10 Prospect Questions

1. Will Skipworth ever be able to hit for a decent Average like .270? Is it likely he will become a big league regular?

Doubtful. Problems with his swing and lots of Ks.

2. Are players like Hector Gomez, Jordan Danks, Donavon Tate, Josh Bell and Max stassi worth hanging onto?

Sure on Tate. Still has impressive tools. Probably shouldn’t totally give up on Stassi yet… although he’s going to be a big question mark for another year until we see how he recovers… and you can almost certainly do better rostering someone else. The rest could end up mildly useful but I’d rather have a far away high ceiling kid.

3. Is ryan Westmoreland going to play in 2012?

There’s really no way to say. His recovery has been remarkable, but the difference between him playing professional baseball or not is going to be the difference between whether he makes a 100% recovery or just 99%. The odds are obviously stacked against him and its great he’s going to get to live a normal life.

4. Did Cito Cluver, Niko Goodrum show enough in rookie ball to be excited about them or do you think they have long term potential?

Culver looks interesting. Good bat speed and defense slightly better than expected. Don’t think Culver has star ceiling. Less rosy on Goodrum, who does have some tools… If I’m betting on one of these guys I’ll take the middle infielder.

5. Francisco Peguero had huge steal numbers in 2010 then a huge drop off in 2011. Why?

Well, his raw SB numbers were deceiving… he stole 40 bases last year and was caught 22 times. This year he has a 12 :1 ration of SB:CS. He probably had a greenlight in San Jose despite not being that great a base stealer.

6. Yordy Cabrera and Mike Kvansicka had years in 2011 that were pretty average what do you think the future holds for these players?

Cabrera is pretty toolsy, though I do think he ends up at 3B. His slash line is mitigated by being a 20 year old in the Midwest League (pitcher friendly) after only having experienced 5 games of rookie ball previously as a pro. I don’t know much about Kvasnicka, to be honest.
 
7. Traycee Thompson had a real nice year for power and speed but batting average was less than stellar. Is this a problem that will continue with him In your opinion?

Well… yes. He’s still really raw and very much still refining his swing. Not sure the hit tool will ever be even average here.

8. Chances of Lars Anderson getting traded in 2012 or beyond and landing an everyday firstbasemen job?

Saw some progress from Lars in 2011, but not enough for any team to be handing him a role that requires that much regular offense. With the failed Harden trade the Sox have made it pretty clear that he’s expendable, though I think they do like him some (40 man roster crunch was on the horizon prior to other trades than went down). I’ve always been a Lars fan but he doesn’t project as even an average 1B at this point… so pretty unexciting prospect. He is a patient hitter and the power is definitely still there and a very nice, hard working kid… I’ve always pegged him as a guy we’ll all give up on and then he’ll turn up somewhere and have a Carlos Pena style breakout 25 HR season as he’s nearing 30. He’s still only 23. No one should be holding their breath, though.

9. Who of this bunch has a chance to someday be a closer Wynn Pelzer, Phillipe Aumont, Josh Lindblom, Justin Defrautus?

Aumont certainly… I like Pelzer as well. Haven’t seen or familiar enough with the other two recently, but Lindblom had some good stuff in college. They all have a shot, Id say. Aumont foremost.

10. Is Jenry Mejia worth keeping???

Yes. TJ is not a death sentence… but there was always a chance he’d end up in relief, so don’t be shocked if that happens. He still profiles as an impact arm in either role (starter or relief) if he comes back healthy. Obviously always a risk with TJ, but I’d hold on with this kind of talent.

He hurt his knee in ST and so that may have also played a role, and like Al said he was ferrying by mainly on pure speed in SJ

1. Will Skipworth ever be able to hit for a decent Average like .270? Is it likely he will become a big league regular?

Unless some monumental change happens to Skipworth (change in philosophy, changed batting stance, etc) he will have a hard time hitting for average. He strikes out WAY too much in the minors already. He is young and has time to develop, but as of now I would have to say no.

2. Are players like Hector Gomez, Jordan Danks, Donavon Tate, Josh Bell and Max stassi worth hanging onto?

I would say that Danks and Bell are not worth having any longer. Tate is definitely someone you want to hang on to. Normally I wouldn’t suggest dumping a shortstop but Hector Gomez isn’t getting it done and is running out of time. He finally showed some power this year but I don’t see him being much more than a reserve infielder. Stassi is still very young and showed a good walk rate this year while also cutting down on his strike outs, both are encouraging signs. I would hold on to him and see what he can do in AA.

3. Is ryan Westmoreland going to play in 2012?

Totally unknown at this point. I would suggest asking an insider for that kind of information. Keep your eyes open for some reports, a lot of people are probably wondering the same thing.

4. Did Cito Cluver, Niko Goodrum show enough in rookie ball to be excited about them or do you think they have long term potential?

Cito Culver definitely impressed this year. He wasn’t that highly regarded to begin with though. Still he is very young and is a lot more polished than everyone believed. Most importantly there is a very good chance he will be able to stay at shortstop. Not as high Goodrum, and personally I would go with Culver over him. I don’t think either will ever develop to be anything better than slightly above average.

5. Francisco Peguero had huge steal numbers in 2010 then a huge drop off in 2011. Why?

Peguero was hurt to begin the year and didn’t play nearly as much. While he didn’t steal as many bases he was much more efficient swiping bags. There haven’t been any reports of him slowing down and he has looked great in the field. I would just chalk it up to having a nagging injury in the beginning of the year.

6. Yordy Cabrera and Mike Kvansicka had years in 2011 that were pretty average what do you think the future holds for these players?
 
Yordy is young, toolsy, and very raw. He has the potential to be a star, but he has a long way to go. He might have a 50% at staying at short though. I think his season was much less disappointing than Kvansicka’s. I expected a lot more polish with Mike and reports say his swing needs some help. I think he will end up being a super utility player in the mold of Jeff Keppinger (though he can play a little outfield).

7. Traycee Thompson had a real nice year for power and speed but batting average was less than stellar. Is this a problem that will continue with him In your opinion?

Its not so much his inability to hit for average that is the problem, its the high strike out rate. I don’t think his power will be that tremendous that he will able to withstand strike out rates in the 20’s. He is still really young and has multiple plus tools, definitely someone to keep an eye on.
 
8. Chances of Lars Anderson getting traded in 2012 or beyond and landing an everyday firstbasemen job?

I’m always amazed at how young Anderson still is, it seems like he has been at AAA forever. I have always been impressed with his ability to take walks, if he can play good defense at first he could be an everyday first baseman in the Daric Barton mold. I could see him developing more power though. I think the Sox trade him in a package this summer for a legit starting pitcher.

9. Who of this bunch has a chance to someday be a closer Wynn Pelzer, Phillipe Aumont, Josh Lindblom, Justin Defrautus?

Pelzer needs to learn some control, otherwise he won’t make it anywhere. A BB/9 over 5 is unacceptable.

Aumont will almost be the closer for Philadelphia one day, with De Fratus most likely setting him up. Aumont is younger and has a higher ceiling.

Lindblom probably has the stuff to do it but he is blocked by a host of other relievers including Guerra, Jansen, and Broxton.

So to answer your question the only 1 of those 4 to have a truly legit shot a closing is probably Aumont.

10. Is Jenry Mejia worth keeping???

Absolutely, he is a TOR pitching talent. The Mets wasted 2 years of his development by jerking him around between starting and relieving. Don’t give up on him, he has talent.