Underrated Prospects

by NovaO on Mar 20, 2026 1:35 AM EDT Comment 78 comments

*formerly sportsman885, but registered under NoVaO for SB Nation

Give me your most underrated prospects. I came up with a list of 6 names.

You can get a better idea of their stuff and pitching/hitting mechanics by clicking here

But below is a summary of guys I view as underrated or overlooked (among top prospects):

Henry Sosa - high risk guy, but he has a great arm and I think he is being overlooked

Jed Lowrie - John made a post a couple months back about Lowrie and basically agree with his take. If his defense is acceptable, he will be extremely valuable at the top of the Red Sox line-up.

Chase Headley - he is already highly rated, but I think he gets overlooked a lot as well. Very little weakness in his game.

Jair Jurrjens - worried about his health, but I really do like his stuff and feel his upside is upside leans more toward being a #2 starter than the #4 label some give him.

Austin Jackson - here is a guy that could sky rocket into top 10 status this year

Chris Tillman - the numbers don't look that great, but when you put them in context and see how good his second half was and how much of an extreme hitter's park he pitched in was, and then factor in his age and projectability, I think one can figure out how good a prospect he actually is.

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Read More: henry sosa, jed lowrie, chase headley, jair jurrjens, scouting report, Henry Sosa (P - SFG), Jed Lowrie (SS - BOS), Chase Headley (LF - SDP), Jair Jurrjens (P - ATL), San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Controversial Prospect: Jed Lowrie(Minor League Ball)

Comments

Lowrie

I think a lot of people will have issues with the idea of Lowrie being "underrated".

by Lunkwill Fook on Mar 20, 2026 9:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

If anything, I think he's overrated.

by sabernar on Mar 20, 2026 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Jurrjens a lot

but Lowrie? Seriously? Did you see what John rated him?

I like him a lot as a future MLB 2B, so does virtually everyone. When you look at how Pedroia had identical defensive scouting reports, and his range looks very limited in the field (can only be masked by effort so much), it's hard to believe that Lowrie will stick at SS. Calling him the next Guillen or Michael Young is a mistake too, he's a good hitter but he doesn't have their power.

by number_twentyone on Mar 20, 2026 9:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lowrie

This specific list was mostly about top rated prospects, so I'm talking about underrated top prospects. John did rate him highly, but was only one of a few to rate him that high.

www.baseball-intellect.com

by NovaO on Mar 20, 2026 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

And

He took a bashing here for it.

This is me being polite.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Mar 21, 2026 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Michael Burgess

Fell way too far in a draft of mine that has some pretty savvy minor league assessors....so either people are underrating him, or they all know something I don't.

I think Snider is a good comp for him, so I expect to see him much higher on lists next year.

by siddfynch on Mar 20, 2026 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It is possible...

That someone thought he'd fall just a couple more picks. I know I had him higher than Aumont on my personal list, but took a gamble that he would fall to me before Aumont would. I guess that was a bad gamble, Siddy.

by coochorama on Mar 20, 2026 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Burgess

Needs to improve on his contact% to be in Snider's camp

Fat man is no more,
Bursting on through Heaven's Door
Come on in, says Bill

by Wilbur Wood on Mar 21, 2026 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

burgess

is going to be a monster one day

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Apr 2, 2025 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree with above

I don't see how ANY NYY or BOS prospect can be underrated. They are talked about and hyped constantly. Jackson might be a Yankee exception, and another example of the incredible number of CF prospects in the game right now.

A working class hero is something to be.

by t ball on Mar 20, 2026 10:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This kind of makes me cringe

Guys are underrated if they hype doesn't match the actual talent/ability. Are you saying there's not anybody in the YankSox organization that will surprise us with their performance in 2008?

I would say, for starters, that Clay Buchholz was underrated going into 2007. Yes, he had some attention, but his talent certainly exceeded his hype.

by siddfynch on Mar 20, 2026 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Underrated NY/Bos prospects...

