LSB Community Prospect Project: Mid-Season #11

by t ball on Jul 15, 2008 9:00 PM CDT

Once again, with the blessing of thedirkatron, who is out of pocket until tomorrow, I'm posting the next round. Garnering the most votes by a significant margin, Kasey Kiker has won the right to be called the LSB Community #10 prospect!

The list so far:
1. 1b, Chris Davis
2. RHP, Neftali Feliz
3. RHP, Eric Hurley
4. SS, Elvis Andrus
5. C, Maximiliano Ramirez
6. 1b, Justin Smoak
7. RHP, Michael Main
8. RHP, Blake "C-Wun" Beavan

9. C, Taylor Teagarden

10. LHP Kasey Kiker

I can't get rid of those spaces...

Time to move on to the next vote.

The polls are open, so go ahead and vote in the poll at the bottom and feel free to make any suggestions and/or criticisms in the comments below.

And please don't hesitate to tell me you want on the list for next time.

NOTE: There has been some speculation as to what the criteria are for this vote. Should guys who are currently in the bigs be involved in "prospect" discussions? For the sake of this exercise we're taking what the guys have done in the big leagues and using the BA prospect formula of 130 AB's or 50 ip. If a guy is under those limits, he's still a prospect right now, so he goes on the list. It's that simple.

12 recs | Comment 66 comments

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Here, I'm thinking

Beltre, Holland, Harrison…went with Beltre again.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 15, 2008 9:02 PM CDT 0 recs

I still believe in Neil Ramirez

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 15, 2008 9:11 PM CDT 0 recs

injury

gotta put him on hold until I hear more on his shoulder. If he is down and put on hold again it will hurt his stock.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 15, 2008 9:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Didn't sound serious

by zywica on Jul 15, 2008 9:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

NeRa

for me as well.

by coolaid on Jul 15, 2008 9:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

How do you put him over Hunter?

by ericeric on Jul 15, 2008 11:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Mayberry for me

Doing very well for himself in AAA; has the tools and pedigree to succeed in the bigs.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Stuff-You-Need-Brett-Favre-action-figure-bench?urn=nfl,93739

by BudLight on Jul 15, 2008 9:24 PM CDT 0 recs

Beltre

Not a knock on NeilRam, Borbon or Harrison, but I can’t vote for anybody else with good conscience at this point.

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on Jul 15, 2008 9:28 PM CDT 0 recs

Holland is my boy...

but you cant deny the prospecty goodness that is engel beltre. Its funny how you can flip flop. I was all set to vote borbon a few spots ago, but thought it would be a waste of a vote and went with kiker and now I still havent voted for him. A lot of these guys are so interchangeable, but once you pick a guy you got to stick with him till he gets in imo. Did it with max and kiker, now its beltre. Up next, holland gets his due, you are all on notice so get it right.

I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.

by rchawk12 on Jul 15, 2008 9:31 PM CDT 0 recs

Agreed

A 21 yo lefty with a mid-90’s heater, above average change, and good control. Almost one strike-out per inning, a K/W ratio over 3, G/F ratio of 1.3, and an ERA of 2.5. Once he finishes developing his slider, this kid is Matt Harrison with a plus fastball.

by spurdynasty on Jul 16, 2008 6:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

Thanks t-ball

This is a tough choice, toughest yet. I’m gonna have to think about this for awhile, and check in with my vote later.

A Lonestar in California

"My keyboard is a Yankees fan" - Whipsmart

by lonestarJon on Jul 15, 2008 9:36 PM CDT 0 recs

It looks to be promotion time for Bleier.

