The Grades are in!

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 1:30 PM EST

2007 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Prospects

Delmon Young, OF, Grade A (Seven Skill player)
Reid Brignac, SS, Grade A- (Breakthrough season with the bat)
Evan Longoria, 3B, A- (plate discipline an issue?)
Jacob McGee, LHP, B+ (breakthrough lefty increased velocity)
Jeff Niemann, RHP, B+ (can he stay healthy?)
Wade Davis, RHP, B+ (I still love him)
Elijah Dukes, OF, B (Grade A if not for attitude)
Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, B (breakthrough for 2007)
Mitch Talbot, RHP, B (nice find from Astros)
Joel Guzman, INF-OF, B (status has slipped but still very young)
Matt Walker, RHP, B- (great arm but mixed results)
Juan Salas, RHP, B- (hasn't received much attention but looks solid)
Justin Ruggiano, OF, B- (sleeper outfield prospect)
Josh Butler, RHP, B- (nice arm from `06 draft)
Andrew Sonnanstine, RHP, C+ (promising control artist)
Jason Hammel, RHP, C+ (should be decent starter eventually)
James Houser, LHP, C+ (intriguing southpaw from Cal League)
Shawn Riggans, C, C+ (decent catcher if he stays healthy)
Sergio Pedroza, OF, C+ (power and patience)
Elliot Johnson, 2B, C+ (I don't have a great feel for him but a lot of people like him.

Others of Note: Nevin Ashley, C; Wes Bankston, 1B; Jon Barratt, LHP; Alex Cobb, RHP: Desmond Jennings, OF; Chris Mason, RHP; Mike McCormick, 3B; Ryan Owen, LHP; Fernando Perez, OF; Chris Seddon, LHP; Wade Townsend, RHP; Eric Walker, RHP; Mike Wlodarczyk, LHP

My notes:

Interesting that 4 prospect that we traded for landed in the Top 20, true testament to the NDRO's scouting department.
One question I posted on the thread is whether or not the proposed move to catcher by Pedroza will increase Sergio's grade in the future.
Josh Butler getting some press, maybe our 2006 draft wasn't as bad as Rays fans are making it to be.
James Houser finally getting some attention, hopefully he continues to pitch well in the pitcher-friendly Southern League.

[editor's note, by Jacob Larsen] Sickels has updated Sonnanstine's grade and has increased his grade from a C+ to a B-. Now it means that out of our 20 prospects listed, only 5 of them are of a B- or worse grade and all 5 are of the C+ calibur.

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Comments

RUGGIANO!!!!

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2006 1:32 PM EST reply actions

I know

I've said it before, and know many of you feel the same way, but somebody really needs to be traded. The outfield is stacked, and with Young and Dukes on the horizon there is room to part with somebody. Maybe they should wait until a team starts to unload at the trading deadline, or until spring training and a team needs an outfielder. But having CC, Rocco, Gomes, Young, Dukes in the outfield is just unproductive. That, or one of our many first basemen. I specifically remember a lot of teams in need of a first baseman, and the AL could always use another solid DH.

Any thoughts?

by aet15 on Dec 29, 2006 4:13 PM EST reply actions

Technically...

Only 1 player needs to be traded, even that can be debated.

If all goes well, we can have this kind of set-up.

C- Navarro/Paul or Riggans
1B- Wiggy with a little Dukes/Gomes mixed in
2B- Cantu or Iwamura
SS- Zobrist with a little Upton mixed in and Briggy in September(if he shows consistency with last year's development)
3B- Iwamura/Upton platoon and Longoria's possible Sept. Call-up
LF- Crawford
CF- Baldelli with the possibility of a little Upton mixed in.
RF- Delmon Young with a little Dukes mixed in.
DH- Gomes, Wiggy, Dukes, Young

The only hitters that I know will get at least 500 ABs guaranteed is Crawford, Iwamura and Young. Rocco and Wiggy are possibilities, too.

That's alot of talent there, with Paul and Wiggington being the only 2 players that are marginal in their potential.

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 4:59 PM EST up reply actions

Nobody has to be dealt right now

In our best interest wait until the deadline, see if the names mentioned can't improve their value or a team gets desperate, no since in dealing for something of value equal to what we have. Perhaps come June the Indians feel like unloading Westbrook or Lee and we pull a deal, but even then I'm not sure how much I'd like it.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2006 4:16 PM EST reply actions

Lee is younger than Westbrook

Westbrook is going on 30 and I'm not a big fan of him altogether, he seems a bit too hittable for my liking.

Lee has vast upside, but with that goes a high price-tag.

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

Lee would probably be a great fit.

by aet15 on Dec 29, 2006 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

Umm...

...Erik Walker for "Others of Note"? Is Sickels aware of that situation?

by Overman42 on Dec 29, 2006 5:07 PM EST reply actions

Yeah

There was like 3 diaries going on during the search on his site, so I'm almost definite that he knows about this and it's a show of respect towards EW.

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 5:25 PM EST up reply actions

Let spring training be a battle royal...

There will some interesting decisions this spring training and... for a few years to come with the players who are coming out of the system. But in the name of Josh Hamilton, you never know what could happen.
Three guys who I feel are getting extremely overlooked are Chad Pendarvis who was in Princeton last year; He is a big southpaw that reminds me of Andy Petitte in a way. Caesar Suarez who hit was a rare bright spot for SW Mich this year hitting .301 never gets any pub. Lastly, the admirable mention Mike Wlodarczyk.
Looking at the D-Rays farm system they are appearing to be set up for a long time to come and if you ad on that the Latin American camps that are being established, I am gitty!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 29, 2006 5:22 PM EST reply actions

Check that .294...

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 29, 2006 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

Pendarvis?

What is the obsession, as of late with CP?

I'm a bigger fan of Woods Fines, who is a level higher than Pendarvis, and is a tall starter with nice periphreals as well.

I'd put Lew Rollins over Pendarvis, as well.

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

Hey man, don't judge the seeds until they bloom

Rollins isn't a bad name to throw out into the mix. Pendarvis looks like he could have some great upside, all I am saying... Fines is sharp, I really, really like Mr. Fines... though his name Woody Fines could be used well in another profession.

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 29, 2006 5:39 PM EST up reply actions

3 points to you...

for bringing up the adult video industry.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2006 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

I have a point... no pun intended...

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 29, 2006 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

If we were at AN

You'd get a few Hiram Bocachica references....

Bochachica-wow-wow!

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

wow...

a Hiram Bocachica mention... not Jeff Liefer mind you... Hiram Bocachica... the great career .218 hitter of all time!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 29, 2006 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

My God..

I've died and went to medicore player hell...and look, there's Neifi Perez.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2006 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

I see your Nafi... and raise you

Tomas Perez! The pie thrower himself...

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 29, 2006 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

fine....

I choose you Tyler Houston.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2006 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

all right... so you want to play?

Henry Cotto..

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 29, 2006 6:01 PM EST up reply actions

I see your Tyler Houston

and raise you my Luis Montanez(sp?) and Jack Cust.

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 6:03 PM EST up reply actions

Hmm

Billy Ripken is number one.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2006 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

No,...

Hector Villanueva... the REAL pudge! I loved to hear Harry Carey kill that guys name...

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 29, 2006 6:07 PM EST up reply actions

Glenallen Hill

For the win!

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2006 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

I'm sorry

I forgot to throw in Matt Harrington...

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

and...

The Great Todd Van Poppel

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

Todd Dunwoody

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2006 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

Hate to bring up former Rays

But Matt White and Jason Romano...

I think Romano can play 2B

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 6:22 PM EST up reply actions

Someone who can play 2B...

Manny Alexander

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2006 6:24 PM EST up reply actions

Calm down now,

Duck face....

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

maybe

Steve Rain?

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2006 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

When I seen Rollins' College/Debut Stats

It screamed "Kevin Slowey" loudly, ironically both graduates of Winthrop.

My only problem with CP is that he was lights out, but against very raw competition in Rookie League Princeton.

If any pitcher needs to be noticed in Princeton, I'd pick Tyree Hayes who played most of his phenomenal debut at the age of 17. Add into the fact his major league bloodline.

