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Doing it Dewey Style (Top 25)

by Dewey Finn on

With the Minor League Baseball season coming to an end, I've decided to put together a list of who I believe are the Top 25 talents currently in the minors.  I've taken A LOT of heat lately for my stance on certain prospects, but I still welcome your feedback.

 

Dewey's Top 25 MiLB Prospects

 

1. Matt Wieters (a complete hitter)

2. David Price (will battle Kazmir to be 'ace' of the Rays)

3. Trevor Cahill (sinker/knuckle curve combo that makes Webb & Mussina proud)

4. Travis Snider (Jays future cleanup hitter)

5. Dexter Fowler (.300, 20 HR, 40 SB is in his future)

6. Matt LaPorta (Pat Burrell with a better average)

7. Colby Rasmus (a young Jim Edmonds)

8. Cameron Maybin (imagine Mike Cameron hitting .300)

9. Derek Holland (somewhere between Scott Kazmir and Jon Lester)

10. Mike Moustakas (will push Alex Gordon to LF)

11. Jason Heyward (demonstrating all 5 tools)

12. Lars Anderson (very similar to Adrian Gonzalez)

13. Logan Morrison (a lock to be a .300+ hitter in the majors with 20+ HR power)

14. Rick Porcello (just needs experience and polish to become frontline starter)

15. Daryl Jones (Granderson with less Ks? I'll take it)

16. Mike Stanton (Adam Dunn with less walks but better avg)

17. Freddie Freeman (Justin Morneau is an accurate comp)

18. Austin Jackson (Yankees next exciting player and 20/20 candidate)

19. Jarrod Parker (has the power arsenal, just needs better command)

20. Andrew McCutchen (toolsy kid will become fan favorite in Pittsburgh)

21. Brett Anderson (Andy Pettitte seems like a reasonable comp)

22. Neftali Feliz (BIG fastball, needs to develop another pitch to be an 'ace')

23. Ben Revere (Ichiro-lite?)

24. Michael Saunders (Grady Sizemore-lite?)

25. Tim Alderson (solid arsenal and great command reminds me of Dan Haren)

5 recs | Comment 148 comments

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Tim Alderson

Interesting that he’s ahead of Bumgarner, considering that Madison is a year younger AND has a great ride going. I like the list though.

by sign posey on Aug 29, 2025 11:09 PM EDT   0 recs

Alderson's more polished

I’m guessing that’s why. But why’s Jarrod Parker so much higher than either of them?

by boonitez on Aug 29, 2025 11:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Parker

I like his stuff (excellent fastball/slider combo) better than Alderson.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 29, 2025 11:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bumgarner

He has an excellent fastball, but I think his other pitches need a lot of work. Obviously he is very young and has lots of time on his side to develop solid secondary offerings. His amazing stats are mainly due to the low A batters being overmatched by his lethal heater. If he can develop another pitch along with the fastball, watch out!

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 29, 2025 11:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bumgarner??

Bumgarner is a poor man’s Ryan Bones…. his stuff is just sick. Nasty slider, filthy sinker.

I've got a McPheever, and only JoJo Reyes can help me!

by Buzz Bissinger on Aug 29, 2025 11:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Feliz

I just wanted to add that I see Feliz and Bumgarner as very similar types of pitchers (both relying heavily on their fastball). Feliz made the list because he is succeeding at a higher level.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 29, 2025 11:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

re:mike stanton

adam dunn was a .300 hitter in the minors.

take it FWIW.

ANATOMY OF ERA:
Variables Don't; Constants Aren't

by variablesdont on Aug 29, 2025 11:35 PM EDT   0 recs

Good point...

Although Stanton has been pretty solid thus far (currently .292, 1st half .281, 2nd half .304).

