Rays Top 20 Preseason Prospects in Review

Sickles takes a look at how the Top 20 have fared this year.

5 months ago rglass44 53 comments 0 recs |

Comments

I posted this there, but...

The success of the prospects makes the big club’s season a little easier.

You look ahead and wonder how it all shakes out.

I’ve really come around on Hellickson this year. You hearh the reports about how his stuff would play at the higher levels, and you had to wonder. He seems to be the real deal after all. I’m a pleasently suprised so far, and hopefully he can dominate in Durham next year.

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 10:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hate that I have to wait a day to post there

If you see this Mr. Sickels, who’s your number 1, Hellickson or Jennings?

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 9, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jennings I think, based on this:

Price hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, but the stuff is clearly there and as long as he remains healthy I remain positive about his long-term outlook. Niemann has been better than expected, and Davis and Hellickson aren’t far behind. Moore’s power arm is highly intriguing, and Barnese and Lobstein look like a breakthrough pair for ’10. On the hitting side, Jennings is elite and will move to the top of the list next year. There is less hitting depth after that, but overall the emphasis this system has put on pitching should pay dividends.

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZY BAAAAABY

Swav or Die (>'-')> <('-')> <('-'<)
For the lulz

by SRQman on Sep 9, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let the Beckham debate begin

Your source for replacement level commentary

by RATW on Sep 9, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

After next year--#1 issue, where to put him?

Probably CF

by sternfan1 on Sep 9, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is stupid.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Sep 9, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Care to explain this?

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does it really matter?

Oscar the Grouch loves it when people throw trash in his cans so that he can throw it back at them.

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 9, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just decided recently to ask him "why?" whenever he makes these absurd statements.

Then at least he either has to address it or hopefully people will ignore it as unfounded (people that don’t know his schtick).

I’ll be glad to debate him if he is willing to defend his positions, bvut he never is. He prefers the drive-by, unsubstantiated comment.

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

read below--why be so douchy?

by sternfan1 on Sep 9, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I posted that before your's popped up.

Because you never addressed your love affair with relief pitchers who walk as many guys as Balfour yesterday (along with numerous other unsubstantiated comments I have tried to elict responses).

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Till yesterday C. Perez had a string of like 20 scoreless inngs

he’s 23 yo not 32 and a career minor leaguer who every team in baseball found wanting

if you love him—fine, but don’t come crying next year when it’s more of the same

by sternfan1 on Sep 9, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love whom?

The other difference is cost. You clamor against Balfour, but Perez walks just as many guys. He also would take a HELL of a lot to acquire.

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I mean there are plenty of players I like, but this isn’t a vaccuum. You have to acquire them. I think soon we’ll be rellying a bit more on home-grown options that might suit you a bit more. Although I wonder how many will be the flame-throwers you desire.

I just find it a bit spurious that you detest Balfour yet desire Perez and whoever the other were (not Todd) that both have big control issues.

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's trade for Farnsworth.

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 9, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm hoping McGee is that guy

by sternfan1 on Sep 9, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too.

I’m also betting that as the arms shake out we have some guys that go to the BP because of an excess of starters.

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 9, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What were you offended by?

by sternfan1 on Sep 9, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn't offended.

I merely wondered why you want to make a stupid decision.

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh nm I thought that was to me.

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Point out where it says I was offended.

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 9, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what, the next year or position change?

I would hope he puts up a better than low 700 OPS, and his 43 E suggest maybe SS or middle INF is not his gig

Will he move to CHL next year?

by sternfan1 on Sep 9, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many errors did the very sure-handed Derek Jeter have at High A?

What about Brignac?

I have no doubt he will move to CLT next year, and his .735 OPS is above league-average. He has been the second best hitting shortstop at the level this year.

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And what's the big deal if he moves to CF?

by sternfan1 on Sep 9, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ummm....

Shortstop is the second most valuable position. It is also a position that seems to be a weakness in the elague and the team right now. there is nothing to suggest he NEEDS a move down the defensive spectrum (and hurting his value), so why do we do it?

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you re-read my post i said AFTER next season

also, most on here are sold on Briggy as the SS of the future

It’s doubtful we keep BJ one way or the other past his arby2 stage

by sternfan1 on Sep 9, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, that does clarify it some.

You figure Beckham is at least 3-4 years away. If at that time we have 2 quality big league shortstops there is plenty that can be done (including a move to CF). CF isn’t a hard position to learn if you have the skills, so at that time we could even have the option to move him if we so decide. The issue, though, is moving him before he get sthe chance to prove that he can/can’t play the tougher position.

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

correct--so now my post isn't so absurd afterall

by sternfan1 on Sep 9, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still think the idea of moving him is absurd.

I do think taking next year into account, and then considering a move is a lot less absurd then the wya I had originally read it. I do think counting his errors at A-ball is a silly justifivation as long as the scouting reports remain positive.

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure they are positive

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Sep 9, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

Other than the one guy who came here to assert his body was awful I haven’t heard much in that regard. Hmmm…

by rglass44 on Sep 9, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He just got a DONK

Swav or Die (>'-')> <('-')> <('-'<)
For the lulz

by SRQman on Sep 9, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most scouting reports don't like the way his lower body is filling out to play MIF

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Sep 9, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Delmon'd?

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 9, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Delmon at least dominated the minors enough to remain a top prospect

Beckham’s stock is dropping quickly.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Sep 9, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was referring more to the lower half bulk

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 9, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is the scary thing

If he can play good shortstop then I think he’ll be alright. However if he has to move then IMO hell be a total bust. I don’t see him hitting well enough to play anywhere but a high value defensive spot (and playing it well). I’m really skeptical.

Can we get robots for umpires and a computer to make in game strategy decisions? I'm sick of inconsistently bad umpiring and Joe's pitiful in game management. Oh and Navi (and BJ) need some PED's. BenZo, Bartlett, and Pena do not.

by matthan on Sep 9, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no its not.

its not as high as it would be if he had put up better numbers of course… but how can it drop quickly?

do you remember Justin Upton’s first full season in Low-A?

by daveh33 on Sep 10, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tim Beckham = Matt Bush?

I hope not. We cannot afford to miss that bad with a #1 overall pick. Especially when Posey was available.

Ugh.

by Tamparays01 on Sep 9, 2009 3:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that’s what you should be pissed about.

by daveh33 on Sep 10, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've already cried all my LeVon tears

I was furious at first, then slowly became a little less angry, then that seethed for a couple of weeks, and now I’m like cooling volcanic ash. My name is Igneous.

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 10, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs