Potential monster OF?
by FI2 on Apr 20, 2011 12:51 AM EDT
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PrintIn tonight's game thread I was struck by a comment daveh33 made about Trayce Thompson, in light of a 2 HR night, that he would be "a monster" if he ever learned how to take a walk. That seems true of so many young hitters, maybe OF in particular, especially on the heels of Marcell Ozuna's 2 HR game the night before and Jonathan Garcia's crazy-hot start. I thought it might be fun to make a list of potential monster OF, super raw, super toolsy guys in the low minors.
My preliminary list after the jump....
Not claiming this is the definitive list. Suggest adds or deletions. The intent is guys in A ball or below, young or young-ish, but who aren't top 100 prospects yet, though could be. I've omitted super blue chippers like Donavan Tate.
Trayce Thompson
Jonathan Garcia
Marcell Ozuna
Jake Marisnick
Jiwan James
Aaron Altherr
Domingo Santana
Slade Heathcott
Guillermo Pimentel
I'm sure I'm missing a few if not dozens. Who's your favorite sleeper OF?
What do you know about these guys? Who do you have a good feeling for? Is there a "secret sauce" type attribute that helps one toolsy guy develop where another stagnates?
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Randal Grichuk
If he can get healthy, he is a big sleeper
Lance Berkman= Awesome, CJ Wilson= Jack@$$
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Was about to say him
Ryan Braun 2.0
Brandon Wood 4 Prez
by miketrout on Apr 20, 2011 11:58 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
lol
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by doublestix on Apr 20, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
Fuentes and Fields are my favorites to succeed
they both have nice swings, and Fields has shown the ability to get on-base even with a tremendous jump up to high-A last year. [walked in 12.6% of his PA as a 19-year-old in the FSL, and did manage to hit a .131 ISOP, which really ain’t bad for the FSL]
Fuentes I admit is more of a gut feeling. And just from watching video of him, I can tell he has the necessary ingredients for MLB success. obviously still a long ways off though.
Thompson and Garcia probably have the highest ceilings… less familiar with Garcia, but I have been taking not of his name since he signed. Thompson is a big-time athlete with a powerful swing, also conducive to lift and backspin, from what I’ve seen. Problem is probably pitch recognition and discipline. but also raw, so he could the potential for vast improvement
Cory Vaughn
Vaughn is a legit 5-tool player currently playing for Lo-A Savannah.
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LeVon Washington
I haven’t seen him or gotten to follow him all that close, but Washington sounds intriguing. I believe the Indians have held him out of low A (where he was expected to go to start this year), and I don’t know why.
I saw Slade Heathcott in person last week, and I’d bet against him. The speed is evident, but he looked horribly foolish against the relievers as Ranaudo.
Another who appears kinda late in BA’s top 100 that otherwise might fit the bill is Cesar Puello.
Oswaldo Arcia
Not sure if he counts towards this list, some people already had him in the top 100.
Cory Vaughn, definitely
but he can already take a walk pretty well.
Jae-Hoon Ha on the other hand—great tools, very good defender…hasn’t taken a walk all year. Granted, he’s only 20 in A+ with a line of .415/.418/660, 2 HRs, 2 SBs, and only 3Ks…but zero walks is a bit worrisome. If he could improve the PD, he’s a big sleeper.
Jae-Hoon Ha
He hasn’t shown great discipline in the BB area, but it’s still early. Jesus Montero doesn’t have a walk yet either, but I haven’t seen anyone concerned about it, but we do know he does have patience. Still early though.
Ha was around 3% last yr
so he’s slightly more worrying than Montero, but yes, still early
by PrincetonCubs on Apr 20, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Keon Broxton
I feel like you have to have him on this list. Tools-wise, he’s the leader in the D’Backs organization. That being said, he still has to figure out how to hit the curve ball as his K rate is in the Mark Reynolds era. But I believe he belongs here.
by jnorman76 on Apr 20, 2011 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Oscar Taveras OF STL
He is currently on the DL with a hamstring injury I believe, but I think he’s the best of all the young OFs listed.
Some others
Not off to a quick start, but the former LSU OF Leon Landry would fit the bill to me as a guy to watch after OPS-ing over .900 in the PIO in 2010. Also, Max Kepler-Rozycki would be one to keep an eye on later this year but he’s basically a baby. Henry Ramos too probably.
Pretty much Lansing's entire OF
Crouse-Marisnick-Knecht
All very toolsy, and if they continue to hit will be scary good.
Here is the ultimate Monster OF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTyOaoXoSH0
Big Sexy
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by King Billy Royal on Apr 20, 2011 2:37 PM EDT reply actions
Rays
Uh…. this is really a weak spot for the Rays. Vettleson and Sale get attention, so they don’t really count.
Morrison is one guy, but I don’t think it happens this year after the shoulder injury, although he should be back soon.
Danny Ortiz
deep deep sleep on hiim tho
"Well Played Mauer"
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by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Apr 20, 2011 9:47 PM EDT reply actions
Reymond Fuentes...
I’ve been a big fan since he got drafted. I think he’s got the potential to be a legit 5 tool CF in a few years.
Unfortunately
One of those five tools you speak of happen to be power. Which Fuentes doesn’t have much of.
Albert Pujols is a god, and you my friend should be doing no less than groveling at his feet.
Hence a few years...
I think Fuentes is a very naturally gifted athlete…his power will come…he really reminds me alot of his uncle, Carlos Beltran.
Yorman's
gonna be a Monster. It might be 4 years from now, but that guy’s a stud.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Apr 21, 2011 2:33 AM EDT reply actions
Ozuna
Of that initial list above, Marcell Ozuna stands out to me as having the most upshot. His power potential is absolutely legitimate (another one yesterday) & he passes the eyeball test in spades. It’s only 57 PAs but the 14 Ks in his first extended run in full season ball to this point are a positive harbinger of improvement to me. He’s a baby version of a prototypical right fielder already too (looks like a plus arm). Obviously the contact bugaboo was/is a concern but that’s not uncommon for raw, uber young bats & I feel like a lot of prospecters overlooked the talent here in the offseason.
another double and bomb tonight
with 3 walks and no k’s, putting him at 10bb/14k’s so far in 62PA’s. In his last 10 games he’s 8bb/k’s.
Still a small sample size, but if he can maintain the lower k rate it will be a massive step forward this year, i think.
How could he not be mentioned...
Delta Cleary
Probably the most athletic man in pro baseball (no exaggeration). DI football recruit and a quarterback, top level DI basketball recruit. Cousin of NBA star Shawn Marrion.
About as raw as they come though
Mike Trout
Keep your eye on this one ;)
by Ghost_of_Brien_Taylor on Apr 21, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions
Well played
I was going to put Jerry Sands on the original list too.
Thanks, guys
I’m keeping all these guys on a watch list. Maybe I’ll do a followup post a few months down the road.
Jeremy Hazelbaker
Tearing it up this year so far, very lanky and could fill out and add power to an already impressive speed game and outfield arm
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