I can’t wait to see how he does in the FSL. Hopefully he can trim the Ks and maintain HUGE power.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 29, 2025 11:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

cahill

cahill looks like jesse litsch.. no way he’s the #3 prospect in all baseball

I've got a McPheever, and only JoJo Reyes can help me!

by Buzz Bissinger on Aug 30, 2025 12:02 AM EDT   0 recs

Actually

I was contemplating putting Cahill at #2. I am slightly concerned in Price’s drop in velocity from college. He used to be mid-high 90s at Vanderbilt, but not sits in the low 90s. Perhaps there are some issues going on with his arm. Up until AAA, he was very effective.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 12:17 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

or he's focusing more on location

pro hitters are harder than college hitters. I think he’s learning the idea that 93 or so placed accurately is more effective than 98 down the pipe. I doubt he has arm problems.

by boonitez on Aug 30, 2025 2:21 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I kinda agree

Joba as a starter has worked more effectively as a starter by throwing 93-94, rather than 97-98.

As for Price’s arm problems, I only mentioned it because he was shutdown in spring training with both elbow and shoulder issues. It didn’t turn out to be serious, but something to make note of.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 2:38 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Response

That is not correct. If anything, Price might actually be throwing a little harder now than he was in college. Check out some of the posts on this very site from when Price appeared in spring training games.

Also, a velocity drop from college to the pros isn’t troubling . . .a lot of pitchers experience that due to the more rigorous pitching schedule. It doesn’t hurt a guy’s chances, especially a guy whose stuff is still clearly plus across the board like David Price.

by mrkupe on Aug 30, 2025 2:50 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Um no

Price is NOT throwing harder now than in college. At Vandy he was consistently in the 95-97 mph range with his fastball, now he works in the 91-93 range. He’s still very effective and the best pitching prospect in the game.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 8:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Um no

I never saw Price sitting that high, and I never read anyone who saw him claim that. 95-97 was the upper end of what he could reach, not where he sat. Here is BA’s pre-draft report:

He pitches at 90-91 mph, but the late life, arm-side run and finish of his fastball make it a weapon. He can dial it up to 95, seemingly whenever he needs to.

by aCone419 on Aug 31, 2025 11:49 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Unfortunately

That BA report is providing false information. You have been misled.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 31, 2025 12:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well

John says he can touch 95 when he needs to (so does BA for that matter). Maybe that’s what Dewey is talking about.

by demondeaconsbaseball on Aug 31, 2025 1:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Nice

Ignore the facts and my point that I’ve saw him pitch for Vandy. Find me one reputable source that has him “sitting” 95-97.

by aCone419 on Aug 31, 2025 1:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well

I am just going based on what RJ Harrison (Rays Scouting Director) said after they selected David Price in last year’s draft. In my previous post, I should have said that Price sat in the 95 range, and could reach back and hit 97 if he needed to. You guys can go based on what John or BA or whoever says, I’m just telling you what the Rays Scouting Director said on TV. Heck, if you think you know more than RJ Harrison, I suggest you apply for a job with a Major League team.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 31, 2025 7:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No, I don't think there is a reason for RJ to lie.

I also don’t ever recall him saying that. If you can find a quote attributed to R.J. Harrison, please do post it. The only time I’ve ever heard of Price sitting at 95 and touching 99 was this spring, when he did it against the Yankee’s. Yeah, he did throw that hard, for one inning in spring training, but he doesn’t sit there when he’s starting.

Other than that appearance, every report, whether it’s from BA, BP, JS or first hand observation from people who’ve seen him in Vero or Durham or listening to him on the radio in Montgomery, has him sitting at 93 touching 96 with his 4-seam and often, sitting at 89-91 throwing his 2-seamer that has great movement.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Aug 31, 2025 9:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well

It’s possible he’s exaggerating to make his player look even more phenomenal, which does sound unlikely.

I agree with everything else though- a 93 mph heater on a lefty is phenomenal.

by demondeaconsbaseball on Aug 31, 2025 10:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I remember

The hype when David Price touched 100 in one of the spring training games against ML hitters.

by gogotabata on Sep 1, 2025 11:45 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Price's velocity...

I have seen Price pitch in Durham and his velocity is not low 90’s, it was 93-96 on the night I saw him…If you want proof I have a photo of the gun reading on my blog….

http://ncgiants.blogspot.com/

by Sgt. Dingleberry on Sep 2, 2025 10:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Price throws hard

I saw about a dozen games this year in the Florida State League, and Price is the hardest thrower I saw. Second hardest, for a SP anyway, might have been Scott Kazmir on a rehab.

A lot of people get overexited about inflated radar gun reading on guys in the minors. The reality is, the highest average FB velocity in MLB this year for a SP was Ubaldo Jiminez, at 94.9 mph. Tim Lincecum is 5th, at 94.2 mph. Kazmir has averaged about 92mph on the FB for his career.

Anyone who imagines there are very many SP in the minors who “sit” above 94 mph is probably buying into too many infalted gun readings. Reality is, if Price is sitting about 94 mph he migh end up being one of the 10 hardest throwers in the game. And I can say he’s at least sitting 93+.

by acerimusdux on Sep 10, 2025 10:29 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

FWIW

In his latest playoff start for Durham, Price was throwing 95 MPH consistently, with his lowest reading that I know of being 92 and his highest being 97. How many lefty starters throw that hard that consistenty?

www.raysbb.com

Yes, we really do have fans.

by killa3312 on Sep 11, 2025 12:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Those are definitely a touch high

As acerimusdux said, the fastest avg FB was less than 95, and I find it hard to believe that David Price is the hardest thrower in baseball.

Here are all the lefty starters that throw 90+ and their FB velocities and overall rankings, from FanGraphs:

  1. CC Sabathia - 93.7
  2. Manny Parra - 92.4
  3. Jon Lester - 92.0
  4. Johan Santana - 91.2
  5. John Danks - 91.1
  6. Oliver Perez - 91.1
  7. Joe Saunders - 91.0
  8. Randy Johnson - 91.0
  9. Cliff Lee - 90.6
  10. Cole Hamels - 90.3
  11. Dana Eveland - 90.2

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Sep 11, 2025 7:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He doesn't throw that hard every start

but in this game, he was definitely zipping it in at 95 with regularity.

www.raysbb.com

Yes, we really do have fans.

by killa3312 on Sep 11, 2025 9:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow

according to your list, I own 8 players in the top 25 in my 20 team dynasty league…wow

Cahill, Maybin, Holland, Morrison, Jones, Stanton, Saunders, and Alderson

makes me proud whether or not they all pan out

by smk1363 on Aug 30, 2025 12:57 AM EDT   0 recs

Smart guys!!!

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 12:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Overrating:

Maybin, Heyward, Freeman, Stanton, Saunders, Holland (by a lot for Derek),
Underrating:

Wade Davis, Fernando Martinez, Mat Gamel. Madison Bumgardner, Chris Tillman, Tim Beckham

by METSMETSMETS on Aug 30, 2025 2:03 AM EDT   0 recs

My thoughts...

Wade Davis will be a solid starting pitcher that probably fits in the back of a rotation.

Fernando Martinez really hasn’t done much to impress. I’m tired of hearing how young he is for the level.

Matt Gamel is someone I strongly considered, he barely missed the cut.

Madison Bumgarner I have already addressed, he is dominating weak hitters with a great fastball, thats it.

Chris Tillman is a flyball pitcher. In Camden? No thanks.

Tim Beckham was not included because I didn’t want to include recent draftees (not enough games).

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 11:35 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Tillman

Camden is a very slight hitter’s park.

If being a flyball pitcher is so disastrous, someone forgot to tell Santana, Peavy, Schilling, Dice-K, Sheets, Cain, Ervin Santana, Hamels, Randy Johnson, among many others.

by dkdc on Aug 30, 2025 12:30 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow

I hope you aren’t actually comparing Chris Tillman to those great pitchers.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 1:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow

I hope you aren’t completely ignoring what he just told you about Camden being nearly neutral.

by Lt Melmo on Aug 30, 2025 1:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

To be fair

Heyward and Martinez both have big upsides, They’ve both proven themselves in A ball, and they’re both young.

So how can you love Heyward so much and not even put F-Mart in your Top 25?

I also don’t see all that much of a difference between Feliz and Bumgarner.

by METSMETSMETS on Aug 30, 2025 5:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Feliz

Has succeeded at higher levels than Bumgarner.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 8:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Honestly

I think F-Mart is one of the most overrated prospects in baseball.

I apologize if that stings you.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 8:30 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

Good, but not phenomenal.

by demondeaconsbaseball on Aug 30, 2025 9:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

wow

I’m willing to take your top 25 as ‘one guy’s take is as good as another,’ but the lack of analysis in this post blows your credibility out of the water. You’re tired of hearing about Martinez? Huh? What kind of reasoning is that? It certainly doesn’t diminish what both stats and his production say about his future. Tillman is discounted by Camden Yards yet you have 2 guys on the list from much better hitters’ parks (and I don’t see how the type of park matters, anyway — we’re testing to see if they’ll be productive players, not to see if they’ll put up good fantasy stats).

For what it’s worth I agree with you on Bumgarner.

by scooter on Sep 10, 2025 8:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I dont

understand how Derek HOlland is way overrated. The only thing that would make someone say that is simply the fact that he was a 25th Round draft pick, paid 5th round money to sign out of an unknown juco… That means nothing when you look at what he’s done and the kind of stuff he now has… Throws anywhere from a 92 all the way to a 97 MPH fastball with alot of late movement a good slider and developing changeup, His numbers are even more impressive with a .64 ERA in 5 or so starts at AA, he’s always had more than a K per IP ratio and solid BB ratio. I just dont see why you’d call him overrated

by blalock84 on Sep 2, 2025 2:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It's a thing about this site

Holland isn’t overrated in the rest of the world. It’s just that Dewey thinks Holland is Lefty Jesus.

by aap212 on Sep 2, 2025 3:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

I like the sound of that. Derek “Lefty Jesus” Holland.

Thanks!

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

by Dewey Finn on Sep 2, 2025 6:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No

Jesus was a lefty. Derek Holland IS Jesus.

by TCapone30 on Sep 2, 2025 7:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

lol

This whole conversation is greatness.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Sep 4, 2025 6:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No

Everyone knows Jesus was a righty.

by onholliday on Sep 5, 2025 1:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Holland at 9, Bumgarner off the list?

You’re officially obsessed. Say hi to Derek Holland for me when he notices you in the bushes outside his window.

by aap212 on Aug 30, 2025 4:23 AM EDT   0 recs

Well

It’s no secret that I am very high on Derek Holland.

I believe he has Kazmir type ability, so why wouldn’t I include him in my top 10?

Don’t worry about Bumgarner, he might make the list next year if he can continue his video game numbers at higher levels in the minors.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 11:38 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Reinhardt

Hey Dewey,

How do you project Doug Reinhardt from the Orioles. He’s already showed great acumen with his acquisitions of Conrad and Pratt, but has yet to put up any numbers in the minors. Could he be baseball’s version of Tony Romo? He certainly has the bone structure going for him.

I've got a McPheever, and only JoJo Reyes can help me!

by Buzz Bissinger on Aug 30, 2025 12:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Good question

He strikes me as a Jesse Palmer type of guy. He might be the next “Bachelor”.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 1:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

LaPorta 6?

Lars Anderson is 2.5 years younger and has outhit him. Peak Translation EqA’s from BP: Anderson .324. (comps for this year: Teixiera, Quentin, Manny), LaPorta .294 (Soriano, Cust, Delgado),

Heck, 2007 Jed Lowrie was 3 months younger, was a SS, and outhit him, and was controversial when ranked not nearly as high.

by emvan on Aug 30, 2025 4:28 AM EDT   0 recs

maybe I’m not understanding this fully, if so, please correct me, but LaPorta is almost a year younger than Lowrie and he absolutely crushed Lowrie in every hitting category (well almost). LaPorta OPSed over 1.000 in 07 while Lowrie was at .900. I understand the positional differences, but LaPorta still outhit him by a rather wide margin. Also, those numbers should be taken with a grain of salt since LaPorta only had only 100+ AB’s and it was his first taste of pro ball.

As for Anderson vs LaPorta, you can certainly make a case there, but I wouldn’t say that Anderson has outhit LaPorta since they’re both putting up an identical OPS this year. Factor in the positions (I know LaPorta is horrible in the OF, but he still plays there) and it’s pretty much a wash I think. Based on projection I’d say Anderson is ahead of him, but right now they’re about even.

by JP_Frost on Aug 30, 2025 5:40 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I think it is safe to say that emvan is

looking at this through red sox colored glasses. That is his right but picking and choosing what stats to compare, particularly if they are BP, is not the best approach, IMHO. If you have to choose a statistical measure, then I prefer the Sickels/James approach.

by sdtribefan on Sep 4, 2025 6:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Guys to add....

I like a lot of names on this list:

Revere - I see him hitting .310+ in the majors with lightning speed. He was the fastest guy in his draft class and runs a 60 yard dash in 6.2 seconds according to BA.

Austin Jackson - Action Jackson will be a fan favorite in NY for years to come. His future screams 20 HR, 20 SB with a great glove. Once his athleticism catches up with his developing performance…..LOOK OUT!!!!

Other Guys I would put on this list:

Angel Villalona - This kid can flat out mash. The power numbers he put up primarily as a 17 year old are extremely impressive. I see him developing into an Andres Gallarga type slugger.

Pedro Alverez - Best player in the 2008 draft. Who knows what happens to his contract but when he cracks the bigs we are watching a player in the mold of Manny or Aramis Ramirez. He will hit .300 with 30 HR and make it look easy.

Jhoulys Chacin - He has one thing in abbundance…….STUFF. Chacin has been simply awesome and I can’t wait to see his line in AA next season.

Gordon Beckham - The REAL best Beckham in the draft. This guy will fly through the minors and be starting in Chitown in 2010. I see him as someone similar to Longoria but with a better glove.

Jesus Montero - This kid can mash. Not sure where his glove plays but his bat can play wherever it chooses.

Desmond Jennings - Injuries aside this guy is the most skilled athelete in baseball. Loses a notch due to shoulder surgery but I love his tools and plate discipline.

Yonder Alonso - Get ready to move to LF Mr. Votto because Alonso will be playing first in Cincy by 2010. Yonder has the ability to hit .300 with plus power and will make the Reds look great with this pick.

Luke Hughes - Where is all the love for this man from down under? We haven’t seen an Australian import this hot since Paul Hogan circa 1988.

Greg Halman - This kid is a 30/30 man waiting to happen. Needs to work on his secondary skills but what an exciting player. Ron Gant is his future.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Aug 30, 2025 9:27 AM EDT   0 recs

A good case can be made for most of those guys...

However, I have the following concerns…

Halman - I view him as a taller Corey Patterson. A lot of Ks and holes in the swing.

Hughes - I believe he has been moved to 3B, and I just don’t think his bat is good enough for 3B.

Alonso/G.Beckham/Alvarez - I excluded all recent draftees, although Justin Smoak would be ahead.

Villalona/Montero - barely missed the cut. Hugh upsides definitely.

Jennings - has lost A LOT of development time. I wanna see how he rebounds from injury.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 12:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Call me a homer,

but I like Rashun Dixon over Desmond Jennings at this point when it comes to ex-football players.