Josh Reddick
Jon Still
Kevin Whelan
Damon Sublett
Reegie Corona

by BobbyMac on Mar 20, 2026 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They have underrated prospects

just not the top guys. Very deep organizations. I see all kinds of fascinating sleepers who would get more pub as top 10 guys for other teams.

by number_twentyone on Mar 20, 2026 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok

1. Gio Gonzalez- His ceiling may not be as high as other prospects, but he's a lock to get it.
2. Matt Antonelli- Arguably the best 2B prospect in the minors.
3. Chris Carter (the one in the OAK system)- very good power hitter, gets no press outside of here. (mentions by BA and BP, but nothing major)

by demondeaconsbaseball on Mar 20, 2026 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1 on Antonelli

when I saw him play last year with chase headley, there was no doubt in my mind who had more talent. when antonelli hits the big leagues people are going to be shocked at how good he actually is.

Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.

by Dave Barry on Mar 20, 2026 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1/-1 on gio

gio is vastly overrated. hes led the minors, or been in the top 5 each of the last two years. yet i have not seen a single expert rank him in their top 20. what does this guy have to prove?? hes pitched OUTSTANDING playing ahead of his age in each league. in regards to his future potential, i have also yet to see an expert dispute the fact that, along with a very solid fastball, he essentially has a top 3 if not THE BEST, curveball in all the minors. everyone always points to his size. gio is 5'11. do you people not realize that is all of 1 inch shorter than johan santana? he had one season where he gave up a lot of home runs, but come on he was 20 years old pitching in double a , give him a break. i completely disagree that his potential is not as high as other prospects. the cws screwed by trading him away, realized it, wanted him back. gio has an even better season once hes back with the sox, and how do they reward him? they trade him again. it is not gio's fault that he has been royally mishandled. but at least it has not stunted his progress as a pitcher

by rangersfan24 on Mar 22, 2026 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

correction:

gio is vastly UNDERRATED, not overrated

by rangersfan24 on Mar 22, 2026 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not the height

It's the velocity. Yusmeiro Petit did the same thing though the minors, and while he looks like he might be a useful pitcher, he still doesn't look like the next Johan Santana. There are always a few guys out there who put up crazy performances despite not having spectacular stuff, and they almost never become stars. Gio fits squarely into that category, IMHO.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 23, 2026 2:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i disagree

so the guy doesnt throw 98, but he does sit in the low 90's, sometimes touching 95. petit very rarely cleared 87-88. aside from that, i havent heard a single knock on his velocity, other than that it was down a bit this spring, but it was rumored that they just wanted him working on his control in ST. everything i have read that discounts him has to do with his height. i think if people consider a guy that regularly throws 90-93 to be a soft tosser, then baseball fans have come to expect far too much out of the players. id rather have a guy like gio for a prospect than a flamethrower. the number of those guys that run into injuries is gigantic. the rest typically go to the pen anyways

by rangersfan24 on Mar 23, 2026 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trevor Cahill

The 19 year old has a excellent curve and solid fastball. If he adds a couple mph on the fasball, watch out. He is only 19, so there might be room for growth.

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Mar 20, 2026 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

cahill had a very successful '07 campaign

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Apr 2, 2025 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some more

Chris Davis- The bat is for real, not many prospects have shown his kind of power, especially not ranked so low. Defense is a question, but he could hit 35-40 homers at 1B in Texas.

Trevor Cahill- I like his combination of decent upside with likelihood to reach it.

Gerardo Parra- I have him as a breakout candidate this year. His power numbers don't blow you away, but I think there's a chance he could end up better than Carlos Gonzalez, who he is often compared to.

by killa on Mar 20, 2026 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Parra

He might not have the power of Carlos, but I agree that he might end up being the better overall hitter.

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Mar 20, 2026 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

on Davis. The numbers he put up are amazing. Most list have him on the bottom half of the top 50, his numbers at his age are something you would see out of a top 5 prospect. He does have some question marks so I wouldn't put him that high, but he is a top 50 prospect IMO.

by nyy601 on Mar 21, 2026 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

he will fit in nicely in that ballpark

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Apr 2, 2025 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heres my list

1. Matt Gamel(guy can flat out hit...needs def work)
2. Tyler Robertson
3. Chorye Spoone
4. Chris Nelson
5. Jon Lucroy
6. Zach Braddock(injury issues)
7. Brandon Snyder(will be better then Reimold)
8. Chad Huffman(not alotta love..I think he will be pretty good)

by NYSOX on Mar 20, 2026 11:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wow, i like your list...

