I'm going to try and get the Blue Jays done tonight, then will work on the Dodgers. That will be 15 teams done. At that point the book will be half complete. I will then go through and review all the grades given thus far and make some changes. I already have a few planned for certain. The ones I have the hardest trouble with are the C+/B- types.
Although I'm behind my ideal writing schedule, the book is still on track to ship on February 2nd. The best thing you can do to help out is to pre-order! When the book is finished, the Top 50/50 list will go out to everyone who has pre-ordered and provided a valid email address.
A pre-order is a great Christmas gift for the baseball fan, of course...and we need as many early orders as possible to finance publication. So what are you waiting for? Order now!
A few sample comments after the jump....
Here are some sample comments from the 2010 Baseball Prospect Book. These are unedited draft comments. Also note that in the book each player has complete statistics going back 2-3 years.
Brody Colvin, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-3 WT: 195 DOB: August 14, 1990
Colvin was a seventh round pick last June, out of high school in Lafayette, Louisiana. In terms of talent he could have gone as high as the second round, but a Louisiana State commitment frightened teams away. The Phillies took a shot in the seventh round, and signed him for $900,000. Owner of a lively arm, Colvin throws 90-94 MPH and may throw harder in time. He has a good power curveball, but is still working on his changeup and has erratic command. I like Colvin's ceiling and projectability, but as with all young pitchers we have to see if he can stay healthy and if he throws enough strikes at higher levels. Grade C+.
Edward Concepcion, RHP, San Francisco Giants
Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-3 WT: 190 DOB: October 3, 1988
SLEEPER ALERT! The Giants signed Concepcion as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic back in 2006. His numbers in the Arizona Rookie League aren't superficially outstanding, but he posted a very strong K/IP ratio along with a 2.26 GO/AO mark, thanks to a 94-98 MPH sinking fastball. His curveball is mediocre, and his command is erratic, but the arm strength for success is clearly here. Right now he's being used as a starter, but if he doesn't develop more consistent secondary pitches the bullpen will be his long-term destination. I think Concepcion has intriguing upside, and should be watched closely for signs of further development. Grade C but a sleeper definitely.
Hank Conger, C, Los Angeles Angels
Bats: S Throws: R HT: 6-0 WT: 205 DOB: January 29, 1988
After injury-plagued '07 and '08 seasons, Hank Conger pleased the Angels with a healthy 2009 campaign, adapting well to Double-A. Although he didn't show quite as much power as the year before in the friendlier California League, he demonstrated improved strike zone judgment and kept his strikeout rate low. I like the bat a lot, and I think he'll hit for solid power with a good batting average and OBP at the major league level. Defensively, he still needs some work behind the plate, particularly with his throwing mechanics, but scouts like his leadership skills and he has enough mobility for the position. Some people have panned his body, but I don't think he's a terrible athlete overall. He just needs more catching experience, where his learning curve has been lengthened by time lost to injuries. Conger will move to Triple-A for 2010, and could be ready for the majors in '11. My main concern is further injury risk, given the punishing nature of the position and his previous troubles with shoulder and back injuries. Nevertheless, I lean to optimism with this one. I really like his swing. Grade B+.
Kyle Conley, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Conley was drafted in the seventh round in 2009, out of the University of Washington. A big basher in college, his draft stock was hurt somewhat by mediocre defensive skills and a high strikeout rate. He murdered the ball for a month in the New York-Penn League (posting a ridiculous +80 percent OPS), but the strike zone got away from him during a two week trial in the Midwest League, granted the sample is small enough that we can't draw major conclusions just yet. Conley looks the part of a right fielder with strength and power, but scouts worry that more experienced pitchers will find the holes in his swing. I suspect that this will be an issue, though it might not get fully exposed until he reaches Double-A. Grade C.
Allen Craig, OF-1B-3B, St. Louis Cardinals
Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-2 WT: 190 DOB: July 18, 1984
Allen Craig is the winner of the 2010 Josh Willingham This Guy Can XXXing Hit Award. Given the injuries that plagued the past two winners last year (Kellen Kulbacki and Max Ramirez), perhaps Craig might not be too happy about this, but I'm hoping the fact that Craig has never had a serious injury will help protect him. In any event, this award is presented annually to a guy who can xxxing hit, but who has positional problems and/or mediocre tools and/or no place to play with his current organization. Craig is actually not a bad athlete, but has never settled into one defensive position. The Cardinals decided last year that he's not going to be adequate at third base, so he played mostly left field last year in Triple-A and did OK. He doesn't have great speed or arm strength, but he catches what he gets to. His best position is probably first base, but barring a catastrophe for Albert Pujols that isn't going to help Craig in St. Louis. Wherever they find room for him, Craig should produce offensively. He's not a walk machine, but he does work counts decently and makes contact, keeping his strikeout rates reasonably low for a power hitter. He has power to all fields, makes adjustments from at-bat to at-bat, and has proven he can hit for average against high level pitching. MLEs have never especially liked him, but having seen him play both in college, Double-A, and Triple-A, I think the MLEs under-sell his bat. If given proper adjustment time, I think he can hit .280-.300 at his peak, with 20-25 homer power. I don't know what the Cardinals are going to do with him, but I like him. Grade B-.
Loading comments...