LSB Community Prospect Project: Mid-Season #16
by thedirkatron on Jul 22, 2008 2:51 PM CDT
104 comments
Well, I had planned on stopping this thing after 15, since that's usually when the interest starts to wane, but the response has been much stronger than I expected as we got over 230 votes last time.
So we press on...
After 232 votes, Tommy Hunter has won the right to be called the LSB Community #15 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
11. OF, Engel Beltre
12. LHP, Matt Harrison
13. OF, Julio Borbon
14. LHP, Derek Holland
15. RHP, Tommy Hunter
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.
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104 comments
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Ne Ram
for the 3rd straight time….
"Well, the Dallas Mavericks got beat by the New Orleans Hornets last night ending their season. Word is that someone on the team is dating Jessica Simpson." - Jay Leno
LSB facebook group ---->>> http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33345329288
by hinduplaya on Jul 22, 2008 2:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
if JMJ wins this thing
im gonna hunt all you down who voted for him and give you nookies.
"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 22, 2008 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
nookies?!?!?
Are you going to do this, yourself?
by naropean on Jul 22, 2008 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
naw im gonna sub it out....
"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 22, 2008 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I don't get it
I think JMJ’s family found a way to vote multiple times.
by cstorm15 on Jul 22, 2008 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For me also
"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley
by boomer1 on Jul 23, 2008 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I voted for Lil' Lemon last time to show how much I hearted the little guy
but that was mostly just a throw away vote since I knew Hunter would win in a runaway and I knew a vote for anyone else was a throw away.
This one comes down to M-Per, NeRa and Font to me, and I’m having a devil of a time picking between them. All three are big time young power arms. All three have top of the rotation potential. All three have question marks.
I think I’m gonna have to go with M-Per. His numbers don’t look as good after that bombing he took on the 9th (1.1ip, 4hits, 4walks, 4er’s, 0k’s) but overall I’m still absolutely blown away by what he’s doing in Spokane at such a young age. This is a kid who won’t turn 18 until after he’s reported to spring training NEXT YEAR. And he’s more than holding his own in the NWL. That’s just stupid.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jul 22, 2008 3:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
cant vote font
until he throws a pitch. Add to the fact that he hasnt pitched to the fact that he is ridiculously far away. I really like him, but this is getting a little suspicous.
I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.
by rchawk12 on Jul 22, 2008 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So I guess you wouldn't vote for Smoak, either
Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .
by Brian Thomas on Jul 22, 2008 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did
just not over feliz, davis, or maxram. I would give the benefit of the doubt to andrus, but I am higher on him than most and probably hurley for that matter cause I cant remember the last time we had quality young pitching brought up through the organization that didnt completely implode upon arrival. There is definite value in hurley.
I love the smoak pick and once some guys graduate he will be a sure fire top 3 prospect, if not #2, no way he tops feliz right now even if he were playing. My motto for this little poll we have been doing is that it is a mid season poll so the thing I tend to weigh almost as equally as ceiling and talent is what the prospects have been doing this season. Therefore guys like max and hurley get bonus points for what they have been doing so far this year. Are they better prospects than smoak? Maybe, maybe not, but that has been my criteria and im sticking to it.
I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.
by rchawk12 on Jul 22, 2008 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Difficult indeed
Even with personal preferences we’re now to the point where it’s really hard to pick. I went with Font again, and at least one of the other Latin arms will be in the mix for the next few votes (Perez, Boscan, Castillo).
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
by t ball on Jul 22, 2008 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hah
No one can ever replace the Lil’ Tugger.
But Lemon is at least thought of as a “prospect” by a few people, unlike Tugger, who was only liked cause of his sweet nickname and because he loved Jesus so darn much.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jul 22, 2008 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
M-Per? Really?
That nickname makes me cringe. Why not wait until he’s at full season ball to christen a nickname? NeRa works because we have another Ramirez in the system, but the name Martin Perez doesn’t exactly lend itself to a nickname.
As for voting, I went Vallejo, but it was a tough choice. He’s always been pretty good defensively, and now this year his bat has really broken out. I figure he’s a lot like Duran was last year, except a better defender and with excellent speed and baserunning ability. That’s what put him above Lemon for me.
by naropean on Jul 22, 2008 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
heh
I just love the first letter of the first name + the first syllable of the last name = a nickname thing.