I have a few more of these prospect lists coming out, and Gamel, Spoone, Braddock, and Huffman are on them.

I really like Snyder as well...he was clearly affected by his injury last year, had a very solid second half, and I think playing in Delmarva depressed his numbers somewhat. When he makes contact, it is usually of the hard variety as well.

www.baseball-intellect.com

by NovaO on Mar 20, 2026 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jon Niese

I would have to say that Jon Niese is an underrated prospect, and I'm not a Met fan so please don't jump down my throat.

I've seen the kid pitch live, and he's consistently 90-92 with his fastball (that he can spot) his out pitch is a PLUS curveball, and he is able to spot his changeup on both sides of the plate.

You might be saying well then why was his ERA so high last year.. Well last season he worked on Conditioning and CONTROL, which seems to have paid off. He'll start the year in AA. From what I can see from reading this blog, John thinks he's underrated too.

by Duece on Mar 20, 2026 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

i also think niese is underrated...6'3" lefty with great control, a sinking fastball that sits 90-92 with a good change and improving curveball.

his overall numbers from last season werent that impressive but he did finish the year 4-1, 2.18 with 42 strikeouts in 45 innings over his final eight starts, including six innings of one-hit ball in the high class a florida state league playoffs.

he also threw 4 innings in spring training with a 5/1 K/BB ratio before being sent down. he will start the year in AA and we should see him in the majors at some point in 2009 if not sooner.

by UrRoleModel on Mar 20, 2026 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's not his fastball

that's his sinker

--http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Bobby Mcnally (alias) "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."--Napoleon Hall

by bobbymcnally on Mar 26, 2025 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jaime Garcia

he has fallen off the map after last year, but he was hitting 94 with his fastball in spring training and he still has that nasty curve. he is only 21 and will spend most of if not all of the season in AAA. definitely an underrated guy.

by fewgoodcards on Mar 20, 2026 12:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

re:

yeah, I thought about him and would definitely classify him as an under the radar guy.

www.baseball-intellect.com

by NovaO on Mar 20, 2026 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im pretty sure

That Garcia will be starting the season in AA again, but I could definitely see him move up quickly to Memphis. I am excited about this guy, as a Cards fan.

by JBagKY on Mar 21, 2026 6:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my 5 underrated

1. James McDonald: He gets little attention because of his perceived lack of stuff. But he is capable of dialing it up to 94mph and more importantly, he knows how to pitch.

2. Chris Davis: Agree with the above poster about Davis. He has rare power for a 22 year old and isn't much different than Ryan Howard at a similar stage in his career. Defense won't matter much if he's popping out 40 HRs a year.

3. Chris Perez: Doesn't get much love because he's a reliever, but he's probably the ready to close in the majors now. FB-slider combo is unhittable.

4. Tony Thomas: Hasn't played a full season yet, so he's still somewhat under the radar, but he's proven his senior year at FSU was no fluke. He's in the good hit, mediocre glove mold of 2B, ala Weeks/Kendrick.

5. Jeremy Hellickson: All he's done is win in the pros. His ratios have been superb as well. He just doesn't have the typical ace build. If he were 6'5" he'd get much more hype.

Of course, Mr. Sickels has most of these guys pretty highly rated in his book, so they aren't underrated according to him, per say. But in the general prospecting community, I think these guys deserve more attention than they are getting.

by dkny22 on Mar 20, 2026 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

On McDonald and Perez. RPs are not exciting prospects....but McDonald was dominate after changing his mechanics in Jacksonville thanks to Charlie Hough. I am excited to see him in 2008 but surprised he only got 1 inning this sping. We will see, but I think he has a chance to shoot up the rankings in 2008.

by goose102977 on Mar 20, 2026 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

walks

when perez stops walking everyone he will climb. i thought the #75-#100 range that i have been seeing him at was pretty appropriate for a guy with 8.4bb/9 last year at memphis. i just hope he can maintain his filthy stuff while gaining better control. a lot of guys have to take off some mph to find better control.

by dmb60614 on Mar 21, 2026 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree

to me, frankly, perez is overrated. how many guys with walk rates like that succeed?

by scooter on Mar 21, 2026 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perez

I don't hold the walk rate against him. There have been many pitchers that has overcome far worse wildness than Perez to become very effective. Two guys who come to mind are Randy Johnson and Bobby Jenks. Neither of those guys could hit the backstop when they were coming up as minor leaguers, but both turned out to be pretty good.

