Just a few quick notes:
1) If you missed any of this, I should be having a link to my top 50 on the side column at some point today (hopefully).
2) The Twins signed Adam Everett yesterday. I'm not thrilled with this deal, but he does play some great defense and if we can get another bat or two, I'd be happy with this deal.
3) If you'd like to see the excerpts for some of the former-Twins players mentioned in the Mitchell Report, click here.
4) If you'd like to read a good reaction, check out SethSpeaks.net. He gives his thoughts on the whole Mitchell Report.
#20 | Jordan Schafer | Outfielder | Atlanta Braves
Age: 21
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Ht: 6'1''
Wt: 190 lbs.
The Braves seem to be producing young outfielders in their minors at a very high rate, and it's true. According to Baseball America.com, 4 of the top 5 Braves prospects for 2008 are all outfielders. Schafer at #20 probably will surprise some people, but I think that he has a lot of talent. I really like what I've seen from Schafer. He reminds me a lot of Grady Sizemore and I think that's a very good comparison. He plays great defense and he has a good bat and should be able to hit both at the top of the order, or in the middle. His OBP and ability to steal a base make him a threat on the base paths as well. He also has good gap power and should be able to hit about 20 home runs per season while having a .300+ average. He probably will start the 2008 season in Double-A with the Mississippi Braves.
ETA: 2009Level G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIAA 120 458 .286 .330 .476 .806 16 75AAA 10 42 .310 .396 .500 .896 1 11
#19 | Adam Miller | Pitcher | Cleveland Indians
Age: 23
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'4''
Wt: 180 lbs.
Adam Miller has been up and down on my prospect list while I was making it. I had him first slated at #9 but I decided that his stats were just not up to snuff to be worthy of a top 10 candidate, so I pumped him down to #29. Then I thought, well I think that his ceiling is still incredibly high for a late-20's prospect, so I pumped him up and just to keep the train rolling, I moved him to #19. His stats at Triple-A over the last year and a half are far from impressive. But he still projects as a top of the rotation starter or possibly a dominate closer with his mid-90's fastball and great slider. I see Miller as taking over the closer-role for the Indians in 2009 if they find out he can't stay healthy enough for a rotation spot. The Indians could have one of the best bullpens in baseball if Kobayashi and Miller can pitch to their abilities. Miller will likely fight for a roster spot in Spring Training and I think the Indians will keep him on their roster one way or another, whether it's in the bullpen or in the rotation.
ETA: 2008Level G W L ERA IP K BB K/9MLB 19 5 4 4.82 65.1 68 21 9.37
#18 | Carlos Gonzalez | Outfielder | Arizona Diamondbacks
Age: 22
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Ht: 6'1''
Wt: 170 lbs.
Carlos Gonzalez has a lot of tools to make him one of the best young outfield prospects in the game. He can hit for both power and average as well as play defense at a very good level. He really needs to work on his plate discipline as he strikes out about 3 times per time he walks. With the amount of young outfielders in the Diamonbacks outfield, unless there is a trade or injury, I expect Gonzalez to spend most of the season in Triple-A and make an appearance during September call-ups.
ETA: Late 2008Level G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIAA 120 458 .286 .330 .476 .806 16 75AAA 10 42 .310 .396 .500 .896 1 11
#17 | Jacoby Ellsbury | Outfielder | Boston Red Sox
Age: 24
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Ht: 6'1''
Wt: 185 lbs.
Ellsbury's name should be familiar to readers of this site. His name has come up many times in trade talks with the Twins and Red Sox revolving around Johan Santana. Well, any player who's being considered in the Johan Santana discussions as the centerpiece of the returning deal for the Twins, must be a good player. And indeed is the case with Ellsbury. He's not a great power hitter, although he did hit a few home runs for the Red Sox later in the season, but he does play great defense at a premium position and he also utilizes his speed very well on the base paths to both steal bases and to get on base at a high clip. He projects to be a .300/.380/.400 kind of guy who could steal 30+ bases a season while being mentioned as a gold glove winner. I project him to be on the opening day roster whether it's in Boston or in Minnesota.
ETA: 2008Level G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIAA 17 73 .452 .518 .644 1.162 0 13AAA 87 363 .298 .360 .380 .740 2 28
MLB 33 116 .353 .394 .509 .903 3 18
#16 | Ian Kennedy | Pitcher | New York Yankees
Age: 23
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'0''
Wt: 190 lbs.
The Yankees have to be feeling good about their 3 young pitchers. Kennedy projects to be a #2 starter, but he should be a great #3 or 4 starter with Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Chien-Ming Wang already ahead of him (and Andy Pettitte as well in '08). Kennedy has a low-90's fastball with command of his curve, change-up and slider as well. He's a good control pitcher, but does have the capabilities of striking out a few batters. He probably will be in the Yankees rotation, but could move between rotation and bullpen with Mike Mussina this season.
Level G W L ERA IP K BB K/9A+ 11 6 1 1.29 63.0 72 22 10.29AA 9 5 1 2.59 48.2 57 17 10.54
AAA 6 1 1 2.08 34.2 34 11 8.83
MLB 3 1 0 1.89 19.0 15 9 7.11
ETA: 2008
#15 | Rick Porcello | Pitcher | Detroit Tigers
Age: 19
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'5''
Wt: 195 lbs.
Rick Porcello was rated the #1 high school pitching prospect in the 2007 draft, but due to the fact that he's represented by Scott Boras, he fell all the way to the 27th pick, right into the Tigers lap. He has a mid-90's fastball with a lot of sink to it which will definitely fool batters. He projects as a #1 starter, with 4 pitches. He has a fastball, and is working on his curve, change-up and slider. He'll probably be with the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps to begin 2008, but could make the jump from Low-A to Double-A if he shows he has the stuff. I see him moving through the system at a fairly high speed.
ETA: 2010Level G W L ERA IP K BB K/9Not Available
#14 | Fernando Martinez | Outfield | New York Mets
Age: 19
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Ht: 6'1''
Wt: 190 lbs.
The Mets had three top young outfield prospects, and now are down to two. They chose to trade Lastings Milledge for pretty much nothing, which leaves them now with Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez as their future outfielders. Martinez is a very young, raw player but he's also shown that he does have a lot of talent and should become a major league start at some point in his career. Martinez is just 19 and probably will start 2008 in Triple-A with the New Orleans Zephyrs. He should start in Double-A, but the Mets have tendency to rush some of their young prospects. He should be completely healthy this season, after only playing half a year because of a right-hand contusion. He probably won't play center field in the Majors, as he has Carlos Beltran as the starter for the foreseeable future and Carlos Gomez is probably the next best option after Beltran. Martinez could play the corner outfield, but may end up at first base.
ETA: Late 20082007 G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIR 3 9 .111 .200 .333 .533 0 1AA 60 236 .271 .336 .337 .713 4 21
#13 | Brandon Wood | Shortstop | Los Angeles Angels
Age: 23
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'2''
Wt: 180 lbs.
Wood has been on the very of breaking into the majors for the last two years. His overall numbers aren't overwhelmingly impressive, but his power potential is amazing. If he can ever produce close to where his potential is, he should be racking in (at least) 35-40 home runs per season with about 40 doubles. His OPS should be somewhere around .850. Wood's biggest flaws are that he strikes out a lot and that he does not play good defense. He's been moving back and forth between shortstop and third base, but his defense is just so bad that he may be forced to move to the outfield or become the designated hitter if he should remain with the Angels. He should probably be with the Angels to start the season, the only question is where will he play?
ETA: 20082007 G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIAAA 111 437 .272 .338 .497 .835 23 77MLB 13 33 .152 .152 .273 .425 1 3
#12 | Johnny Cueto | Pitcher | Cincinnati Reds
Age: 22
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 5'11''
Wt: 174 lbs.
Johnny Cueto really made his way through the Reds minor league's in 2007. He started off in Advanced-A with the Sarasota Reds and made his way up to Triple-A with the Louisville Bats. He mixes a mid-90's fastball with a change-up and a hard-breaking slider. I know that my ranking for Cueto may come as a surprise, but I think he has "top-of-the-rotation-starter" written all over him. He'll likely start the 2008 season in
ETA: 2008Level G W L ERA IP K BB K/9A+ 14 4 5 3.33 78.1 72 21 8.27AA 10 6 3 3.10 61.0 77 11 11.36AAA 4 3 1 2.05 22.0 21 2 8.59
#11 | Nick Adenhart | Pitcher | Los Angeles Angels
Age: 21
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'4''
Wt:190 lbs.
Adenhart has been impressive since he was taken with the 413th pick in the 2004 draft. He has won 28 games opposed to just 15 loses and has held his a very strong 3.14 ERA through 361.1 innings. Adenhart mixes a mid-90's fastball with a curve and a circle change which is his strikeout pitch. He had Tommy John surgery after he was drafted and has come back very strong. He'll start the '08 season in Triple-A and with all the options the Angels have at pitcher, unless he really impresses he may have to wait to get his chance at the major leagues until September call-ups.
ETA: Late 2008Level G W L ERA IP K BB K/9MLB 26 10 8 3.65 153.0 116 65 6.28
#10 | Homer Bailey | Pitcher | Cincinnati Reds
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'4''
Wt: 185 lbs.
The Reds definitely have some prospects to look forward to, and two of them are projected top-of-the-rotation starters in Cueto and Bailey. Bailey has the potential to be a #1 starter, whereas Cueto projects more as a number two, but nonetheless both will play big roles in Cincinnati as they begin to rebuild their team from within. The Reds will probably turn to the soon-to-be 22-year-old as a starter in '08, and don't be surprised if he puts all his '07 numbers behind him with a great '08 season. Injuries slowed him down in 2007, but he should be ready to go in 2008. He's got the stuff, he just needs to put it out there now.
ETA: 2008Level G W L ERA IP K BB K/9A+ 2 0 1 10.13 8.0 7 5 7.88AAA 12 6 3 3.07 67.1 59 32 7.89MLB 9 4 2 5.76 45.1 28 28 5.56
#9 | Andrew McCutchen | Outfielder | Pittsburgh Pirates
Age: 21
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 5'11''
Wt: 175 lbs.
The Pirates must be thrilled with what they saw from McCutchen in '08. His Double-A numbers look bad, but trust me, they were horrid in the beginning of the season before he took off in the second half. He is a five-tool player and could become one of the better defenders in the majors. His size makes him look like he won't have a lot of power, but that hasn't been the case. He reminds me a bit of Torii Hunter, but his offensive potential is definitely greater. He should probably start '08 with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.
ETA: mid-20082007 G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIAA 118 446 .258 .327 .383 .710 10 48AAA 17 67 .313 .347 .418 .765 1 5
#8 | David Price | Pitcher | Tampa Bay Rays
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Ht: 6'6''
Wt: 215 lbs.
There was little doubt why the Rays took Price with the number one overall pick in last June's draft. He had great success while pitching for Vanderbilt university in the very tough, SEC. He compiled 366 strikeouts in 254 innings of work in his 3-year college career. He also had a great 17-7 record and only allowed 74 walks. He is definitely going to be on the fast-track to the majors and could see time with the Rays at some point this season, which is what Joba Chamberlain did with the Yankees, but that's very rare. I put him at Advanced-A with the Vero Beach Devil Rays to begin the season, but it shouldn't be long before he's starting at Tropicana Field in a Rays uniform.
ETA: 2009Level G W L ERA IP K BB K/9MLB 26 10 8 3.65 153.0 116 65 6.28
#7 | Clay Buchholz | Pitcher | Boston Red Sox
Age: 23
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'3''
Wt: 190 lbs.
The reluctance of the Red Sox to trade Clay Buchholz in a deal for Johan Santana should speak highly of how they feel about his future. (Just to clarify, they probably would trade him, but he definitely wouldn't be coming with anyone else worth anything) The opportunity for them to part with a young prospect for a two-time Cy Young winner in his prime doesn't usually get passed up too many times. Well, the Red Sox may be making a "gutsy" move by holding onto him, but he definitely deserves the hype that he's received. In his second start with the Red Sox, Buchholz threw a no-hitter and for that, the team has to be feeling that he's going to be a special pitcher. He controls the strike zone very well and with his high-amount of strikeouts, it's amazing that doesn't walk more batters than he does. He'll probably start the season with the Red Sox, but with the options at starting pitcher the Sox have, he may be used as a spot starter for part of the season until a clear spot in the rotation opens.
ETA: 2008Level G W L ERA IP K BB K/9AA 16 7 2 1.77 86.2 116 22 12.05AAA 8 1 3 3.96 38.2 55 13 12.80MLB 4 3 1 1.59 22.2 22 10 8.74
#6 | Colby Rasmus | Outfielder | St. Louis Cardinals
Age: 21
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Ht: 6'2''
Wt: 195 lbs.
The Cardinals couldn't have picked a better player to replace Jim Edmonds in center field after he's gone. Rasmus is almost a clone of Jim Edmonds on offense and is very close to him during his prime at defense. He has good plate discipline and gets on-base at a high clip. He should be ready for action at some point this season, although he likely won't become a starter until '09. He will start the 2008 season in Triple-A with the Memphis Redbirds.
Level G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIAA 128 472 .275 .381 .551 .932 29 72
ETA: Late 2008
#5 | Clayton Kershaw | Pitcher | Los Angeles Dodgers
Age: 20
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Ht: 6'3''
Wt: 220 lbs.
It's not to hard why I chose Kershaw to be the top left-handed pitching prospect in baseball. He posses a lot of talent for just being a 19 year-old. He dominated the Midwest League in '08 and skipped Advanced-A to have some good success in limited time at Double-A. He brings a mid-high 90's fastball (between 96 or 97 MPH) and a great curve with a change up. He should probably start '08 in Double-A, but his talent might be too much to hold him down. I could see him getting some sort of playing time with the Dodgers at September call-ups, but that may be thinking too optimistically for a 20-year-old.
ETA: 2009Level G W L ERA IP K BB K/9A 20 7 5 2.77 97.1 134 50 12.39AA 5 1 2 3.65 24.2 29 17 10.58
#4 | Cameron Maybin | Outfielder | Florida Marlins
Age: 20 (To be fair, he'll be 21 on April 4th)
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'3''
Wt: 200 lbs.
The Marlins and Tigers completed the big blockbuster trade during the Winter Meetings in which the Tigers received Miguel Cabrera and Dontrell Willis for 7 young players. The reason this deal got done was because the Marlins knew what kind of player they'd potentially be getting with Cameron. He projects as a middle-of-the-order hitter with a good glove. He reminds me of Grady Sizemore, but I don't doubt that he could some day be a lot better all-around than Sizemore. Cameron should probably start the '08 season in the minors, as he only has 20 AB's after Advanced-A, but with the unlikelihood of the rebuilding Marlins doing anything in 2008, he could be an everyday starter, despite the lack of experience.
ETA: 2008Level G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIR 2 7 .571 .667 .571 1.238 0 1A+ 83 296 .304 .393 .486 .486 10 44
AA 6 20 .400 .538 1.050 1.050 4 8
MLB 24 49 .143 .208 .265 .265 1 2
#3 | Joba Chamberlain | Pitcher | New York Yankees
Age: 22
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'3''
Wt: 225 lbs.
Joba arrived with the Yankees later last season after starting 15 of 18 games in the minors in just his first season of professional baseball. He became one of the most dominating relievers in the big leagues in his short time with the Yankees as a set-up man for future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera. Now next season, the Yankees are going to put him in their starting rotation to see if he can hopefully dominate as a starter as well. Whether if he's a starter or a reliever, I see Chamberlain having very good success in the majors and the Yankees have to feel good about their future rotation with Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlian as well as Chien Ming Wang as their top 4 starters. If all the young players can pitch anywhere close to their potential, I see the Yankees being legit contenders for the next decade. Here's a hint: don't trade any of them! (As much as I'd like to get my hands on one of them, I think the Yankees should keep them all intact, they've got something special). Chamberlain should be in the Yankees rotation in '08, but if he should struggle the Yankees will likely put him back into the bullpen where he's already had success.
Level G W L ERA IP K BB K/9A+ 7 4 0 2.03 40.0 51 11 11.48AA 8 4 2 3.35 40.1 66 15 14.73
AAA 3 1 0 0.00 8.0 18 1 20.25
MLB 19 2 0 0.38 24.0 34 6 15.75
ETA: 2008
#2 | Evan Longoria | Third Base | Tampa Bay Rays
Age: 22
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'2''
Wt: 180 lbs.
Well, there have been many Tampa Bay prospects on this list (5) and Longoria is bar-none the best of them all. After being drafted with the third pick in the 2006 draft, Longoria made it all the way up to Double-A in just his first season of professional baseball. He's possessed good plate discipline and he can hit for both power and average. He is a good defender at the "hot corner" which should give Ray fans optimism as they look forward to their up and coming prospects (especially the pitchers) over the next few years. Longoria probably would be best off by starting the '08 season in Triple-A with the Durham Bulls, but it shouldn't be long before the Rays have him in their starting lineup.
Level G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIAA 105 381 .307 .403 .528 .931 21 76AAA 31 104 .269 .398 .490 .888 5 19
ETA: 2008
#1 | Jay Bruce | Outfielder | Cincinnati Reds
Age: 20 (Again to be fair, he'll be 21 on April 3rd)
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Ht: 6'3''
Wt: 195 lbs.
There's very little doubt why Bruce is my Top Prospect heading into the 2008 season. He's a five-tool player and shows the capabilities to hit for both extremely good power and a very good average. Lets just say, he can flat out hit. Bruce shows better plate discipline than most of the other batters on this list, but it's still something he'll work on as he learns the majors. He doesn't have elite speed, and will probably switch from center field to right field at some point in the not-so distant future, but he's the reason why many feel the Reds have to be feeling good about the next five to ten years. Bruce will probably be starting this season as the Reds center fielder, but when Ken Griffey Jr. is gone, he'll probably move to right field.
Level G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIA+ 67 268 .325 .379 .586 .965 11 49AA 16 66 .333 .405 .652 1.057 4 15AAA 50 187 .305 .358 .567 .925 11 25
ETA: 2008
What do you think? Anyone you would've listed higher? Lower? Who do you disagree with? Who do you agree with?
0 comments:
Post a Comment