Plus I like the sound of it when you pronounce it Em-Pear.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jul 22, 2008 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if I can handle a 'recommended fanposts' that is entirely populated
with dirkatron’s thumbnail.
Go Rangers!
by rooster on Jul 22, 2008 3:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
not sure if i really think he is 16th
but I am keeping with my vote with them till they stick mantra, vallejo for me. The more I think about it, I am tempted to go with poveda, diamond, or ramirez. I tend to wait on the low level arms, but ramirez looks very good albeit a bit wild. At this point it is almost impossible to differentiate between a lot of these guys.
I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.
by rchawk12 on Jul 22, 2008 3:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
ZOMG!
We need more recs, Scotty!
+1
"...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 22, 2008 3:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
NeRa.
Been voting for him for a while now.
by coolaid on Jul 22, 2008 3:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vallejo
All the chatter these last couple threads has swayed me.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jul 22, 2008 3:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We have way too many pitching prospects
it’s time to trade a few away for Greinke.
"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005
by Agreen07 on Jul 22, 2008 3:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i thought you could never have enough pitching prospects when you're the rangers
:D
"Well, the Dallas Mavericks got beat by the New Orleans Hornets last night ending their season. Word is that someone on the team is dating Jessica Simpson." - Jay Leno
LSB facebook group ---->>> http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33345329288
by hinduplaya on Jul 22, 2008 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem is that most of them are 2+ years away
"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005
by Agreen07 on Jul 22, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know so we have to trade em...
"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005
by Agreen07 on Jul 22, 2008 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
we can afford to trade a couple...
just hope we choose correctly.
by tyd3311 on Jul 22, 2008 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
All you non-Font voting haters must hate freedom
Up yours, freedom haters!
Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .
by Brian Thomas on Jul 22, 2008 3:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Can’t wait for his first pitch above rookie ball!
I mean if he’s not strung out on meth or threatening to come out of the closet or being held hostage by the mob or Islamofascists or the Klan! Awesome!
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jul 22, 2008 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK, I left my Junior G-Man Decoder ring at home today
What does your second paragraph mean?
Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .
by Brian Thomas on Jul 22, 2008 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just a reference to the situation holding him out of games, whatever…a few weeks ago.
Was it parks who was alluding?
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jul 22, 2008 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who keeps voting for Mad Mardigan?
Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .
by Brian Thomas on Jul 22, 2008 3:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't stop
at least not until I get to vote for Duran 10x….
by bushe on Jul 22, 2008 3:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Duran just over Lemon
Duran > Lemon > Vallejo, but it’s all pretty close. Duran hit .300 / .352 / .525 as a 22 year old in AA this year and doesn’t deserve to fall just because we brought him up too soon. Neither Vallejo nor Lemon can match Duran in terms of power, but atleast Lemon has the advanced plate approach. Lemon may not be steller defensively at shortstop, but neither was Kinsler. I’ve read all the discussion on here about Vallejo, but I’m just not convinced. Other than speed (and supposedly defense at 2b), there’s nothing that Vallejo really does well. Lemon also has a better pedigree than Vallejo: son of a big leaguer, and we picked him up in a later round and monewhipped him to keep him out of UT.
Also, I’m not ready to vote for any of the future relievers or the pitchers that are atleast 3-4 years away.
Oh, and are people voting for Mayberry as a joke? At this point, I’m at a loss for words.
by cstorm15 on Jul 22, 2008 3:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's at the point
That I just don’t know enough about how these guys are performing to make a judgment. If someone put up some stats of the leading candidates (perhaps focus on the top vote getters from the last round), it would help.
"that suzuki guy should go back to making cars" - My girlfriend after C.J.'s close in game 2
by tdi1985 on Jul 22, 2008 3:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I keep trying to find the time to do that
I’ll make a more concerted effort next time.
No promises though.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jul 22, 2008 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One person cannot make a concerted effort :)
Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .
by Brian Thomas on Jul 22, 2008 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn you, Brian Thomas
Damn you to hell.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jul 22, 2008 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just assumed
you were going to add background music to the next poll or something.
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
by t ball on Jul 22, 2008 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's actually what I did mean
but don’t try telling that cloyingly erudite dolt Brian Thomas that, cause he’d probably get all offended and write a scathing 3,000 word reply claiming that his perspicacity is big and yours is small.
And if you don’t think he’d find some way to work in a Billy Beane-bashing playlet in there somewhere, you don’t know Brian Carter Thomas.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jul 23, 2008 1:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No need to vituperative...
Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .
by Brian Thomas on Jul 23, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
to be
Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .
by Brian Thomas on Jul 23, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Try
or
"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005
by Agreen07 on Jul 22, 2008 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol, i know where to find them
"that suzuki guy should go back to making cars" - My girlfriend after C.J.'s close in game 2
by tdi1985 on Jul 22, 2008 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Warner Madrigal
easily.
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 22, 2008 3:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't stop
we need to go to at least 75. We’ll finish just in time to start the offseason polls.
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
by t ball on Jul 22, 2008 3:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Font
Nickname suggestions: Courier New, Tahoma, Franklin Gothic Book?
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 22, 2008 4:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wilmer Fudd
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
by t ball on Jul 22, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wingding has already suggested. I like that one.
Go Rangers!
by rooster on Jul 22, 2008 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
who is that guy in the middle?
And why is he smelling that woman’s shoulder?
by naropean on Jul 22, 2008 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
She looks like
an unwilling participant in that photo op.
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
by t ball on Jul 22, 2008 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a question...
to accurately rank these guys, don’t you have to know all them on the list. I’m a fan but other than the players that have made their debut, I only have heard of a few. How is possible to know these guys enough to have independent thoughts about them. If I were ranking, i would just copy the newberg report
by texasrangerfan on Jul 22, 2008 4:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
fan
I look at the minor league boxscores everyday try it. Its fun to watch these guys come up through the system. It somthing to get excited for. Especially when the big club isnt performing in the last few years.
by mai on Jul 22, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A good place to start:
http://www.baseballamerica.com/store/store.cgi?browse=cat_books
Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .
by Brian Thomas on Jul 22, 2008 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In addition to what Brian linked
...(and I can’t recommend the prospect book highly enough)...
If you check the "FanPosts" here periodically, there is a wealth of information linked on prospects (as well as ad nauseum conversations and debates), almost an overwhelming amount for most people. Also, if you feel like spending a couple of bucks, Jason Cole’s Rangers scout.com affiliate is awesome.
by Brett Perryman on Jul 22, 2008 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Click on the name for stats...
Martin Perez
Tim Murphy
Beau Jones
Robbie Ross – Has not signed yet.
Neil Ramirez
Wilmer Font – Has not pitched this season becasue of injures. Can throw as fast as 99mph.
Omar Poveda
Thomas Diamond
Warner Madrigal
Fabio Castillo
Wilfredo Boscan
Kennil Gomez
Cristian Santana
Ian Gac
German Duran
Jose Vallejo
Marcus Lemon
Joaquin Arias
Renny Osuna
Matt West
John Mayberry, Jr.
Mitch Moreland
by coolaid on Jul 22, 2008 4:09 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Where's the love for Warner?
The guy we stole from the Angels. Who’s only pitched for two freaking years, and has rebounded very nicely from his bombing in New York. He’s got good heat and a nice breaking ball. The kid is our 8th inning guy next year and may well push to be our closer in 2010. Everyone was all excited this past off season when we picked him up and now nothing. You guys and your what have you done for me lately itus…are going to piss him off.
by Hull Fan on Jul 22, 2008 5:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
if he were homegrown,
there’d be more love i bet..
by tyd3311 on Jul 22, 2008 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Relievers just aren’t as valuable as starters and position players. That said, he probably still has a shot at top 20 (which in our system isn’t bad at all).
by cstorm15 on Jul 22, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i still see 6 or 7 guys i vote for before Mad Dog.
"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 22, 2008 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really, really like him
But I wonder if he really has the stuff to be a closer. I think he’s going to be a successful reliever in the big leagues, but unless I’m absolutely sure he’s got what it takes to close, I have a hard time voting for him over a guy like Font or NeRa or Perez who have top of the rotation potential.
It goes to the value of starters vs. the value of relievers, imo.