Also, as with Unit and Jenks, I think the wildness will benefit Perez eventually (if it isn't already). Guys are just afraid to dig in against guys like that and will make Perez's aresenal that much more effective as his reputation grows.

by dkny22 on Mar 21, 2026 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hector Gomez

This guy has all the tools to put together a monster 5 tool season.

by King Billy Royal on Mar 20, 2026 1:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nick Weglarz

He's getting next to no love, yet he's already shown advanced power and patience at A ball at age 19. He's a huge lefty bat, and while he can't profile as more than a corner OF/1b type, he's going to hit a ton.
He's my guy to break out and put up monster figures this year.
I also like Cahill and Spoone a bit, but Nicky Wegs is in another class...
JAS

by jasvlm on Mar 20, 2026 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

my list...

Josh Reddick ("C+")
Nick Weglarz ("C+")
Jared Goedert ("B-")

- also, though less so... -

Nick Evans (Mets) - was a lot more interesting as a 3b.
Logan Morrison (Marlins)
Johnny Whittleman (Rangers)

by BobbyMac on Mar 20, 2026 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My UNDERATED guys are...

Ryan Kalish OF BOS
Daniel Cortes SP KC
Jeff Locke SP ATL
Trevor Cahill SP OAK
Kevin Ahrens 3B TOR

by BoonSaint on Mar 20, 2026 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

5 to consider

Allen Craig St. Louis--Powerful bat in a weak farm system, should move quickly.

Michael Saunders Seattle--Raw 5-tool talent that took a big step forward last season.

Freddie Freeman Atlanta--Large power producing frame and successful debut

Henry Rodriguez--100 mph heat with developing control. A's future closer?

Joshua Rodriguez--Polished SS was red hot in the 2nd half of last season. Power and plate discipline.

by bellinghambaysports on Mar 20, 2026 11:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

h.rodriguez

starter, i hope...

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Apr 2, 2025 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Travis Wood, anyone?

Wood was a Top 100 prospect a year or two again, and has the potential to get back there. BA has dropped him out of the Reds' top 20 (which is absolutely absurd) and even John made him a C+, outside of the Reds' top 15.

The '08 Minor League Baseball Analyst (probably my favorite prospect analysis right now), seems to know what Wood is capable of, though. They list him as one of the top candidates for a rebound, and in good company on that list with such names as DBard, BErbe, BLincoln, JNiemann, and LHochevar. They grade him as an 8C (a 50% chance to be a "solid regular"), and rank him 7th in Cincy's system.

I tend to side with the MiLB Analyst on this one. Wood is going to be a good one, and a good year should put him firmly back on the radar.

by RedSoxFaithful on Mar 20, 2026 11:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

No doubt, this is by far my favorite prospect book. My first year of buying, but it is absolutely stellar on statistical analysis. Sorry John! However, this book is a different beast from the others I've seen (Here, BA, BP). I certainly recommend teaming it up with John's or another good book, as one method is never entirely correct.

by killa on Mar 21, 2026 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

some

Ian Stewart- have said it before here, but bears repeating. The band wagon jumpers will be piling back on after this year with a lot of 'yeah, I always knew he was going to be good...no really!" see BJ Upton 2006.

Wade Davis - though he gets love, its just not enough. Convinced he will be next Brandon Webb (who even last March was barely in most people's top 100 for fantasy MLBs, though now most "remember" him as higher.)

Carlos Gonzales(z) - when this guy gets to a level that challenges him (majors) he is going to light it up. May very well end up Juan Gone in a lot of respects, no desire by 30s, but he's gonna smack the heck out of the ball until then.

Austin Jackson - don't agree it will be this year to top 10 for most people, but it probably should be. mid-2009 predicting he'll be top 3.

Aaron Poreda - not a lot NOT to like about him. Lefty, filthy stuff. Still a little early, but that's some upside.

Aaron Laffey - on a limb a little. for some reason he scares the daylights out of me for an injury. But then again, if they all can be injured, go with a guy that gets results age relative to league. Especially a groundball guy that doesn't allow homers in the Indians system (they produce em). I think the declining k/9 scares people who even notice him, but I also think its because he's learning to pitch verses throw. Two guys named Aaron..hrm.

I agree on Chris Davis. Also think Pearce gets short shrift.

Delwyn Young - that guy can flat hit. He's just a little too round. Not quick enough for a middle infielder and not fast enough for an OFr, not tall enough for 1b. Wish he'd lay off the Golden Corral a little (and no, I don't know it for a fact and haven't seen him yet this year so maybe he's in better shape...hope so). Probably he really shouldn't be more touted, but minus maybe 20 pounds he could be a force. Too many ifs for a top prospect, but a 26 or 27 breakout looms.

by roaddog on Mar 21, 2026 1:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

poreda

poreda does have a great fastball, i just don't like his delivery at all.

by fewgoodcards on Mar 21, 2026 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

re:

Have you seen his delivery from after he was drafted? I'm wondering what he has changed from his draft video to allow him to add so much velocity to his fastball.

www.baseball-intellect.com

by NovaO on Mar 25, 2026 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re

I agree on C-Gon. I have heard rumors that some scouts think he will be the next Hanley Ramirez - in other words, he wont really produce until he hits the majors but he will explode there...

by Dfarth on Mar 21, 2026 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh

Austin Jackson is really overrated right now, if anything. It's sort of the product of people hounding how underrated he was during the season, where he's probably actually passed his true value in the eyes of the rankings.

by RedSoxFaithful on Mar 21, 2026 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

RE

how is Jed Lowrie UNDERRATED???

he has poor defense at short, and little power, and not great speed...if anything he is one of the more overrated players out there

http://21nunder.blogspot.com/

by jsmall404 on Mar 21, 2026 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lowrie

John may have overrated him slightly, but there is a LOT of uninformed Lowrie bashing that happens here (see the post above). Bearing that in mind, Lowrie is certainly underrated around here.

This is me being polite.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Mar 21, 2026 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what?

how is that uninformed bashing?? those are the facts.
read BA, keith law, goldstein..anyone but sickels and this guy isnt as amazing as boston fans think he is.

that isnt bashing...im not saying he sucks. im just saying he hasnt proven to be anything special either.

by jsmall404 on Mar 21, 2026 11:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

You really don't know what you're talking about do you?
He only made #73 on BA's top 100, 57 on BP's, had the top OPS among minor league SS's and his defense is certainly not 'poor'
BP: Defensively, he’s fundamentally sound and features a solid, accurate arm... his range is a little short to play on the left side of an infield in the big leagues.
BA: He improved even more dramatically on defense, becoming an average shortstop and showing enough speed and range to stay there. His hands and arm are fine.
Those aren't descriptions of 'poor' defense. He won't steal many bases... big deal. He isn't a HR guy, he's a doubles and OBP guy with a very solid k/bb ratio for whom OPS' around 800-820 wouldn't be a reach. That would put him among the top 5 SS's in baseball. Sounds pretty great to me.

One other thing... Keith Law is a joke, citing him just lumps you in with him as a joke as well.

This is me being polite.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Mar 22, 2026 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Vote

Is overrated as well. His slugging percentage was the highest in his minor league career and his strikeout rate keeps increasing as he rises through the system. If he doesn't reverse that trend, it'll be hard for him to maintain his .300 BA in the majors with as little speed and power he possesses. To me, he looks like a .250/.325/.425 at best.

by WayneCampbell08 on Mar 22, 2026 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

huh

Last year his BB/K ratio was 77 walks and 91 K's...I'd say that's a pretty solid line.
I don't really think his AAA stint was long enough to actually show his ability to draw the walk. I think this year in AAA he'll show that even more. He's a very similar player as Pedroia, seeing as he'll likely be a 300+ hitter in the majors with little power and speed. He's just another one of those scrappy players who utilizes his talents extremely well.

