I’m curious what the difference maker was between Sosa coming in at 20th and De Leon getting an HM.

Maybe it doesn’t mean much, but one thing stood out at me when looking at Betances’ numbers.

“Betances seemed to take a step forward after the All Star break. Before it, he had a 40/64 BB/K in 55 innings. After it, he had a 19/71 BB/K in 60.1 innings. Notice the major drop in walks while keeping an excellent strikeout rate.”

John,
No Juan Miranda, or am I missing something?
Orioles fan …

of Abe Almonte or Carmen Angelini? The performance isn’t there yet, but both still have decent raw ability. They should have at least made HM.

The only guy I really think should be much higher is Cervelli. Good defense, has average and OBP. Power’s lacking, but by catcher standards he’s very young. Not his fault that he missed so much time last year.

My biggest quibble with this list is that, in general, John tends to favor the high floor, low ceiling guys a bit. People see a list with a bunch of middle relievers and fifth starters in the middle and subsequently look down on the system. However, I’d much rather take a chance on some of the riskier players here.

I was more impressed with Aceves than Hughes when I watched each of them pitch this summer. Hughes struckout crap guys on his curveball not his fastball, plus he had major command issues with the heater. Aceves has strong command and they couldn’t hit his changeup.

Out of curiosity, what would you give Phil and Ian if they still qualified?

Also, why C+ vice B- for Christian Garcia? Is there something holding him back, or is it just past injuries and the attached label that he has to overcome?

who did blow his rookie standing down the stretch but really is more of a prospect at this point than anything else . Still c+, or was the strong AAA on base skill shown ((one source had the mle at a .366 obp) enough to merit an uptick to b-. I would vote b- on the theory that if he really could manage a 350s obp or better that he would be playable as a starter or at least as a semiregular fourth outfielder in the mold of Coco Crisp of last year given his speed.

My one real quibble with this list is Mark Melancon. How can you give him a B- when you gave Dan Bard, a lesser prospect to be sure, a B?

It also seems to go opposite to your philosophy of “high-floor, low-ceiling” type players which you’ve stated in this thread.

Bard or Melancon is probably a good candidate for a grade change.

What happened to Carmen Angelini?

I’m surprised he wasn’t at least an honorable mention. Yes he didn’t walk much and yes he is a 1st baseman, but 23 bombs for a 20 year-old (turned 21 in September) in the SAL is pretty solid. While his walk rate was pretty low, he also didn’t strike out much for a power hitter, with 86 k’s in 454 AB’s. Not top 10 worthy, but I would think he should be in the top 20 somewhere, or at least an honorable mention over someone like Pat Venditte. Shows how deep the system is, I guess.

I’d agree that the only true head scratcher is the low ranking of Cervelli, who has much better receiving skills, much better intangibles, is holding his own with the bat, has a much lower floor, and is much further along than the other 2 catchers. I have a very difficult time seeing him not be at least a quality big league backup with his receiving tools, eye and average, whereas the others, while having very high ceilings, could never master the position and completely flame out in high A. I’d like to hear John’s reasoning b/c I can’t figure it out.

BA loves Brackman but I can see the statistical argument against him, certainly.

Melancon is a relief pitcher and many pundits refuse to grade relief pitchers highly b/c of the small sample sizes and other factors, so I can understand that grade.

I would argue the ceiling on Jackson b/c he’s a guy who only started playing baseball full time recently. With his athleticism, he has a very high ceiling.

Generally fair, just a though disagreements/thoughts:

Cervelli - His broken wrist pushed him back a year yes, but when he did return he mashed (.315/.432/.384, 72 at-bats, in Double-AA as a 22 year old.) Considering his excellent defensive abilities, he seems like he could develop into a solid catcher.

Betances - I think he should be a “B.” I would normally agree, but the pre/post break splits win me over.

Heredia - Glad to see the love.

Aceves - His age probably suggests he has, just do you think he really reached his peak? I mean, this is just his first year in Major League associated ball. No offense to the Mexican Leagues though.

de la Rosa - His season was just plain impressive for a new pitcher.

Tex - Someone said this already, but this just proves how badly the Sox got fleeced.

Gardner - I disagree a lot with this. I think he will he an above-average centerfielder next year.

Bullpen Possibilities- With Robertson, Melancon, Albaladejo, Sanchez, Coke, Texeira, Dunn, in addition to Ramirez and Veras, the Yankees bullpen looks to be young and disgustingly good.

just curious to know why these guys don’t get any attention. I know edwar has only came on this past yr and a half, but ortiz has put up stellar numbers throughout career.