Tampa Bay Rays Organization Discussion
by John Sickels on Jan 11, 2026 8:46 PM EST
100 comments
I am now working on the Houston Astros. The next team on the list is the Tampa Bay Rays, followed by the Cincinnati Reds.
Use this thread to discuss the loaded Rays organization.
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A/A-
No lower than the A-
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by cwhitman412 on Jan 11, 2026 9:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sweeney
One guy who I am anxious to hear something about is Matt Sweeney. He was a talented kid who got dealt and seems to be forgotten in the shuffle. He did hit .895 OPS in Rancho Cucamonga.
by NMUWildcat027 on Jan 11, 2026 9:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
B-
IMO. I’m a fan of the other guy the Rays got, Alex Torres. C+ there as well.
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by cwhitman412 on Jan 11, 2026 9:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wilking Rodriguez and Alex Colome
Two guys that I’m very interested in following this year.
by jar75 on Jan 11, 2026 9:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Who wins by a nose between Hellickson and Jennings?
Who gets up first?
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by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 11, 2026 9:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
jennings
hes an A while helickson is a A-… although with johns recent grading of saunders… he might bump down jennings to a A-
by matthewmafa on Jan 11, 2026 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hellickson
Officially now the head of the Lobstein bandwagon.
by P Brady on Jan 11, 2026 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm gonna go out on a limb...
… and say that Sickels is lower on Alex Colome than KG is.
by aCone419 on Jan 11, 2026 10:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sickels vs. BP
Yeah — Goldstein calling Colome a 5-star prospect was quite a surprise. On the other hand, KG thinks Martin Perez is a better prospect than Brian Matusz, so you at least know the perspective you’re getting.
I’m interested in what John thinks of Kyeong Kang.
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 12, 2026 11:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Me too
I think Kang is a pretty intriguing prospect; seems like a reasonable case could be made for him as a breakout candidate.
by aCone419 on Jan 12, 2026 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Rollins
Heath Rollins is the type of guy that I would love to see get moved to a team like Kansas City and get a chance to be a starter. I can’t see him getting that opportunity in Tampa. I don’t think he is a front line starter, but I do think he could be a number 4 who wouldn’t hurt you.
by NMUWildcat027 on Jan 11, 2026 10:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
+1
Mitch Talbot was the same way for me. I really like Rollins, but I tend to overrate those type of guys
by Navi's_Navy on Jan 11, 2026 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Talbot is a far superior pitcher to Rollins
I hope Mitch fares well with the Indians.
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 12, 2026 9:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
maybe so, but they're similar in the fact that they wont get a chance due to the pitching logjam.
Rollins is more a pitchability type, although I don’t think he is hopeless by any means.
by Navi's_Navy on Jan 12, 2026 10:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mason
I was kinda interested in where Chris Mason would figure into the Top 20, but now that he’s moved on…I guess my biggest question is where Jake McGee and Matt Moore rank relative to each other.
by Aslan on Jan 11, 2026 11:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Zach Quate
The guy is not listed as a prospect anywhere but this kid can pitch!
How can you have any pudding if you haven`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...
by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Jan 12, 2026 12:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
He and Scott Shuman are short-season relievers to watch for sure
I don’t think either are top-20 right now, but definitely names to keep an eye on.
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by Imperialism32 on Jan 12, 2026 1:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We'll see how he does at the higher levels
College guy who doesn’t touch 90 but has a weird armslot and wicked movement. He’s exactly the type of guy I like to see how he does in AA before I have any hopes of him reaching the majors.
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by Brickhaus on Jan 12, 2026 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Low level relievers rarely get love in prospect ranks
by nyyfaninlaaland on Jan 12, 2026 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The starting pitching depth in this system is sick
Hellickson
Davis
Moore
Barnese
Lobstein
Colome
Torres
McEachern
RIP Nick Adenhart
by gatling on Jan 12, 2026 2:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
not to mention
McGee
Fuller
James
Cobb
Downs
…and then I was going to add Wilking Rodriguez, but I looked up Aneury Rodriguez and was reminded that he was only 21 last year, so technically, that’s two Rodriguezes. And we still haven’t gotten down to the “might be useful somewhere else” guys. Sick is right.
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 12, 2026 11:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm curious on the thoughts of John Jaso's defense
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 12, 2026 9:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm more curious
to know why Durham sat Jaso down the stretch and in the playoffs (in favor of Michel Hernandez, even). I’ve always liked Jaso as a prospect, and you would think in the abstract that a lefty bat would be a nice complement to Shoppach, but it looks to me from the outside that the Rays organization has kind of given up on Jaso.