Lowrie in his stint in AAA last year: 160 AB's, .300 BA, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 12:33 BB/K ratio
Pedroia in his first taste of AAA: 204 AB's, .255 BA, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 24:17 BB/K ratio

by smk1363 on Mar 22, 2026 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crimson

I JUST got done watching him make two awful plays at SS in a ST game. I am NOT saying those two plays are indicative of his abilities in general...I would accept poor was a poor choice of word haha...fringe average would be a better way to put it...furthermore, if you are going to be an average SS you need to be able to hit..being a solid OBP guy isnt good enough to just play an average SS...should he move to 2B, obviously his value would increase.

right now, he is an "average" (still closer to below average to me) SS who wont hit for power...that isnt anything to get SO excited about right now

lastly, you cite BP and BA as if they know what they are doing and looking at..by and large they are writers who get their info from the scouts...Law actually worked in the front office evaluating talent..so to say his opinion is worthless is ignorant and foolish.

http://21nunder.blogspot.com/

by jsmall404 on Mar 22, 2026 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Law

Take a look at his last couple top 100's. The guy is cracked in the head. If he was worth half a damn in a front office, he'd still have a job there.

I'll get back to the rest of your ridiculousness after I hit the gym.

This is me being polite.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Mar 24, 2026 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

you are gonna base your opinion on someone based on their TOP 100????

NOONE knows how these players are going to pan out. Its not a big deal when one guy has someone at 10 and another guy has that same player at 20.

there is no ridiculousness to get back to: if you cant play great SS you better be able to hit...he cant hit for enough power: end of story.

by jsmall404 on Mar 25, 2026 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK

you don't understand..because he is an average SS he HAS to have OBP and low K rates going for him. what else would he have going for him???????????????

my point is that if you are going to be an average SS, not hit for power, not steal alot of bases, then what is the big deal??

you are describing a slightly better version of david eckstein..but boston fans dont want to realize that because they think every player they have is going to the HOF.

http://21nunder.blogspot.com/

by jsmall404 on Mar 22, 2026 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, first of all

most people aren't making a very big deal about Lowrie. As you noted, many other prospect experts have said he is a good but not a very good prospect. If I understood John correctly, he argued that he was a very good prospect not because he imagined him to be the next A-Rod or the next Nomar, but because he thought there was a very high probability he would be a very good player. In the minors, Lowrie showed a consistent ability to draw a lot of walks, hit for a fairly high batting average, and in his final year displayed a remarkable amount of power.All while playing 2B/SS. If the best case is true, and his 2007 stats are the "real" Jed Lowrie, then he might be a Michael Young. If the previous years are more accurate, then he could still have an OPS above .800 - not exactly David Eckstein territory.

Secondly (or possibly thirdly), not to psychoanalyze John, but his rating of him seemed to me to be a response to our normal inclination to overvalue potential and undervalue chances to actually be a good major leaguer, and to undervalue people who are valuable despite not having power. There is a high probability that if given the chance to play, Jed Lowrie will be at least a competent starter - a significantly higher probability than say, Jose Tabata or Fernando Martinez or Angel Villalona (simply because of age) - of course the latter have much higher chances of being stars, but I can still buy the argument that a certain at least decent, and possibly excellent major leaguer is a better prospect than a possible superstar or possible Ruben Rivera. Also, a good major leaguer is valuable even if they don't produce gaudy stats, and maybe we should all reconsider our valuations when Pedroia barely made our top-100s last year and nobody started shouting.

Ironically, I happen to agree with you that he's probably slightly overvaluing Lowrie (I'd probably have given him a strong B+), but I don't think this is ludicrous

by OldProspects on Mar 22, 2026 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

RE

i said slightly better than eckstein..im not saying he is david eckstein..i do think he is a much better prospect that that.

however, unless his defense improves, there is not enough power to justufy him being a top flight prospect is all i am saying.

if he moves to second base - then hits 300 with some power, then you are talking about a top 20 prospect becuase his defense is not a liability.

by jsmall404 on Mar 25, 2026 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cahill

Trevor Cahill is definately underrated. I like Cahill a lot, more than i do Brett Anderson, and Anderson has been ranked on top 100 lists as high as the 30s.

by deadboy on Mar 22, 2026 4:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I still think Vitters is underrated...

