Rangers Prospects

by Nichols22 on Aug 10, 2006 8:45 AM CDT

How do you guys rank the top Rangers prospects? It has probably been a week since one of these was made so I wanted to see everyones thoughts.

I dont really have any rankings but my top 10 would include

Danks
Hurley
Volzquez
Diamond
Rupe (if he still counts)
Arias
Davis
Kiker
Mayberry (theres got to be something there, maybe

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Something like this (Top 10)

as of right now (not including guys already in the big leagues like Littleton, Cruz...)

1 Hurley
1A Danks
Volquez
Diamond
Kiker
C.Davis
Lemon
Poveda
Arias
Herrara

by Longhorn on Aug 10, 2006 8:52 AM CDT reply actions

cause

a lot changes in a week

by ab03 on Aug 10, 2006 8:52 AM CDT reply actions

Actually it does

Who knew Chris Davis would go on this type of surge and Marcus Lemon would sign...

by Longhorn on Aug 10, 2006 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd wait a little longer to rewrite a prospect list. Anybody can get hot for a week, or even a month. Not saying that Davis isn't legit, but let's see if he sustains a high level of production. A signing of course means adding a new name somewhere on the list.

by t ball on Aug 10, 2006 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Mayberry

I don't think he makes the top 10. I think Hulett and Whittleman are both more deserving than Mayberry.

No more Buck in 2007

by jcir454 on Aug 10, 2006 8:54 AM CDT reply actions

Teagarden?

You have to put teagarden up there as well, because remember before his arm injury he was shooting up the prospect charts. He should be able to go behind the plate next season and be full strength.

by booyahcaveman on Aug 10, 2006 9:02 AM CDT reply actions

Tejada

Robinson Tejeda has had outstanding numbers in AAA.

by doolindalton on Aug 10, 2006 9:03 AM CDT reply actions

What about...

Frisco starter Eric Hurley
OKC starter John Danks
Frisco 2B'man Tug Hulett
Bakersfield OF'er Ben Harrison
Bakersfield closer/Frisco reliever Jesse Ingram
Clinton starter Omar Poveda
Frisco closer/OKC reliever Michael Bumstead
Bakersfield C Emerson Frostad
OKC SS Joaquin Arias
Spokane C Chad Tracy

by Rangerchick on Aug 10, 2006 9:37 AM CDT reply actions

hmmm..

While I like Hulett, Harrison and Ingram, I don't think they are worthy of 3, 4 ,and 5 in the system. Also, regardless of his control problems, Volquez has to be top 5 in this system. He makes it on talent alone.

No more Buck in 2007

by jcir454 on Aug 10, 2006 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Teagarden

is a favorite of mine, I cant believe I forgot him. Mayberry, I dont think is in the top 10 just filling space.

Also Botts and Lemon are high on my list.

by Nichols22 on Aug 10, 2006 10:02 AM CDT reply actions

My list

Danks
Hurley
Volquez
Kiker
Diamond
Poveda
C.Davis
Lemon
Herrera

Arias

Blow this team up, they have no chemistry, no heart and no balls. They should be ashamed to be called "professionals."

by ortonius on Aug 10, 2006 10:11 AM CDT reply actions

Chris Davis

He's intriguing, but I have a hard time seeing ranking him above guys like Haigwood, Galarraga, Masset, even Hulett or Murphy...

And I don't think Herrera belongs in the top 30, much less top 10.

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 10, 2006 10:15 AM CDT reply actions

I agree on Herrera

He's a nice story, but I don't think he's worthy of top prospect status.

Also I think Haigwood is underanked by a lot of people. Like Volquez, he should make the top 10 on talent alone.

Frostad, imo, is also underanked as far a catching prospects goes. He's further along than either Teagarden or Tracy, and he's putting up very good numbers at Bakersfield.

No more Buck in 2007

by jcir454 on Aug 10, 2006 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Frostad

The problem with him is his age. 23 is a little old to be in high-A.

But I agree, he's someone who could end up being a nice player.

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 10, 2006 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Danny Ray Herrera

negative: according to one of his teammates, "Fabio Castro would dwarf him"; he's strictly a reliever

positive: maybe the best pitch in the system; he can locate a tumbling change at will; lefty

by mjh on Aug 10, 2006 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Frostad

is one of my more favorite topics among prospects. I wonder about the defense when I see the high number of passed balls, but I was a little encouraged in seeing that the box a night or two ago had him "picking off" a runner at second. I'd be curious what his pct throwing out runners is (mike?). Obviously that doesn't tell the whole tale of whether he can make it as a catcher, but it would certainly rule him out if he can't do it. I suspect that he's not all that bad at that, and that the receiving has a ways to go. But that's pure speculation, and I'd love to hear some meaningful report on him.

by Brett Perryman on Aug 10, 2006 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Throwing out 23% this year

April: 5/11
May: 6/24
June: 8/29
July: 3/24
August: 1/11

by austintxhorn on Aug 10, 2006 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmm

Looks like he started well and tailed off. 19-64 (30%) through June, and only 11% since then. Doesn't sound that promising, but I'm not sure exactly what to make of it.

BTW, did you get that from the minor league splits site or somewhere else?

by Brett Perryman on Aug 10, 2006 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

I have no life

I looked up the dates he played on minor league splits and tallyed it from the box scores.

by austintxhorn on Aug 10, 2006 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah

i'm sure we got 30 prospects better than Herrera.

by Longhorn on Aug 10, 2006 10:21 AM CDT reply actions

Is that sarcasm?

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 10, 2006 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions

i could look it up

but how is Kiker doing?

Troy I.

by tdi1985 on Aug 10, 2006 10:34 AM CDT reply actions

He's doing

well, considering he's an 18 year old in short season Class A. He's 0-4 with a 4.20 ERA, 30 IP, 25 H, 21 R and only 14 of those are earned, 21 BB and 28 SO.

Hindman has this as his last two starts:
8/9 - Kasey Kiker (0-4; 4.30) yielded three runs on five hits and three walks in four

8/4 - Almost every player in the Northwest League is coming off of three or four years of college baseball. Some are in their second year of pro ball.

Almost none come here straight from high school.

Kasey Kiker did, and that huge leap in competition was painfully obvious through his first three pro outings, during which the 2006 first rounder posted an unsightly 10.80 ERA.

But Kiker is quickly closing the experience gap and last night he did not allow an earned run for the second straight outing, bringing his ERA over his last seven outings down to a svelte 2.82. Having fanned seven while allowing one hit and a walk in four innings, Kiker's K/9 ratio of 9.82 over his last seven appearances suggests that his stuff is pretty nasty.

Blow this team up, they have no chemistry, no heart and no balls. They should be ashamed to be called "professionals."

by ortonius on Aug 10, 2006 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Kiker

He evolved from apes, you know.

by Dustin on Aug 10, 2006 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

based on stuff

Id rate Volquez number 1. If he ever figures it out, that guy could be scary.

by kumar75150 on Aug 10, 2006 11:07 AM CDT reply actions

Be careful...

of making too much of what a college kid does in the NWL (see, e.g., Cleveland, Jeremy; Wishy, Andrew; Bubela, Dane....)

by mjh on Aug 10, 2006 11:17 AM CDT reply actions

Hulett?

I know he has been mentioned but he has to at least be in the top 15 (arbitray number i know). Look at his numbers between single and double A:

.309 avg, 121 hits, 24 2B, 10 3B, 2 HR, 48 RBI,
80 BB, 80 K, 20 SB, 5 CS, .425 OBP, .437 SLG, .863 OPS

I have not seen him play in Frisco and I have really have not heard anything about his defense (I assume it is at least adequate because I have not heard any complaints either). I realize he is already 23 but looking at his numbers strictly in AA it seems that he has definitely turned a corner.
I am the most excited about Hulett because he could give something the Rangers have not had on a regular basis at all: a true leadoff hitter. Has anyone seen him play defense at all? He was also voted to have easily the best strike zone judgement of any Rangers minor lg player by Baseball America.

by booyahcaveman on Aug 10, 2006 11:32 AM CDT reply actions

hulett

i've only seen him on televised rough riders broadcasts since i havent made it to a game there this season, but the guy impresses me. he's quick, has a good glove...and can get on base.

