Various 2007 Offseason Yankee Prospect Rankings [Archive]

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Snatch Catch

11-28-07, 10:23 AM

Minor League Baseball.com has ranked IPK the 26th best prospect in the minors (AJax was #49)

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/news/top50/y2008/

His buddy Joba Chamberlain may have created more buzz with his big-league splash, but what Kennedy did in his first season of pro ball should certainly not be overlooked. The MiLB.com Overall Starting Pitcher of the Year pitched at three levels on his way to the big leagues. He won't light up radar guns like Chamberlain, instead relying on outstanding command of four pitches to get hitters out. He did show that despite the plus fastball, he could miss more than enough bats to succeed.

Just when he'll get a chance to do that in New York remains to be seen. Of the Yankees' young pitchers, he's the one most likely to start the year in Triple-A, though there is an outside shot he could begin the year at the back end of the Yankees' rotation. Either way, look for him to contribute more in the bigs than the three starts he had in 2007.

destiNY

11-28-07, 05:38 PM

Well deserved...2 in the 25-50 is pretty good

CallOfTheCrow

11-28-07, 05:39 PM

Im sure Joba will make it #3 for us once he cracks the top 10.

BennyTheJetRodriguez

11-28-07, 05:45 PM

Tabata has to be higher than Andrus right?

jesterno2

11-28-07, 09:47 PM

id be pretty surprised if tabata is in the top 20, but im pretty surprised already if he isnt cracking the top 50. joba in the top 10 is a given. id really like to see how many guys we wouldve had in the bottom 50 based on this system. i could see all of at least tabata, horne, betances with guys like montero, mcallister and gardner having an outside shot at getting in. 6-9 in the top 100 is pretty darn good... thanx cashman!

b_joseph

11-29-07, 09:10 AM

Looks like Tabata will be in the top 10 then. Either that or the list is worthless.

ppa79

11-29-07, 09:35 AM

Snatch Catch

11-29-07, 09:36 AM

Tabata is not on the list. 11-20 came out today, and Fernando Martinez is #17.

Jacoby Ellsbury is #13, by the way.

ppa79

11-29-07, 09:38 AM

Tabata is not on the list. 11-20 came out today, and Fernando Martinez is #17.

Jacoby Ellsbury is #13, by the way.

That is a joke.

Andrus on the list and not Tabata?

And why is Ellsbury ranked so highed? He has a career minor league OPS of .814 and a career minor league isolated slugging of .100.

The hype machine strikes again.

metalboy15

11-29-07, 10:23 AM

Worst list ever...

b_joseph

11-29-07, 10:27 AM

Its like Martinez gets props because the Mets rushed him to AA too early.

Maybe we should send Jairo Heredia to Scranton. He'd be the #1 prospect going by that logic.

wang+cano=future

11-29-07, 10:56 AM

Tabata not in the top 50? :wtf:

metalboy15

11-29-07, 11:39 AM

BP with our Top 11:

Future Shock: Yankees Top 11 Prospects

http://baseballprospectus.com/photos/dbetances360300mj.jpg
"All you need to do is look at this picture of Dellin Betances to know he's projectable"

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6957

just-blaze

11-29-07, 11:54 AM

I don't know how you rank Rick Porcello 14. I know they guy has talent, but let him play some pro ball first.

And Ellsbury as 13? A guy with a career minor league OPS of .814 and isolated slugging of .100

Detwiler, Moustakas, vitters, weiter

I dont know how reliable a list is that includes 2007 draftees that havent played yet.

Brackman better be top 10.

just-blaze

11-29-07, 11:55 AM

Its like Martinez gets props because the Mets rushed him to AA too early.

Maybe we should send Jairo Heredia to Scranton. He'd be the #1 prospect going by that logic.

Like Gomez and Pelfrey, rushed through the system and that made them look better than they really were.

Jace

11-29-07, 12:30 PM

Why did Fernando Martinez only play 60 games this year, was he hurt? Doesn't he also have questions in terms of his fielding?

b_joseph

11-29-07, 12:38 PM

BP with our Top 11:
When Montero and Betances are only 3 star prospects......life in the farm is very good.

nhyankeefan

11-29-07, 12:42 PM

What is the definition of a * rating for BP? How good does a *** rating project to?

I don't understand how Edwar is *** while Sanchez is only ** and Marquez and Melancon didn't receive any ratings at all.

Yankees1962

11-29-07, 12:54 PM

Why did Fernando Martinez only play 60 games this year, was he hurt? Doesn't he also have questions in terms of his fielding?
Yes, he was hurt.

Jace

11-29-07, 01:01 PM

Yes, he was hurt.

So he missed significantly more time than Tabata, didn't hit quite as well, and Im pretty sure he's not as good a fielder. top 12 material

CallOfTheCrow

11-29-07, 01:07 PM

Ellsbury is 13 then what should Gardner be? Obviously not top 50 material but I don't see an overwhelming difference between the two.

b_joseph

11-29-07, 01:12 PM

Ellsbury is 13 then what should Gardner be? Obviously not top 50 material but I don't see an overwhelming difference between the two.
Jacoby's career OPS in the minors was 60 points higher than Gardners.

Plus, Ellsbury has performed on the biggest stage. Where as quite a fair majority of Yankee fans dont even think Gardner will be anything more than a 4th OF.

CallOfTheCrow

11-29-07, 01:21 PM

Jacoby's career OPS in the minors was 60 points higher than Gardners.

Plus, Ellsbury has performed on the biggest stage. Where as quite a fair majority of Yankee fans dont even think Gardner will be anything more than a 4th OF.

Let them think that all they want. I wonder what they were thinking about Wang & Cano before they burst onto the scene.

I bet they weren't thinking Wang back to back 19 win seasons with ERAs under 4 or Cano being Top 5 in the batting race in '06.

b_joseph

11-29-07, 01:36 PM

It came out wrong. I didnt mean that our fans opinions are all important.

I meant it in a way like.... If the majority of our own fans arent high on him. Then you cant really expect much. Given the fact that fans usually overvalue their own prospects to begin with.

Jacoby looks like he'll be a lock to post a 800+ OPS at the top of the Sox order for years to come.
Gardner still has to prove that he can hit XB's in AAA.

CallOfTheCrow

11-29-07, 01:47 PM

I gurantee you that a majority of the fans don't even know who Gardner is. I'll bet a majority didn't even know who Hughes, IPK, & Joba were either before they hit the scene.

b_joseph

11-29-07, 02:02 PM

Dont nit pick...The majority of fans that actually cover the Minor leagues with a passion.

CallOfTheCrow

11-29-07, 02:05 PM

bmxstreetrider86

11-29-07, 03:24 PM

deleon got a nice report from goldy, sounds like BA was way off in thier report of him

i really like his list by the way, i wouldnt change much. maybe make sanchez a 3 star but KG has always been low on him

Cheesyhoboe

11-29-07, 03:25 PM

BP with our Top 11:

I like the Top 5. I know Betances' stock has fallen, but he's still a 4 star prospect in my mind. Humberto at 2 stars? Way too low. Switch him with Edwar, bump Dellin up one and it's perfect.

bmxstreetrider86

11-29-07, 03:26 PM

I like the Top 5. I know Betances' stock has fallen, but he's still a 4 star prospect in my mind. Humberto at 2 stars? Way too low. Switch him with Edwar, bump Dellin up one and it's perfect.

i dont think betances stock has fallen per se, its just everyone around/in front of him raised thiers

i think he is fine as a 3 star- huge upside, huge risk

IrishYankee

11-29-07, 03:33 PM

Yeah? Don't tell me I'm nit picking when you're claiming that the majority of the fans follow the minor leagues with a passion.

No I can't prove the majority didn't know who Hughes, Joba, & IPK were but you can't prove the majority follow the minors either. If there's a poll out there, I sure as hell have not seen it. Post a link to a poll or an article & I'd retract that statement.

I think he meant that the majority of fans WHO DO follow the minors passionately belives Gardner will only be a 4th outfielder.

I for one would not disagree with that statement either.

CallOfTheCrow

11-29-07, 03:35 PM

I think he meant that the majority of fans WHO DO follow the minors passionately belives Gardner will only be a 4th outfielder.

I for one would not disagree with that statement either.

If that's what he meant then I won't completely disagree with it but I'm not going to etch it into stone either.

I can see him starting every now & then, coming off the bench for speed on the bases & as a defensive replacement.

keg411

11-29-07, 03:51 PM

I like that BP list. Sanchez and Betances were both hurt, which bumped them down a bit. Plus, Sanchez looks like he's going to be a reliever and Betances is a long long way away from the majors... too long to be a 4-star.

Meanwhile, both Horne and AJax have gone way up since a year ago.

ETA: I don't think Ellsbury is a lock to have a .800+ OPS at the top of the lineup... especially as his SLG is going to likely be low -- he's going to have to post outrageous OBP numbers in order to achieve that.

IrishYankee

11-29-07, 03:58 PM

If that's what he meant then I won't completely disagree with it but I'm not going to etch it into stone either.

I can see him starting every now & then, coming off the bench for speed on the bases & as a defensive replacement.

Agreed.

Prison Mike

11-29-07, 04:40 PM

Luke Hochevar is still a Top 50 prospect? Dude got shelled last season.

AcidLake

11-29-07, 05:38 PM

Well he's still #1 overall pick of 2006 Draft. If he repeats his performance, maybe he'll drop off the list

b_joseph

11-29-07, 06:36 PM

I think he meant that the majority of fans WHO DO follow the minors passionately belives Gardner will only be a 4th outfielder.

I for one would not disagree with that statement either.
Thank you.

CallOfTheCrow

11-29-07, 06:39 PM

The way you worded it, made it sound like you were talking about the majority of the Yankees fan base. Not the ones that follow milb.

b_joseph

11-29-07, 06:50 PM

I know...Its hard to clarify yourself sometimes when you are quickly typing something.

mbn007

11-30-07, 06:14 AM

I think he meant that the majority of fans WHO DO follow the minors passionately belives Gardner will only be a 4th outfielder.

I for one would not disagree with that statement either.

Well, I guess I am in the minority. I think Brett is a starting OF in the Majors. He can hit, bunt, draw walks, and is a Major pest to pitchers when he is on base. You can't teach the kind of speed or disruption he causes when he gets on base.

I also believe Mr. Horne (SR.) who saw him in AA this season agrees with my assessment of Gardner.

ppa79

11-30-07, 08:00 AM

Well, I guess I am in the minority. I think Brett is a starting OF in the Majors. He can hit, bunt, draw walks, and is a Major pest to pitchers when he is on base. You can't teach the kind of speed or disruption he causes when he gets on base.

I also believe Mr. Horne (SR.) who saw him in AA this season agrees with my assessment of Gardner.

Brett will get his chance if Melky goes. Maybe not to start, but he will definitely be on the big league roster.

Snatch Catch

11-30-07, 09:17 AM

for milb.com, Joba is #5.

Kershaw #4, Buchholz #6.

b_joseph

11-30-07, 10:20 AM

bum rankings...but atleast they'll all have a chance to eat crow when Tabata starts mashing balls to Jeter territory in Yankee stadium.

primetime714

11-30-07, 11:24 AM

Yea Tabata really got a raw deal on that. Falling out of the top 50 even though he hit the ball very well with a wrist injury. Even if he never develops the power he should (he will though) he is still a top 50 prospect.

Ellsbury at 13 is a joke but I'm starting to get tired of complaining about how overrated he is.

albo4lyfe

11-30-07, 11:45 AM

Miller in the top 10 is probably the biggest joke for me.

wang+cano=future

11-30-07, 12:15 PM

bum rankings...but atleast they'll all have a chance to eat crow when Tabata starts mashing balls to Jeter territory in Yankee stadium.

Hopefully he won't get traded before that can happen.

chaossentry

11-30-07, 02:10 PM

How good is Alan Horne? Does he have better stuff than Phil Hughes?

metalboy15

11-30-07, 02:35 PM

How good is Alan Horne?
Very good. #2/#3 Potential.

Does he have better stuff than Phil Hughes?
No. It's close though.

Cheesyhoboe

11-30-07, 02:55 PM

Heh, Rick Porcello. Damn those Tigers.

chaossentry

11-30-07, 03:07 PM

whom in the minors has stuff at the same level or superior to phil hughes?

metalboy15

11-30-07, 03:15 PM

whom in the minors has stuff at the same level or superior to phil hughes?
Superior to Phil Hughes? Let's see:

- Christian Garcia
- Dellin Betances
- Andrew Brackman

Same level as Phil Hughes?:

- Pre-Surgery Humberto Sanchez

That's just off the top of my head.

CallOfTheCrow

11-30-07, 03:15 PM

Man if Garcia only gets his act together......

b_joseph

11-30-07, 03:49 PM

He'll get it together. He'd have to be a moron to not be totally motivated to succeed after watch Clipp, DeSalvo, Wright, Hughes, IKE, Joba etc get their fair shake in the Bigs.

chaossentry

11-30-07, 04:18 PM

Superior to Phil Hughes? Let's see:

- Christian Garcia
- Dellin Betances
- Andrew Brackman

Same level as Phil Hughes?:

- Pre-Surgery Humberto Sanchez

That's just off the top of my head.

Wow that's it? Figured there would be a few more gems in the minors that at least had the same stuff as him. Not expecting the same level of control. Just the stuff.

Prison Mike

11-30-07, 04:27 PM

Miller in the top 10 is probably the biggest joke for me.

My jaw damn near hit the floor when I saw that. I saw him pitch a bunch of times for the Bisons this year, and he's good, but not outstanding. He's pretty much a fastball/slider guy- more likely to be a closer than starter.

His injury problems last year should have dropped him out of the top 30.

Yankees1962

11-30-07, 04:31 PM

My jaw damn near hit the floor when I saw that. I saw him pitch a bunch of times for the Bisons this year, and he's good, but not outstanding. He's pretty much a fastball/slider guy- more likely to be a closer than starter.

His injury problems last year should have dropped him out of the top 30.
That list can't be taken seriously except as a conversation tool regarding prospects.

Prison Mike

11-30-07, 04:42 PM

That list can't be taken seriously except as a conversation tool regarding prospects.

Outside of McCutchen and Miller, I thought it was a pretty good list.

CallOfTheCrow

11-30-07, 05:32 PM

Wow that's it? Figured there would be a few more gems in the minors that at least had the same stuff as him. Not expecting the same level of control. Just the stuff.

You expect way too much then.

Cheesyhoboe

11-30-07, 05:35 PM

Wow that's it? Figured there would be a few more gems in the minors that at least had the same stuff as him. Not expecting the same level of control. Just the stuff.

Are you talking about our farm system or the entire minor leagues? Also, I'd say there are a couple more prospects in our minors who deserve to be on there.

BennyTheJetRodriguez

11-30-07, 07:19 PM

Jacoby Ellsbury is going to make a LOT of people look silly next year.

yank4life2005

11-30-07, 07:23 PM

Jacoby Ellsbury is going to make a LOT of people look silly next year.

He's going to be a stud.

Yankyfan

11-30-07, 10:30 PM

He's going to be a stud. Looks like a good player for sure but great? Stud ? Would yu call Damon say 4 or 5 years ago a great player. I don't see the power numbers to say great. Good yes , Great ??

just-blaze

12-01-07, 02:22 AM

Wow that's it? Figured there would be a few more gems in the minors that at least had the same stuff as him. Not expecting the same level of control. Just the stuff.

Horne is there in terms of stuff, but consistancy and control/command arent the same.

Heredia, Pope, and McCallister are there but in the lower levels.

Vizcaino could be there in a couple of years.

just-blaze

12-01-07, 02:24 AM

He's going to be a stud.

I think you are one of the people that is going to look foolish.

No offense, but his career .800 OPS in the minors will figure itself in the majors. The 900+ OPS he had in the majors wont last.

yank4life2005

12-01-07, 05:21 AM

I think you are one of the people that is going to look foolish.

No offense, but his career .800 OPS in the minors will figure itself in the majors. The 900+ OPS he had in the majors wont last.

When you are a hitter like he is and play 81 games at Fenway Park, then it will be you that looks foolish at the end of 2008.

b_joseph

12-01-07, 06:10 AM

When you are a hitter like he is and play 81 games at Fenway Park, then it will be you that looks foolish at the end of 2008.
Exactly...look at Pedroia for example.

Jacoby will Boggs his way to a 850 OPS.

chaossentry

12-01-07, 10:20 AM

Horne is there in terms of stuff, but consistancy and control/command arent the same.

Heredia, Pope, and McCallister are there but in the lower levels.

Vizcaino could be there in a couple of years.

So Horne can match Hughes stuff wise but doesn't have the level of control that Hughes does basically.

primetime714

12-01-07, 12:21 PM

He's going to be a stud.

He'll be a very good leadoff hitter and play a mean CF, but a "stud" I doubt it. I mean he has no power and we're not talking no power like a Jeter or Abreu we're talking about a guy that probably won't hit more than 5 HRs a year. Yes I know HRs aren't everything but he won't hit that many extra base hits either. Best case scenario he is another Chone Figgins. Which is by no means a bad thing in fact if he ends being a Chone Figgins caliber player I think the Sox will be extremely happy with him. He is a great fit at the top of that lineup. A 1-6 of:

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Ortiz
Manny
Youkilis
Lowell

That is a nasty lineup right there and they still have a great bottom of the lineup with Drew, Varitek, and Lugo.

Simply put Ellsbury is nowhere near the hype, but he is a great fit for the Sox lineup so I understand their refusal to include him in a deal. However it just pisses me off how the Twins can categorize him in the same light as Phil Hughes.

just-blaze

12-02-07, 01:55 AM

Exactly...look at Pedroia for example.

Jacoby will Boggs his way to a 850 OPS.

Pedroia still doesnt look like a stud after a year in Fenway.

just-blaze

12-02-07, 01:59 AM

When you are a hitter like he is and play 81 games at Fenway Park, then it will be you that looks foolish at the end of 2008.

Yeah, we'll see. I mean its not like there have been speedsters who came up and wowed everybody with overperformance for a bit and regressed right back to what they used to be.....(Podsednik, Pierre, Gomez, Reyes, etc.)

Unless he unexplicably gains the power that Damon has, Im willing to make a bet.

Edit: Actually, I could see a comp of Chone Figgins. Figgins does not equal stud.

b_joseph

12-02-07, 03:16 AM

Pedroia still doesnt look like a stud after a year in Fenway.
No, but he is comfortably above league average for his position. Cant really ask for much more than that.

BennyTheJetRodriguez

12-02-07, 04:02 AM

No, but he is comfortably above league average for his position. Cant really ask for much more than that.
you can if you are trading Johan freaking Santana.

b_joseph

12-02-07, 04:39 AM

you can if you are trading Johan freaking Santana.
what did that have to do with anything I said?

I said that you cant ask for much more than that, from your 2nd baseman. I said nothing about Santana.

Matsui55

12-02-07, 08:51 AM

He's going to be a stud.

No, he's going to be a slap hitter who does a good, but not great job leading off. His walk/K ratio isn't that good, compared to the better leadoff guys, and the power he showed in the stretch run was an aberration.

In other words, scouts were telling their pitchers to knock the bat out of his hands (hard and in), but his game is to hit the ball- any hitter can turn on a hard inside FB if given enough of them and hit HR.

He's not going to see those pitches in 2008. Scouts have a better read on him now- since his game is to play to contact, you move the ball around in the zone and change speeds. That means you are likely to see a LOT of GB from him in the future. His speed and bat speed will get him a lot of hits that way, but anyone who projects him to hit more than 8-10 HR and about 20-25 2B is going to be sorely disappointed.

BennyTheJetRodriguez

12-02-07, 01:30 PM

what did that have to do with anything I said?

I said that you cant ask for much more than that, from your 2nd baseman. I said nothing about Santana.ooohhh you meant Pedroia? My bad, I thought you meant Ellsbury.

TheYankee

12-03-07, 01:44 PM

I like the Top 5. I know Betances' stock has fallen, but he's still a 4 star prospect in my mind. Humberto at 2 stars? Way too low. Switch him with Edwar, bump Dellin up one and it's perfect.I get the feeling they're terming Humberto as a 2 start prospect because of injury concerns... if you take injuries out of the equation, he may even project as a 4-star type guy, but with the injury concerns, I can certainly understand the low ranking.

Snatch Catch

12-26-07, 02:06 PM

Jim Callis has Joba #3, Tabata #22, and AJax somewhere in his top 50.

Both Horne and Kennedy did not make his top 50.

CallOfTheCrow

12-26-07, 02:09 PM

How does Kennedy not make the top 50?

Jonny

12-26-07, 05:37 PM

I don't think he should.

CallOfTheCrow

12-26-07, 05:41 PM

Reasoning?

Jonny

12-26-07, 07:30 PM

CallOfTheCrow

12-26-07, 07:34 PM

Well of course he is not going to hold down a 1.89 ERA while opponents hit .191 off of him. Nobody is expecting that from him, no fan with an inkling of baseball knowledge anyway.

Where would you rank someone you define as a "Solid, solid pitcher" then?" What would you project for him in 2008?

Also, how do you know he will never become an elite pitcher?

metalboy15

12-26-07, 07:44 PM

He's never going to be an elite pitcher.

I was promoting Kennedy as vigoriously as anyone during '07. His velocity returned, and the talking heads wouldn't acknowledge it for months.

Now, he is overrated. He looked great in two appearances in the majors. He is going to be a solid, solid pitcher, but he is not going to repeat that performance.

Kennedy is overrated for the same reason that other ML-ready prospects with low ceilings are overrated.
A potential #3 starter in the AL East is having a low ceiling?

I could even see him as a #2 starter in the NL.

ThunderFan

12-26-07, 08:03 PM

When you are a hitter like he is and play 81 games at Fenway Park, then it will be you that looks foolish at the end of 2008.He's Damon with less power and Damon never had a 900 OPS in fenway. Ellsbury won't be close to that.

Skars

12-26-07, 09:29 PM

He's never going to be an elite pitcher.

I was promoting Kennedy as vigoriously as anyone during '07. His velocity returned, and the talking heads wouldn't acknowledge it for months.

Now, he is overrated. He looked great in two appearances in the majors. He is going to be a solid, solid pitcher, but he is not going to repeat that performance.

Kennedy is overrated for the same reason that other ML-ready prospects with low ceilings are overrated.

Bull. Someone who is major-league ready as a mid-rotation starter is DEFINITELY a top 50 prospect. When you consider that many prospects flame out and you have someone who projects to be above average and ready the upcoming year, hes gotta be top 50. I'll take Ian Kennedy over Deolis Guerra EVERY TIME

Jonny

12-26-07, 10:17 PM

We'll just have to agree to disagree. I realize that Cashman has said he prefers Kennedy over Horne (pitchers on a much low level don't come into this conversation for me). I understand where that view comes from, but I disagree.

The back end of our rotation has been a mess for a while, which definitely gives Kennedy a lot of value. I'm not trying to take anything away from him here. But in this new era of the farm system, with Cashman and Oppenheimer letting Nardi Contreras build an absolute monster, the best move is gambling with upside.

I think the 2007 draft started to see this. While Kennedy was incredibly underrated in 2006, he still was considered a polished arm that could move quickly and contribute sooner rather than later. That had value to the Yankees a year ago. Now, they go with someone like Brackman. Questionable on many levels, but it does make sense if they're thinking along this line.

mc87yanks1

12-27-07, 09:05 AM

I'm laughing out loud at Kennedy not being a Top 50 prospect. The guy dominated every level he pitched at last year, causing MiLB.com to name him Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Sure he doesn't project to have the ceiling of a Hughes or Joba, but he's just as Major League ready as them both. The fact that he can currently slide into the #3/4 slot in a AL East rotation and post a league average ERA says enough. I understand ceiling is an important part of prospect ranking, but likelihood of ever making it also needs to come into account. Ian Kennedy has a much better chance of being a quality regular for the New York Yankees than Jose Tabata does in my opinion.

primetime714

12-27-07, 09:47 AM

Yankees1962

12-27-07, 09:52 AM

Kennedy not making a top 50 list is absurd. I mean the guy was the minor league pitcher of the year in his first full season of minor league work, dominating every level including the majors. He doesn't project to be an Ace, but some may argue that he is a #3-4 right now and should be a #3 for years to come. The top 50 shouldn't be composed entirely of high ceiling guys. Players who have shown that they're capable of being solid, but not spectacular major league players definitely should hold enough value to be in the top 50 especially when you consider how many busts there are in that group.

I will say it is nice to see Tabata getting some dues as Callis has him #22. I really feel like Tabata's fall down the prospect lists was totally unwarranted. He may not have developed the power we were expecting but that was due to his wrist injury and he still had a very solid year playing through that. Next year he should be one of the youngest players in AA.
Hey, it's his top 50 not BA's top 50 so he can place any player he wants on it. Who's to say that Kennedy doesn't make the top 50 list from BA since according to Callis, Kennedy was one of 8-10 guys that just barely missed his top 50. There are other lists like Manual's that are considered for BA's top 50 players. I believe the list isn't even a top 50 from BA, but a top 100 list that is made up from a consensus of BA personnel.

mbn007

12-27-07, 10:47 AM

Snatch Catch

01-03-08, 01:53 PM

NoMaas put out a top 20 list that could probably stir debate here:

1) Joba Chamberlain, RHP, 22
The legend has grown to absurdity in the press, but he's still got incredible stuff combined with good control.

2) Jose Tabata, RHB, RF, 19
Healthy after having his hamate bone removed, 2008 should give us a glimpse at how good he can be.

3) Austin Jackson, RHB, CF, 21
Went off like a rocket after seemingly undeserved promotion to Tampa. The pedigree and projectability have always been there, hopefully the performance continues.

4) Alan Horne, RHP, 25
Great pedigree, great build, great stuff, and has shown major improvements in command. Stuff is ready to make an impact in the ML bullpen in 2008, and has a higher ceiling as a starter than Kennedy.

5) Ian Kennedy, RHP, 23
Ranking here is no slight on Ian, as we love his ability to log innings at league average or better for years to come.

6) Jesus Montero, RHB, C, 18
Monster power bat that shows great plate discipline for someone so young. Even if he doesn't stick behind the plate his offensive upside is still immense.

7) Mark Melancon, RHP, 23
Top college closer in 2006 with mid nineties fastball and hammer curve. Has outstanding work ethic and off-the-charts makeup, so the grueling rehab from Tommy John Surgery should only make him better.

8) Humberto Sanchez, RHP, 24
Powerfully built Bronx HS product with a nasty, moving fastball. Dominated in AA before surgery, is currently around 8 months into his rehab. Could be an ace starter or reliever depending on how his rehab goes.

9) Andrew Brackman, RHP, 22
Critique this selection all you want, but as Lane Meyer discussed in an article last fall, Brackman has almost no legitimate comps from a historical basis. He is that unique as a prospect. A freaky combination of size, velocity, and athleticism, we hope to see him throwing rehab in the fall.

10) Jeff Marquez, RHP, 23
Great sinking fastball, yet low K/9. Could rise on this list if he continues to log innings and improves his ability to miss bats by working on his changeup. His durability is certainly a plus.

11) Francisco Cervelli, RHB, C, 22
Showed an interesting mix of gap power and plate discipline in 2007. Has shown exceptional defensive skills behind the plate, but tired greatly at the end of 2007.

12) Dellin Betances, RHP, 20
Great raw stuff and an aptitude to learn, Betances is still filling out and learning how to pitch. Concerns over the elbow pain he was having last year abound. Ranks this low due to future injury concerns and only throwing 48 innings in his two years in the organzation. Could catapult up this list if healthy in 2008.

13) Brett Gardner, LHB, CF, 23
Solid 4th OF type with blazing speed and good plate discipline. No pop in his bat, but plays good defense and could be a bench cog on a championship team.

14) Kevin Whelan, RHP, 24
Improving his control was essential, and he may have done so in Trenton after a short period of starting in Tampa. A reliever who could potentially contribute in the Bronx this year.

15) Ross Ohlendorf, RHP, 25
A live arm has gotten him this far, and seeing him hit mid to upper 90s in relief stints is encouraging, but we aren't as high on Ross as other outlets. He certianly has the potential to be solid in middle relief, but we dont see him ever being spectacular.

16) Daniel McCutchen, RHP, 25
NoMaas' sleeper prospect. He may be 25, but he throws hard, has a good breaking ball and a solid changeup. We see McCutchen opening eyes in 2008.

17) Jairo Heredia, RHP, 18
The 17 year old who came stateside sooner than expected and wowed the organization with impressive stuff and command. Heredia could be a top 5 guy by the time next offseason rolls around.

18) George Kontos, RHP, 22
Fastball/slider guy posted great numbers in Hawaii. Solid back of the rotation starter or middle reliever with the ability to miss bats at the ML level. He just needs to stay healthy and out of trouble. We actually like him a bit better than Ollie, but Ross has already made the Majors.

19) Juan Miranda, LHB, 1B/DH, 25 (on a good day)
All hit. Despite not being a good glove, he may see time in the Bronx soon due to his ability to rake.

20) Jose Pirela, SHB, SS, 18
Switch-hitting SS who played last season at age 17 in the DSL. Solidly built, stout 5-tool guy that showed excellent plate discipline for such a young age (34 BB to 36 K in 238 AB).

Hope to see you here next time: JB Cox, Damon Sublett, Bradley Suttle, Carmen Angelini, Ryan Pope, Zach McAllister, Kevin DeLeon, Manny Barreda, Braedyn Pruitt, Chris Garcia.

*** As an added bonus, we present our list of the Top 5 Most Interesting Yankees Prospects. These are kids whose 2008 season could determine if they're legitimate prospects or not.

1) Michael Dunn, LHP, 22
Converted to the mound for good in 2007, has low-90s fastball and posted impressive numbers in Charleston last year while pitching a full season as a starter. 2008 will be a test to see if he can continue growing as a pitcher.

2) David Robertson, RHP, 23
Diminutive college closer put up mind-boggling numbers in Charleston and Tampa last year despite velocity sitting around 90 MPH. 2008 will show if he can repeat any sort of dominance at higher levels.

3) Justin Snyder, LHB, 2B/OF, 22
At 5'9" and 190 lbs, Snyder is small but solid. Playing both 2B and CF in Staten Island last year, he showed amazing plate discipline by drawing 58 BB in just 260 AB. By hitting .335 with 20 doubles and 5 HR, he also showed an ability to drive the ball. 2008 will go a long way towards establishing Snyder as a legitimate prospect.

4) Angel Reyes, LHP, 21
A fastball that sits in the low-90s touching 96, a plus breaking pitch, and a great ability to miss bats...and the plate sum up the highly talented lefty. Injury and lack of command forced Reyes to take a major step backwards in 2007, but he still has all the tools to become an elite prospect in 2008.

5) Brandon Laird, RHB, 3B/1B, 20
Brother of ML catcher Gerald Laird, Brandon showed fantastic contact and power skills in the GCL last year by posting a .238 IsoP and striking out only 26 times in 45 games. He only drew 6 walks, so it will be intriguing to see how he does in full-season ball in 2008.

kan_t

01-03-08, 01:57 PM

NoMaas put out a top 20 list that could probably stir debate here:
Besides Kennedy, I think overall it is a pretty good list.

BennyTheJetRodriguez

01-03-08, 01:58 PM

Besides Kennedy, I think overall it is a pretty good list.
I sort of agree with them on Kennedy. Not on the comment, but his spot on the list.

Reggievision

01-03-08, 02:05 PM

14) Kevin Whelan, RHP, 24
Improving his control was essential, and he may have done so in Trenton after a short period of starting in Tampa. A reliever who could potentially contribute in the Bronx this year.

I think plenty of people on this board are missing the boat on Whelan. 5 hits per 9 and 11 strikeouts per nine are the kind of numbers you want to see from your relief prospects; I understand some folks are put off by his high BB numbers but you can't discount the fact that Nardi Contreras reworked Whelan's mechanics early in the season (prior to his demotion to Single-A Tampa Whelan was averaging close to 1 BB/IP) and it took some time to regain command. His late-season numbers at AA Trenton were outstanding - on-par with what David Robertson did but at a higher level and with better "stuff".

Some prospect lists don't include Whelan at all in the top-20 and that perplexes me. Compare what Whelan did last season to what, say, Ross Ohlendorf did, also taking into consideration the quality of their pitches (Ohlendorf's main advantage over many prospects given his poor numbers), and I don't see how Whelan doesn't come out ahead.

boday

01-03-08, 05:37 PM

Probably the best top 20 list I have seen. A nice mix of results and projectability, ie Cervelli. Very sensible ranking on Betances. In two years 48 innings, nough said.

albo4lyfe

01-03-08, 09:01 PM

Very good list. Seems like good effort went into it. Can't argue with many of the rankings 'cept McCutchen who should be higher.

RollingWave

01-04-08, 03:15 AM

mbn007

01-04-08, 05:49 AM

Melancon's placing seems way too high

a. lack of sample size
b. TJ
c. reliever

seriously, 8 innings in short season... in 06 for that matter. AND the TJ.. AND the fact that he's strictly a reliever. should put him well out of the top 10 no matter how ridiculas his stuff i suppose to be.

He's a sleeper. but at #8? really?

That's why I gloss over lists that have prospects who have barely played, or only played SS ball. They may have all the potential in the world, but a prospect ranking should have some real live professional backing to it.

JMO though.

metalboy15

01-08-08, 06:36 PM

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/5301/cjwz9.jpg

http://emedia.thetimes-tribune.com/Blogs/SWBYankees/tabid/552/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2478/Deric-McKameys-Top-15-Yankees-prospects.aspx

boday

01-08-08, 06:46 PM

What I especially liked were the thumb nail sketches which showed the reason for the author's ranking of players. Besides these lists should be different from one another in some ways. Come on, this is projection - stir debate.

JavyVazquezIsSick

01-08-08, 06:59 PM

I like it. I like how he adds the probability a player reaches their potential into each ranking.

Snatch Catch

01-08-08, 09:18 PM

That's really cool. I may actually order that book.

THEBOSS84

01-08-08, 09:22 PM

I don't get it though. Which player will be ranked as a 10? Joba's potential is to be a DOMINATING ace pitcher. Aren't those types of pitchers HOF-type players (what a 10 ranking would be)?

CallOfTheCrow

01-08-08, 09:25 PM

A guy poses a good question about Brackman. How can he be a 9 & a D because part of an elite player requires better then average probability that he reaches his ceiling right?

Snatch Catch

01-08-08, 10:28 PM

I don't get it though. Which player will be ranked as a 10? Joba's potential is to be a DOMINATING ace pitcher. Aren't those types of pitchers HOF-type players (what a 10 ranking would be)?

Joba isn't a generational prospect, though. He's an elite prospect, but not one that screams HOF.

I could see a guy like Juston Upton being a 10, or Griffey/A-Rod when they came up. I like that he leaves room.

primetime714

01-08-08, 10:47 PM

A guy poses a good question about Brackman. How can he be a 9 & a D because part of an elite player requires better then average probability that he reaches his ceiling right?

The ranking of 9 is potential. Brackman has the potential to be an elite player. However when you factor in his injuries and inconsistent performance in college its not likely that he'll reach his potential.

I think it's a great way to measure prospects as many tend to concentrate too much on either potential or performance/probability of major league success rather than looking at the balance.

JavyVazquezIsSick

01-09-08, 01:17 PM

A guy poses a good question about Brackman. How can he be a 9 & a D because part of an elite player requires better then average probability that he reaches his ceiling right?

No, as I understand it, they are mutually exclusive. 9 is the potential and D is the likelihood.

SDGiant

01-18-08, 04:38 PM

OK, I hope the formatting on this works. Anyway, I've just trying to up a sort of average of the rankings we've seen this offseason. For simplicity, I've only included players counted in the top 10 of at least one ranking. Eleven players were ranked in all six ranks.

I also put in FALSE ratings for Ohlendorf and Melancon for the rankings they weren't included in making them the next player. I did this because if I didn't both players would average a higher score than players on the list actually on all 6 lists. I didn't try to fill in the blanks for the other five players, and just listed them at the bottom.
I also guessed at BA's 11-15 rankings based on the chat.