Dixon has huge raw power potential that Jennings doesn’t have, and he has insane speed too (although it’s not translating into steals yet).

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 30, 2025 1:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Dixon

He is a very intriguing prospect and has the potential to be an exciting ballplayer once he puts it all together. I definitely have my eye on him but would like to see more consistent production.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 8:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He's consistent at hitting triples...

In all seriousness, I don’t really think he’s top 25 or even top 100 material at this point. Too young, too far away. But I don’t really think Jennings is either. I hate injury prone outfielders.

Perhaps that’s just a reaction from having to sit through the past two years’ worth of Travis Buck and Milton Bradley…

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 31, 2025 1:26 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

So I looked up Ben Revere at minorleaguesplits

and used the “luck neutralizer” to account for his ridonkulous BABIP.

Knocking it down to .334, which would still be in the top 5% of MLB, he has an OPS of .767. There is no way he is one of the top 25 prospects in baseball.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 30, 2025 2:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I do the same

As a quick and dirty way of minimizing big aberrations, but Revere (like Ichiro) strikes me as someone who, with his speed and hitting approach, you can count on having a pretty ridiculous BABIP.

by gogotabata on Aug 30, 2025 2:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

His speed is off the charts. Some guys just have the ability to have insane BABIP due to their line drive/speed abilities.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Aug 30, 2025 4:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ichiro's career BABIP is .357

Give that to Revere and his OPS is still in like the low .800s.

And considering how unique Ichiro is, I’ll believe someone can match him when I see it happen.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 30, 2025 5:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Revere

He might not reach Ichiro’s level of production, but has the potential to be a game changing type of player by utilizing his speed.

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

by Dewey Finn on Aug 30, 2025 8:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If he's not as good as Ichiro, he's definitely not "game changing"...

because I don’t think Ichiro is “game changing”. Ichiro is good, but he’s also been probably the most consistently overrated player in baseball for the last 5 years, with the arguable exception of Derek Jeter.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 31, 2025 1:29 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

Is this even serious? You may not be a fan of Ichiro but how many other guys can change a game with a bat like his, speed like his, a glove like his, or an arm like his?

Look at his averages the past 5 years:

2004 - .372
2005 - .303
2006 - .322
2007 - .351
2008 - .311

People may love on base, but a hit is still more important. The fact remains that you cna’t drive in a man from second with a walk. Add in the fact that he is routinely among the league leaders in steals and has one of the top arms in baseball, stating that he is ‘probably the most consistently overrated player in baseball for the last 5 years, with the arguable exception of Derek Jeter’ is just plain wrong.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Aug 31, 2025 1:46 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Also

With an average as high as his he is never a detriment to on base percentage.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Aug 31, 2025 1:51 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Driving in a runner at second

You can’t do it with an infield single either. Power counts.

by yellomellojello on Aug 31, 2025 10:11 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Have you watched Ichiro?

He hits his share of line drives.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Aug 31, 2025 10:28 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Also,

I never stated power wasn’t important. I am a big fan of a guy like Dunn with his great power and on base skills. However, I cannot accept the logic that Ichiro is one of the most overrated players during the last five seasons. He has a great all around game and can impact a game more then most.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Aug 31, 2025 10:30 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

My reply yesterday got swallowed up by the scheduled downtime

Bottom line, Ichiro’s offense, while good, has never been MVP level. His career EqA is .295. (EqA counts singles more than walks and credits steals, so those are non-issues with regard to it.) Opinions on his defense range from “good CF” to “average RF” with seemingly no agreement.

For the last 4 years, Ichiro’s value to the Mariners has been essentially the same as Mark Ellis’s value to the Athletics. If you would characterize Ichiro as “game changing,” you’d better be prepared to do the same for Mark Ellis.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 31, 2025 7:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

Yes, Ichiro = Mark Ellis

LOL LOL L