I think his limited performances from last year have caused people to underrate a guy with a 70 bat, with 70 power.

Poster formerly known as artie

by beastball on Mar 22, 2026 11:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

it's possible

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Apr 2, 2025 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rasmus

Rasmus is still underrated from the 2005 class. Sure he's in the top 5-10 but you never hear about him on TV like the Upton, Bruce, ellsbury, and Maybin. He might just end up being better than all of them in the end.

by Bravesin07 on Mar 22, 2026 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Response

I really hope you're kidding. Rasmus is not underrated in the least. He's a consensus top 10 prospect according to the "experts". Three of the other four guys you mentioned have already played in the major leagues, which is naturally a boon to their buzz - they've had more exposure to the media at the major league level. The other is Jay Bruce, who has the status of being the overall Numero Uno prospect according to expert opinion. It's not a surprise to see the overall top prospect in a given year getting a lot of media coverage. And hell . . .I've heard a pretty fair amount about Colby Rasmus throughout the spring anyways.

I know that at some random point Rasmus became "your boy" for whatever reason. Yes, he's a good prospect. He's probably not going to make you look dumb by totally flopping and pushing him as the best overall prospect does make your opinion different from most others (not necessarily better and really not to a degree to make it matter). But geez, most people really really like Colby Rasmus too! He's a good prospect! If he's somewhere in somebody's top 50 prospects, they're probably close enough to projecting his performance in the range of possible outcomes to look reasonably accurate!

The micromanagement of prospect lists is just killing me.

by mrkupe on Mar 22, 2026 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

People freak out because one player is 2 spots ahead of someone else on Baseball Americas top 100 list lol.

Get a grip.

http://21nunder.blogspot.com/

by jsmall404 on Mar 22, 2026 10:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Underrated

Seems to me we have to define what underrated means.

It's those players whose skills or performance have exceeded what the collective wisdom or general perseption of them are.

I'd have to say both Michael Saunders and Jamie Garcia fit that bill. Given their age, talents and performace, I don't see how they rate higher.

I think Saudners gets dinged for having played in Canada and not having the exposure that prospects in Calif., Florda or Texas would have. Plus, he was a hockey prospect, which I think most talent evaluators don't know how to asses. Unlike players who split time between baseball and football.

Garcia, I think takes a hit due to his draft position, lack of conditioning as a teen and his injury last season.

I can see both these guys, given their performance, skills and age-relative-to-league jumping into the top 100 ranking next year.

by Montreal97 on Mar 23, 2026 6:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Correction

I don't see how Saunders and Garcia DON'T rate higher.

by Montreal97 on Mar 23, 2026 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correction to Your Correction

Last year going into the season, Jaime Garcia was in the top 100 in both BA & Baseball HQ. Number 70 in the former and #95 in the latter. He had a bad year so he dropped out of both lists. He'll be back if he doesn't struggle again.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Mar 23, 2026 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bad Year

I'm not sure Garcia had a bad year. Started the year in AA at 20 years old, pitched 100 innings before getting hurt with a 3.75 ERA and almost a strikeout per inning. Had a little trouble with his control -- about one every three innings. Other than the injury I don't think he pitched badly.

Normally, a 20 year old putting up those kind of numbers would warrant more attention. The injury seems to be tempering optimism some.

The injury certainly keeps him out of the top 100, but I would think we'd hear more about him. Kind of like Scott Elbert, who got injured, was out the whole year, and yet people are still talking about, hoping for a bounce back year. I don't see any of that with Garcia.

by Montreal97 on Mar 24, 2026 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correction to Your Correction

His BB per 9 was 3.93 which was alot closer to 4 than 3. He also gave up 14 home runs in only 103 IP which is not good. His K:BB ratio was only 2.15. It was a bad year.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Mar 28, 2025 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs