Has played at a higher level (in a hitters league), has better secondary stuff (from what I’ve read) and induces more GBs with still very good SO rates. He has room to fill out which would likely increase the velocity on his FB (already has had a small velocity increase this year correct?).

It’s really to early to tell with neither of the pitchers facing advanced hitting yet but I’ll go with Chacin for now. Someone said in another thread Bumgarner had a plus slider which I’ve never heard before (BA and Mayo both have said he has a slurve that was average to below average?) and an improving CU which was viewed as below average entering the season while I’ve heard Chacin has an average CB and CU both of which have plus potential. Will be interesting to see what happens with them. Obviously both have climbed charts fast this year.

They both played in the same league for much of this season, and Bumgarner had the better line there across the board, although Chacin did move up a level and continue to perform.

But Bumgarner also has the edge with his size, a bit better fastball (though obviously both are very good), a bit higher ceiling, and he’s a lefty to boot. He’s also almost 2 years younger, though I tend to not always think that matters that much for a pitching prospect (as younger often comes with increased injury risk at that age). But he also has a bit better “pedigree” as a #10 draft pick just a year ago.

Chacin is ahead in the secondary stuff, but I’ll bet on Bumgarer continuing to develop there, with what he’s shown so far.

Because he is 2 years younger, and has better stamina. Here is the analysis

Bumgarner has the better line for sure, 1.46 ERA, led all minor league levels. Better High School track record for Bumgarner. Born in 89’. Consistent innings eater.

Overall, there is really not a big argument behind this: Mad Bum is the better one.

(I am going to the San Jose Giants game today, tickets on sale!)

I just worry about Chacin … for no reason that I really can pinpoint off the top (i mean, there haven’t been any health reports, so this is really just a gut feeling). if chacin stays healthy, though, I think he’ll be the better pitcher. But if you are asking me to pick now, I would go with Bum, who I think is safer. Again, just a gut feeling.

No I’d take Chacin.

Also Teheran is like 16-17 months younger than Bumgarner I believe while Bumgarner is 18-19 months younger than Chacin I believe. Someone can look them up and do the math but I’m pretty sure Bumgarner isn’t two full years younger than Chacin and pretty sure Teheran is more than one year younger than Bumgarner at the same time. So you have:

- Teheran with superior scouting reports and about 1.5 years younger than Bumgarner.

- Bumgarner with better control, an equal FB and dominating low A while being 1.5 years older than Teheran but 1.5 year’s younger than Chacin.

- Chacin who dominated high A, has superior secondary stuff and scouting reports to Bumgarner.

Bottom line, the biggest arguments for Bumgarner over Teheran are numbers at a higher level while not really taking scouting reports into account or age. The biggest arguments for Bumgarner over Chacin are numbers and age while ignoring numbers at a higher level and again scouting reports. Basically Bumgarner has the best stats while being in the middle level with the weakest scouting reports as far as pitches go and yet on this forum is overwhelmingly looked at as the far better prospect. Comes down to numbers vs. scouting again I suppose and I think the pro Bumgarner group is getting carried away far to early.

“Ignoring” isn’t the best word probably but I think it’s safe to say the pro Bumgarner community is diminishing what they want to give Bumgarner the edge and the arguments/reasoning in these two instances conflict.

Well all I have handy with me are the following:

BA in 2008

Teheran:
FB: 94-95
CU: advanced CU 81-82 with good sinking action
CB: 78-79 with late, hard bite

Chacin:
FB: 89-92, touching 94 with movement
CU: reliable pitch he throws to both sides of the plate with plus potential
CB: plus potential

Bumgarner:
FB: 92-94 touching 97
Slurve: when he is on top of it, hard sweeping action away from LHH
CU: experimental pitch

McKamey 2008

Teheran:
FB: 86-93 with good movement (4 stars)
CB: 75-79 advanced pitch (3 stars)
CU: 79-82, plus pitch now (4 stars)

Mayo’s ’07 draft report

Bumgarner:
FB: 89-95 with late life and natural tail but well below average
CB: 70-73 with slurvy action
Slider: 79-82 with slurvy action
CU: 78-82 with good feel

I’ve read others (mostly from BA) but it sounds like Bumgarner is behind the other two with all his pitches except the FB. You can say that Chacin/Teheran both have room to fill out and add strength (velocity) but at the same time that Bumgarner has time to develop his other offerings. Fact still remains that Chacin has pitched with success at a higher level (the main arguement for Bumgarner over Teheran) but with more advanced pitches.

800 votes for Bumgarner in 3 days? It wasn’t even at 500 when I checked it yesterday.