6 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 0BB, 5 K

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 15, 2008 10:20 PM CDT 0 recs

Bleier

He’s been in pro ball for only a month. Leave him in the NWL.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 15, 2008 11:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well

He’s collegiate, plus there’re a couple spots in the Clinton rotation that could use an upgrade.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 15, 2008 11:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

6th round pick

And I’m applying the Jeremy Cleveland Rule…don’t get too excited about what later-round college draftees do in short season ball.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 15, 2008 11:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

It beats

being disappointed, but yeah, pretty early to get excited.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 16, 2008 12:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

Since he is a pitcher, lets call it the Clint Brannon rule

by uthornfan on Jul 16, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up 1 recs

What's his stuff like?

by LiamP on Jul 15, 2008 11:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

Screw it -

I’m going with Hunter. Was thinking Harrison, but Hunter’s just not giving me any reason to doubt him.

by ericeric on Jul 15, 2008 11:13 PM CDT 0 recs

+1

Having shot all the way from A ball to AAA in his first full pro season, pitching well at all levels… you’d think he’d be getting more love in these polls. Is it because of a lack of purported stuff? The kid throws in the low 90’s, with great command, and a plus curve IIRC. What is not to like here?

by LukeR on Jul 16, 2008 7:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

Borbon for everyone

The man can play!

by bushe on Jul 15, 2008 11:14 PM CDT 0 recs

This is where it gets tough

I’m pretty confident that we got the right ten prospects in the top 10.

I’m thinking Beltre and then Harrison / Hunter. Beltre just has too much potential, even if there’s a risk he never learns to take a walk. Harrison and Hunter come in next because of how close they are to the majors.

As an aside, I think Hunter versus Harrison is a VERY tough call.

I’m not ready to vote for any more pitchers below AA for a while. TINSTAAPP (unless you’re a true first round pick or a Latin American supertalent).

by cstorm15 on Jul 15, 2008 11:27 PM CDT 0 recs

Rec this

Tomorrow 7 people will put up trade diaries, then 6 others will post thoughts about the post-ASB rotation or lineup, 2 or 3 Cowboys and/or Basketball diaries will be up and this will be off the list and no one will vote…

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 16, 2008 12:11 AM CDT 1 recs

+1

Already done.

A Lonestar in California

"My keyboard is a Yankees fan" - Whipsmart

by lonestarJon on Jul 16, 2008 1:11 AM CDT up 0 recs

You know

You can go into your settings and set it to show more than 10 fanposts. I have mine show the last 20 so even with all the garbage the good ones still show up

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 16, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up 0 recs

Uh,

I am well aware of that, I have mine set to 50. But if this falls too low some people might not notice it if they don’t scroll down and I want as many votes as possible.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 16, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

beltre

i’m going with the z method of voting here and going with the young latin player

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Jul 16, 2008 6:19 AM CDT 0 recs

Matthew Reid Harrison

Warner Madrigal is the Rangers most underrated prospect by a longshot; he SHOULD be be closing games within 3 years IMO. Matt Harrison is underrated too.

by dstar442005 on Jul 16, 2008 8:08 AM CDT 0 recs

Beltre

Plaschke: Scioscia, the former Dodgers catcher, is the model manager who has created an atmosphere of winning.
Junior:It's that simple. Mike Scioscia brings a Glade Plug-In labeled "Winning™" into the clubhouse and everyone who breathes it in gains 15 points in average.

by TheBZA on Jul 16, 2008 8:12 AM CDT 0 recs

This is the area where I have trouble...

...separating these guys. I went with Harrison, but I also considered Hunter and Borbon.

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Jul 16, 2008 8:16 AM CDT 0 recs

I went with Borbon

But I seriously considered Beltre and Hunter.

A Lonestar in California

"My keyboard is a Yankees fan" - Whipsmart

by lonestarJon on Jul 16, 2008 8:30 AM CDT 0 recs

harrison

im a believer.

I dont think he was even THAT bad in his blowup start the other day. not nearly as bad as mendoza or feldman were in theirs.

harrison has put together a nice minor league career and got lost in his move to a deeper farm sytem and overshadowed by the other guys we acquired.

the preceding post is not nearly as negative or insulting as you think it is

by DSheppard on Jul 16, 2008 9:53 AM CDT 0 recs

+1

I’m really surprised he hasn’t gotten more votes (or won a poll) so far. I realize there’s a lot of guys on that list who might surpass Harrison in terms of talent and value in the longrun, but right now he’s the one who has realized more of his potential. And isn’t that the point of these polls, to vote for who the best prospects currently are?

by BlackHawk125 on Jul 16, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up 0 recs

not a minor league expert

but I’d be willing to bet that there isn’t another system in baseball that boasts guys like Beltre, Borbon, Duran, Harrison, Holland, and Hunter all outside the top 10. In fact, I’d guess that just about any of those 6 would be a top 10 guy in any other system. Any of that group of guys would probably be top 5 in some of the weaker systems.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Jul 16, 2008 12:20 PM CDT 0 recs

some of these guys i cant wait to vote for

neal ramirez is one of them, Jose Vallejo is another, getting close to Julio Borbon territory. pretty exciting to think we are at 11 and those guys are up their still.

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 16, 2008 12:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

vallejo & borbon

I’m pretty high on both these guys right now after seeing them some in frisco.

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Jul 16, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

yup

i think the rangers top 15 could all easily be in another systems top 5

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Jul 16, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Holland

After this year BA will have him in the top 100 Bet on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXWLfIgc0nA

by mchang4 on Jul 16, 2008 1:12 PM CDT 0 recs

I'll take that bet

Perhaps after the ‘09 season but I doubt Holland jumps into the BA 100 this year.

Give it a Name

by jparks77 on Jul 16, 2008 1:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yer gonna regret

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jul 16, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

'Cause I'm the best that's ever been

by Rodney on Jul 16, 2008 2:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

BA prospect rankings

If Holland maintains his peripherals over the 8 or so starts that he is likely to get in Bakersfield, will he be ranked among BA’s Top 100? I realize that the MWL to Cal league jump is brutal on pitchers, but it also seems that fastball/change-up guys like Holland and Diamond are less affected by the Cal league than guys like Kiker and Danks who rely on their breaking ball.

by spurdynasty on Jul 16, 2008 2:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Holland

I think he is a very promising prospect but I would be shocked if he ends up in BA’s Top 100 this season. That would basically put him in the top 5-7 guys in our system and I don’t think he is there yet. Jason Cole would probably disagree with me. He loves him some Holland.

Give it a Name

by jparks77 on Jul 16, 2008 3:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

The wit and wisdom of CLN pitching coach Danny Clark

On Neftali Feliz:

"I think they’re going to keep him at Double-A, obviously we’ve had some injuries at the major league level, if he really dominates at the Double-A level he might get a September call up. They really want him to show that he can dominate Double-A hitting."

On Derek Holland:

"They are the guys that did the work. It’s exciting from a personal stand point and see him succeed and I see Holland doing well at the High-A level and believe he’ll be at double before the year is done."

On MIchael Main:

"That’s the first time I’ve seen him pitch was up in West Michigan except for spring training where I saw some of his bullpen sessions," said Clark. "He has great poise on the mound. The things that sets him apart from other pitchers is being a 19-year-old kid coming up in A ball you get nervous but he has a great attitude and is mature for a 19 year old."
.
"His hitting days are over. Michael is obviously a big part of this organization as far as developing him into a front line starter, unless if someday down the road we become a National League team."

Mike Bianucci’s current stats in the Cape Code League – .282/.408/.551 in 78 AB’s – 5 HR’s, 11 BB, 12 K’s, 6 SB’s. Decent showing – he mighta won himself a few more bucks outta the Rangers if they sign him.

Joe Wieland was great thru the first 3 innings today but allowed 2 runs in the 4th.

Trending up – Elvis Andrus:

April .260 .302 .310 .612
May .278 .343 .322 .666
June .309 .385 .397 .782
July .405 .444 .452 .897

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 16, 2008 3:05 PM CDT 1 recs

Nice info

How many PA’s did Andrus end up with for July?

by TheBZA on Jul 16, 2008 3:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

You are a

of info…Thanks!

by Rodney on Jul 16, 2008 3:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Speculation time

Frisco adjusted their rotation and opened up a TBA spot this Friday. It could be filled by someone mundane like Zack Parker or Alfredo Gonzalez, but it seems like they must feel like they’ve got a good reason to push golden-child Feliz back a day. So what juicy names are out there?

Diamond – coming back off the D.L.?
BMac – ready for a rehab assignment this soon?
Swan – healthy, hardy and ready to see some Texas League action?
Gordon – maybe they want him to remain a starter but need his AAA rotation spot?
Reed – maybe they think he can handle a promotion and eat up some AA innings?
Gomez – he’s been AWOL for a few days, another wildazz 2-level promotion?
KIker – would they promote him coming off a mediocre low-velo outing?
BGL – he’s finally convinced J.D. to turn him into a starter?
? – who am I missing?

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 16, 2008 4:00 PM CDT 0 recs

Expect Jared Hyatt

http://rangers.scout.com

by JasonCole on Jul 16, 2008 4:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Off 3 days rest?

I discounted him because of this. Guess he could go like 3/4 innings – limit his pitch count.
Hyatt is what you’ve heard?

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 16, 2008 4:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Feliz is going Friday

their TBA is on Saturday.

http://rangers.scout.com

by JasonCole on Jul 16, 2008 4:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

Gotcha

Scooter screwed up their updated probables I bet, heh

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 16, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah...I heard Feliz was pushed back on Monday

and the game notes I got from Frisco around 1:30 confirmed that.

http://rangers.scout.com

by JasonCole on Jul 16, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

What are your thoughts on Swanson

A guy to keep an eye on or just another guy?

"So you think the Celtics will beat Detroit? Hell will freeze over before that happens, mark my words." miles 5/20/08

by badradiorules on Jul 17, 2008 12:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

definitely a guy to keep an eye on

put up some monster numbers as a draft and follow then had to undergo Tommy John surgery and is just now getting back on track. He could be a sleeper in a big way.

I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.

by rchawk12 on Jul 17, 2008 3:00 AM CDT up 0 recs

According to the local Spokane newspaper

Swanson is joining the Spokane Indians on a rehab assignment.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 17, 2008 6:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

on a rehab assignment?

I thought he was already on one in arizona. If thats another rehab assignment, where can we expect him to be when healthy, either later this year or next year?

I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.

by rchawk12 on Jul 17, 2008 9:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

rehab assignments

They can be up to 30 days so its not uncommon for a guy to pitch in multiple levels during that rehab assignment. I imagine he is going to Spokane for a couple starts as “rehab” and then will join Clinton.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 17, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up 0 recs

Our long national nightmare is over

I’m back at a real computer with a real keyboard.

Thanks for filling in, TBall.

I voted for Borbon. It’s funny seeing what one good start did for Harrison in terms of rocketing him up the charts, and then now seeing what a bad one does for him in terms of vaulting other people ahead of him.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 16, 2008 5:07 PM CDT 0 recs

Harrison for me since #8

regardless of the ML starts.

"I’ll say something that doesn’t need context: anyone who is a Mariner’s fan is a douchebag." - FuturePants

by Chase Irwin on Jul 16, 2008 6:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Harrison

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jul 16, 2008 6:06 PM CDT 0 recs

OT: Michael Main

Pulled after 2, gave up 3h, 2bb and 1er.

Anyone know if he’s hurt?

by LiamP on Jul 16, 2008 8:28 PM CDT 0 recs

nah

46 pitches in 2 innings – fear of over-gassing him. Seemed like he went to 3 balls on every batter. Just wasn’t his night. BTW, radar gun showed his FB at 93 in the 1st.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 16, 2008 9:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Phew

Good to see the velo pick up. IIRC he was around 90-91 in his previous outing right?

by LiamP on Jul 16, 2008 9:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

blister per the CLN newspaper

Michael Main made his home debut, but It was a short lived one as he left after the second inning with a blister on his throwing hand. Main threw 46 pitches and didn’t qualify for the win. Main ended up striking out two Fort Wayne hitters and walked two while giving up only one run.
.
"He had a blister on his pitching hand and we didn’t want to take any chances" said Manager Mike Micucci.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 17, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up 0 recs