Saturday Suggestion Thread

by John Sickels on Feb 26, 2026 5:00 PM EST

With spring training games about to start, things will be picking up around here.

I want to do some Prospect Smackdowns. Suggest some that you would like to see. I have more front office interviews coming up, and I hope to start taking in some college games as I focus on the '11 draft.

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For some odd reason, I have wanted to see a Casey Kelly v Martin Perez smackdown.

They aren’t too close to eachother, but they do have some things in common.

by mr. maniac on Feb 26, 2026 5:02 PM EST reply actions

One respect in which they're close to each other

and 17 on my list

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by Jeff Reese on Feb 26, 2026 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

16 & 17*

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by Jeff Reese on Feb 26, 2026 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

I see a lot in common between Kelly and Lee

but, lets save that for next year

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by JD Sussman on Feb 26, 2026 10:41 PM EST up reply actions

Not a prospect smackdown,

but could you please do a career profile of Martin Prado? It didn’t seem that he was highly regarded while he was in the minors or his first couple of years in the majors, but was an All-Star last year.

I hate the Phillies so much...

by frozendesert on Feb 26, 2026 5:17 PM EST reply actions

Already done

here

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by hero66 on Feb 26, 2026 10:18 PM EST up reply actions

pitchers that I can think to compare...

Casey Kelly vs. Simon Castro. Who has the better career as they are the top 2 Padres’ pitching prospects?

Mike Minor vs. Jordan Lyles. For some reason, I see similar career profiles for both…

by noelman31 on Feb 26, 2026 5:21 PM EST reply actions

thought of a few more...

Phillies pitcher comparison- Cosart versus Colvin

Yankees- Banuelos vs. Betances

by noelman31 on Feb 26, 2026 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

https://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/2/12/1990737/prospect-smackdown-brody-colvin-vs-jarred-cosart

www.orioles-nation.com/forums

by Jordan Tuwiner on Feb 26, 2026 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

Banuelos vs Betances

Suggested this last time! Banuelos vs Betances vs Brackman (Killer B’s) would be great

by Kapellmeisters on Feb 26, 2026 10:49 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by polyrhythm07 on Feb 27, 2026 12:52 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

A Couple

Kimbrel v. Walden

M. Perez v. Banuelos

by BryceHarper on Feb 26, 2026 5:24 PM EST reply actions

+1 on Perez/Banuelos

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by Gobroks on Feb 26, 2026 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by BigG'S on Feb 26, 2026 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

Some ideas....

Dee Gordon vs Hak Ju Lee
Jacob Turner vs Andy Oliver
Alex Torres vs Alex Cobb
Jerry Sands vs Brandon Belt

"He don't want to walk you." -Sparky Anderson telling Kirk Gibson that Goose Gossage didn't want to walk Gibby just before he put it in the upper deck.

by sportznut3081 on Feb 26, 2026 5:26 PM EST reply actions

Not sure if the Cobb/Torres one is good.

Torres is miles ahead of Cobb.

by mr. maniac on Feb 26, 2026 10:05 PM EST up reply actions

Rudy Owens vs. Kyle Drabek

by Woo! on Feb 26, 2026 5:28 PM EST reply actions

...seriously?

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by Jeff Reese on Feb 26, 2026 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

well...

at least it would be a smackdown!!! lol

by BryceHarper on Feb 26, 2026 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

I'm sorry.

I misunderstood. I thought this was a thread where we could offer suggestion to John based upon what prospects we would like to see compared.

Had a known it was a thread for groupthink and ridicule, I wouldn’t have commented.

Please ignore my suggestion Mr. Sickels.

by Woo! on Feb 26, 2026 6:22 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Right.

Just because Frank Coonelly says something bat shit crazy, it doesn’t mean that it’s true.

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by Jeff Reese on Feb 26, 2026 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

Not sure what you're referring to.

I’ve never referenced the man that I’m aware of.

I just know that Owens has dominated three levels in the past two seasons, and his stuff has experienced a bona fide uptick. I believe Drabek was named pitcher of the year in the EL, but Owens had more K/9, a better ERA, 1/3 as many walks, allowed fewer home runs, and was within half a hit/9 of Drabek as well. Same level, same age (ten days apart).

Furthermore, Owens was hitting 94 routinely in the second half of the season, while I’ve read that Drabek hits 96. Going purely off what I’ve read, 94 for a lefty is more impressive than 96 for a righty.

Drabek with a great curve, Owens with special command. Thing is, Owens K’d more batters, and had a k/bb ration of nearly 6-1, while Drabek’s was only just under 2-1. Add in the fact that Owens has a much stronger build and wasn’t repeating AA like Drabek, and it seems logical that the two would be ranked much closer than they currently are. I’m wondering why there’s such a gap when the two seem quite comparable. I’m sorry you find it puzzling/humorous.

by Woo! on Feb 26, 2026 6:40 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

enough said

Owens is vastly underrated, and your analysis seems like a smackdown vs. Drabek might come down to the wire, so to speak.

by BigG'S on Feb 26, 2026 11:29 PM EST up reply actions

Grichuk vs. Arenado

I realize that they play different positions, and feature different skills sets, but they both feature great power potential, an affinity against walks (at least Arenado makes more contact!) and came as highly regarded HS prospects in the 2009 draft. Thanks!

by dbreer23 on Feb 26, 2026 7:25 PM EST reply actions

+1

Brandon Wood 4 Prez

by miketrout on Feb 27, 2026 1:30 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

+1

by Ryno1984 on Feb 27, 2026 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

Trout went 0-for-2 today vs Dodgers

maybe a piece on how big of a bust this guy is. thanks.

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by doublestix on Feb 26, 2026 7:34 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

+1

Brandon Wood 4 Prez

by miketrout on Feb 27, 2026 1:31 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Jordan Zimmerman

I’d like to see something on Jordan Zimmerman.

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by gorillakilla34 on Feb 26, 2026 7:52 PM EST reply actions

that's a good one

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by doublestix on Feb 26, 2026 7:53 PM EST up reply actions

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by JD Sussman on Feb 26, 2026 10:43 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by BigG'S on Feb 26, 2026 11:30 PM EST up reply actions

I remember

being at a Brewer game he was supposed to start, but had been injured the week before. There were at least three dozen people there (he went to school in Wisconsin) all wearing Zimmermann shirts. Poor folks, poor Zim.

by mladwig0 on Feb 27, 2026 11:59 PM EST up reply actions