Pimps be damned, it's harder out here for a Rangers fan!

by rentz on Aug 10, 2006 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Tug's defense

adequate; not his strength

by mjh on Aug 10, 2006 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Hulett

Maybe he can be the new Eddie Stanky.

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 10, 2006 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions

In no particular order...

Danks
Volquez
Hurley
Rupe
Diamond
Arias
Kiker
Mayberry
Teagarden
Poveda

I like Davis a lot. I think he's the real deal. He'd probably be my first one out of the top 10. While I like Tracy as well, the fact that he's about equal with Teagarden offensively and lightyears behind him defensively really turns me off.

I don't know where Whittleman should go. I don't see a good argument for him being above those guys right now, but I think he's a top prospect.

Don't think I left anybody out...could have though.

by austintxhorn on Aug 10, 2006 1:01 PM CDT reply actions

Haigwood, of course

I might slip him in there over Poveda.

by austintxhorn on Aug 10, 2006 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Prediction:

Arias will not be in the Top 10 of Rangers prospects by the beginning of next spring training.

Blow this team up, they have no chemistry, no heart and no balls. They should be ashamed to be called "professionals."

by ortonius on Aug 10, 2006 1:11 PM CDT reply actions

that would not be very shocking

i don't follow him too much, but even from my point of view, it doesn't seem as though he has established himself.

Troy I.

by tdi1985 on Aug 10, 2006 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Why would he fall so far?

Baseball America, for example, had him at #4 in the organization coming into this year. He hasn't been good, but he hasn't been horrible at AAA. Thing is, he's 21 years old. It's not a big deal at all if he spends another year at AAA. He's also heating up this month.

If he goes through next year and still doesn't show any progress, then I agree with you. But the fact that he is one of the youngest position players in the league has to count for something.

by austintxhorn on Aug 10, 2006 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

He'll be in mine

"If you are going to type stupid shit, you should at least spell it right." -trza

by thedirkatron on Aug 10, 2006 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Arias

He will not be at number 4 but he will not drop out of the 10. He is simply a SS 2-3 decades too late. Meaning he is a no hit, all field with speed type of SS when it has become more of an offensive position.

by booyahcaveman on Aug 10, 2006 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree that he will drop some...

just no way that it's all the way out of the top 10.

by austintxhorn on Aug 10, 2006 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Except that all Glove guys

tend to make a lot less errors than Arias does.

Baseball wives are leeches. ... They're just hookers on retainer. -- Rangerchick

by DJCahill on Aug 10, 2006 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Glove guys?

While im not comparing him to either of these guys. Look at how many errors Mark Belanger and Rey Ordonez made as young guys in the majors. Arias is just like any other 21 yr old SS, he has lapses in concentrations. Reports are that he has problems with routine balls where he doesnt have to move his feet. This is the same type of problem that Ordonez had his rookie year. A lot of us are forgetting that Arias is only 21 and in AAA. He has tremendous range and an exceptional throwing arm. These lapses in concentration will be fixed as he matures.

by booyahcaveman on Aug 10, 2006 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Well...

a few things to remember; Arias makes a lot of plays that no one else can make because of his range and arm; and some of his errors come on balls that most guys wouldn't come anywhere near enough to in order to be charged with an error; finally, he's still one of the youngest players in the PCL, so he's got as much room for developmental growth as anybody

by mjh on Aug 10, 2006 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I wish I could see him play

He's the type of player a person would have to see in order to evaluate, and I never could make it out to the Dell Diamond when OKC came to town.

by Dustin on Aug 10, 2006 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions

They come to Round Rock starting tomorrow, FYI

by austintxhorn on Aug 10, 2006 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions

and starting tomorrow...

...I'll be out of town for the weekend. Does the series wrap on Sunday or will they play on Monday? Guess I could look it up but you seem to know.

by Dustin on Aug 10, 2006 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Friday through Monday

I'm going to be out of town as well. Wish I could go.

by austintxhorn on Aug 10, 2006 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks

I'll try to make it out there Monday if it's not a hundred billion degrees. Man, I hate Texas sometimes.

by Dustin on Aug 10, 2006 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually

I'm not sure that it isn't better to NOT see Arias play. I think that he tends to cause those who watch him to overrate him. He's spectacular sometimes, so you tend to give him so much credit for that, that you glaze over how unimpressive his numbers are. You say to yourself, he can make all of the plays defensively, he has very good hand-eye coordination at the plate, why couldn't this guy be a really good player?

He will be 21 all this year, and that is certainly young for AAA. But the guy has to get stronger, and he has to learn to take a walk, and he has made no progress in either area so far. That, along with more consistency on defense, is what will make people start to pay attention to him again.

I'm rooting for him because I don't know how much longer Mike Young can play SS.

by Brett Perryman on Aug 10, 2006 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Its funny about Arias

Ive seen reports from at least a dozen folks who have seen him play. Some rave about him. Some say he looks terrible.

Ive never heard such a range of opinions about a player. I saw him once at AA, and he looked like he wanted to be anywhere else than at a ballpark.

Baseball wives are leeches. ... They're just hookers on retainer. -- Rangerchick

by DJCahill on Aug 10, 2006 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions

He certainly has time

Let's hope he makes use of it. I think Young can continue to play SS for a year or two more. It might not be ideal; I see him as a third baseman.

by Dustin on Aug 10, 2006 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

That's what I think

It doesn't maximize his offensive ability, but I see him as a 3B too within a few years.

by Brett Perryman on Aug 10, 2006 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Young to 3B

Which is what made the Blalock, et al for Tejada deal so darn appealing.

by BurntOrange on Aug 10, 2006 11:58 PM CDT up reply actions

You're right

Seeing him dramatically elevates your opinion of him. He's pretty unique.

by mjh on Aug 11, 2006 5:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Arias to OF?

Anyone think with Kinsler and Young set at 2B and SS Arias should be tried out in the OF? I'd just like to keep Arias around so he could prove those people who said we should have asked for Robinson Cano instead of him in the A-Rod trade wrong. He has good speed and a nice arm, and a lot of players who started out as middle-infielders have been able to transition at least somewhat successfully defense-wise to an OF spot, ie. Ryan Freel, Tony Womack, Soriano, etc.

by Rangerchick on Aug 10, 2006 10:49 PM CDT reply actions

x

"I'd just like to keep Arias around so he could prove those people who said we should have asked for Robinson Cano instead of him in the A-Rod trade wrong."

Are you serious? You would rather have Arias rather than Cano? Arias will never even make it anywhere in the MLB. Cano is a budding star at second. Defense isn't his problem compared to his offense. Sure, he has speed... But whats that going to help if you can't get a hit to save your life?

R.A. Dickey of the Texas Rangers ties a post-1900 Major League record...

by miles on Aug 10, 2006 10:55 PM CDT reply actions

Jesus, Miles

Did Joaquin Arias spit on you at a game or something? You've got a lot of vitriol towards the guy. He's a good prospect.

"If you are going to type stupid shit, you should at least spell it right." -trza

by thedirkatron on Aug 11, 2006 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Also

Forgot to mention Soriano leads MLB in outfield assists.

by Rangerchick on Aug 10, 2006 10:55 PM CDT reply actions

Except

Soriano can hit, Arias cannot.

by jf55510 on Aug 10, 2006 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Well

I didn't say I'd rather have Arias over Cano. I just said I'd like to see if Arias can prove that he wasn't that bad of a choice over Cano. If he can't fine, but at least give him the opportunity. BTW, he's two years younger than Cano.

by Rangerchick on Aug 10, 2006 10:58 PM CDT reply actions

Arias can't hit?

Let's see: 300 @ Stockton in '04, .315 @ Frisco last year, basically the same BA's that Michael Young put up at A and AA-ball. Also, he's only 22 and is in his first season in OKC so isn't writing him off premature?

by Rangerchick on Aug 10, 2006 11:03 PM CDT reply actions

x

I'm tired of everyone saying hes young and all. I don't care if he was 12, hes nothing special. Its not like hes going to automatically start to become great once he gets older. He doesn't really have power, and his OBP is a little over 300. He has 18 errors, but he always has alot of errors. He has 8 more errors than anyone of the team... Its time to trade him to someone that is stupid enough to think he has potential...

R.A. Dickey of the Texas Rangers ties a post-1900 Major League record...

by miles on Aug 10, 2006 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions