Guess the Prospect!

by John Sickels on Oct 19, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

We haven't done one of these in awhile, but it is a fun feature to do. The first person to correctly determine who this player is will get to select the next team I do after the New York Mets for the Top 20 lists and the book. I will be back late this evening to determine the winner of the contest.

I am a current major league player, a position player. I was originally an infielder but then moved to the outfield. I was drafted between the fifth and tenth rounds after 1995 but before 2000, out of high school. I am from a good baseball state but it is not from California or Florida. I showed good power in my first two minor league seasons, was ineffective in my third season, injured in my fourth season, then ineffective/mediocore in my fifth and sixth seasons. I had good tools, including power and speed, but just didn't put up the numbers. Then, in my seventh minor league season, I broke out with big success. I am a good example of a tools player who figured things out suddenly.

Who am I?

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Matt Holliday

by goldenblack on Oct 19, 2025 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Think this is it

Bit tricky because he broke out in the majors in what would have been his 7th minor league season, but he’s the only guy that fits in the draft window that makes any since.

by nixa37 on Oct 19, 2025 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, hestitated for a bit due to that

But, couldn’t think of anyone else that made sense, and everything else seems too spot on for him

by goldenblack on Oct 19, 2025 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Hesitated?

It took you 9 minutes - that’s pretty damn impressive

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by OldProspects on Oct 20, 2025 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep

This has to be it

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by David Tokarz on Oct 19, 2025 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

his 7th professional season

was spend mostly in the majors, though…

by PrincetonCubs on Oct 19, 2025 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

upon further review

that seems to be the only qualifier, it almost has to be Holliday. many more things distinguish the other candidates from John’s description. great call

by PrincetonCubs on Oct 19, 2025 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

If John's not thinking Holliday...

then this guess still deserves the prize, due to the fact that it couldn’t be more dead-on.

by PissedMick on Oct 19, 2025 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

WINNER

Yes,matt holliday.

Golden, what team?

by John Sickels on Oct 20, 2025 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Hmm... let's go with Texas

Few different ways I could go here, but in honor of Cliff Lee, I’ll say Rangers

by goldenblack on Oct 20, 2025 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

hurray!

by naropean on Oct 20, 2025 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

your a good man...

I don’t care what anyone else says…. your all right

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by laxtonto on Oct 20, 2025 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Holliday's 7th minor league season

I see that Holliday was promoted almost immediately in 2004, despite a really mediocre 2003 at Double-A. What happened — did he have an amazing AFL performance, or did he tear it up during spring training? Why was he called up so fast?

sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew

by alexwithclass on Oct 20, 2025 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Injuries.

Entering the 2004 season, the Rockies expected to have an outfield of Jeromy Burnitz, Preston Wilson, and Larry Walker. Walker opened the season on the DL and Wilson hit the DL a week into the season, so that was when they called up Holliday. Holliday hit .375/.444/.675 in April (albeit in only 45 PA) and Walker and Wilson were both out until June.

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by Tom (RFTN) on Oct 20, 2025 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Fascinating. Thanks!

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by alexwithclass on Oct 20, 2025 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Garret Jones

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by WVPiratesfan on Oct 19, 2025 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

Raul Ibanez

by Rhody Royals on Oct 19, 2025 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

Not a good guess

Older than I realized…

by Rhody Royals on Oct 19, 2025 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

also a 36th round pick

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by bestbostonsports on Oct 19, 2025 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Besides Holliday...

the only one who makes sense is Bill Hall. Neither of them had much of a “7th minor league season” though. Holliday spent some time in the minors during his 7th pro season though, so he’s probably the answer.

by slamcactus on Oct 19, 2025 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

New guess:

Shane Victorino

by slamcactus on Oct 19, 2025 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

I thought that too, but he was drafted as an OF.

by Dorn on Oct 19, 2025 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Also...

he didn’t show power his first two seasons. I’m like 99% sure it’s Holliday.

by slamcactus on Oct 19, 2025 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Hawaii is not a good baseball state

by deezle on Oct 19, 2025 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I thought about that too.

As I said above, I didn’t think it was a good guess. For several reasons.

by slamcactus on Oct 19, 2025 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

New guess:

by slamcactus on Oct 19, 2025 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

Whups...

don’t know how the double-post happened.

by slamcactus on Oct 19, 2025 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Craig Monroe

maybe

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by nostocksjustbonds on Oct 19, 2025 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

not a current major leaguer. I didn’t get the memo!

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by nostocksjustbonds on Oct 19, 2025 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Cody Ross?

by bestbostonsports on Oct 19, 2025 3:33 PM EDT reply actions

I just realized

what a stupid guess that was.

by bestbostonsports on Oct 19, 2025 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Shane Victorino

That’s my guess

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by Jgaztambide on Oct 19, 2025 3:35 PM EDT reply actions

I was thinking Victorino too

but it says he showed good power in his first two minor league seasons but hit only 2 the first two years.

by Yankees10 on Oct 19, 2025 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Aunt Jamima

by BryceHarper on Oct 19, 2025 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

matt holiday seems to be the one that makes the most sense.

by THESWAMI6 on Oct 19, 2025 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

Andres Torres

by smay24 on Oct 19, 2025 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

4th rounder

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by casejud on Oct 19, 2025 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds close...

… to being Marlon Byrd, but he doesn’t fit exactly. Close though.

Deal with the life you’ve got. Solve the problems you have, rather than fantasizing about a life without them.
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by casejud on Oct 19, 2025 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

I had the same thought

Doesn’t quite fit all the conditions, but he’s pretty close.

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by alskor on Oct 20, 2025 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Ryan Rayburn

I think he fits the mold. Drafted in the 5th round in 1999 and was primarily a 2B or 3B. Not a perfect match but close.

by King Billy Royal on Oct 19, 2025 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

5th round of '01

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by IHateSouthBend on Oct 19, 2025 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

My bad

I guess I read incorrectly.

by King Billy Royal on Oct 19, 2025 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Nobody's judging...

too harshly. ; )

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by IHateSouthBend on Oct 19, 2025 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Funny

by King Billy Royal on Oct 19, 2025 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

It amused me for about a second and a half

I’d say it was plenty worth it.

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by IHateSouthBend on Oct 19, 2025 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I would think so....

From what I hear “a second and a half” is all it takes to amuse you.

by King Billy Royal on Oct 19, 2025 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow

Well that was an unnecessary jump into Harshness-ville. Settle down a bit. Life’s too short to be grumpy.

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by IHateSouthBend on Oct 19, 2025 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Take a joke Southie

If you dish it out, you should be able to take it. ;)

by King Billy Royal on Oct 19, 2025 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I dished it out?

You must think I suck at slagging. : P

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by IHateSouthBend on Oct 19, 2025 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha

No worries Southie. ;)

by King Billy Royal on Oct 19, 2025 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions

another guess

I think Holliday, but if we need more guesses…
Mark DeRosa?

by team name deleted on Oct 19, 2025 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

he came to mind for me too, but he’s a college guy

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by Archie A on Oct 19, 2025 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

college guy

and NJ/PA are probably not considered great baseball states (maybe NJ)

by PrincetonCubs on Oct 19, 2025 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually both are...

considered pretty good baseball states. Especially new jersey.

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by joegonzo on Oct 20, 2025 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I would say Bill Hall

But a .212 SLG in his first stint at Helena doesn’t strike me as “good power.”

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by IHateSouthBend on Oct 19, 2025 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

And being a super utility dude

Isn’t exactly converting from the infield to the outfield…

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by IHateSouthBend on Oct 19, 2025 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Brad Hawpe

Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have? Frank Chance 1908

by TomCat009 on Oct 19, 2025 6:20 PM EDT reply actions

Went to college, drafted in 2000, in the 11th round, had a big 3rd season, etc.

by Humbled Fan on Oct 19, 2025 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I am of course kidding it has to be Holliday

although it was kind of impressive that the Rockies converted two corner IF into OF like that to carry themselves to the WS

Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have? Frank Chance 1908

by TomCat009 on Oct 19, 2025 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Without Looking anything up

Jayson Werth?

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Oct 19, 2025 9:15 PM EDT reply actions

He was a 1st round pick in 97

I thought of Cuddyer, BJ Upton, & Corey Hart but Cuddy and Upton were both 1st rounders. Hart was an 11th rounder

by RogoRooter on Oct 19, 2025 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Out of the box thought...Juan Rivera

If we consider Puerto Rico a “state” (though it really is a US territory), I’d guess Juan Rivera - drafted in 1995, 9th rd. as a catcher. He didn’t sign until 196 with the Yankees, and was converted to the OF. Made it to the majors to stay in 2004 with the Expos, after 6 seasons in the minors.

by dbreer23 on Oct 20, 2025 12:45 AM EDT reply actions

typo...he signed in 1996.

by dbreer23 on Oct 20, 2025 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

dammit...

I mis-read the intro…it says he was drafted AFTER 1995…oh well, a fun exercise.

by dbreer23 on Oct 20, 2025 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Too lazy to look up when he was drafted

But how about Carlos Lee?

by guru4u on Oct 20, 2025 3:50 AM EDT reply actions

Nope.

He signed in 1994 as an amateur free agent out of Panama.

by quacker27 on Oct 20, 2025 5:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Joe Crede would have been perfect but

he’s not a major leaguer… hmm…

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by 306008 on Oct 20, 2025 7:16 AM EDT reply actions

except he wasn't an outfielder.

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by Daniel Berlyn on Oct 20, 2025 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Grr.

Forgot about that part.

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by 306008 on Oct 20, 2025 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Adrian Gonzalez?

by Vottonator on Oct 20, 2025 7:23 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

adrian gonazalez the first overall pick who plays first base?

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by was385 on Oct 20, 2025 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions

No

The other one

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by hero66 on Oct 20, 2025 10:11 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

yes

Yes, but not right away. The team list after I finish the Braves is now the Royals, the Mets, and the Rangers. I’ll want to pick a couple of teams after that then we’ll have another contest. I try to keep things balanced geographically and league-wise as I go through the teams, plus somtimes I just feel like doing a particular team.

by John Sickels on Oct 20, 2025 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions