Now that Sickles has completed his preliminary top 20's time post our own team top 10's. I know some of you don't like Sickles. Feel free to use whatever system you do like. I'm putting Sickles grade and commenst after each player.
Ft Worth Top 10 Prospects
1) Chris Carter, 1B-OF, Grade A-: I just absolutely love this bat, enough to override the questions about defense and give him an A-. He added pure hitting skills to go with the power.
2) Nick Hagadone, LHP, Grade B: I'm assuming that the Tommy John recovery is complete and that he can take on a larger workload in 2010. Could push into B+/A- category if all goes well.
3) Josh Lindblom, RHP, Grade B: Hard sinking fastball/curveball combo should work very well in relief, could be a closer eventually.
4) Brent Morel, 3B, Grade B-: I think he's underrated. Only questions about power at higher levels keep him from a Grade B. Now blocked behind Mark Teahen, a long-term signing I don't understand.
5) Allen Craig, OF, Grade B-: I really like the bat, just needs to play.
6) Ryan Flaherty, INF, Grade B-: He's a solid hitter, but I don't think he'll be a star. Might get lost in the shuffle amidst the flashier infield gloves in this system. Trade bait?
7) Danny Valencia, 3B, Grade C+: Needs to improve strike zone judgment and glovework to get a job in 2010.
8) Jon Jay, OF, Grade C+: I just like the guy. Always seems to rip the ball when I see him. I'd love to have him as a fourth outfielder.
9) Danny Gutierrez, RHP, Grade C+: I really like this guy as a pitcher, but worry that he won't stay healthy. Off-field makeup problems seem pretty bad, too.
10) Bradley Meyers, RHP, Grade C+: One of several strike-throwing types with limited upside but good pitchability.
11) Cody Satterwhite, RHP, Grade C+: Part of large collection of potential bullpen arms that could be ready soon.
12) Kyle Skipworth, C, Grade C+: Borderline C. VERY difficult to grade. His performance has been horrible, but he was so good in high school and at age 20 it is too soon to give up on him. However, one more season like this one and people will be heading to the exits.
13) Conor Graham, RHP, Grade C+: Amazing movement and velocity, but needs better control. Nice pickup from Rockies.
14) Kevin Mulvey, RHP, Grade C: Stock has dropped, could be an inning-eater if he makes the rotation.
15) Tyler Robertson, LHP, Grade C: Stock has dropped a lot, but looks like a potential LOOGY to me.
1) Freddie Freeman, 1B, Grade B+: We'll have to see if the wrist injury cuts into his power development, but given his age he gets some slack.
2) Trevor Reckling, LHP, Grade B+: Needs to lower his walk rate, but I liked him a lot last year and he performed well as one of the youngest pitchers in Double-A.
3) Ben Revere, OF, Grade B: Kenny Lofton ceiling, Juan Pierre midpoint, Joey Gathright basement.
4) Michael Pineda, RHP, Grade B-: Pitched great at High Desert. Main concern is health. I know scouts aren't wild about him, but I prefer him to the tools goofs on the rest of the list. However, I have enough concerns about his elbow to keep him at a B-. If he's healthy I think he's going to surprise people.
5) Nick Weglarz, OF, Grade B-: Like Carrasco, he's hard to rank. When he's going good Weglarz is a monster power hitter with great patience. But injuries hamper him and his body could go bad easily.
6) Jordan Danks, OF, Grade C+: Borderline Grade B-, as I like the tools and think the bat may still come around.
7) Aaron Poreda, LHP, Grade C+: Command collapsed after the Peavy trade, cutting into his grade.
8) Lorenzo Cain, OF, Grade C+ Very toolsy outfielder, gets an injury mulligan but even with that his bat is still a boom-or-bust investment. Needs 400 at-bats in Triple-A.
9) Brad Emaus, 2B, Grade C+: I think he's better than what he showed at New Hampshire, could put up much bigger numbers in Vegas.
10) Dennis Raben, OF, Grade C+: Missed the entire year with injury. Low batting average slugger with walks when healthy.
11) Kellen Kulbacki, OF, Grade C+: Gets an injury mulligan, but he needs a fast start in '10 to quiet the persistent doubters.
12) Delta Cleary, OF, Grade C: Pitching version of Frazier: he's very projectable, will flash some skills sometime, young.
Okay, Ill bite with Sickels rankings for the Assassins.
1) Jason Heyward, OF, Grade A: A complete prospect, perfect Five Tool/Seven Skill player.
2) Shelby Miller, RHP, Grade B: I love the ceiling, but we need to see how he adapts to pro ball, if he can stay healthy, etc. etc
3) James Darnell, 3B, Grade B: A solid all-around hitter with good power and very good plate discipline.
4) Michael Main, RHP, Grade B: The numbers don't support this, but he gets an injury mulligan due to the weird virus thing and I believe in his stuff.
5) Ryan Tucker, RHP, Grade B: Gets an injury mulligan and the same grade as last year. I love his stuff, still worry about command. Downgrade to B- considered, but at least it was a knee injury and not an elbow or shoulder.
6) Brandon Snyder, 1B, Grade B-: I think he has a good bat, but not a GREAT one.
7) Chris Marrero, 1B, Grade B-: I don't think he's going to be a star, but with proper development he can be a solid regular.
8) Reese Havens, SS, Grade B-: He'll need to switch positions, and health is an issue. Has power and draws walks, and I think the batting average will come up if he stays healthy
9) Josh Donaldson, C, Grade B-: Great plate discipline, nails baserunners, still polishing other defensive aspects and power remains largely untapped.
10) Jason Stoffel, RHP, Grade B-: Another impressive relief arm, could be a bargain as a fourth rounder
11) Charles Blackmon, OF, Grade C+: Excellent tools, hit well in Cal League but still raw for a college guy. Terrific glove in center.
12) Luke Bailey, C, Grade C+: Difficult to rank since we don't know if the Tommy John is going to impact his defense yet. Was a first round talent before he got hurt.
13) John Shelby, OF, Grade C: Good speed, good glove, some power, on-base skills still sketchy despite increase in walk rate
Alcides Escobar-SS- Grade B+: He's ready now. Terrific glove, will steal bases, but has no power and might not hit much higher than .260 with a .320 OBP currently. Will have a very long career as a defensive specialist and could win Gold Gloves.
Pedro Alvarez-3b?-????
Jhoulys Chacin-SP- Grade B+: Projects as a very good ground ball-getting inning-eater. Those are valuable commodities.
Jemile Weeks-2b- Grade B-: I don t think we've seen him at his best. Between Cardenas and Weeks they have two good options for future second basemen.
Travis DArnaud-C- Grade B: Borderline B-. Numbers aren't spectacular but he's very young and I think the bat will continue to develop.
Ivan De Jesus Jr.-2b/SS- Grade B-: Down one notch due to lost injury season, will have to see how the recovery goes, won't stand in Gordon's way in the long run but should have a good career.
Dayan Viciedo-3b?- Grade C+: Cutting him some slack since he was young for Double-A and was pushed fast, but this is a good example of why we need performance data rather than just hype and team propaganda/scouting reports when evaluating players.
Adam Moore-C- Grade C+: Not going to be a star, but can hit .250 with a bit of power and good ability to shut down the running game. Will have a long career.
Carlos Rosa-RP- Grade B-: His numbers at Omaha are better than they look, and he has the arm strength to be a solid reliever.
Cole Gillespie-OF- Grade C+: I don't know why this guy doesn't get more respect. He does a lot of things right...draws walks, has some power, can swipe a base, good defense at either corner.
Johnny Giovatella-2b- Grade C+: Hampered by unlucky BABIP early in the year, but finished strong. Breakout candidate for 2010 in the Texas League. Shaky defense is an issue.
Chris Valaika-SS- Grade C+: Gets an injury mulligan but has to get the bat going again quickly or he'll drop fast in '10.
Matthew Sweeney-3b/1b- Grade C+: He is a butcher at third base and needs to move to first, but I really like the bat. Nice pick up in the Kazmir deal.
Cale Iorg-SS- Grade C: Frankly I think this is generous. I don't think he'll ever hit enough to be a regular, but the glove and major league bloodlines will get him to the majors.
Barry Enright-SP- Grade C: Strike-throwing inning-eater type
Cody Johnson-OF/1b- Grade C+: Enormous power potential but with huge holes in his game.
Sure, I'll play along with this one. Goldstein hasn't finished his ratings yet, so I'll stick with Sickels. At least the top 4 are also 5-star prospects for Goldstein. The Zombies have a nice set of reinforcements on the way, despite some painful disappointments, led by Angel Villalona. We have 9 more prospects in the B- to C+ range, but I'll stop the commentary with this top tier. Enjoy!
1) Jesus Montero, C, NYY, Grade A: I know that his position is up in the air, but I love this bat so much that I'm going to give him a straight Grade A. This is a Mike Piazza/Manny Ramirez type bat.
2) Neftali Feliz, Tex, RHP, Grade A: He's really, really, really good. Only questions going forward are what role he plays, and the standard concerns about injuries since he's a young pitcher.
3) Desmond Jennings, Tam, OF, Grade A: Borderline A-, but my gut is saying to be aggressive with this one. A perfect leadoff hitter with blazing speed, great strike zone judgment, low strikeout rate, and enough power to make the pitchers respect him. Only worry is that injuries may recur.
4) Martin Perez, Tex, LHP, Grade A-: Could be a left-handed version of Feliz if all goes well. Expectations are lofty, but so is the talent.
5) Dee Gordon, SS, LAD, Grade B+: Terrific '09 season in the Midwest League. Tremendous tools, especially speed, but needs to polish defense. Plate discipline at higher levels may also be an issue, but overall I love this guy.
6) Josh Vitters, 3B, ChC, Grade B: Borderline B+. A very tough player to grade. I really hate the low walk rate, but the strikeout rate is also low and he's still very young at age 20. I'll cut him some slack as a result.
7) Jon Niese, LHP, NYM, Grade B: Assuming the hamstring is OK, I see him as a slightly above average starting pitcher, classic number three guy.
8) Danny Duffy, LHP, KC, Grade B: I like him a lot, too, although I don't think he has quite as much projection as Melville. Crow, Melville, and Duffy could rank 3-4-5 in any order.
9) Wilmer Font, RHP, Tex, Grade B: Another very high ceiling arm, could be B+ or even A- with another year of development.
1. Bryan Harper-JUCO if only he can live up to the hype.... 2. Yonder Alonso-Cinn one of best bats in minors 3. Casey Crosby-Det few LH can match his power stuff 4. Ike Davis-nym one of best power bats in minors. 5. Julio Teheran-atl has completely dominated at times... 6. Arodys Vizcaino-SD actually seemed to get more hype after being traded away from the Bronx, if such a thing is possible.. 7. Andrew Cashner-cubs power arm just a matter of time till he hits mlb 8. Austine Romine-Yanks-not sure Yanks will give him the chance to replace Posada but he does seem quite capable.. 9. Jordan Walden-LAA one of best power arms in minors. His ability to keep improving secondary stuff will be the key as to how good he becomes 10. Scott Sizemore-det expect to be solid 2b for several years in MLB.
My evaluation: lots of young power arms coupled with what is already carded (Tillman, Latos, Huff) pitching should be very good. Everyday players? Only Alonso looks studly (there is hope for Davis, though). With Andrus and Morales at MLB, the depth here is not good but those three are a solid core. Shouldnt be long till NMO is in the playoffs.....
3. Christian Lopes-HS looking quite dominant as a HS junior.
4. D.J. Lemahieu-Cubs will hit his way to MLB. Should be able to handle 2b (please?)
5. Mario Martinez-sea stud def. 3b with mucho off. potential, though still quite raw. This year will be the key.
6. Wilkin Ramirez-Det . Cut him once (Michael Saunders,Brandon Allen as well (never drink and do roster cuts is all I am saying) but brought him back, should contribute this year.
7. Anthony Rizzo-Bost sweet swing and gold glove caliber at 1b. Outperformed the the more hyped Lars Anderson. One more year like this year and he leap frogs him...
8. Cody Scarpetta-milw worst thing I saw on BA lists this year was Haudricourt's leaving him off Milw top 10, as he was justifiably taken to task for it. Just needs to stay healthy..
9. Michael Ynoa-Oak needs healthy year to reestablish himself as one of best pitching prospects in minors
10. Isaac Galloway-Fla proving that sometimes you can be overscouted (Johnny Damon, Bryan Harper etc.) solid prospect with nice tools.
11. Josh Fields-Sea devastating FB-Curve combo that is certainly closer worthy. Now, if he could just throw more strikes.......
12. Beau Mills-Cle nice LH power bat but I see him blocked in cleve.
Evaluation: <sigh> Enjoyed doing the NMO list more for some reason. Hicks is only stud here, though Ynoa has that level of ability potentially. PBG does have a lot of early draft picks, for me a rarity, so , hopefully, I wont screw them up and can inject PBG with some more high-end talent. Young arms in MLB are good and Upton is potetnially a future HOF. Still, there is work to be done..
coupled with what is already carded (Tillman, Latos, Huff) pitching should be very good. Everyday players? Only Alonso looks studly (there is hope for Davis, though). With Andrus and Morales at MLB, the depth here is not good but those three are a solid core. Shouldnt be long till NMO is in the playoffs.....