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 12, 2026 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lobaton could be a useful complement as well.
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 12, 2026 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lobaton
I liked him as a waiver-wire pickup, but I don’t see how he’s ready to hit major-league pitching in 2010, unless you’re really bullish about his 102 PAs at AA Montgomery this year. Maybe he’s a longshot breakout candidate at AAA this year?
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 12, 2026 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Check out the chart with his LHB splits
Catcher Alternatives From the Left Side</a
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 12, 2026 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Splits
SSS comes into play there, obviously. But if your argument is that Lobaton could develop into a useful half of a catching platoon at the major-league level, I don’t think we disagree.
My point is that there is nothing in the data that leads me to believe that Lobaton is ready to hit major-league pitching in 2010. And I think the fact that the Rays bumped Lobaton back from AAA to AA strongly suggests that the organization feels the same way.
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 12, 2026 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
AAA is a SSS
However, he has consistently shown the ability to hit vs RHP over the past 3 seasons. In a limited role, his inexperienced bat could probably hold up next to Navarro’s anemic career #‘s vs. RHP. Lobaton also comes $1.7 million cheaper and with a good defensive reputation. If Shoppach were to play 120, and Jaso’s defense is not MLB serviceable, I’d have to problem letting Lobaton face the tough righties to give Shoppach his rest.
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 12, 2026 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nevin Ashley?
Is he someone that could be considered in the top 40? Good defense, pretty weak offense for the most part, but a very good AFL, and a very good pro debut (in 2007).
by auclairkeithbc on Jan 12, 2026 12:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He's displayed a fantastic arm and the ability to walk
In the AFL, he was a hacking. HIs results were good, but I would question how the process would translate outside of an extreme hitter’s environment. He does have an excellent defensive reputation. Here is a piece on Ashley from draysbay: The Rise in the Fall of Nevin Ashley
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 12, 2026 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
...referring to FreeZorilla's reply about Ashley
by auclairkeithbc on Jan 12, 2026 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll be interested to see how the pitching depth balances out the new guys in thes ystem.
How do the younger bats (mainly from the last draft class) and Sweeney stack up to all the lower level arms.
by rglass44 on Jan 12, 2026 3:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
woot woot
* SS prospect Tim Beckham’s physical change was among Maddon’s initial observations, as Beckham, who turns 20 later this month, lost 10-12 pounds. "The body type, or style, has changed a bit,‘’ Maddon said. "He looks like he’s lost pretty much a little bit of his baby fat. He’s starting to lean out a bit, which is pretty nice to see. … You can see he’s grown up a bit in a good way.’’
If this is true, how will this effect the way people see Becks.
by rglass44 on Jan 12, 2026 4:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I hope he's the next Barry Larkin so the Buster Posey crowd doesn't become an avalanche.
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by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 12, 2026 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It does seem it's about time for Beckham
to put up some numbers commensurate with his rep as a #1 pick. He’s plenty young, moving briskly, so gotta give him some rope. And he’s heading into the FSL - not exactly a hitter haven.
But some OBP improvement, and/or better baserunning, and/or steadier D should be a requirement of maintaining his high level prospect hype, seems to me.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Jan 12, 2026 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he's got much high level prospect hype going right now at all.
His offense was actually pretty good considering ARL and position. He needs to stick in the MIF though for his bat to carry I think (at least his bat as it was last year). He was very raw when he was drafted, so we’ll see. He still has those lightening quick hands.
by rglass44 on Jan 13, 2026 11:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
SS
I think a lot of SS are going to have a tough time getting a B+. Dee Gordon and Grant Green got one, as did Starlin Castro and Escobar. Mier got a B (borderline B+) and I personally think he is better than Gordon and Grant. All 5 I think are better than Beckham and Brignac. Hak-Ju Lee is another interesting SS prospect with good numbers and good scouting reports that got a B. Based on other grades, it looks like Beckham (and Brignac) will only get Bs max.