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 359pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=479 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 37pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1792" width=49><COL style="WIDTH: 89pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4352" width=119><COL style="WIDTH: 38pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1865" width=51><COL style="WIDTH: 26pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1280" width=35><COL style="WIDTH: 35pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1682" width=46><COL style="WIDTH: 30pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1462" span=3 width=40><COL style="WIDTH: 44pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2157" width=59><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 37pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=49 height=17>#</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 89pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=119>name</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 38pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=51>NoMa</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35>BHQ</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 35pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=46>BBA</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 30pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=40>NYYF</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 30pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=40>BP</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 30pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=40>Sick</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 44pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=59>Average</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>1</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Joba Chamberlain</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>1</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>1</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>1</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>1</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>1</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=SUM(C2:H2)/6">1.00</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>2</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Jose Tabata</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>2</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>2</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>3</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>3</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>4</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>2</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.6666666666666665" x:fmla="=SUM(C3:H3)/6">2.67</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>3</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Ian Kennedy</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>5</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>3</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>4</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>2</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>2</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>3</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.1666666666666665" x:fmla="=SUM(C4:H4)/6">3.17</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>4</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Austin Jackson</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>3</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>4</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>2</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>4</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>3</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>5</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=SUM(C5:H5)/6">3.50</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>5</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Alan Horne</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>4</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>5</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>5</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>5</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>5</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>4</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="4.666666666666667" x:fmla="=SUM(C6:H6)/6">4.67</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>6</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Jesus Montero</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>6</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>8</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>6</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>6</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>7</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>9</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=SUM(C7:H7)/6">7.00</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>7</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Dellin Betances</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>12</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>7</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>13</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>7</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>6</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>7</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="8.6666666666666661" x:fmla="=SUM(C8:H8)/6">8.67</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>8</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Andrew Brackman</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>9</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>6</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>10</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>11</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>8</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>13</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=SUM(C9:H9)/6">9.50</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>9</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Jeff Marquez</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>10</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>10</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>7</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>10</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>13</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>14</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="10.666666666666666" x:fmla="=SUM(C10:H10)/6">10.67</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>10</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Humberto Sanchez</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>8</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>9</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>11</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>8</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>11</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>21</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="11.333333333333334" x:fmla="=SUM(C11:H11)/6">11.33</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>11</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Brett Gardner</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>13</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>16</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>8</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>14</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>16</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>11</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=SUM(C12:H12)/6">13.00</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>12</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Mark Melancon</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>7</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>16</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>12</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>9</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>16</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>21</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=SUM(C13:H13)/6">13.50</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>13</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Ross Ohlendorf</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>15</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>13</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>9</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>18</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>14</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>21</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=SUM(C14:H14)/6">15.00</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>14</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>15</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Dan McCutchen</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>16</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>14</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>15</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>10</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=SUM(C16:H16)/4">13.75</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>16</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Kelvin DeLeon</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>15</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>10</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=SUM(C17:H17)/2">12.50</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>17</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Edwar Ramirez</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>23</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>24</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>9</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="18.666666666666668" x:fmla="=SUM(C18:H18)/3">18.67</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>18</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Bradley Suttle</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>15</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>6</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=SUM(C19:H19)/2">10.50</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17 x:num>19</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Austin Romaine</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>23</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>8</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=SUM(C20:H20)/2">15.50</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

If anyone thinks other ranking should be included, let me know and I'll try to add those.

RollingWave

01-19-08, 04:04 AM

nice one SD

Optimistic

01-19-08, 08:47 AM

There are several players nearing the end of their rehab that will likely open a lot of eyes in the upcoming season......there's no room for negativity or comments on player's individual comeback chances....from people with no legitimate medical background......I'm sure you'll agree with me on that.....As far as Melancon, watch out....because he'll be in the bigs by season's end......and.......on that you can depend!!!! along with a few others who shall remain unmentioned..........Enjoy your guessing games...and compilation of your "top" 25 lists.....which....incidentally.......coupled with a dime =a cup of coffee.....
Have a great day gentlemen!

74nole

01-19-08, 09:23 AM

There are several players that will likely open alot of eyes, period.

Prison Mike

01-19-08, 10:28 AM

Baseball is better with your eyes open.

shroud

01-19-08, 11:21 AM

Baseball is better with your eyes open.
Unless your favorite team is in Pittsburgh or Kansas city...

NY_GOLDENARMS

01-19-08, 02:04 PM

There are several players nearing the end of their rehab that will likely open a lot of eyes in the upcoming season......

Where is Norton in his rehab process?

Optimistic

01-19-08, 02:42 PM

Norton is throwing....."not merely tossing"...........and feeling real good.............and has never stopped working.............On this you can depend!

NY_GOLDENARMS

01-19-08, 02:59 PM

Norton is throwing....."not merely tossing"...........and feeling real good.............and has never stopped working.............On this you can depend!

Will he be ready for the start of the season or is there additional rehab he will have to do after the season starts? How does he feel about his arm strength?

Optimistic

01-19-08, 03:40 PM

Let's just say...he'll be there for sure...and his arm is getting stronger every day.......the rest remains to be seen...... One thing you can be sure of....there won't be anyone who'll work harder....or who wants it more! (from a most reliable source of course ;-)

CallOfTheCrow

01-19-08, 04:32 PM

I'm sure he's working very hard & has a strong desire to be the best he can be but you can't say nobody wants it more then him because you don't really know that.

Black Pseudo Lungs

01-19-08, 04:48 PM

Does anyone know what Tim Norton projects to be? late innings guy, closer?

he reminds me of pat neshek in this picture
http://www.capecodbaseball.org/Weekly/Week2005/Photos/Awards/AW_TimNorton.jpg

But hey, if he can put up neshek numbers or better i'm all for it.

mhmajp

01-19-08, 05:38 PM

Norton is throwing....."not merely tossing"...........and feeling real good.............and has never stopped working.............On this you can depend!

Great to hear. I'm sure you and he already know this, but make sure to tell him that we all wish him best of luck and speed in his recovery.

metalboy15

02-09-08, 05:26 PM

Scout's.com Top 20 prospect list:

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7088/scoutscomtop20prospectsic0.png

AcidLake

02-09-08, 05:39 PM

Wow, Joba is 5 spots over Clay. I know he's better, but I didn't see this coming

NYDCYankee

02-10-08, 01:15 AM

Wow, Joba is 5 spots over Clay. I know he's better, but I didn't see this coming

More significantly he is only 9 spots above Kennedy. I thnk this is the highest we have seen him ranked.

just-blaze

02-10-08, 09:09 AM

Not a fan of ranking newly drafted players so high so soon.

nnysiny

02-10-08, 11:45 AM

Not a fan of ranking newly drafted players so high so soon.
me too. they also have Longoria as a SS. i think this is the highest ive seen both Joba and Ian. i believe is is the site that had Hughes above Matsuzaka and Bailey last year, so hopefully theyre accurate again :D

Yankee Fan in Boston

02-10-08, 11:49 AM

What is the criteria for that list? Is it about making an impact in '08? I've never seen Kennedy as the number two prospect in our organization, much less that high overall

Yankyfan

02-10-08, 12:09 PM

Not a fan of ranking newly drafted players so high so soon. I so agree with you.

Cheesyhoboe

02-10-08, 12:23 PM

Wow, that's a horrible list. Gio Gonzalez? Rick Porcello? Ian Kennedy? CARLOS GOMEZ? In my top 20?

aeromac76

02-11-08, 02:28 PM

What is the criteria for that list? Is it about making an impact in '08? I've never seen Kennedy as the number two prospect in our organization, much less that high overall

Well if you do not count Hughes, who people project as a full MLer, then Kennedy is probably not that overvalued. In terms of right now projectability, why not?
Hughes and Joba, fine. After that, Kennedy fits right in. Sure, there are guys with more raw skills, but Kennedy already showed some niceness at the big league level.

I mean, look at Ellsbury, he has a flash of brilliance as well, and he is valued so highly now, and this was a guy whose minor league numbers suggest he'll never maintain that level. Kennedy's MiL #'s suggest he has a better chance than Ellsbury to retain that perf level..

bmxstreetrider86

02-11-08, 02:38 PM

no offense, but that might be the worst top 20 ive ever seen

metalboy15

02-11-08, 02:42 PM

no offense, but that might be the worst top 20 ive ever seen
Carlos Gomez at #13 is a freaking joke.

Last year they had Carlos Gonzalez as the 3rd best prospect in baseball (behind Hughes and Bailey) and Josh Fields at #7.

:wtf:

just-blaze

02-11-08, 09:40 PM

Carlos Gomez at #13 is a freaking joke.

Last year they had Carlos Gonzalez as the 3rd best prospect in baseball (behind Hughes and Bailey) and Josh Fields at #7.

:wtf:

Gonzalez at #18 is just as bad. I have a feeling that all the trade talk raised prospect value to that site including Kennedy.

Edit: They have Adenhart at 10 and a guy who hasnt played above A ball at 8, so......who knows how they do it. They might very well pick a top20 list based on the NBA lottery system.

Dynasties R Forever

02-12-08, 05:55 AM

Pedroia still doesnt look like a stud after a year in Fenway.

And neither will Ellsbury.

Dynasties R Forever

02-12-08, 05:59 AM

just-blaze

02-12-08, 08:38 AM

And neither will Ellsbury.

Wow, I dont remember saying that................but it is so true.

metalboy15

02-12-08, 11:12 AM

Baseball Mastermind 2008 Top-25 Prospects

1. Jay Bruce, 21, CF-L, CIN - I've covered Bruce in detail on this site throughout the off-season. Most major top-100 Prospects lists rank Bruce ahead of Longoria with the exception of Keith Law's list. I feel this is primarily based on Bruce's power ceiling, which is considered to better than Longoria's as Bruce has the capability to hit for average and power and has the greatest likelihood of growing into a 40 home run per season guy. Defensively, Bruce rates as average to above average in centerfield, but I doubt his range will be great and he is better suited to a be right fielder with his strong arm. Bruce gets high, high marks on character and makeup, so all of the finer points of his game that need work are going to be addressed. In the end, Bruce will need to work on his approach at the plate to reach his power ceiling and in order to decidedly beat out Longoria.

2. Evan Longoria, 22, 3B-R, TB - I'm convinced Longoria will make the most seamless transition to the majors of any of these players in 2008. His hitting is very refined for his age and while the power may not be elite yet, Longoria certainly has the ability to hit 30+ home runs annually after a season or two in the bigs. I really like his athleticism and glove work at third and I feel he will be a plus defender, stepping in and winding up somewhere between Ryan Zimmerman and David Wright.

3. Joba Chamberlain, 22, RHP, NYA - Chamberlain had an impressive pro debut vaulting his way from advanced A ball all the way to the bigs, where he was never anything short of dominant. In 88.1 minor leagues innings, Chamberlain compiled 135 strikeouts and 27 walks, posting a 2.45 ERA. Once in AAA, Chamberlain was moved to the bullpen both because the Yankees needed help there and to limit his innings. In eight AAA innings, Chamberlain struck out 18 and walked 1, then pitched 24 innings in the majors, striking out 34 and walking 6 to post a .38 ERA. While in the bullpen, Chamberlain primarily stuck with his fastball, which sits in the mid to upper 90's and can hit triple digits and his plus-plus slider that has tight, two-plane break and comes in the high 80's. Chamberlain also throws a curveball and a changeup which will become a bigger part of his repertoire as he steps into the New York Yankee rotation. His pin-point command of those first two pitches is what makes him so great.

4. Clay Buchholz, 23, RHP, BOS - Buchholz followed up his stellar 2006 season with an even better 2007 in which he pitched 125.1 innings between AA and AAA, striking out 171 batters and walking 35, posting a 2.44 ERA. Buchholz was then promoted to the bigs and threw a no-hitter in his second major league start. Buchholz throws a four-seam fastball that sits 92-94 and maxes out 97 and a two-seam fastball that has some sink. He combines that with a 12-6 plus-plus curveball and a decent changeup. He also features a slider, which is probably his worse pitch. Buchholz is noted for having exceptional command of all of his pitches as well as a strong mound presence and will be competing against Chamberlain for pitching superiority for years to come.

5. Clayton Kershaw, 20, LHP, LAD - Top LHP prospect in the game. Kershaw's fastball sits 94-96 and tops out at 98. His curveball is considered a plus-plus pitch and reminds me of Erik Bedard's with a toppling, two-plane break. His control is advanced for his age, but still not where it needs to be. Unless there are a whole slew of unforeseen injuries in the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation, Kershaw will not pitch in the majors until September, if at all. None the less, all scouts seem to be in agreement that he has as much talent and as high a ceiling as any pitching prospect in the game.

6. Cameron Maybin, 21, CR-R, FL - Maybin was the centerpiece in the deal that sent Miguel Cabrera to Detroit. He has true, superstar potential as a power-speed centerfielder with great range and arm strength. In 2007, Maybin hit .316/.409/.523 with 14 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 323 at-bats but missed time due to a shoulder injury. Maybin has quick wrists and excellent plate coverage and as far as athleticism goes, is as high as anyone on this list. He will make a legitimate run at the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2008, depending on if he starts the year at the big league level and if he can make adjustments to major league pitching.

7. Colby Rasmus, 21, CF-L, STL - Rasmus demonstrated in 2007 that he may be the most likely 30-30 rookie in the minor leagues hitting .275 with 29 home runs and 18 stolen bases in AA. His hitting isn't as refined as Bruce or Longoria's, but those skills will develop fairly quickly as Rasmus' K/BB ratio weren't too bad in 2007 (70/108 in 472 ABs). Rasmus should develop into a player somewhere along the lines of a Grady Sizemore depending on how he can cut down on the strikeouts but at this point, his power potential may be even better.

8. Homer Bailey, 22, RHP, CIN - Bailey had a rough 2007, pitching 45.1 innings in the majors with 28 strikeouts, 28 walks and a 5.76 ERA before running into arm trouble. He still features a fastball and curveball that both rate as plus-plus out pitches. Bailey's fastball sits 93-96 and maxes out at 98 with a lot of movement. Overall control and changeup still need work, but he will need to make those adjustments at the big league level as Bailey will likely begin 2008 in the Cincinnati Reds rotation.

9. David Price, 22, LHP, TB - I'll wait for Price to pitch professionally before ranking him ahead of Bailey, but the 6'6" LHP has the potential to rocket through Tampa's minor league system and among the ranks of his fellow prospects very quickly. After more scouts see him pitch, it will be interesting to see how the former first overall pick matches up with Kershaw as the top LHP prospect. His fastball sits 92-94 and maxes out at 96. Plus slider and slurve--a slower version of his slider--and improving changeup form a great combo. He won't pitch in the majors until September, but he looks to impress in his pro debut.

10. Travis Snider, 20, OF-L, TOR - In this list, there are only two players I can project hitting 40 home runs at some point in their careers, Bruce and Snider. Snider is among the best hitter in the minor leagues with pitch recognition and power that are advanced for his age. He has a strong enough arm to play in right but he is unathletic and will be a force for the Blue Jays as long as his hitting.

11. Franklin Morales, 22, LHP, COL - Franklin Morales reminds me a lot of Johan Santana. Both are power LHP who hail from Venezuela, with devastating breaking balls and changeups. They both are fierce competitors on the mound. Morales throws a curveball, rather than a slider, and while Morales' changeup is a decent offering, it's not the out-pitch that Santana's is. The polish isn't there for Morales, and that shows up in his numbers, but his stuff is off the charts and he gets high marks on character and makeup and the skills will develop. He will have to adjust on the fly as he is set to begin the season in Colorado' rotation.

12. Rick Porcello, 19, RHP, DET - Many scouts called Porcello the best high school pitcher to be drafted since Josh Beckett, high praise for the Boras client. His fastball sits 92-96 maxes out at 98 and has room for improvement. He throws a curveball, slider and changeup that all have the capability to develop into plus pitches.

13. Matt Wieters, 22, C-B, BAL - Top catching prospect in baseball by a lot. Switch-hitter with plus hitting and power to all fields. As we've seen with players like Jorge Posada and Victor Martinez, as long as a catcher can handle the work behind the dish, with hard work, they can stick and make it as below average to average catchers, with hitting that makes up for any defensive shortcomings.

14. Andy LaRoche, 24, 3B-R, LAD - LaRoche hit .309/.399/.589 with 18 home runs in 265 at-bats, although hitting in Las Vegas inflates his numbers because he was over-matched in the bigs, hitting .222/.365/.312 with one home run in 93 at-bats. Many scouts said he was being too selective at the plate during his big league stint. His contact-driven swing will translate to a high batting average with 25-30 home runs in his peak. He has shown great strike zone control all through the minors and will always be a source of on-base percentage. LaRoche plays only average defense and lacks the quickness to excel as a third baseman but he'll be average for the most part.

15. Mike Moustakas, 19, SS-L, KC - Moustakas is the best middle infield prospect in the game. Selected 2nd overall by Kansas City in 2007 out of Chatsworth high school, he has plus-plus power and hitting due to a quick compact swing with an advanced approach. Many scouts see a move over to second base as a part of Moustakas's future but he may well develop into a player in the mold of Chase Utley if everything goes well.

16. Jordan Schafer, 21, CF-L, ATL - The five-tool centerfielder had a breakout season in 2007, hitting .312/.374/.512 with 15 homeruns and 23 homeruns in 565 at-bats. Schafer has a great deal of athleticism and has excellent range and instincts in the outfield with a strong arm. He should develop into a 20-20-type player with excellent defense in centerfield, with his power developing as his pitch recognition and overall strength improves.

17. Jacoby Ellsbury, 24, CF-B, BOS - I'm not going to argue with what Ellsbury has going for him: game-changing speed, plus defense in centerfield and solid contact hitting, but to me, as a prototypical leadoff-type player, his ceiling is pretty low. Last season, between AA and AAA, Ellsbury hit .323/.387/.424 with 2 home runs and 41 stolen bases in 436 at-bats. Ellsbury will never be more than a 10-15 home run hitter even if his power develops fully and while his defense at a middle of the diamond position is valuable, I doubt he will ever become a super-star.

18. Reid Brignac, 22, SS-L, TB - Brignac had what would seem like a down-year compared to 2006, but still managed to hit.260/.328/.433 with 17 home runs in 527 AA at-bats. One plus on the season was Brignac managed to improve him defense to the point where talks of moving him to third are mostly gone. Brignac is still one of the top power-hitting middle infield prospects in the game today.

19. Wade Davis, 22, RHP, TB - Davis may not get as much credit as David Price and Evan Longoria, but he is every bit the power prospect and would earn more attention in another system. He has a fastball that sits 94-96 and maxes out at 98 with a plus power curve and below average changeup. He could use some work on his overall command but his fastball and curveball have a lot of potential.

20. Andrew McCutchen, 21, CF-R, PIT - The Pirates rushed McCutchen in his age 20 season, all the way up to AAA, but he struggled for most of the season and only managed to hit .257/.327/.383 with 10 home runs in 446 AA at-bats. He still has a lot of potential as an athletic, power-speed player and has drawn comparison to Marquis Grissom.

21. Fernando Martinez, 19, CF-L, NYN - Martinez held his own in AA as an 18 year-old hitting .271/.336/.377 with 4 home runs in 236 at-bats. This is a remarkable feat for an 18 year old, but it doesn't tell us much about Martinez, other than that he can hit. A lot of his value stems from his projectability, young age and his athleticism. He will likely be moved from centerfield and that reduces a lot of his value because we have so little idea how his power will develop. I am fairly convinced Martinez will be an excellent hitter and athlete but the development of his power will play the biggest role in the impact he makes in his career.

22. Desmond Jennings, 21, CF-R, TB - Jennings had a breakout season in 2007, hitting .316/.401/.465 with 9 home runs and 45 stolen bases in 387 at-bats in A ball. The toolsy outfielder has the potential to be a 10-20 home run hitter, with great speed and range in the outfield. He may wind up somewhere around Carl Crawford if his skills continue to improve.

23. Ian Kennedy, 23, RHP, NYA - Kennedy followed Chamberlain all the way up through the New York Yankees minor league system, starting at advanced A ball all the way to the bigs. Kennedy features a fastball that sits 88-91 that he locates very well. His curveball is average and his changeup, which features late drop is his best pitch, which will serve as an out-pitch for the righty. I like Kennedy's command and poise, but I'm not convinced he will ever be more than a #3 starter due to his low velocity. The Brad Radke comparison is fair, but also represents a best-case scenario.

24. Daric Barton, 22, 1B-L, OAK - Barton was sent to Oakland as the centerpiece in the Mark Mulder trade in 2004. At the time, Oakland Athletics General Manager Billy Beane said Barton's A ball numbers were "Pujols-like." Barton's pure hitting ability and plate discipline have been considered plus-plus since he was still a teenager and last season, he hit .293/.389/.438 with 9 home runs in 516 AAA at-bats. Barton will likely start the season as the A's first baseman or DH and will develop into a high contact, high walk player very quickly. At the very worst, he'll wind up a Lyle Overbay-type player, but I think a left-handed Edgar Martinez may be a closer comp.

25. Carlos Gonzalez, 23, OF-L, OAK - Gonzalez was sent to Oakland in the Dan Haren trade. He has amazing tools, with his power and arm strength as his two most notable assets. He isn't fast, but he may be able to remain in centerfield for the time being. Last season, Gonzalez hit .288/.336/.478 with 18 home runs between AA and AAA, but many observers questioned his effort level. He may not start the year in Oakland, but will play a significant portion of the time at the big league level. It will be interesting to see how Oakland's oranizational emphasis on patience will affect Gonzalez, who will benefit from an improvement in his approach to combine with his plus power hitting.
http://baseballmastermind.com/baltimore-orioles/baseball-mastermind-2008-top25-prospects/

JavyVazquezIsSick

02-12-08, 12:04 PM

Porcello at 12th is insane. Also Kennedy sits more at 89-92.

Yankee Fan in Boston

02-12-08, 12:12 PM

Porcello at 12th is insane. Also Kennedy sits more at 89-92.

I just hate the Tigers every time I see his name. Imagine him added to our system.

Aviezer

02-12-08, 01:15 PM

Porcello at 12th is insane. Also Kennedy sits more at 89-92.

Not so on either.

I watched all of Kennedy's MLB starts pitch by pitch, and I mostly saw 88-89 about 70% of the time with some 90-93, and some lower. Also if Porcello has the requisite talent and character, I don't believe in demoting him just b/c he is out of HS.

BTW, the velocity stuff is just perception, if someone has the real stats I would love to see them.

JavyVazquezIsSick

02-12-08, 01:32 PM

Not so on either.

I watched all of Kennedy's MLB starts pitch by pitch, and I mostly saw 88-89 about 70% of the time with some 90-93, and some lower. Also if Porcello has the requisite talent and character, I don't believe in demoting him just b/c he is out of HS.

BTW, the velocity stuff is just perception, if someone has the real stats I would love to see them.
They have him here in the majors at 90.88 (http://baseball.bornbybits.com/plots/Ian_Kennedy.html) They have him here at 90.97 here (http://baseball.bornbybits.com/php/combined_tool.php?pit=453178&bat=0&type=0&result=-1&count=-1&r_spd=1&spd=-1&r_brx=1&brx=-100&r_brz=1&brz=-100&l_b=0)

He doesn't sit 88-89

Its not about demotion because he is out of HS, its because he has yet to throw a pitch in the minors yet. So far, its all scouting and HS numbers, I'm not ready to rank him the 12th best prospect in baseball without any professional innings.

ICEBERG18

02-12-08, 03:27 PM

2. Austin Jackson (http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Austin%20Jackson&pos=39&sid=l405&t=p_pbp&pid=457706), Honolulu Sharks, OF (New York Yankees)
A prototypical five-tool player, Jackson can hit to all fields with power, run the bases and glide around the outfield a la Andruw Jones. The top left-field prospect in the Yankees' system notched 10 doubles, five triples and three home runs while driving in 22 runs and swiping eight bases in HWB, where he was the only member of the Sharks' squad to play in all 39 games. Jackson has been mentioned in a few trade rumors as the free-spending Yankees go after pricey free agents, but I think the club would benefit by holding on to the top-tier athlete. Based on what he did in Hawaii, and the fact that he will probably start 2008 in Double-A Trenton, I see Jackson donning the pinstripes in 2009 if the club decides to hold on to him.

8. George Kontos (http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=George%20Kontos&pos=P&sid=l405&t=p_pbp&pid=502004), Honolulu Sharks, RHP (New York Yankees)
Despite posting a 3-4 record, Kontos showed great control on the mound. The 22-year-old struck out 42 and walked 10 through 34 innings. The hurler surrendered a base hit per inning but continued to hone his control, and he notched a respectable 3.71 ERA. Kontos is expected to start the season at Double-A Trenton and has a shot as a late-season big league call-up if New York decides to replenish its bullpen. Remember, 2006 HWB alumni Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy and Jeff Marquez all spent time at Trenton last season and are on track to spend lengthy careers in the Majors.
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[URL="http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080211&content_id=346740&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp"]http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080211&content_id=346740&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp (http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080211&content_id=346740&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp)

JavyVazquezIsSick

02-12-08, 04:55 PM

Leftfield prospect?

nnysiny

02-12-08, 09:19 PM

Porcello at 12th is insane. Also Kennedy sits more at 89-92.
then what does he top out at? 94-95?

NY_GOLDENARMS

02-12-08, 09:51 PM

then what does he top out at? 94-95?

I've read 94.

74nole

02-13-08, 10:34 AM

I've read 94.

Every time I saw him throw last year @ Trenton he would sit 89-92 for the game and bump a few 3's. I talked with Patrick over at PP and he said pretty much the same adding that he had seen him bump a couple of 4's....

boday

02-13-08, 09:50 PM

River Avenue Blues has a very intriguing top 30 with very nice writeups.

http://riveraveblues.com/

11. Carmen Angelini, SS, 19
I’ve gone on the record confessing my love for Angelini several times in the past, and this will be no exception. I love what the kid brings to the table (very good defense and strong offense) at a premium position, and his polish is just icing on the cake. He’s exactly the kind of prospect the Yanks should be loading up on - a kid with top two rounds talent who just needed a little extra financial incentive to turn pro. Angelini’s a legitimate shortstop and the second best middle infield prospect the Yanks have had since Derek Jeter. It’s not impossible for him to pass Cano on that list in the future.

20. Austin Romine, C, 19
I tend to fall in love with one prospect from each draft class, and this year it’s Romine. The best all-around catching prospect the Yanks have had since Dioner Navarro, Romine is not only advanced for a high school catcher, but there’s also little doubt that he’ll be able to stick behind the plate. I’m a sucker for bloodlines, so coming from a baseball family like Romine does is always a plus, unless the surname is Sardinha (that was uncalled for, huh?). The Yanks suddenly have an abundance of catching prospects in the lower levels, which could push Romine to start 2008 in full season ball.

CallOfTheCrow

02-13-08, 10:13 PM

Sh*t, Cervelli has a broken hand. Just read on PP that it's on P.A.'s blog

hallofamer2000

02-13-08, 10:44 PM

Sh*t, Cervelli has a broken hand. Just read on PP that it's on P.A.'s blog

He said he'll only be out for about a week.

Jace

02-13-08, 10:48 PM

River Avenue Blues has a very intriguing top 30 with very nice writeups.

http://riveraveblues.com/

Those are awesome writeups on each player, great link

CallOfTheCrow

02-13-08, 10:49 PM

He said he'll only be out for about a week.

Must have missed that part, that's good news,

metalboy15

02-19-08, 11:10 AM

Project Prospect's Top 150 Prospect List:

http://www.projectprospect.com/2008-top-150-prospect-list/

Yankees on the list:

5. Joba Chamberlain: His stuff may be better than Buchholz's; needs to prove himself as full-season starter.

16. Ian Kennedy: Good bet to become a No. 2; induces soft contact; has found success everywhere.

33. Austin Jackson: 2nd-half surge was no coincidence - learned to pull the ball; expect a breakout year.

35. José Tábata: More consistent but hasn't flashed as much power as Fernando; also broke hamate.

70. Jesús Montero: $2.0 M Ven. signee was solid in 123 rookie PA; success could translate well to A-ball.

138. Andrew Brackman: 2nd-highest upside of any NCAA pitcher in '07 draft?; '07 TJ patient and still very raw.

145. Alan Horne: Durability will decide if he's No. 5 or reliever; BB% rose every month from Apr. to Aug.

Prison Mike

02-19-08, 08:19 PM

Kennedy's a "good bet" to become a #2? That's a bit optimistic. More like in absolute best case scenario.

budstinks

02-19-08, 08:31 PM

145. Alan Horne: Durability will decide if he's No. 5 or reliever; BB% rose every month from Apr. to Aug.

What? Durability.

Didn't he lead minor league baseball in K's last year. He's been pretty durable. These guys making comments on him act like he's a Kennedy clone without command.

The guy was the EL pitcher of the year last year, so he's not just projection and the dude SITS 93-94 and touches 96-97. THAT's #5 stuff? On what, the USA Dream Team?

nnysiny

02-19-08, 09:00 PM

What? Durability.

Didn't he lead minor league baseball in K's last year. He's been pretty durable. These guys making comments on him act like he's a Kennedy clone without command.

The guy was the EL pitcher of the year last year, so he's not just projection and the dude SITS 93-94 and touches 96-97. THAT's #5 stuff? On what, the USA Dream Team?
Ks have nothing to do with durability. durability is the ability to pitch for a long time, and Horne has not been able to finish the season strong for the past 2 seasons.

aside from that, they seem to be very high on Yankees prospects, especially Kennedy

74nole

02-19-08, 10:19 PM

Ks have nothing to do with durability. durability is the ability to pitch for a long time, and Horne has not been able to finish the season strong for the past 2 seasons.

aside from that, they seem to be very high on Yankees prospects, especially Kennedy

If you're going to break his durability down, he actually was stronger the second half of the season (how he threw the ball as well as his stats) in Tampa in '06. His legs did wear down the second half this past year in Trenton causing his BB's to climb. But I thought we were talking about durability--in both of his professional seasons to date--he is yet to miss a start. For my nickel, taking the ball every 5 days is pretty durable.

budstinks

02-19-08, 10:42 PM

Ks have nothing to do with durability. durability is the ability to pitch for a long time, and Horne has not been able to finish the season strong for the past 2 seasons.

aside from that, they seem to be very high on Yankees prospects, especially Kennedy

Durability to me means innings. He had to pitch a bunch of innings to lead the minors in K's. Last season to the tune of 153.1 IP. When you throw in his two post season starts, he probably led all EL pitchers in innings. If not he was right there.

That is a ton of innings for the minors. I think I would probably call that durable.

Not finishing strong would be stamina.

budstinks

02-19-08, 10:45 PM

If you're going to break his durability down, he actually was stronger the second half of the season (how he threw the ball as well as his stats) in Tampa in '06. His legs did wear down the second half this past year in Trenton causing his BB's to climb. But I thought we were talking about durability--in both of his professional seasons to date--he is yet to miss a start. For my nickel, taking the ball every 5 days is pretty durable.

agree.

budstinks

02-19-08, 10:47 PM

As I've said before, these so called guru's are just one large circle jerk, regurgitating info some other so called guru or BA spouted.

MaximMan121

02-19-08, 11:55 PM

....Bowden is listed over Horne. Heck, he's listed over Montero and Brackman as well. That's somewhat like saying that Stephen White is a better prospect. Sure, he's closer to the majors, but he is what he is, and it just ain't that special.

MaximMan121

02-19-08, 11:57 PM

Ryan Kalish is an eye popping 72. "Ryan Kalish CF Has mastered SS ball - great BB%, low K%, solid power; broke hamate bone in July". He's played 40 games in two years, and is ranked 72nd.

budstinks

02-20-08, 04:31 AM

Ryan Kalish is an eye popping 72. "Ryan Kalish CF Has mastered SS ball - great BB%, low K%, solid power; broke hamate bone in July". He's played 40 games in two years, and is ranked 72nd.

Like I said, he's been on others lists, so its one big circle jerk now.

Started out with a baseball america writer Aaron Fitt (resides in Mass) ranking him and some other Redsox players high on his top 20 NYPL list.

Higher than Dellin Betances actually, if you can believe that.

Kalish had 55 ab's in 06 and 87 ab's in 07.

I mean seriously, it just shows how little knowledge these so called guru's that many trust to bring decent rankings have.

mbn007

02-20-08, 06:08 AM

What? Durability.

Didn't he lead minor league baseball in K's last year. He's been pretty durable. These guys making comments on him act like he's a Kennedy clone without command.

The guy was the EL pitcher of the year last year, so he's not just projection and the dude SITS 93-94 and touches 96-97. THAT's #5 stuff? On what, the USA Dream Team?

I think the point is that he struggled the end of last year, especially with his control. It may, or may not have to do with his innings total.

Truth is, maybe he needs a different conditioning program. One that keeps him stronger as the wear & tear piles up. But I am not close enough to the situation to know if this is the issue.

budstinks

02-20-08, 08:48 AM

I think the point is that he struggled the end of last year, especially with his control. It may, or may not have to do with his innings total.

Truth is, maybe he needs a different conditioning program. One that keeps him stronger as the wear & tear piles up. But I am not close enough to the situation to know if this is the issue.

I guess I'm not sure what the point is. The original quote was that

"Durability will decide if he's No. 5 or reliever; "

The guy pitched like an ACE for nearly the entire year. He pitched 123 innings last year and when he went over that number this year (including playoffs about 165), he didn't pitch like Joba Chamberlain/Phil Hughes any more. Big deal.

I'm still not sure what that has to do with durable. Anyone with any baseball sense would know that it would not be unusual for a pitcher going past his highest innings total to hit a wall. What does that have to do with whether he is a #5 starter or being a reliever.

Again, I really don't see what that has to do with durability. He will continue to build up stamina as he continues to increase his innings each year.

After your post, I decided to look up durable maybe I didn't understand the word.

"serviceable for a long time; Wear-resistant; having high initial strength."

Nope, that is what I thought it to mean.

My thought was that the Original guru was trying to state that he is not durable because at one point in his past he had TJ surgery. When I don't know that he's at any greater risk than any other young pitcher who's never had it. That was my bone.

The fact that he used a #5 starter on the EL pitcher of the year (results oriented) and who throws 93-94 and touches 97 (MLB calibre stuff) with good complementary stuff was obviously intended to be an insult to the player that he doubted his ability or that the so called guru is a complete idiot.

mbn007

02-20-08, 09:40 AM

I guess I'm not sure what the point is. The original quote was that

"Durability will decide if he's No. 5 or reliever; "

The guy pitched like an ACE for nearly the entire year. He pitched 123 innings last year and when he went over that number this year (including playoffs about 165), he didn't pitch like Joba Chamberlain/Phil Hughes any more. Big deal.

I'm still not sure what that has to do with durable. Anyone with any baseball sense would know that it would not be unusual for a pitcher going past his highest innings total to hit a wall. What does that have to do with whether he is a #5 starter or being a reliever.

Again, I really don't see what that has to do with durability. He will continue to build up stamina as he continues to increase his innings each year.

After your post, I decided to look up durable maybe I didn't understand the word.

"serviceable for a long time; Wear-resistant; having high initial strength."

Nope, that is what I thought it to mean.

My thought was that the Original guru was trying to state that he is not durable because at one point in his past he had TJ surgery. When I don't know that he's at any greater risk than any other young pitcher who's never had it. That was my bone.

The fact that he used a #5 starter on the EL pitcher of the year (results oriented) and who throws 93-94 and touches 97 (MLB calibre stuff) with good complementary stuff was obviously intended to be an insult to the player that he doubted his ability or that the so called guru is a complete idiot.

Durable - Serviceable for a long time. Usually at the same level of performance. The writer was commenting on the fact that in the latter portion of 2007, Alan seemed to have more issues with control. At least that is the gist I understood. So he was wondering if there was an issue with Alan after he hits a certain innings count, and perhaps he would be better served in the pen.

I did not read that part of his quote as a knock on Alan.