-I’m mildly surprised that Matzek is higher than Friedrich, but I don’t really disagree with it. I really like Matzek as a prospect.

-I’m a bit more surprised that Rosario is ahead of Chacin.

-I’m shocked that EY Jr is ahead of Tim Wheeler.

-I really like this top 10 and its the second best one that BA has released (first being Philly).

I’m mildly surprised on Matzek ahead of Friedrich as well. I also think Rosario is a bit overhyped right now, and I’m not real sure he deserves to be at 3. I would’ve put Arenado much higher - if that power develops, he could be very tantalizing. I also would’ve slapped Esmil Rogers ahead of probably Rex Brothers and Tim Wheeler. I’m not big on Hector Gomez right now.

I think I would’ve gone something like Matzek or Friedrich/Chacin/Arenado/Rosario for the top 5. I also think I’m not as high on this system as of right now, compared to other people, as I don’t really love the idea of Arenado in the top 5, but I really don’t love any of the other options in the system and his upside is huge. I mean, Rogers is what, borderline rotation arm or pen option? Not sold on Gomez’s bat yet. I like EY Jr., but don’t love him. Brothers is what, a pen arm with a borderline shot at the rotation depending on his 3rd pitch? I’m still not sure why there’s so much excitement on Rosario right now. Intriguing, potential to be good, but eh. I really liked Wheeler pre-draft, but that was a lackluster start with some mediocre reports, IIRC.

Maybe some of this changes by next year, but right now, not huge on the system. Probably top half, but I’ve got a tough time buying this as a top 10 system, although I haven’t contemplated all the systems yet.

Personally, I prefer Friedrich over Matzek for number one because of what he did in the minors this year. His K/BB of 3 was just as impressive as his 1.4 GB/FB ratio in the California League. His repetoire is pretty impressive also and is enough to put him over Matzek until he survives the transition to pro ball.

I second that Wheeler is too low here, I would put him above Gomez and Eric Young Jr.. I am slightly down on Rosario and Gomez compared to most. Rosario really needs to prove he can last for a whole season and his K/BB ratio of 55/10 does not look good in 222 PAs. Gomez also needs K less and walk more, but I believe in his bat and ability to stay healthy at SS more than Rosario at C. Personally, I would probably drop Rosario down to 7.

Is it me or do they always seem to have an insane amount of left handed starting pitching?

They always seem to have a very good farms system too.

the case for putting matzek over friedrich is that matzek’s ceiling is much much higher than friedrich’s. although the ceiling may be high for matzek, many believe that he will reach it or at least come close to it. unlike, most high school pitchers, matzek is very polished, something people fail to realize. matzek profiles as a legitimate ace while friedrich profiles as a 2/3 starter, which is why i agree with baseball america’s rating.

Call me crazy… I still like Nelson more than Gomez. I don’t really know why, but it’s more of a gut feeling than anything. Nelson obviously needs to stay healthy, but he was off to a big start in AA this year before he got hurt. He seems to have a long learning curve, but I get the feeling that he’s going to be a better major leaguer than Gomez, a player I have never liked as much as BA has. I could see Gomez as a defense guy with occasional power ala Alex Gonzalez, but I think that is his ceiling. IMO, Nelson can be a much more productive hitter than that at the major league level. It just may not be until he’s 25 or 26.

Like I said, call me nuts.

Is he just average starter or something more?

1.) Jhoulys Chacin: Electric stuff, top 30 prospect.
2.) Christian Friedrich: Great mix of stuff from the left side, would like to see him do it in AA.
3.) Tyler Maztek: Interesting lefty, would like to see how his breaking ball translates to the minors.
4.) Willin Rosario
5.) Hector Gomez