by auclairkeithbc on Jan 13, 2026 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Comprehensive List
With rankings made by comparison to John’s existing grades so far —
https://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/1/12/1247303/sickels-grades-by-far-by-grade
1. OF Desmond Jennings A
2. RHP Jeremy Hellickson A-
3. RHP Wade Davis A-
4. LHP Matt Moore A-
5. SS Reid Brignac B+
6. RHP Nick Barnese B+
7. RHP Alex Colome B+
8. SS Tim Beckham B+
9. LHP Alex Torres B
10. LHP Kyle Lobstein B
11. CF Kyeong Kang B-
12. RHP Wilking Rodriguez B-
13. OF Todd Glaesmann B-
14. 1B Jeff Malm B-
15. C Luke Bailey B-
16. LHP Jake McGee B-/C+
17. 3B Matt Sweeney C+
18. OF Cody Rogers C+
19. RHP Alex Cobb C+
20. RHP Jason McEachern C+
21. SS Hector Guevara C+
22. RHP Joseph Cruz C+
23. RHP Zach Quate C
24. RHP Matt Gorgen C
25. C John Jaso C
26. C Jake Jefferies C
27. LHP Kevin James C
28. RHP Albert Suarez C
29. SS Tyler Bortnick C
30. LHP Darin Downs C
31. C Nevin Ashley C
32. RHP Aneury Rodriguez C
33. RHP Devin Fuller C
Also worth thinking about (alphabetical order): RHP Victor Mateo, OF Ty Morrison, LHP David Newmann, OF Brett Nommensen, SS Shawn O’Malley, LHP Jacob Partridge, 3B Cesar Perez, SS Juniel Querecuto, RHP Heath Rollins, OF Wester Silva, 1B Ryan Wiegand.
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 12, 2026 5:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
You mean the Rays don't have 8 top 50 prospects?
by jar75 on Jan 12, 2026 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
B+
Again, it’s relative. John lists SS Grant Green as a B+. I don’t think there’s a GM in baseball who wouldn’t trade Grant Green, right now, for Reid Brignac or Tim Beckham.
Wouldn’t you?
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 12, 2026 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would not
I would not trade him for Beckham. Definitely not.
Brignac is closer. I think Id probably stick with Green, though.
by alskor on Jan 12, 2026 6:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I absolutely prefer Grant Green
Definitely too high:
Wade Davis
Matt Moore
Tim Beckham
Nick Barnese (by about 2 grades)
Jeff Malm
Kyeong Kang
Borderline but I can see an argument:
Desmond Jennings
Reid Brignac
Alex Colome
Luke Bailey
Todd Glaesmann
Kyle Lobstein
by jar75 on Jan 12, 2026 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah Wade Davis is terrible
So is Matt Moore, in fact, I don’t think the Rays have a single prospect worth anything. They should probably just move to Vegas and get it over with.
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by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 12, 2026 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Matt Moore and Wade Davis are not A- prospects. They’re just not.
by jar75 on Jan 12, 2026 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. that's what's going on here
Anyone who doesnt think the Rays system is 16 deep in B-s or better must “think the Rays [don’t] have a single prospect worth anything.”
by alskor on Jan 12, 2026 7:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Defensive?
Saying you don’t have 8 prospects meriting B+ or better doesn’t say you suck. Never fails to amuse me how the Rays fans moan about overhyped Yanks and Sox prospects, then have no problem with this kind of thing.
The point is some of the grades might be a level or 2 high. Sickels doesn’t tend to hand out B level grades to 4th round last draft picks with great regularlity, and it’s typically pretty hard for a guy at low A or below to get a B+ or A-. Happens, but difficult.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Jan 12, 2026 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree on the most part and was treading in hyperbole, but Moore and Davis are that good
Wade is the total package with a big frame, a good heater, 4-5 pitches that he can throw at any time, and a ton of Minor League experience ( I like this best, he’s basically a veteran at 24 having seen and done just about everything). Keep an eye on him this year as he’s going to have a real strong rookie season. They all won’t be double digit K’s or CGSO’s, but he’s got it both physically and mentally. People just get sour when they’ve heard the name before, as everyone wants to tout the next big thing. I say fudge that and appreciate this guy for what he is.
As for Moore, I guess guys that strike out close to 13 batters per inning just grow on trees. Yes, his walks are a little high, but he’s been lower in the past and he still had a 2.5 K:BB. I’m most impressed that he seemed to keep it all together while more than doubling his innings going to A Ball.
If Madison Bumgarner is in the A’s, why shouldn’t these two?
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by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 13, 2026 9:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wade is the total package with a big frame, a good heater, 4-5 pitches that he can throw at any time, and a ton of Minor League experience
Uh… say what now? “Total Package?” “4-5 pitches??” His changeup is very fringy. That’s actually my big problem with him. Still, an excellent prospect. Durable and his stuff is consistently good. Not an A- for me, though.
As for Moore, I guess guys that strike out close to 13 batters per inning just grow on trees. Yes, his walks are a little high, but he’s been lower in the past and he still had a 2.5 K:BB. I’m most impressed that he seemed to keep it all together while more than doubling his innings going to A Ball.
Well, my concern here would be lefties with good curves often dominate the low minors. He also has a low of trouble throwing that curve for strikes, and his command and control arent great. He’s one of the guys who I would pick if you asked me to name the top pitching prospects in the game for 2011. Lets not act like there arent question marks here, though. There certainly are, and for me at least, they keep him from A- territory.
Id have Davis one of the best B+s, with Moore towards the middle of the pack, not all that far behind Davis, though.
by alskor on Jan 13, 2026 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Granted it was in a small sample
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=7441&position=P#pitchvalues
He threw his change less than 5% of the time and it’s his only negative pitch. It’s a show me that would make him an All-Star if he can turn it into more than that. He gets a ton of tail on his fastball diving down and away from lefties. It has the action of a change, but comes in at 93. It’s a real strong pitch to both sides, provided he doesn’t get too nibbley or have a horse’s ass calling the game (it happens).
I’d love to see the change develop so that he can put the lefty bugaboo behind him, but I would think 3 ++ pitches would warrant an A-. I’m going to put some stuff together and post it at DRB. I’ll shoot you a link in a reply in case you are interested.
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by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 13, 2026 9:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You know...
I thought so too when I was handing out the grades, but I think it’s just how loaded this system is. That’s why I linked John’s existing grades for comparison.
For example, John lists 2009 draftee Max Stassi as a B-. That pretty much tells you that Malm, Bailey, and Glaesmann are all B- as well, no?
Similarly, Peter Bourjos is a B-. If that’s the case, Kyeong Kang is a B- as well.
And so on. I’m open to the idea that I’ve mis-ranked someone, obviously, but I feel pretty good about this list.
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 12, 2026 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you are just optimistic
that is all. i bet 1/3 of your top 20 guys get the grades you listed, and 2/3 a half grade below (with a few bigger disappointments to you thrown in there)
by auclairkeithbc on Jan 12, 2026 6:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
For example, John lists 2009 draftee Max Stassi as a B-. That pretty much tells you that Malm, Bailey, and Glaesmann are all B- as well, no?
Im not following the logic here at all. I like Stassi better than all those guys.
Similarly, Peter Bourjos is a B-. If that’s the case, Kyeong Kang is a B- as well.
I dont follow this at all, either. Performance (especially untranslated for ARL, park, league and luck) isnt everything. Tools and scouting reports are at least equally important and often more important.
by alskor on Jan 12, 2026 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And don't forget, it took Kang
until this his 3rd minors season to reach Low A. Bourjos, in his 4th, was at AA. I know the Rays don’t push HS draftees fast, but its tough to see the comp being on here.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Jan 12, 2026 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
fair enough
In my mind I had Stassi and Bailey roughly equivalent; as I go back to look at my notes from the ‘09 draft, I do see Stassi a step ahead of the Rays ’09 draftees. So I think that’s correct that those guys should go back a half grade.
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 12, 2026 8:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nearly every scout ...
… had Bailey higher than Stassi before he got injured. But as Stassi is healthy and has a bit of a pro record I’d say they should get the same grade while I would choose Bailey ahead of Stassi anytime considering Baileys upside!
Glaesmann and Malm should be a bit behind Stassi, while not much … so C+ for both should be okay!
by BurGi on Jan 13, 2026 4:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bailey/Stassi
Bailey had the slight edge, but it was very narrow. I liked Bailey more prior to TJ (and thought he was a fantastic pick for the round and the money), but I’d put him at a C+. Let’s see how his arm looks behind the plate and see if that time off affected his bat before raising him higher.
by jar75 on Jan 13, 2026 8:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly me feelings
I liked Stassi equally before though (though I dont focus too much on pre draft stuff). I really wanted the Sox to draft Stassi in the 1st round, as many projected.
Bailey is a very interesting prospect, and I like him a lot, but B- is too high.
by alskor on Jan 13, 2026 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Omission and a shout-out to FreeZorilla
I would put C Jose Lobaton at #34.
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 12, 2026 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd put Aneury and Newmann well ahead of Darin Downs
Downs is 25 and had a great year at A+
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 12, 2026 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kand played zero games in CF for Bowling Green
Asa corner outfielder, he should be quite a bit lower on the list
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 12, 2026 6:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
*Kang
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 12, 2026 6:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Barnese also seems a bit high
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 12, 2026 6:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like the list
…but Desmond isn’t an A. I’d give him a B+. I’d downgrade Brignac to a B and maybe upgrade McGee to a B. But overall I like the list.
I really like to see that people are finally starting to put Brignac ahead of Beckham. Last year I nearly got shot for saying Tim wasn’t even the best “Beckham” prospect out there. That being said, Brignac is going to have to start earning his keep this year if he wants any chance of being a regular SS for the Rays in the future. And Bartlett having a career year in 09 certainly didn’t do him any favors.
by Aslan on Jan 12, 2026 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Brignac did hit .278/.301/.444 last year in 90 AB's in the majors (SSS I know)
with above average defense. I think he is more than ready to play everyday at the SS position. The BA may go down but I’d also assume the walks will go up and the SLG should stay about the same.
by Dbullsfan on Jan 12, 2026 8:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Brignac
My worry is that he either won’t get the chance to shine because of Bartlett…OR…he’ll turn out to be Daric Barton or Brandon Wood and not live up to any of the billing. But, I’m hoping he’ll do well…
by Aslan on Jan 13, 2026 2:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
B+? Why?
Even if his power doesn’t develop and he’s a 10-a-year guy, how don’t his on-base, speed, and defensive skills get him at least an A-?
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by Imperialism32 on Jan 12, 2026 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Im closer to a full A than I am a B+ on Jennings, to tell you the truth
If it werent for a somewhat checkered health history Id definitely have him an “A.”
by alskor on Jan 12, 2026 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's what I was thinking too.
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by Imperialism32 on Jan 13, 2026 1:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Desmond
Well, my reasoning is that the power isn’t there and probably won’t just surface out of thin air. He’s had enough time to develop it and it hasn’t been there at any level. Yes, he’s quick and a good defender…and if he keeps hitting over .300, he’ll have a spot on a MLB roster. But his steals were down significantly last year…which means either he’s going to rebound and steal 30 as a .300 hitter…OR…he’s gonna revert back to single A levels and hit .250 and steal maybe 10…at which case he won’t survive in the majors on just defense.
Without the power, he’s possibly a good leadoff guy that might be able to steal. That makes me think “B+”. Less “mights” and maybe I’d go “A-”. But “A”? No way. To me, that’s reserved for the very elite of the prospects that are the complete package. That’s my take anyways.
by Aslan on Jan 13, 2026 2:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
The power IS there though
He hit a home run about every 14 fly balls. A good power hitter will have about 1 in 10. He just has a very flat swing, but he generates plenty of raw power on it.
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by Brickhaus on Jan 13, 2026 8:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In a
full season he’ll probably hit 10 HRs. To me, that’s not a “power” hitter. I’m not saying he has to be, a leadoff guy with a good OBP that hits .300 and can steal is valuable enough…I’m just saying for me to say he’s an “A”, I’d like more than 10 HRs a year.
by Aslan on Jan 13, 2026 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What do you mean his steals were down last year?
He stole 52 bases and was caught only 7 times. How many are you expecting from him? Also, he may not hit a ton of HR, but he had 52 extra base hits last year and an ISO of .169. It’s not like he’s getting the bat knocked out of his hands either.
by ReyL on Jan 13, 2026 9:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Possibly my favorite part is the 12% BB/PA in his career thus far.
He’s basically a mini Craw except willing to play CF, leadoff, and has a plan at the plate instead of just hacking at any old thing that comes by.
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by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 13, 2026 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And that plan at the plate is spectacular
His approach isnt just good, its a real strength.
by alskor on Jan 13, 2026 5:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My bad
I looked at the wrong stat. My bad. I don’t think he’ll get 50 at the MLB level, but I’m interested to see how many he will get.
by Aslan on Jan 13, 2026 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, Here is mine:
First some comments:
- I’m not high on Brignac as I don’t believe in the bat anymore … but a nearly MLB ready and good defensive SS is worth a B!
- I’m okay with Beckhams season in the SAL while hoping for better splits, improvements defensively and with the plate discipline! Still … his upside is there, so I’m fine with B+!
- Comparing to other grades Kang is B- … He was hitting .182 points higher in OPS than the average guy in the SAL. His approach at the plate and his power are fine, but he is playing at a less premium position → B is fine!
- McGee should also be B- despite the TJS! He showed that his velocity is back after surgery and his track record before was fine! Should be a difference maker in the BP!
What do u guys think?
1. Jennings A-
2. Hellickson A-
3. Davis B+
4. Moore B+
5. Beckham B+
6. Colome B+
7. Brignac B
8. Torres B
9. Barnese B
10. Lobstein B-
11. Bailey B-
12. Kang B-
13. McGee B-
14. W. Rodriguez C+
15. Sweeney C+
16. Glaesmann C+
17. Malm C+
18. Rogers C+
19. McEachern C+
20. Guevara C+
by BurGi on Jan 13, 2026 4:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is more reasonable
I still think Beckham, Barnese and Kang are too high though. Colome is probably easier slotted in as a B, but I can’t really argue with the B+ since Goldstein ranked him as as he did. I may even be tempted to bump Wilking Rodriguez up to a B-.
by jar75 on Jan 13, 2026 8:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
People are too hard on TBex, but I agree on Kang and Barnese
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 13, 2026 9:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He's still a good prospect
But I don’t think he’s a top 60 guy which is about where the B+’s are ending this year.
by jar75 on Jan 13, 2026 9:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I see Kang as a C+ guy
And a borderline C guy at that.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s still in the C+s through 20 though.
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by Brickhaus on Jan 13, 2026 8:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Other C+ guys ...
… Matt Gorgen and Aneury Rodriguez!
by BurGi on Jan 13, 2026 10:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see that
A. Rodriguez was available in the Rule 5 draft, pitched at AA last year, and every team in baseball passed on him. That’s a pretty strong indication to me that he’s not a C+, even though I think he’s a real prospect.
You can make an argument for Gorgen, but in the end he’s a minor-league reliever drafted in the 16th round. To me, he’s clearly a notch below the other consensus C+ guys like Guevara, Matt Sweeney, Malm, Glaesmann, Bailey, etc.
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 13, 2026 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cobb, McEachern, and Cruz are listed as C+
Aneury is a spring chicken at a brand new 22 and pitched a full season at AA, making great strides over the 2nd half. Cruz is 8 months younger and pitched at Bowling Green. Cobb is 2 months older and pitched A+. For his age, he has justified a C+. Attached is a DRB post I did on Aneury’s great improvements over the season last year. At a new 22, I am hopeful.
Aneury’s Strides
I have high hopes for McEachern.
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by FreeZorilla on Jan 13, 2026 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Interested
I wonder if JS mentions Guevara, Perez or Quarecoto. The Rays are new to the Int’l Signing scene, but they’re doing well with the pitching and it seems the hitting is coming around. I wonder, also, if he makes light of the Rays new training facility in Brazil. Reginatto is kinda old, however Silva is a 17 year old who showed in limited ABs a knack for hitting. 2 quick and decent finds out of a country more known for women, soccer and rainforests than baseball.
by Jacob Larsen on Jan 13, 2026 5:25 AM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Kyeong Kang
glad someone mentioned him :), thanks Burgi. I see him as a sleeper maybea borderline B-, or a really strong C+
2008 stats: .278, .338 OBP, .463 SLG
2009 stats: .307, .390 OBP, .491 SLG
is pretty significant, particularly his production in doubles doubled. (15 in 2008 and 29 in 2009)
Forgive me if I am partial to him thanks to his Kool name and Asian background :).
"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"
by feslenraster on Jan 13, 2026 11:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Lovin what I am seeing from Gueverra
Even though it isn’t in a very impressive league. What do you guys know about him outside of his fantastic numbers?
by raysrule44 on Jan 13, 2026 3:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
more about Guevara
by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Jan 13, 2026 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
link failed
How can you have any pudding if you haven`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...
by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Jan 13, 2026 4:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My biggest question
with this system is how they are going to fit Hellickson into the mix. I mean, with Price having a spot and Niemann grabbing a spot. Then you got Davis nabbing the #5 spot. With Shields and Garza being so young…how is Hellickson going to nudge his way in there? I’d hate to see him wasted as a reliever.
by Aslan on Jan 13, 2026 6:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And
…then what do you do with McGee and Moore? I guess it’s a nice problem to have if you’re going to have a problem…but geez.
by Aslan on Jan 13, 2026 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
with moore
they have another 2 to 3 years.. by that time garza and shields could be traded and theres always injury risks and there is always the problem of pitchers not working out
by matthewmafa on Jan 13, 2026 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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