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

Now Hayes....

Hayes is a kid I REALLY like. He looks real sharp but then again I am basing my thoughts just on his stats alone... I have yet to see Tyree throw a pitch live. All account thus far have him being legit... Lets watch to see what happens to Pendarvis... If he develops and picks up from 06, he might lift some eyebrows...

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 29, 2006 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

We'll know in ST

If Pendarvis is slated to start '07 in Columbus, he's legit. However, if he's held back and put in Hudson Valley...I can't see how the Rays think he's got much of a future when he's going on 24 and spending a 2nd year in Short-season.

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

I fully agree

I know there were talks on Hayes going to HV what's your take? Columbus or take his time... is Hayes getting an invite to Spring Training???

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 29, 2006 6:03 PM EST up reply actions

Minor League Camp

Every Rays prospect, unless told otherwise, goes to Spring Training's Minor League camps. This is basically why Spring Training sites are so immense, seeing as they fit both major leaguers and minor leaguers in their many fields.

Usually, prospects take baby steps and already have the next rung as their location for next year. However, a good or bad Spring Training can change the promotion postively or negatively.

There's no really track record with the NDRO, as of yet, with their player development. So, going by LaMar/Jennings/Bonifay/Proefrock/Wilkin's blueprint, expect Hayes in HV. I just won't be surprised if we started him in Columbus.

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 6:10 PM EST up reply actions

Hayes

I'm sure he'll be in Extended Spring Training either way. He still needs to fill out and pick up his velocity before being considered a real prospect, but at his age, and considering how much his dad filled out and how skinny Tyree is currently, I see no reason why he can't pick up his velocity in the next year or two.

by Brickhaus on Jan 4, 2007 12:32 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Hayes

He is rapidly becoming my favorite young pitcher. Considering the impressive numbers and the fact that he won't turn 19 until August 8th, I am very high on him. I agree that he will probably start in Extended ST, which is appropriate, but I'm looking forward to seeing him progress in HV next year.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jan 4, 2007 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

I really don't get the Josh Butler selection

With all the options on the table, why would he have selected Josh Butler? He was almost universally dubbed as an overdraft, and I see nothing in his statistics to dispute that tag.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Dec 29, 2006 7:59 PM EST reply actions

Perhaps he sees the 'makeup' of a special pitcher?

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2006 8:35 PM EST up reply actions

Has he even seem him pitch?

In a system as deep as ours, I would love to see what he based that pick off of. He didn't dominate in college, he was bad in Hudson Valley, and the pick was universally called an overdraft. I would love to hear a defense for that.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Dec 29, 2006 8:45 PM EST up reply actions

Wasn't he shut down early?

Not sure exactly. It was either him and Ryan Reid, or both, who racked up a ton of innings in College.

I dunno, might've been some scouting report that Sickels received to get Butler that high of a grade. Who knows, though.

by Jacob Larsen on Dec 29, 2006 10:13 PM EST up reply actions

His opinion is the lone horse in that realm

So I'm not sure what he sees that every other prospect analyst does not.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Dec 30, 2006 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

Wasn't Sickels

one of the ones who liked CGoB first?

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 30, 2006 12:58 AM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't know

I didn't follow prospects then, but Brignac's numbers in Princeton gave a statistically-sound argument for any positive prospect status bestowed upon him.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Dec 30, 2006 7:05 AM EST up reply actions

True

but it's not like he jumped on the Matulia bandwagon, so who knows.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 30, 2006 12:51 PM EST up reply actions

Well........

Matulia has also bombed in Hudson Valley and Southwest Michigan.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Dec 30, 2006 6:49 PM EST up reply actions

I meant last year...

Considering BA ranked him 28th and spoke nothing but good of him.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 30, 2006 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

Well,

28th is not that high of a position, and while Matulia did bomb in HV, at least he had good stats in Princeton. The max I saw him ranked at was in the mid-20s, which is far less than Butler's mid-20s ranking, especially considering Butler didn't have any success.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Dec 31, 2006 5:58 AM EST up reply actions