the season, or does it really look like it is captain E at SS and Espinosa at 2b next year? I saw someone on SB nation’s nats site, Federal baseball, say they think Desmond has the stronger arm.
B+
Don’t think he’s changed much other than people above him being promoted . . .had him at No. 42 (I think) last year, might have picked up a few spots.
not sure why I replyed to Kupe
should have just been a general reply
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
B
but dang good, bettter than Ian Desmond IMO
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
I'll buy that
Loved him going into the draft. Landed in a perfect spot to finish his development.
http://bullpenbanter.com
Solid B-
Borderline grade B.
Want to see more than 13 innings and/or more consensus on scouting reports before putting a 21st round pick in my top 100.
I'd give a B
No B+ yet
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B+, I'm down as well
I’m starting to think that the Twins may have found another steal, like they did with Gibson the year before.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Ike Davis
John had him as a B pre-season, and in the review he said he’s held his own considering only 10 AAA games.
I know he’s graduated, and others may see him as still a B, but I’d go B+, considering his recent uptick.
.258/.347/.446 triple slash line. Walk rate 12%. ISO .188 with Citifield as his home park. .345 wOBA, 117 wRC+.
No real split issues. he’s actually hit lefties better, with a .364 wOBA, and hit better at Citi than on the road (.362-.333 wOBA), although 11 of 18 homers are on the road.
16th in wOBA amongst 1Bs, right behind LaRoche, who is a decent bat comp except Ike walks more often. Laroche has more power now but I think Ike has promising pop. And Ike is a better fielder.
12th in 1B WAR in the majors at 2.7. Much of that is from his UZR, 2nd in the majors behind Barton at 8.4, 12.5 per 150. UZR is variable, 1B in particular, but it jibes with the eye test. He’s made a habit of grabbing the dugout rail and doing a back flip to catch a foul ball. Which doesn’t mean much, but overall he seems to be a good fielder.
Projected over 160 games, that’s a 3.5 WAR average from a 23 year old who has less than half a season above high A under his belt.
He K’s a bit much, 27%. For all the carping on his long swing and question of his ability to hit lefties, he out-performed the more-heralded Smoak and Alonso. Smoak may still be the better choice long term, but people didn’t downgrade Smoak or Alonso much over hitting lefties coming into this year, although Ike actually hit them better in the minors last year at similar levels. And he certainly answered that question better than they have thus far.
His UZR may be too dependent on fielding for prognostication purposes, but i think he’ll improve at the plate. Solid B+ for a guy who is already a mid-level major league starter after skipping AAA.
Designated
Ike p.r. guy here. I can understand a B.
If there was a grade between B+ and A-, that's what I would give him.
So to be fair, I’ll round down to B+. It’s hard to say if his secondary offerings will ever be as good as some other top pitchers, but his command is what’s so remarkable. He’s never failed at any level, looking dominant at times in AAA Tacoma despite his age and experience. Pineda could be anywhere from a #1 ace type to a 3/4 good starter who will always find a job, but I really don’t see many scenarios in which he stays healthy and fails at the major league level. He has a very high floor for me.
by Kenneth Arthur on Sep 8, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
B+/A- borderline
Velocity is up, stuff and control are excellent, made it through the year just fine.
http://bullpenbanter.com
+1
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
B+
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
A-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
B++
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow Lawrie ahead of Freeman too?
You realize Lawrie is probably destined for a COF where he doesn’t have much more defensive value and his bat doesn’t look nearly as good.
is freddie freeman your cousin or something?
by mrkupe on Sep 9, 2010 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
No just a guy I'm really sold on
I just don’t get the rationale that could have Lawrie and B. Jackson a grade ahead of Freeman. I probably could have found another example, but he’s the guy who stuck out to me. Do you really have a problem with it?
To simplify it, I pointed out Freeman to show the lack of consistency in his rankings
Do you disagree that there is a lack of consistency?
Well, until Lawrie plays another position...
he’s a 2B and I think the best 2B prospect. Jackson, as I pointed out above, is a more valuable player.
But he's pretty brutal on defense there
And Freeman’s bat was already 10 runs better despite the fact that he’s at a higher level. Given how well they defend their current positions, that makes there overall value basically equal with Freeman doing it a full level higher.
He steals lots of bases, but not at a good clip
Lawrie’s speed is nothing special. Freeman’s actually quite good on the base paths as well, at least for someone his size. I don’t think the couple of run advantage Lawrie has there makes up for Freeman’s huge advantage with the bat and the defensive questions surrounding Lawrie.
Of course, you can project that Moore's numbers won't carry forward
But projecting defense going forward has no bearing on your rankings. That makes no sense. In your mind, Freeman suddenly becomes better if the Braves stick some catcher’s equipment on him and put him behind the plate? Whatever, I’ll leave it alone, you’re entitled to your own opinion.
Well
wOBA accounts for stolen bases. When you convert wOBA in wRAA(runs above average), Freeman’s bat is worth 12.3 more runs than Lawrie’s, and he’s playing a level ahead of him. If both are neutral defenders at their positions(-12.5 runs for 1B, +2.5 runs for 2B), Lawrie holds a slight advantage, at two tenths of a win. But they aren’t both neutral defenders, Freeman is an above average defender at 1B and Lawrie is below average at 2B.
Now, I can understand if you think Lawrie has more projection with the bat or something like that. But that should have been your argument then, not the ones you put forth.
http://bullpenbanter.com
If you truly are grading that way, I’m fine with that. I don’t agree (defense should be a HUGE factor in prospect value in my mind) but at least you are using it across the board.
The people that I can’t understand are the ones that say Montero will be a DH but Lawrie will stick at 2B or Decker is a DH but Carter could play average D in LF. I believe it is as likely that Lawrie moves off 2B as it is likely Montero moves off C. Honestly, I think it is almost as likely that Myers moves off C but some people continue to ride the line that he will be at least average. If you hear rumblings from multiple sources about a position/role change, it’s probably going to come true. Perhaps 90% likely.
I understand projection is a big part of this but it really bothers me when similar problems are treated differently because you just happen to like player x more than player y. Freeman’s lack of power is clearly one of the more polarizing topics in this thread. Someone brought up the point that people are discounting him because he is at 1B and because they don’t think he will have average power. So what is a 1B (very little defensive value) with average power for his position? B+? So to them, someone w/o average power is 1-2 letter grades lower?
We are all using different criteria but some of the approaches really stump me.
Lumbering? Its a bit of a white flag when you have to use exaggeration
I didn’t say his speed was bad, just nothing special. As in, definitely above average, maybe even fringe plus, but nothing that really sets him apart. Especially when he projects to get bigger and lose some of that speed over the next few years.
Somehow "nothing special"
came close to setting the league record for triples. You manage to put enough contradictory adjectives in your response, that you’re bound to be right.
Maybe his speed is better than what scouting reports say
But everything I’ve seen is that his speed is good, but nothing special. His SB numbers seem to point to the same thing. Maybe the 3B are because he has great top end speed, but only good acceleration. Maybe they’re due to hard hit balls and less than stellar defense. Maybe they’re due to great speed that scouts are missing. I don’t know, I’m just going based off of the scouting reports I’ve read.
Pretty brutal just means bad in my mind
I see basically no chance that Lawrie sticks at 2B. That’s all I was trying to say.
bad and brutal aren't synonymous
The biggest obstacle to him sticking at 2nd is the high likelihood that Weeks is signed to an extension, not ability to play the position.
This seems to be more about Freeman than Lawrie. Why not try selling him rather than knocking whatever prospect anyone thinks is higher?
The comment was in direct response to a comment about Lawrie's positional value advantage, I wasn't just trying to point out negatives
I also think most people would disagree with you on his biggest obstacle to sticking at 2B being Weeks. Based on the scouting reports, his defense there already isn’t good, and it projects to get worse as he fills out.
As for bad and brutal not being synonymous, that’s not what I was saying either. Good and pretty good aren’t synonymous, neither are brutal and pretty brutal. It was just another way of saying it was bad. Maybe it brings out a worse connotation then I realized, at least for some people, but like I tried explaining in my last post, all I was trying to say was that his defense was bad.
B+
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
but lower than Lawrie by 10 spots overall or so………..
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
B
until I know more about what role he’ll play
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
B+
below average B+, but he has too much upside to ignore. He’s definitely a top 50 prospect.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
B-
I didn’t think there was any chance that he’d start last year at this time, and he’s only solidified my opinion. The terrible 2nd half performance and the injury history knocks him down to B-.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
B/B-
He looks like a reliever long-term
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
if he starts maybe “B”
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
wow
i am shocked that i am the only one that considers him a B+. basically no one sees him as a top 50 type? this isn’t for havok really. just surprised. i would have guessed the average rank would be around 30, not 100 or so, like it appears to be.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 10, 2010 2:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I'd be shocked if he made my top 100
What exactly do you like about Scheppers?
http://bullpenbanter.com/
think most see him as a reliever
and if that’s the case, then i don’t see the difference between him and other top relief prospects like Jordan Walden or Tim Collins.
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
B
But I think he will be a top-flight reliever
by soxaroundtheclock on Sep 12, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Thomas Field
Better prospect than Grant Green, so B+? A-?
I don't know if there's an inside joke here
but I’ll give him a B-
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
Better prospect than Aaron Miller at least.
I’ll admit my bad from that thread if you admit yours.
At any rate, now that you bring it up.
C+ on Field.
Actually? B-/C+
Would prefer to get some more reports on his glove first, and I’m hesitant with a college product playing well in high Single-A two years after he made his pro debut in low Single-A. You’d think he’d move faster, and he’s going to be 24 in February.
Do you actually think he’s a better prospect than Grant Green…?
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
mrkupe was specifically goading me with that comment.
Field’s glove is much better at short, where Green clearly wasn’t going to stick, and at the time I was much less convinced in Green’s bat at other positions than I obviously would be now. It was a bit of a brash thing to say anyway (and in hindsight, clearly wrong), just to draw a little more attention to an older prospect that was getting overlooked in the system that I love.
At any rate, I’m waiting to see what Field does in the AFL to give a final verdict this year, if he does well against more elite pitching, than I’ll bump him back into that B- range.
The Rockies tend to delay their 2nd tier prospects’ ascents by slow promotions, overly cautious DL stints, etc.., as long as possible to get the players’ peak years cheap (think Brad Hawpe and Garrett Atkins) at the MLB level. This tanks the players resale and earning value later, but gives the Rockies the productive middle of their careers at a bargain basement price. Field, Nelson, Nicasio and a couple other players seem to be fitting into this pattern.
No clue here.... i'll say C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
-1 and only member of the Nick Weglarz fan club!
That's good with me
Man, my list is going to be filled with B+ grade short stops.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
B+
a weak one, but he is distinguishable from my top B guys.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
He’s above Espinosa for me.
With Starlin Castro up in Chicago, there are reasonable arguments to make that Franklin is the best long-term SS prospect in the minors right now.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd take that
although whether or not he sticks at SS is still up for debate. Manny Machado also needs to be considered
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
I thought the reason Franklin was drafted in the first round
was because he was supposed to be able to stick at SS. All the great hitting he’s displayed this year wasn’t supposed to be there. He’s a glove first player.
I didn't realize that Machado had begun playing in Single-A yet
He’s definitely a contender, if you buy that he’ll stick at short.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
"although whether or not he sticks at SS is still up for debate."
It is? Having never seen the dude play, I’m not gonna pretend I know anything, but Jason Churchill knows as much about the M’s farm as anyone, so I’ll defer to him:
“Scouts have opined this season that Franklin’s work at shortstop isn’t concerning, despite the somewhat high error totals, and that he’s “smooth, sure-handed and makes the routine play look more routine than a blinking with the wind blowing.”
I witnessed him making throws during spring training that most shortstops in the bigs can’t make — the quick, nearly-underhanded flip on a slow roller, the play deep behind second base with a decent runner in route to first, among others — and he’s a quick learner, too."
B+
but closer to “B” than A- for me
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I still like his tools and think he'll get back on track
B, borderline B+ for me
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
B
But man, where the hell did his power go?
A nasty combination: way less power, more K’s, less walks, and a BABIP that one could actually describe as sustainable. I still think he’s a good prospect, but he’s not getting away with a sub-.150 isolated power.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
he is a flukey flake
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
Can’t ignore his age and what he did this season.
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
His Seattle line
was a tiny sample but abysmal. He was an a- coming into the year but perhaps given too much credit. Folks gave him an injury mulligan for AAA last year. I’d say he’s still a B+. But performance wise it’s hard to merit. Guys often struggle first go ’round. Like Cargo.
It's not the first go-round struggle that worries me. I'm not a panicker with prospects and rookies.
But the expectations for everyone around the league have fallen off a bit because his power and defense are more in question now than they were before the year. Still love him.
by Kenneth Arthur on Sep 8, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't the struggles
result in the power and D being more in question? Then again, I’d heard decent D reviews but this year was the first time I actually saw him on D.
B+/B
I’m still optimistic, but it wasn’t what you wanted to see.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
another strong one. not quite a borderline A- though, but i think i’m a little strict with giving out A-’s.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
hmmm
Teheran
Hanson
Minor
Delgado
Hoover/ Medlen / Jurrjens
for years and years and years to come for the Bravos ? …. Oh my
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Beachy too maybe
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
wow
they should make him the 8th inning guy maybe
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
elbow
is an issue. when healed, the guy’s another starter. If anything, the Braves will need to trade some of this pitching depth to find a bat or two.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 9, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
yes, we are stacked
but some Braves FO folks are drooling over Carlos Perez (19 year old Lefty in Rome right now). They think that he can be a Teheran-type but a lefty.
Not to mention that Scott Diamond has pitched well recently. The Braves have PLENTY of arms.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 9, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
B-
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
yea
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I really like his results, though. I think he’s got a lower ceiling than Martin, Withrow, Lee, Rubby, and Webster, but I think he’s got a higher floor than most of them as well. At best I see him being a 3 or 4 starter, but I don’t see him being worse than a decent 4th starter or good 5th starter.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
His ceiling is a #2
but he has a more likely chance of being an MLB starter than the guys you listed. The other guys have ace potential, but could all also just be relievers…
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Sep 14, 2010 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Brad Hand?
High end B
I like him a lot, but I’m not sure how high the ceiling is here.
http://bullpenbanter.com
Solid B
He won’t be an ace, maybe not even a top of the rotation guy, but should slot in quite nicely somewhere in the middle. Reminds me of a slightly better Scott Olsen honestly.
olsen
Olsen was supposed to be a lot better than he has been. I hate saying “Prospect X is going to be a slightly better version this guy” . . .well, when that guy was Prospect W, we were saying that he was going to be a slightly better version of THAT guy.
haha
That was mildly confusing to read, but I get what you are saying. I will say, he should be a slightly better version of Scott Olsen meaning the Scott Olsen we saw in FLA. Meaning I think Hand can go 12-15 wins, 3.80ish ERA, and K about 150 a season. Olsen was good in 06 and 08 so I think those are the lines I was thinking about. Also, meant that from a stuff standpoint. Olsen sits around 90 with some decent secondary stuff, Hand could sit 92ish with good secondary stuff.
B
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Ivan Nova
came out of nowhere. Good minor league numbers, has looked really good in the majors. Hit 97 on the gun a couple starts ago.
C+
i could see B- though
I just think he’s a reliever maybe Alexi Ogando like?
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
JeanMar Gomez like
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
B-
Too much of a chance that he fizzles out and becomes a 4th outfielder. He is in my top 150 though.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I worry about a guy who’s so dependent on putting up a high batting average to be valuable.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
tough one
I guess he’s a borderline B-/B to me, so top 125 probably.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I could be convinced
to rate him better though maybe.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
B- / B
i honestly could buy either one
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
What do you give a likely 4/5 starter?
B-? B? That’s Beachy, probably next year.
Well, if you think he’s a true 4/5 without any upside over that, to me that’s a B-
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 9, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
weak B
Outside my top 100, but not that far outside it.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
i am concerned about the breaking ball though, it doesn’t look real good to me. think he can work as a starter though using mostly the other two pitches.
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
B
I do worry that he’ll break down though
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
B
Injury concerns drop him down half a grade.
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
There's no consistency to his rankings
He’s just going down and throwing down a grade for everyone without any real thinking. His prerogative I guess.
Let's see...
What has Sale done as a pro? Oh, he’s been terrific while actually facing major league hitters.
Sure
I even gave him a B/B+ grade because I like the guy and can see him being a solid starter. I could maybe see giving all three guys the same grade(though I have Moore at an A- and Delgado on the B+/A- border), but I can’t see grading Sale higher when you’re basing it on a tiny sample as a reliever and ignoring the large bodies of work put forth by Moore and Delgado.
I know you handed out a lot of grades in a short time tonight, so maybe some of them were oversights. I know that I had to go back and check on a few guys when giving my grades to make sure I was keeping them in line with my rankings.
http://bullpenbanter.com
Michael Choice
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
B probably
Terrific pro debut, just might need a little more time than you might expect from a college player drafted so highly.
B
I like him. He’d probably be in the back end of my top 100.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I don’t know if it’s just me, but it seems like we don’t talk about him enough on this site.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
thats why i posted it
;-)
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
hmm i have him in the 90's right now in my top 150-200 overall 'sects so....
i gotta give him a B- for that
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
obviously the 'upside' and potential here are huge
he could be the next Dominic Brown or Donavan Tate type of player lol
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
It would be sweet if...
someone put together composite letter grade rankings for each player and made a master list after a few days.
PPPPPPUNTO 4 MVP 2010
someone usually does
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
Chris Nelson
Strong B for me. Top 75 overall for me. He put together a very nice season. Previously had high expectations, but he’s been injury prone. Keith Law seems to really like him, but is afraid of the injuries. Jim Callis thinks he’ll end up as an offensive utility guy.
like him tooo
what a throw back name
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
B
I wonder if he gets a shot at 2B in 2011 or if they give it to EYJ.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
sorry i think this 1 year and his first year of pro ball are a little inflated….
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
he did it last year too
though he was hurt for a lot of it
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes and yes
One of the best full season debuts I’ve seen from a pitcher. He probably doesn’t have elite upside but he looks as safe as any single A pitcher to have some kind of MLB career, and I’m not going to rule out no. 2 starter potential entirely.
B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
he's a lefty, alive and breathing and I'll say He'll rebound some in 2011
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
B/ B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
B-
He has been terrible in the majors, I dont think he will ever be anything more than a 4th or 5th starter
Is it normal to give 5th starters a B-?
Not picking on you, but I’m really just curious, like, if you think he’s going to be Doug Fister, is that a B-? It very well may be.
by Kenneth Arthur on Sep 9, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah definitely
4/5 starters are B- equivalents to me, as long as they don’t have a lower floor than that.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 9, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
than whats a C+
a reliever?
or 6th starter?
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll say B-
Reports on Defense have been good and the offense improved in AA. Still would like to see more power and a better BB rate.
by TwoEyesForAnEye on Sep 8, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
not much to say. I just can’t see him not having a plus bat at 2B or CF.
High end grade B
Next season is critical. He could be a top 10 guy at midseason or fall out of the top 100 entirely.
straight A
Ackley is my #2 prospect in MiLB right now, behind Harper. If Dom Brown is eligible still, he’ll be #1 though
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
wow
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Not ready to go straight A yet
But I respect the call. It blows my mind how much people get caught up with his power.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, I'm not sure if he's really my #2 overall but...
I felt people were so blown up over his #s that I felt it necessary to overcompensate for them by ranking Ackley higher than I should.
I am giving him a grade A though, I still believe he’s got one of the highest floors in the entire minors, with a very respectable ceiling as well.
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
Thats harsh
…they should send down Huntington & Nutting, because they aren’t ready, either. - royshowell
by Marinerfanjake on Sep 8, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
A-
but a top dog 8th overall for me…
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
close to A- territory though
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
notch above arica for me
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
B-
i could see “B” though almost definately a better C+ guy than any other SS if he gets that from John or whoever….
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
B/B+
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
B- / B
hmmmmm
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
C+/B-
I like his approach and the doubles power he started to show this season in AAA…and of course, the fact that he’s maintained his great K/BB against major league pitching so far. I guess I’d say he’s a B- if you think his defense can be adequate, C+ if not.
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
B
He is more than holding his own in the majors both offensively/defensively – what else do you want out of a catching prospect?
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
C+
I am high on catchers, but can’t quite bring myself to give him a B-. i guess a C+/B- would be a fair score.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 10, 2010 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Cheslor Cuthbert
what do you guys think. the early reports on the bat are real good, Bill Mitchell was saying he’d be in running for #1 prospect in Arizona. hasn’t played for a while due to an injury. went 0 for his last 16 in idaho falls, no idea if that was in part due to injury or not.
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
C+
Standard grade for TJ guy, stuff looked very good before getting hurt.
+1
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
hmm, tough call
Grade A tools, Grade C+ polish, Grade C attention span.
actual grade
Haven’t decided yet, he could fall in anywhere from solid B to high B+. There is a much-better-than-you’d-think chance that he goes Hanley Ramirez on us next year, IMO.
"Chance that he goes Hanley Ramirez on us next year"
Can you explain that one? I wasn’t really following prospects back when Hanley was in the minors. Did he just have a ridiculous breakout season one year or something?
yeah dude
Hanley got killed in prospect rankings the year before he got to the majors for the same reasons that Beltre gets hurt in them. Unbelievably gifted, just doesn’t play the game with a motor, looks like he’s waiting for a challenge. Hanley got traded to a team that gave him a chance to win a starting job coming out of spring training and got serious.
He is a outstanding talent, though, and if you like toolsy players, he probably rates very highly for you.
B-
He was hot for awhile and looked like he was figuring things out. But that was in the California League. His improved production disappeared when he left the CAL, and he still can’t draw a walk to save his life.
I do like the improvement in strikeout rate, and he still has plenty of time, but he’s not a top 100 guy yet.
AA Transition
This isn’t exactly true – Beltre was scorching shortly after the promotion, though in a very small sample IIRC – 50-75 AB. He cooled down towards the end of July, which dragged down the numbers for the month, though it was a still pretty respectable .293/.350/.424 in 92 AB – I’m satisfied with that for a 20 YO in his first taste of AA. What stuck out to me was how suddenly he stopped striking out (though the rate crept back up in his cold August). He walked 6 times in July and struck out 4 in the small 92 AB sample – never thought Engel Beltre of all people would walk more in a month than he struck out.
He stayed very cold through August and ended with the .600ish AA OPS though, so I’m not at all trying to say he has the level figured out or is a sure thing, just that I think 2010 was the first year Beltre has really shown flashes of translating his tools to productivity at the plate, though obviously inconsistent.
http://rswanzey.blogspot.com
beltre's discipline
I know he gets trashed a lot for his plate discipline . . .but it doesn’t really look all that bad to me. I don’t expect him to be a walk machine, but I don’t think it’ll be enough of a problem to prevent him from being a starting major league player.
His career walk rate is 4.2%
This year, 4.3%.
I don’t think you can be much worse than that. If it’s possible to be concerned due to walk rate then Beltre has cause for concern.
the problem with him that I see
He just looks lazy sometimes. Or disinterested or bored. Much more interested in “doing stuff” than working for walks. Just my impression.
B
but one of the lowest end “B” s
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
I suspect that most people will think a B would be more appropriate, but I think there is a case to be made for an aggressive B+ if you believe in the progress Beltre appears to be making with his plate approach, as well as how much you buy into his tools being elite. Beltre’s walk rates were still uninspired this year (though he posted a 5.1% in a small AA sample size), but he cut his K rate (typically >20%) to 13% in high A (290 PA) and AA (198 PA) as a 20-year-old. The combination of awful BB and K rates always seemed to be the biggest red flag with Beltre, though the kind of caveat you get with most raw toolsy teenage hitters.
Granted, don’t get me wrong, I still see reasons to be skeptical – the sample sizes for those numbers aren’t huge, the success came in the CAL League (repeating the league), and he cooled off quite a bit after his scorching first ~100 PA. But I also think he has some pretty massive breakout potential.
http://rswanzey.blogspot.com
Kyle Drabek
I’m thinking A-. Nice playoff matchup tonight btw – Drabek v. Betances
B / B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
B/B+
certainly can’t go A-. Seems pretty likely to be a solid starter in the bigs though. Maybe B+ after all.
not giving you a grade at the moment
But Keith Law says Drabek is 93-96, touch 97
no way
if he does that in every start, or at least 4 outta 5 he’s gonna be damn good with that consistently awesome delivery and command
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
FB and Curve are plus-plus
he also said he may have Ace ceiling now, would like to see the change develop (he didn’t use it much last night).
Tough... I'll probably go with grade B
Low-end B. Incredible defensive tools and decent performance given his age/experience level. Defense will get him to the majors in some capacity. BB/K rates are a concern.
B-
Some of these guys will inevitably become successful, but I find it so hard to pinpoint which ones specifically.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
maybe even a C+ down the line
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
exactly what i was thinking
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
B+/A-
Would probably need to think about this one for a while.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
B+ / A-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
B+
I love the strong K rate and solid overall performance at multiple Single-A levels. Let’s remember that he doesn’t turn 20 until next August for a moment.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
He’s following roughly the same “hard to say how good his performance is because the Mets rushed him so much” trajectory as Fernando Martinez.
Unlike Fernando he has stayed healthy so far (knock on wood) and he arguably has more defensive upside (Wilmer could be a good 3B, F-Mart is definitely an uninspiring corner OF).
B+
kind of like Aaron Hicks though in that regard
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
solid B
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
B
White Exlemplifies Straigth “B”
dead on center cut
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
B-/C+
The power is legitimate, I can attest to that.
But he’s also still pretty far from having what resembles an MLB-quality approach to hitting, and his defense at third is rough.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
toughie
anywhere from a C to a B-/ B
i just don’t trust him
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
B+/A-
The tick up in stuff has been so incredibly huge that I’m not really sure if I can buy into it all the way yet.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
B++
he won’t qualify for the off-season list though will he?
lets see here……..
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
A-
I was wrong. He did not have this kind of stuff when I saw him a couple of his Vanderbilt starts. I’m completely on board now.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
yeah
I just think that a guy who has had to learn to be crafty with lesser stuff, but then suddenly develops legit major league stuff, has the profile to be a top of the rotation type guy. Hellickson sort of fits that bill as well, and I’d give Hellboy an A as well, though I’d slot them 1 and 2 in terms of my preferred pitching prospects.
Minor’s just about the only guy since I’ve been really following prospects (maybe the last four years) that I’d risk tossing a Glavine comp at; they’re different pitchers, but I can see Minor having that sort of peak (it’d be near impossible for anyone to stretch it out for as long as Glavine did, however).
Maybe I’ve just read too much about how Tom Seaver had ordinary stuff as a teenager, and had to learn to be crafty to get guys out, and then all the sudden had a growth spurt and was able to pitch just as craftily, but now with ace stuff. Minor obviously doesn’t have Seaver stuff, and shouldn’t be mentioned in the same paragraph as him (oops), but I’m just really, really intrigued by Minor right now and am willing to take risks on that. In my main 30 team sim league, I tried to get Minor in a deal (offered Nick Franklin, Christian Friedrich and Nick Weglarz for him), but couldn’t get the other team to bite.
by gogotabata on Sep 9, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
B+
kind of near the low-end at this point, but still top 50 to me.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
I’m not as high on him as others, but I still think he’s a B+.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
B-
could easily be a B/B+ If Tigers didn’t attribute to wrecking him
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
+1 exactly
C- control may be generous …. lol
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
i might even say A- talent D+ control
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
B
Love this guy
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
B/ B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
C+ / B-
hmmm
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
i think i gotta go C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
C
Don’t even really need to think about this one. He’s been just plain awful, even in rookie ball.
Awful yes but not Shooter Hunt awful
Shooter gets a C- from me,,,,,
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
B-/B
I was pretty disappointed – thought he might be in for a breakout season. I still have hope that he’ll develop into a innings eater at least, he’s got a good build.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
one of these Fabio MMesa guys sorta
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
Control issues per usual and may end up in the pen
"may end up in the pen"
he’s already there, and unless something drastic happens, he’s not moving back
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
B
he’s real pretty dang good
high end B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
having seen him pitch a bit
The start wasn’t so hot, but I’d go grade B.
B-/B
I think he’s capable of being a front-line reliever, and the combination of poor command and a high-effort delivery probably point to a role in the bullpen eventually.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
C++
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
B/B+
If I I like him A LOT and he’s come back very strong from his injury.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
is that a B-
or B with a dash in front of it? calling him a B- is crazy in my opinion, but i can see SHS doing it, because is still might mean top 50.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 10, 2010 2:44 AM EDT up reply actions
....
based on his scale, there aren’t many more than 50 B types.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 10, 2010 2:44 AM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
C++
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
And I’m still damn happy that the Cubs got him for Derrek Lee.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
C+/B-
My initial reaction is C+. Cubs have other high upside, but inconsistent, arms (like Alberto Cabrera) that I don’t view as B-‘s, so I didn’t contemplate B-, but seeing this string of B-, can someone tell me why? The reports seemed to suggest a lot of work on secondary stuff is needed. I know, big fastball, but Rafael Dolis and Alberto Cabrera have big fastballs and are more developed.
Same here
I like his upside, but seeing people give him B- and B grades is pretty puzzling. What exactly sets Lopez apart from guys like Cabrera and Dolis?
by Outshined_One on Sep 8, 2010 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
and a weak one
went from “B” (pretty much) last year to a low end B- in my eyes……
but I’d be fine with even a B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
How did he drop for you?
I’m really confused by that. He moved up a level, maintained strong K and BB rates, and wasn’t knocked around. I know he was hit hard in his time in the FSL, but skipping from rookie ball to High A is a huge jump. Doesn’t really even factor in for me. He should be ready to go in the MWL next year.
http://bullpenbanter.com
well
his GO/AO rate
dropped a little bit more than I was expecting, I think he has Deolis Guerra type helium at the same Age Guerra was with the Mets
I’ve never seen him pitch live though so i dunno
I just remember looking at box score after box score of him coming in relief in the Appy League down the stretch and never K’ing more than a batter an inning and always giving up a walk or hit consecutively,,,,,, just a little inconsistent but you can’t hardly blame the guy for being so bounced around this season.
See He should do Very Well in the Midwest League as a starter I would think but if he moves up to FSL late in 2011 will he get killed again? Probably not…. but that scared me off a bit
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions
ohh -and the Home Runs Allowed spike !!!
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions
?
You mean how his HR/9 rose to .41(still excellent)? If you talking about the HR rate in High A…I’d just forget about it. The kid really had no business at that level anyway. I think you are being a little too tough on him and breaking down his small sample size into even smaller bits and picking them apart.
http://bullpenbanter.com
B- / B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
B
he’s in my top 75 overall
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
B
The contact/plate discipline issues make me hesitant to go any higher.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
B
he’s in my top 50 overall but just barely
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
this time next year
he could be anywhere from a C+ to a A-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Just looking for a reason to go higher, tho.
B-
a top 200 guy for me rather easily
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Chris Archer
B+
I like him over McNutt, although I think they’re close. He has some of the best stuff in the Cubs’ system (I think Carpenter’s is better), dominated High A, and did pretty well for himself in AA. His control problems came back to bite him in AA, but he’s made a very nice step forward. I see his ceiling as a #2 or high-quality relief pitcher, depending on whether he gets a handle on the BBs.
B
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
B
if anything closer to a B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
wow
i didn’t allow him to ‘sneak’ up on me this year i guess, I don’t know i though he was only a 2 pitch pitcher
and not his command much at all, but his form and delivery scare me
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions
His upside is huge
Ben Badler on his stuff:
How is Archer doing it? With a 93-95 mph fastball that touches 97 with downhill plane and a hard slider that is getting grades of anywhere from 60 to 70 on the 20-80 scale, making it one of the best breaking balls in the minors. Archer doesn’t go to his changeup much, but he shows feel for that pitch as well with occasional sink and fade.
Yeah, he’s risky, but I’m a fan.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
by Jeff Reese on Sep 8, 2010 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
cool
wow
cool
Cubs fans have to happy to see this
-Rec’d
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
I have him as the 2nd prospect in the system (behind Brett). Plus FB/plus slider. Am I concerned about the control issues? Sure, but the upside is huge, and the reports on his fastball were that much better than a year ago.
B
just not a big believer in fact I’m trending B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I think he should rightfully be the best rated position player on the Dodgers, though I think most people will still have Dee Gordon higher for now. Love me some Sands :)
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
B-
this kid looks good
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
B-/B
He was a trending as a safe B earlier, but he’s looked a bit over-matched so far in A+ ball, in what you could argue is an easier environment to hit. I’m sort of on the fence. Probably a top 125 prospect.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
and for the moment, a stronger one than Davidson
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
B-/B
I’m having a tough time deciding whether I like Borchering or Davidson more. As Davidson has been struggling in the Cal, Borching has been tearing up the Midwest league in Aug/Sept.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Rubby De La Rosa
I think hes worthy of a solid B. Probably an aggressive grade though
by SeanMillerSavior on Sep 8, 2010 5:16 PM EDT reply actions
B
Toward the low end for me, which means he’ll get strong consideration for my top 100 but probably not quite make it.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
for info purposes
and I just learned this actually, he had always been considered a starter, but was piggybacking with another prospect to keep innings down. Would still throw 3-4 innings per appearance
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Sep 8, 2010 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
could be high riser though my June 1st of next year
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
*by
ugh
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
Matt Lipka
I’ll say B-. Didn’t show much power but showed great speed as an 18 y.o.
C+
Waiting to see more
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
toughie
no grade from me untill i look at him for a while
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
not top 150 yet though
top 200-220? – yes
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Rudy Owens
He of the much debated stuff. (94 with a plus curve and pinpoint control from the left side reportedly.)
B/B+
Lot closer to B+ than B been real impressive this season
+1
this is what I’d say really too
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions
B
BA apparently hates this guy
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
i don't know i think he can be a #3 for sure
its the senior circuit gentleman
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
B
A guy with his stuff, command, and performance—I don’t see how you can say he has a back of the rotation ceiling. I love Owens. Realistically he probably is a middle rotation type, but I’m not ruling out better.
Stuff
That is what I don’t buy. I have not seen any source, other than Pirate affiliated ones, say he has anything but fringy stuff (even with the plus change).
http://bullpenbanter.com/
Let's say his FB isn't as good as reported
Even if he only sits 89-90ish, his secondary stuff is apparently very good and he has excellent command. As a big lefthander, that gives him at least a middle rotation ceiling.
B+
B+ if that is accurate (not a Pirates fan, but in their top 20 review, some people suggested it came from multiple sources). Looks like he has some very good command and control, so even if he hasn’t had that velocity uptick, it’s not difficult to see him finding a way to succeed against MLB hitters eventually IMO.
http://rswanzey.blogspot.com
B+
but barely
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Trayvon Robinson
Ill go B-, but I really like this guy a lot
by SeanMillerSavior on Sep 8, 2010 6:18 PM EDT reply actions
B-
yep i have him at #115 overall right now
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Im a litle hesitant with the high strikeout rate
But If this increased patience is for real, I GREE think he can be a B+ guy
by SeanMillerSavior on Sep 8, 2010 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions
B
low end B for me, consideration for my top 100, probably outside it but who knows?
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
B
I think he’s right there behind Sands in the rankings. He doesn’t have a ton of power, but it’s definitely above average for a CF, and he got on base at crazy levels in the 2nd half of the season in AA. If he can stick in CF I believe he will put up at least average defense, which gives him more value than above average defense in LF or RF IMO.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Wilson Ramos
hmm I’ll go B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:20 PM EDT reply actions
you guys are crazy
Come check out Bullpen Banter!
Follow Bullpen Banter on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Remember: baseball guys... baseball...
Given his position, level, and age
I don’t think that’s nearly enough to downgrade him that much. B- I can see, but C+ is really low for a guy that’s probably a backup at worst.
I wouldn't have a big argument against B-
I think he’s ultimately a back up catcher
http://bullpenbanter.com/
I can see that
I just think given his age and performance in Syracuse and the MLB this year that he can develop into a solid starting C.
Based solely on college? That doesn't seem completely fair
I mean Ramos hit well at every level before struggling badly his first two months at AAA as a 22 year old. His numbers for June were fine, in July they were good, and in August they were awesome (.329/.354/.513). I think you guys are placing way too much emphasis on early struggles for a young guy at AAA.
We'll see I guess
I don’t like Ramos’ shrinking walk rates the last two years and I’m not sure he’ll ever hit better than .280/.310/.430-I could easily see him being 20 points lower across the board there honestly.
http://bullpenbanter.com
Yeah but a .280/.310/.430 mark from a C is more than acceptable
That’d make him an above average player. Even a .260/.290/.410 line (similar to Pierzynski this year) wouldn’t be far below league average for a guy playing C.
I see that .280/.310/.430 mark
as a high end outcome for him. I don’t trust the bat and the declining walk rates certainly don’t help. I’m not saying I’m right, but it’s what I see. Time will tell.
http://bullpenbanter.com
B-
Saw him today. Nats love him a bunch. Double, homer plus defense. Pitchers love pitching to him on the Nats. Seems like a defense first catcher with ample pop and no swing discipline. Ironically, he’s already had a walk in two home starts. Better get it going quick. Norris lurks for 2012 and Jesus Flores continues to tease.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
Brett Morel
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:20 PM EDT reply actions
B- / B
B seems high to me though I think his power keeps him short of straight “B”
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
deceptive power
or lack of
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
ah, Joe Randa
This guy must love minor league baseball websites. He gets more talk on them than he ever did anywhere during his playing career!
by mrkupe on Sep 8, 2010 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Zach Lee
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:20 PM EDT reply actions
He better be good
Hasn’t pitched yet so I have no idea what the grade will. . . If I had to guess possibly B-/B
by SeanMillerSavior on Sep 8, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
many people who are prospectors
and Dodger fans have compared him to Casey Kelly. He has the plus of not going between hitting and pitching also.. Probably won’t pitch this year
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Sep 8, 2010 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Im going to be dissapointed
if he is Casey Kelly
by SeanMillerSavior on Sep 8, 2010 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
talking potential
not this season’s stats
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Sep 8, 2010 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Yasmani Grandal
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 6:20 PM EDT reply actions
B
mainly due to the fact he hasn’t faced competition outside of college yet
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
B
but could be a B-, maybe…
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Iesus Christus!
No, I have not seen him play, but I have read multiple scouting reports saying he’s fringy at third base.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
he definitely looks like he'd be fringy
but doesn’t seem it so much when you watch him play for a while. I’m really curious what neutral metrics say about his defense there. Obviously I’m hoping for a Pablo Sandoval type of situation where the defense is passable to be an overall greater asset at 3B, but in reality I’m expecting a slide to 1B based almost entirely on a body bias.
B-
but a good one i have him at #103-106 overall right now he’s jumped up pretty big the last month or two to me…
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I still like him a lot. He is a low end B at this point though, probably outside my top 100, but damn, I will try to fit him in there if I can.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
but could sneak up on people next year
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
C++
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Jacob McGee
B+ but has A- potential if he builds on his finish this season
Need a fantasy fix? Come visit http://www.fantasycafe.com/ for all your basketball, baseball and football needs!
B
maybe even B-
you guy’s seriously buy into this guy to be anything more than Matt Thornton?
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Careful there.
Matt Thornton’s pretty damn good. McGee’s got a long ways to go to be Matt Thornton.
I know he does
I’m saying if everything breaks right for him, and he’s 100% healthy
Thornton is a good scenerio for him and Thornton wasn’t exactly dominate early on,,,,,,,, it took awhile
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the word you're searching for is "dominant"
Other than that, you’re right, and I see you weren’t really suggesting he’d be Thornton, but that Thornton was McGee’s ceiling. I can agree with that.
eh
I really don’t get the big deal. The guy was a Grade A-/A prospect before getting hurt. He completely his rehab successfully and is healthy again. He got moved to the pen in AAA most likely to conserve his arm and has been ridiculously awesome.
I think the guy is getting killed in prospect rankings because of the system he’s in. If he was a Houston Astro or a Washington National, he’d be a no doubt B+.
C+/B-
I’ll probably end up with less than 250 B- or better prospects, and I could see Wates sneaking into the back of that top 250. Right on the borderline for me.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions
About where I have him
I’d go with a low end B- myself. Kid is a toolbox and in a small sample size looks to have offensive polish, too. If he’d signed earlier and done this (or close to it) all short season, and had a clear defensive position, I’d go higher on him.
B-
I though he was breaking through earlier in the season, when he was striking out a good deal of players, but I think he still has a lot to prove to me. It is a strong B-, top 150 probably.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
hmm ohh so close to a “B”
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
are the B votes for stuff only?
because his numbers aren’t great for the league, especially after the 1st 2 months. unless you guys had him as a B before the season, or have read reports about a surprising improvement in stuff (i haven’t), then i don’t see how he gets a full B now.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 8, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I had him as a B- last year
My main concern was how his shoulder would hold up after missing time last year. Didn’t seem to be any issues this year with it. He improved his BB rate again and saw only a slight drop in his K rate. Can’t speak for anyone else, but my grade last year was mainly based on health concerns.
http://bullpenbanter.com
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
B- / C++
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
B+
i could buy but only be cause I’m sure he’s a regular ….eventually
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Charles Furbush
B- for me. He was on such a tear for a while, but K rate has dropped and HR rate has risen as he’s moved up from A+ ball to AA and to AAA.
yeah B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Jurickson Profar
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:34 PM EDT reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
ooops already on Above LOL
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Trevor Reckling
B- for me. He is a tough one though. Pretty much a consensus B guy before the season, after a so-so 2009 in AA. Really struggled in AAA in 2010, but has been a little better in AA this year than he was last year.
C+/B-
Just not a big fan. His walk rate is too high for no more K’s than he racks up. The way the Angels have pushed him hasn’t any though.
http://bullpenbanter.com
by gatling on Sep 8, 2010 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
C+
Angels ruined him IMO
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Hak-ju Lee
going with B for now. I didn’t see this, if I missed it, I’m sorry. Thoughts on Hak? Defensive consistency is an issue, but defensive ability is not. He had a hot, I want to say July (too lazy to search right now), but clearly has work to do with the bat. I think I’ll raise him from a B- to a B, although I can see B-.
+1
B
Not too worried about the defense considering the quality of minor league fields and his age. The reports I’ve read have him as Castro-like, in that he can make incredibly difficult plays with ease, but needs some work on the easy plays. He’s also one of the fastest players in the minors, which is fantastic.
You’re right about July being his best month (.345/.418/.437), but he only had two bad months in April and September. Otherwise, he was OPSing around .700. I think he’ll be able to hit for average as he matures, but the extreme lack of power is a legitimate concern.
by Outshined_One on Sep 8, 2010 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah "B" sounds right on
i think he’s a weaker end B though for sure
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Kyle Seager?
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=2B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=572122
Had a 900+ OPS both in HD as well on the road. Respectable first half, but monster 2nd half: .360/.407/.720 in his last 289 AB. Callis calls him one of the minors’ best 2B prospect while Goldstein likes him but doesn’t love him.
I’m thinking B-.
B-
Good hitter with a lot of polish. Thought he’d push through A ball pretty easily, but he comes from a player archetype that tends to get filtered out at AA . . .so next year should say a lot about whether he is a major league starter or just a very good utility player.
I just think to myself, 30 major league teams and and roughly 10-12 good second baseman.
Since we know Seagar has exceptional 2B defense, with some saying he can handle SS too, he’ll be a regular at some point. He’s better than Jeff Keppinger.
B- is good grade.
by Kenneth Arthur on Sep 9, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I hadn't heard that his defense was "exceptional"
I’ve heard that he is decent. I have also heard the buzz about him as a possible SS as well, although I think that’s more for utility player purposes.
I’d love to see him succeed, as I quite liked him coming out of last year’s draft, enough so to take him in the Minor League Ball mock draft. Of course, my mock system would also have Jason Kipnis playing a level above him . . .decisions!
22 year old in High A
Playing in one of baseball most hitter friendly environs (High Desert) in the Cal League.
I’m with KG… like, don’t love.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
Though the whole league is friendly, his home/road splits are nearly identical for what its worth so thats something to like a lot in my opinion.
by Kenneth Arthur on Sep 9, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
He's certainly got my attention.
I wasn’t really making an argument here… just listing the negative side of the ledger, which hadn’t been discussed yet.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
The HD hit isn't exactly fair
when his road #s are identical, though.
He’s not a super high upside guy, but he’s flying way under the radar.
By what rationality does that work?
How does performing the similarly on the road negate the High Desert environment?
http://bullpenbanter.com/
Max Stassi
I’m really not sure, I’m leaning towards B-
The approach has been awful, and his power leveled off around mid-season, but he’s received very good reports on his defense and he did show he’s capable of hitting for power.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
He should have been a C+ last year
I can roll with B- now; I think the fact that he actually looks like a catcher means a lot more than his nominal hitting line. So many of these HS catchers turn out to be frauds (i.e. bad first basemen) once they actually get into pro ball.
Ryan Ortiz has moved ahead of him after this season, though.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
Trevor May
Strong B for me. He struggled in A+ ball but was pretty dominant after going back to A ball. 92 K, 20 BB in 65.1 innings. Not quite Matt Moore good, but very very impressive.
K'd 13 tonight
… in Lakewood’s playoff opener. I like him too. Strong B as well.
May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.
-George Carlin
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
B
Very talented player who had injuries and bad luck, finally got over the hump at the end of the year. Defense will push him off 3B, but very solid chance he can fit in as a league average starter, maybe a bit beyond that if he can access his raw power.
+.5
i could buy this i’ve really liked Darnell and think he was rather unlucky this year
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Jay Jackson
Tough call for me, considering the fact that the Cubs may have screwed up his season with the temporary move to the bullpen. On the downside, his Ks are down, his HRs are up, and his stuff reportedly isn’t as sharp as last year. On the upside, he’s young for AA, his BBs are way down, and he made it over the 150 IP mark without any injury issues.
B-
Er, AAA, not AA
Also, I get the feeling he ends up in the Cubs bullpen next year.
by Outshined_One on Sep 8, 2010 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
B-/B.
I haven’t finished going through what I think, so haven’t made a final decision. Initial feeling is B-, as there were reports that his slider wasn’t as sharp and his flyball issues were exposed in the PCL. That said, control improved. I think his best case scenario is a Matt Garza type starter, but I agree with O_O and think he may move to the pen as a setup arm, where he has shown the ability to bring his fastball more consistently in the mid-90’s.
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Chun-Hsiu Chen
B.
Another guy that I’m probably a bit biased on, but I liked him every time I saw him. I know there are issues with his bat speed, but I think he should do enough as he moves up. There’s defensive work, but the ability, potential is all there. He dominated A+ after raking in the MWL.
I imagine most people will have him as a B-, maybe some C+.
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Che-Hsuan Lin
C+.
Had a strong 2nd half, still a strong defensive player with good discipline, but offensive questions are legitimate. I think he should be able to reach the bigs as a backup, but hard to tell if he’ll ever develop enough offensively to be a capable starter.
C+
with elite Defense
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Christopher Carpenter
B.
He had a good finish to AA, still sports a mid-90’s fastball with decent-good life and a solid breaking ball. Changeup has shown improvement. I think a lot of folks will go B- with this. Durability is a question.
B-
He’s like the opposite of Jay Jackson in my mind. The Ks and HRs are really nice, plus he got stronger as the season progressed. However, the BBs were a bit problematic, I was hoping he’d surpass last season’s 130 IP mark by a good amount, and he still battled minor injury issues throughout the year.
Still, it’s easy to dream on him if he can stay healthy.
by Outshined_One on Sep 8, 2010 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks like the Cubs booted him back to AA
Plus he’ll get some time in the AFL. I’ll stick by my B- for now, but he could move up to a B.
by Outshined_One on Sep 9, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
B for me today, AFL will help me decide between B or B+
Norris had an awesome debut to the Carolina League playoffs tonight. 2-3, 2R, RBI, solo HR to tie it up at 9-9, 2BB, K and gunned down the only runner to try a straight steal on him. Power is already starting to come back and I hope he can do work against tougher AFL competition.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
+1
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
B/B+
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
B+ (though a weak one-- 50th to 60th overall)
Reports on his glove are really positive. I actually think he’s topping my list of A’s prospects right now (though that says as much about the parlous rest of the system as it does about him).
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
Ji-Man Choi
B- until we see how he performs at higher levels. I am excited by what I have seen thus far.
B-
I’ve always been a fan though. Love the walk rate trending up as he climbs the ladder.
http://bullpenbanter.com
B-
fallen out of my top 100
right at 103 on my list
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
he doens't do any one thing exceptionally well
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
B-/B
Per usual, if i had to choose, i’d go B- but it is close.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 10, 2010 2:46 AM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
A- / B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
B
sounds fair enough considering he’s a reliever…
could be B+ tho
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
B-
but very strong end
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Why a platoon bat?
I know you read John say something about that earlier this year, but he has hit very well against lefties every year up until now. Even this year’s .255/.318/.453 is OK when he mashes righties the way he does. Honestly I don’t see it as a big concern when your faceing a RH roughly 70% of the time anyways, as long as your not completely lost against lefties. Oh, and I would give him a B.
by TwoEyesForAnEye on Sep 9, 2010 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions
this is a good one
I wan’t to say C+ but strong
but i’m leaning B just because of performance/production
yeah B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 8, 2010 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
Stats were pretty ugly for a guy in Lancaster, but he was young for the league. I’d probably lean C+, with the caveat that he could shoot up with a good season next year.
+1
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Dodger dissapointments
Chris Withrow… Still the same guy, and younger than his competition.
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Sep 8, 2010 11:35 PM EDT reply actions
+10
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions
B-/B
If I had to pick, I’d say he’s a weak B. A top 125 type for me.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 9, 2010 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
C+
Not a single redeeming thing about this year for him other than that he stayed on the mound.
i can totally buy this
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
???
striking out nearly 9 per 9 is not redeeming???
Well, glad you base his entire prospect status off one season rather than his minor league career. That’s a tremendous way to evaluate prospects…
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
I think you know better
My comment didn’t indicate that I was doing that.
B-
I had him at a B+ at the start of the season, oh what a dissapointment in 2010 :(
He’s still only 21, prospects can have a bad season then come back strong after.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
B-/C+ at this point I'm afraid
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
And not a prospect
but Matt Kemp. Does this make anyone feel better, knowing that Donnie Baseball knows about this problem?
http://www.memoriesofkevinmalone.com/2010/08/matt-kemps-struggles-statistical-and.html
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Sep 8, 2010 11:36 PM EDT reply actions
Chris Carter
B+ couldn’t duplicate his amazing 2009 season, but I believe he is somewhere in between his 2009 and 2010 seasons. He still has plus plus power, and no position.
B
Pure DH. I’ll venture to say no pure DH should ever grade higher than B while in the minors.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
+1 on that concept
although I see Montero as a pure DH, but the bat excites me waaayyyy too much. DH/1B types are still overrated on this site in my opinion
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
B
very low end though
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Going to post all the unposted first round picks
Sorry if this seems spammy, but I felt like we should slap some grades on ’em.
after the top 3 picks
it is hard for me. none are better than a B, and nearly all are at least a B-, most borderline B-/B types.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 9, 2010 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I know what you mean
I figure people will mostly just rank the guys they have strong feelings about one way or the other.
A
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm just not sure what kind of defender he'll be
He has the two big tools (power and arm strength), but will his body stay athletic enough to be a plus right fielder? What kind of contact will he make? I think there’s a decent chance he turns into Adam Dunn and that keeps me away from the A.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
fair enough
There is a lot that could go wrong with him, but I’ve been slightly sucked into the hype and his upside is tremendous. I am extremely excited to see him play.
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
I may bump it up to an A- when I look at these players more closely
But I am fairly stingy when giving A’s to position players.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
A-/A
Too much upside, it’s kind of scary.
I don’t know if I can give him a full A yet, but he’s an elite prospect.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions
A-
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
B+/A-
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
B / B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions
leaning B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions
B+
Still surprised there seems to be so much of a perception gap between him and Taillon . . .he is an unbelievable talent.
He was such a late riser
There wasn’t that much consistency or consensus among scouting reports floating around on the internet prior to the draft. You had people saying he could definitely stick at shortstop, you had people saying he would definitely be a third baseman. Some projected above average power, others just average (I don’t remember seeing a plus grade). Some compared him to freakin’ A-Rod, while others said he reminded them a lot of Jio Mier.
I like what I’ve seen from him on video, I think he’s a good prospect, but I have questions which I don’t think any of the discussion following his late rise resolved. Is it within possibility that he has only average power and he winds up at third base?
Anyway, as you can see by my grade, I like him, I just feel a sense of caution to where I want to see more before I get fully onboard.
don't see him being much like Mier at all
He was a first round guy all throughout the draft process, but he did have an absolutely monster senior season, improving on both offense and defense. The shortstop thing doesn’t surprise me as there are exceptionally few players in any draft who actually project to play shortstop well enough to start there in the major leagues, and obviously Machado’s bat looks good enough to let him start at other positions if his glove doesn’t quite meet standards. The fact that he shot up from mid-first round to top of the draft in his senior year is not a concern, either . . .lots of draft prospects make that leap, and for many of them, that jump actually represents the beginning of a gradual trend of improving performance. Clayton Kershaw did that. Mike Moustakas went from a 3rd-5th round guy to the top of the draft in a year.
Taillon and Machado will rate very closely for me, actually . . .frankly, I go back and forth between who comes out in front!
B+, at least
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions
B
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
B
high end
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions
B
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
B- / C+
not a fav.
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions
B-
Don’t like him as much as others. Worried that he’s a reliever long-term.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions
despite great pro production already
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions
B/B-
Another borderline prospect, but that is where most of the 1st rounders will fall for me.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 9, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
B-
high end
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions
C
I was really hoping to see him in game action this season, but the mono pretty much ruined that. I’m hopeful for next season, but for now, he hasn’t proven anything.
by Outshined_One on Sep 9, 2010 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions
C+/B-
Most people agreed that, at one point this season, he had a mid-90’s fastball with 2 decent-solid breaking pitches, and a decent/developing change. Most people also agreed that he wore down. The pitch counts that he had were fairly ridiculous though. I was fine with the pick then, and that still hasn’t changed. He’ll still be in my Cubs top 10 (8-10 range).
+1
I feel similarly.
And given that I like what Wilken has done lately, I’m trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I think he will mash
For me he has the highest offensive ceiling in this draft class this side of Harper, and I love his approach at the plate and his work ethic. Was in my top 5 draft prospects even though he is only a left fielder most likely.
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions
conflicted
I liked him more as a pitcher. He has a nice blend of offensive and defensive potential, but the bat is a little raw. B- for now . . .thought he was a first round guy as a pitcher, and a supplemental/2nd rounder as a position player.
B-/ B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
as far as grade goes looks like the pitching versrion of Ben Revere
right around top 100 overall…
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 11, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
B- / C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions
B
low end
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
Maybe a B-
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
B-/B
I think he could end up being pretty valuable given his defensive potential.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
-1
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions
C++
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions
B-
i like wat hes done so far for being so young and raw
by schmosterballs92 on Sep 9, 2010 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Leon Landry
Signed early and has done very well
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Sep 9, 2010 1:49 AM EDT reply actions
C+
i was rather unimpressed with him in college
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Ralston Cash
Ethan Martin’s cousin, looked good in limited action
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Sep 9, 2010 1:49 AM EDT reply actions
Greg Halman
Has all the tools in the world, but does not have an idea how to use them.
by jackyz on Sep 9, 2010 1:53 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
+1
He’s so damn interesting.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Junior Lake
C+/B-.
This is one that I’ll be curious where people come down at. The skinny is that he’s ridiculously toolsy with loads of potential. In terms of potential, he was on a clear level ahead of Starlin Castro, and Castro’s got pretty good potential in his own right, to say the least. He’s a good athlete who shows a strong arm and has power potential. May eventually have to move off short, particulary with Lee nipping at his heels and Castro ahead and more consistent.
That said, he’s scuffled due to plate discipline. Then, this summer, he had a nice little surge, before cooling off in August. Certainly, seems to have had some luck, but there was denying that he had a hot streak.
I think a lot of Cubs fans jumped the gun on excitement, as a lot of buzz on Cubs sites happened with him this summer. Saw some folks putting him top 5 in the Cubs system. He’s definitely improved, although the K’s are still a concern. Maybe I’m being too cautious here, but C+ seems fair to me.
C+
Ooooooooooof. Tough one. I think C+ is fair. I’d put him in my Top 10 right now.
On the one hand, I think he has the highest upside of anyone in the Cubs’ system. The tools are utterly fantastic and the sky is the limit with his ceiling. His June-July-August stretch was fantastic at the plate. I get the feeling his future is at 3B, which is fine considering his bat should fit there if he gets close to his ceiling. The major uptick in BBs was a nice development, as was him cutting down on his Ks. Supposedly the Cubs managed to fix some mechanical/timing issues with his swing and it really showed through in his second half.
However…there’s still a good likelihood he falls flat on his face and never makes it out of the minors. From what I’ve read, he periodically loses focus and lapses into bad habits at the plate and in the field. Some of that should improve as he matures, but it’s not a given. Moreover, while his second half was fantastic, his first half still lingers. That three month stretch could have been a sign of things to come, or a mirage. Right now, it’s hard to tell.
by Outshined_One on Sep 9, 2010 3:01 AM EDT up reply actions
B-
So young, so toolsy, and absolutely destroyed the FSL the second half of this season.
Put it this way . . .if he took his two halves of the season and switched them around, how high would public perception be on this guy right now?
id guess about the same in all honesty
his first half was that bad … and his august was pretty bad too, so if you really flopped it around, that would be a bad 3 month stretch we’re talking about
+1
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Anthony Rendon
Yeah, he hasn’t even been drafted yet, but based on what he’s shown so far:
A (if Harper gets a straight A, Rendon should easily get the same)
A
Tad bit worried about the injuries, but otherwise, if he were eligible, I think a lot of people would have him as their best prospect in the minors.
by Outshined_One on Sep 9, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
A-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Yor crazy...
no one in the minors is better than this guys. If there ever was going to be an A+ guy, it will be him.
ETHAN MARTIN!!!!
Yu Darvish
There were rumors a few months ago, I don’t know how reliable, that he is considering requesting his team post him after this season. I think he should receive a “standing” grade: strait and solid A. The 2011 season would be a good one for him to come over, especially with Strasburg out and Chapman still trying to establish himself. Darvish could step right in and grab the spotlight.
as recently as last offseason I believe he said
he had no interest in coming to the US. Maybe it has changed, but Id be shocked if he comes over next year…
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Sep 9, 2010 4:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Darvish is running up some huge pitch count numbers
He goes over 120 pitches in almost every start, and has had multiple games with over 140 pitches this season. Just something to keep in mind for people that worry about a pitcher’s workload.
Bryan Morris
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
B-
Very high upside, but concern already about him sticking in the rotation.
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
Sure, there are concerns
But he also made a lot of progress in that area during his senior year. His upside is pure ace and that’s just hard to give a B- to (for me at least).
http://bullpenbanter.com/
Fair enough.
I’d prefer to wait until he makes it through a year of starting in the minors before I tout him too aggressively, though. If he handles it all right, I’d probably bump him into the B+ range at minimum.
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
B-
but already high end
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Hank Conger
I’ll go B+. Really impressed with him.
B-
Posted this a couple weeks back:
He may not have any passed balls but he has 13 errors this year. As for his SB%, 28 isn’t good and he’s had a large amount of guys run on him – 113 attempted steals in 76 games at catcher. He’s bad defensively and I seriously question whether he can stay there and whether any team really could stand his defense there.
As for "lighting it up right now in AAA," .296/.384/.454 in Salt Lake (106 wOBA factor) in the very hitter friendly PCL (a league where 58 guys are hitting >.300 and 93 slugging >.450) isn’t "lighting it up" for me. I don’t think the bat is anything special. Its good for a catcher – but I’m far from convinced he’s a catcher. I can’t see that bat playing anywhere else… he’s not moving to SS or CF.
Add in his injury problems and you have a kid who got consideration for my list but wasn’t going to make it. I think he’s always been quite overrated. I don’t think I would characterize his 2010 as anything other than a big disappointment, with his stock dropping considerably.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/8/27/1655148/bb-top-10-catcher-list#
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
For further example
Salt Lake as a team hit .282/.345/.432. The league hit .277/.348/.432. Conger isn’t a bad hitter but if he’s not a catcher he’s still pretty much worthless to me. His bat at first base is a non-starter… and I don’t think anyone is suggesting he could handle anything other than 1B if he moves.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
you characterize .300/.385/.463 as a big disappointment?
I have a hard time believing anybody could say that with a straight face. Maybe he’s not shaping out to be a terrific major leaguer for a variety of reasons, but he’s had a very good year and done about all you can ask for. Not every guy is going to go en fuego, and he has improved as a hitter every single year.
He was only 22 this year. He’s come a long way as a pure hitter and still has outstanding raw power that he can tap into. Nobody seems to think that he’s so terrible at catcher that they can’t pull this yarn a little further . . .and if he moves to 1B, he’s obviously going to be a better hitter than if he was catching.
you characterize .300/.385/.463 as a big disappointment?
I would consider his season, with that line, the lack of substantial defensive progress and the injuries to be a disappointment, yes.
That line just really isn’t that impressive in context, as I discussed above. His season would be a lot closer to a disaster if it wasn’t for the strong finish. I certainly wouldn’t characterize it as impressive.
and he has improved as a hitter every single year.
How did he really improve this year?
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
Conger
68 points higher than the average OPS, at age 22. That’s what, four to five years younger than average age in AAA? He has upped his walk rate and ISO and his K/PA has dropped ever so slightly(his K% on fangraphs is higher but that’s K/AB). That’s pretty impressive for a guy his age in AAA, let alone for a catcher that young. I can understand having issues with his defense because he has allowed a ton of SB’s(though that has been an issue with the catchers at SLC this year, could be something to do with how the pitchers hold runners). I don’t understand how you can be disappointed with his offensive production though.
http://bullpenbanter.com
well, let me count the ways
-He hit for a higher average
-He hit for more power
-He walked more
-He struck out less
-He hit for a higher average
He hit .295 in 2009 and .300 in 2010. .05 points is not much of an improvement. Yes, its at a higher level, but he went from Arkansas, which actually suppresses AVG and offense to hitter friendly Salt Lake City.
-He hit for more power
Again, not really when put in context. Arkansas is actually pretty bad for power – 89 LH/75 RH HR factor & suppresses 2Bs. SLC is power friendly. The PCL is a more hitter friendly league than the Texas League, despite the TL’s reputation.
-He walked more
He went from a 10% walk rate to a 12% walk rate. Improvement, sure… but not a huge difference.
-He struck out less
He’s striking out at pretty much the same clip. His K rate is actually higher this year (15% to 14.8%), w/ the usual caveat of AB vs PA.
Overall, his offensive season looks much more like lateral movement than any kind of significant progress to me. Repeating a performance at a higher level is typically improvement, yes, but given the difference in run scoring environments most of what people are seeing as “improvement” I can’t help but see as superficial.
In terms of his year, I still think that between defensive problems and injuries this has to be considered a disappointing year. He slightly improved his patience, but showed no real progress in the rest of his game and the two biggest questions (defense and injuries) remain completely unanswered.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
Even if you don't agree with the adjustments I've made...
I don’t think you can argue that the factors I’m citing would bring his level of improvement into the range where it could simply be random variation/luck. Worth noting he improve his AVG by 0.005 points… and his BABIP also went up 0.004 points… again, moving to a more friendly run scoring environment.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
well, yes
These are all things I was aware of (which I’m guessing you probably already knew). But your argument is that A) he didn’t improve and B) his year was actually a disappointment. But you’re stretching, relying on environmental factors AND luck to say that he didn’t improve. Neutralized for park AND luck, his 2009 season line was .301/.374/.424. His 2010 season line, neutralized for the same, is markedly better than that. I don’t have the final 15 ABs or so of data, so bear with me for the moment, but through 373 ABs he was at.306/.391/.466. If you’re a fan of breaking it down into composite statistics (I’m not, but for the record), his line drives went up while the number of balls he hit on the ground dropped dramatically. It’s pretty clear that he improved this year as a player. There’s an outside argument that he just treaded water, but you have to work through a lot of numbers to come to that conclusion. There’s really not much of an argument at all that he disappointed this year.
righty/lefty split could be argued both ways
You certainly could argue, and I wouldn’t disagree, that his .585 OPS against lefties says that he will have trouble becoming an everyday player—and I can’t really argue with that. But, if he sticks at catcher, it should be possible to get him a much higher percentage of at bats against righties than he had this year, not to mention that he could show some improvement against lefties.. Anyway, against righties his OPS wasn’t 850s, it was 950s, which is 122% of league average. Throw in his strong finish and I think there is a lot of reason for optimism that his bat might play even if he weren’t a catcher, or was a part time catcher in the Napoli mold, and would be quite special if he were a catcher. Especially given his age, I think he should stay at B+.
conger
Switch-hitter who really shouldn’t be a switch hitter. We’ve been seeing a lot of those . . .I have to believe that Conger would be more effective against LHPs batting from the left side than what he’s currently getting from the right side.
B-
obviously a solid one though
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Simon Castro
B+ one of the best of them though
B+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
San Diego called up Simon Castro and converted him to a position player?
And he’s immediately turned into one of the best hitters in the league? You’d think we’d have heard about something like that….
by nixa37 on Sep 9, 2010 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Jarred Cosart
Pretty strong B. If no injury, I’d probably give him a B+.
B
just right on not too strong….
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
B or B+ easy...
under rated by most. Best all around catcher in the minors in my opinion. Injury histroy brings him down a little.
ETHAN MARTIN!!!!
Jarrod Parker
B+ too good to downgrade to a B
B+
proceed with caution
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
J.J. Hoover
B-/B Another borderline guy for me. He’s really stepped it up recently. Still a B- probably if I had to pick, but a top 150 guy for me.
B-
i could see B though kind of like Allie
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Will Smith
C+ but a semi-strong one. Had such a weird season, but has settled in nicely back in A+ ball.
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Darrell Ceciliani
A-
He needs to work on his base running and prove that he can adjust to pitching at higher levels, but Ceciliani is electric!
definitely not A-
I would probably give him a B-; I’d like to see how he plays at a higher level before giving him a straight B
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
won't qualify i don't think but we've done several guys like this (Alvarez, Tillman ect.) so...
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
sure Walden will still be a rookie next year
won’t get particularly close to the line on innings or time in the majors. Anyway, I agree borderline B/B-
C
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
C+ / B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty much off the board after labrum surgery...
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
C
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
C
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 9, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
B
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Vance Worley
B- for me. Probably a low end one, but better than a C+ to me for sure.
+2
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
JP Arencibia
B+ toughie for me – I hate the PCL, at least his road numbers were better than his Vegas numbers.
toughie
B+ / B
yeah i’m in agreement
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Asher Wojceichowski
B-
I’m a little more bullish on him than I am McGuire for the Jays. Jays coaches loved what they saw too – stuff and makeup.
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
C.
We’re doing Casey Coleman? He is what he is – a guy with a good feel for pitching, good knowledge of his limitations, solid control, 4 average pitches. In the right situation, he could stick as an end of the rotation arm, and he’s a guy I wouldn’t bet against, but he’s an end of the rotation guy in a positive scenario. I do think he’ll find a role in the bigs, more likely in the pen. If the cutter takes steps forward, then he would have a far better shot to stick.
Danny Valencia (won't qualify)
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:58 PM EDT reply actions
B-
up to a B now?
nah i’ll go solid B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Tom Stuiffbergen
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 5:58 PM EDT reply actions
C+
with loads of ability and upside
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Josh Lueke
a bit old for a prospect, but still has the ability to be a closer.
by jackyz on Sep 9, 2010 6:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Josh Daniels told me he's an A
& that’s good enough for me!
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
by alskor on Sep 9, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
A++
at decorating his bathroom with nude woman
He should change careers from pro baseball to a renaissance painter
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 9, 2010 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
For the record...
I just can’t resist an opportunity for a snarky comment. I think the whole incident is kind of overblown (the trade and the actions leading from that, not what Lueke did). It was handled quite poorly by the M’s organization, though… and the email from Howard Lincoln was a joke.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
C+
could be very low end B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 11, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
The injuries make him hard for me to grade
On talent, he’s a strong grade B for me, but I’m not sure how much to grade him down for his health problems, if any. Not as easy to judge for position players as pitchers.
The injuries are exceedingly annoying
But I think he has enough potential to warrant a B grade.
How the hell does someone miss so much time to an oblique strain?
http://bullpenbanter.com/
B-/B
He is good, and I like him. I think I’m being overly conservative overall though. I thought I had 120 or so B’s, and if I somehow end up with that many, Havens will be one of them. But maybe I only have 90 (after bumping down a few), where Havens isn’t one. He is a back-end top 100, or near miss to me.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 10, 2010 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions
B-, maybe barely a B
Doesn’t pass the batting average sniff test. This isn’t a one year thing, either . . .I think it’s increasingly clear that he’s just really not that good a hitter at all at present.
He doesn't have a great hit tool
But a solid walk rate and power to go with excellent D should make him a solid regular at least. I still don’t understand how you can prefer Vitters.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
eh
The power numbers aren’t going to be great if he keeps hitting like he has been, he’s not really a slugger type. And he draws walks, but considering he still hasn’t really learned how to hit, that’s not all that exciting to me really. I’d say he has a chance to play himself into a regular role, but it’s not hard to see him just ending up as a utility player with a little pop.
Vitters at least has a potential impact bat still. He’s certainly riskier (AA could be as far as he goes, while Dominguez should at least be a fringe major leaguer), but if he develops even a little more selectivity, I think he’ll have a better chance at holding down a major league starting job than Dominguez. Both are probably Grade B- prospects at this point.
I agree that he's going to have to contact problems in the bigs...
but I do think his secondary skills and defense make up for most of it. I’m thinking right around where I had him last year (~#50+)… but then again, I’ve only loosely grouped players and haven’t really done a top 100 yet… so kind of talking out of my * when I say stuff like this about placement.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
Very solid B
I think the glove gives him a nice floor and I see him likely becoming an average to above average 3B in terms of overall value.
the odd thing about Dominguez
His glove seems to get hailed as a HUGE mark in his favor, like it’s his best attribute . . .but it seems like he is virtually the only prospect for whom defense is THAT big a deal (i.e. Montero and Myers getting lots of Grade As above). Why is that? Is it because Dominguez’s glove is THAT much of a lock to be truly excellent?
I've always liked Dominguez...
and before Mous (both went to the same HS and were drafted in 1st RD) went off this year it wasn’t without merit to think that Dominguez would have been the better pro. But Dominguez does have some things going in his favor like the aforementioned gold glove caliber defense at 3B, he does have some power potential, he’s not blocked in Florida, and 3B prospects are currently fairly thin which helps him I think.
But yeah, I agree with you that his glove does seem to dominate his scouting reports.
A run saved is as good as a run scored.
I can understand being skeptical about defensive evaluations since the statistical data we have on fielding in the minors is unreliable at best and useless at worst, but that’s why I more rely on scouting reports and hope they are accurate. If a guy is a great defender, his defensive contributions have to be valued just as highly as any run added through offense.
For Dominguez specifically, his strikeout rate and ISO make me believe that he’s been getting a little unlucky on his batting average the last couple of years. Weird to have it happen two years in a row, but not impossible.
That’s not going to say he’s going to be a high average hitter, but I think he’s better than he looks right now.
idk
He was a bad hitter in short season ball. He was a bad hitter in the Sally outside of Greensboro (a great hitters park). He wasn’t all that good at High A and AA the last two seasons. Maybe he starts hitting for a higher average, but if he does it’ll be because of a heretofore unseen skill.
Just looked at his LD rate
Grain of salt as always for minor league batted ball data, but it still doesn’t look like his BABIP should be that low in the minor leagues.
In short season ball back in ‘07 the sample size was only 57 ABs so I don’t think you can tell anything from that.
I think it's probably a combination of things
There is no definitive way to measure defense, we’ve seen that time and time again in discussions here. The defensive metrics that are available for prospects aren’t available in season for easy discussion like offensive numbers are. Then we have the fact that many prospects are playing out of position and we don’t have a way to get an accurate reading on how they will handle a more appropriate position. We speculate here a lot about how a guy like Montero might handle 1B or where Myers would end up if he doesn’t stick at catcher. It’s all just speculation though, so it’s very hard to put too much stock into it or to build arguments around defense in cases like that. With so many guys playing out of position we are left with a large amount of below average defenders in general.
I do think when we see prospects that are good defensively that it gets mentioned often. Brett Jackson and Mike Trout are two guys that instantly come to mind in that regard. Desmond Jennings gets credit for his defense pretty consistently. One of the biggest selling points for Jason Castro was his glove. Justin Smoak always seemed to have “Gold Glove defense” brought up as a selling point for the longest time, though that seems to have maybe been proven to be a myth.
In Dominguez’s case, he’s backed up the initial speculation on his glove by going out and proving to be a very good defender by all reports. If he were to hit no better than the .252/.333/.411 he hit this year and was +5 defensively, that give him a WAR of about 3. The defense and position are enough to make him valuable if the bat never develops fully, which is why his defense is mentioned prominently.
http://bullpenbanter.com
if he ends up a .250 hitter with a .300 OBP and .359 slg in the majors that will be because God is on his side as much as he is on the side on any player in the majors. insert luck if you don’t believe in God.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 10, 2010 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions
i do think defensively...
he might be good enough to stick around somehow and be a 30 year old regular who never had more than 20 starts in a season.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 10, 2010 2:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Exceedingly pessimistic for his offensive ceiling
His strikeout issues suggest to me a low floor, but his ceiling is much higher than you’re giving him credit for.
Basically...
What I want to know is whether you are just looking at his stats or whether you have seen some video and scouting reports and such on him. You’re talking about a 19-year old bag of tools in the lower minors so I think you have to do more than just look him up on Baseball-Reference—most of his value is in what he can become, not in what he is now. You can only go so high on that type of prospect, but B- is not an unreasonable grade.
Villar has the bat speed and swing path to hit for a solid average. His swing is tailored for liners and groundballs, which is what you want from a guy with 70 speed. He has work to do on his plate approach, and often takes big, aggressive cuts when he should just be looking to make contact, but that is correctable and he has tons of time to fix it. As he matures there is a good chance, because of his swing and raw hit tool, that he will be able to cut down his strikeouts and put the ball in play more consistently so he can use his legs to generate hits.
That’s not to say it’s definitely going to happen, but I feel a lot more optimism about Villar than I would a guy who took so many strikeouts because he had huge holes in his swing or no bat speed or whatever. He has the tools, it’s just a matter of learning how to use them.
He also deserves credit for his potential 40+ SB speed, and glossing over that is glossing over a huge portion of his offensive value.
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 11, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
B
kind like a slightly weaker version of Travis Wood
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 11, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Holy Jesus Christ superstar
2100+ comments. Just wanted to say though that these are great. I’m in the early stages of my first top 100 and this has been more than helpful.
"The A's have to be setting some record this year for simultaneously maximizing team quality and player anonymity. I guess that’s sort of their thing though." - Luke in MN
by hero66 on Sep 10, 2010 12:45 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Oh yeah...Starling Marte
Low-end B for me
"The A's have to be setting some record this year for simultaneously maximizing team quality and player anonymity. I guess that’s sort of their thing though." - Luke in MN
by hero66 on Sep 10, 2010 12:47 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Heh, I was coming here to post Marte.
Already been done. Sweet.
B.
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
B
but lower end
i’m not 100% convinced
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 11, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
allen webster
B- seems perfect for him…
what about matt magill… he did better then webster did at the same level at the same age this year….. but nobody ever talks about him… K 9 of over 9 and opponent batting average of under .200
B for me
low end, again borderline top 100, probably outside it.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 10, 2010 2:55 AM EDT up reply actions
C+/ B-
ya probably low end B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 11, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Webster B- Magill B-
I still say Magill is the top minor league starter for the Dodgers this year, I’m very impressed with the numbers he has put up.
I think both should be similar in ranking for now, but I wonder if Webster can put on more weight if his fastball would gain any velocity, that would sure be nice to see from him.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
B-
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 14, 2010 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Zachary Von Rosenburg
B-
I like how he bounced back bi time from a rough start.
C+
not a bad prospect but i just don’t get the big fuss.
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 14, 2010 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Edward Salcedo
C+
Hope he bounces back next year
C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 14, 2010 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
Pretty weak B-. I solidly prefer Krauss.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 13, 2010 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
wheeler
i could see that. i wonder if anyone still considers ryan wheeler a prospect.
by Scott the Shot on Sep 13, 2010 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
a prospect?
for sure. C+ probably for wheeler.
by auclairkeithbc on Sep 14, 2010 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
B- / C+
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 14, 2010 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
B-
low end tho
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 14, 2010 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
very high end
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 14, 2010 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Kyle Russell (LAD)
Didn’t check, but I’m not sure anyone would have mentioned him yet (sorry if he has). I think people get too caught up in his strikeout numbers and think he’s just all bat, when he’s actually able to steal bases (20 out of 22 in 2009, not sure about this year though) and play above average corner outfield defense.
B-
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Jaime Garcia
Officially graduated to the majors
Baseball makes the world go 'round, or at least in my world it does.
B / B+
his WHIP has shot up and a rapid rate…
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 14, 2010 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
High B+
I still don’t see him as a potential ace, he just doesn’t have either the stuff or the command to make me think he can get to that elite level. But I think he could be good for an ERA in the 3.50 range, long-term, which is still pretty darn good. His grade gets knocked down a little for his injury history.
By the way, WHIP is naturally going to be higher for groundballers. The point of getting groundballs is that you limit the damage by only allowing mostly singles, and inducing more double plays. The tradeoff is that your BABIP will be a little higher, and as a result so will your H/9. But it’s still much better to keep the ball on the ground.
This is why WHIP isn’t a very useful statistic for judging pitchers. Pitching is not just about keeping runners off the basepaths, it’s also about limiting extra base hits. WHIP is also subject to a lot of random variation in single-season sample sizes due to the instability of BABIP in smaller samples.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
Zach Lee
Just wondering on the outlook for him…
"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree
Matt Moore
I feel like I am TOO big on this kid. Looks like a stud to me. How good is that TB staff going to be for the next 5-7 years.
I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it. - Rogers Hornsby
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