But, yah, I love Warner. He’s gonna be a big part of our bullpen going forward.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jul 22, 2008 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Falling Fast and Random Thoughts...
Before the season, there was a player who Baseball America ranked as the #21 prospect for the Rangers, Mike Hindman and Evan Grant had at 18, Jamey Newberg had at 16, John Sickels and Scott Lucas had at 14, and the LSB community had at 13.
Anybody remember John Whittleman?
Bad year by almost all accounts, but now that Chris Davis is a first baseman and Travis Metcalf (.231/.268/.349 in Oklahoma) practically begging to be designated for assignment, is Whittleman the best third base prospect in the organization? Anyone think, at 21, he still has some upside?
I was just thinking about the third base situation, especially because it seems like Hank Blalock is gone in the next 12 months. I guess German Duran or Jose Vallejo could also take over at that corner; but keeping 27 year old Blalock, if feasible, is starting to sound like an interesting option.
Anyone got any thoughts?
by YourNameHere on Jul 22, 2008 5:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He might have some upside
but I don’t think that you can have the kind of year he has, while repeating a level, and expect not to drop in a system like this. He’ll still be in BA’s top 30 I suspect, and I tend to think that I’d have him on the list before the Mitch Morelands, Steve Murphys and Tim Smiths of the world, but he needs to rebound before he gets much attention again. It is nice that he still manages to get on base, even with his struggles this year.
And aside from guys like Duran and Vallejo who could move over there, he probably is the best 3B prospect in the system. That just says that the system is weak, though, really. And I agree, I can’t really believe that Metcalf has hung on to a roster spot this long.
by Brett Perryman on Jul 22, 2008 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about Matt West?
I thought he had made the move to 3b? He obviously has a few strikes against him (he isn’t hitting for much AVG or power, has been busted for PED’s) but he’s shown a decent eye at the plate and is only a year removed from being a second round pick.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jul 22, 2008 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well he's okay
For me he kind of goes in the bin of guys with talent who haven’t yet distinguished themselves. A second round corner player in his second pro season should perform pretty well in the NWL. If he were doing that, I’d be interested in looking at him in the early 20’s.
by Brett Perryman on Jul 22, 2008 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know a almost put him on the list
I was just sitting there staring at his minorleague.com page and looking at his numbers. They’re just so darn disappointing. If he wasn’t a hyped second round pick maybe I’d give him some more slack… but as it stands I just can’t get too excited about him. I thought he was in line for a breakout in BAK this year, but the opposite has happened. I just don’t think he’ll ever hit enough to make it to the show.
For those who know such things, has his defense at the hot corner improved? Or does he still seemed destined for LF?
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jul 22, 2008 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One more year
I’m giving him one more year..
Because he is so young, a hot month to end this year or begin next and he will be a 22 year old in Double-A. He still has a chance to figure things out, and be a top prospect.
by tyd3311 on Jul 22, 2008 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I almost added him
when you were out of town, but I decided to add Beau Jones instead. I really don’t like Whittleman, but he probably should be on next.
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
by t ball on Jul 22, 2008 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Johnny Whitt
is dead to me!!!
j/k i hope he turns the corner but his stagnation isnt good i dont see him in the top 20 at all.
"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 22, 2008 5:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great
Wilfredo Boscan just rolled an ankle backing up homeplate during the first inning fo the Spokane game. He was in some pain, couldn’t put any weight on it. He might be on the shelf a while. Yoon-hee Nam takes over with 2 outs gone in the top of the first inning. Time for a Kyle O’Campo promotion? Font supposedly was on the verge of getting assigned to Spokane – good time to put him in the rotation.
by shroomer on Jul 22, 2008 5:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm one of the JMJ guys
There’s something to be said about a first round talent who is finally slugging the way he should be in AAA.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 22, 2008 5:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Finally, someone admits it!
So what is it about his .271 / .329 / .493 line at AAA as a 24 year old that has you convinced? It doesn’t look like any sort of improvement over the rest of his mediocre minor league career: http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=9218
by cstorm15 on Jul 22, 2008 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A bust by any definition.
He started to come around but has been in a terrible slump. It has almost gotten to the point that I’d rather see what Ben Harrison has at AAA than for people to continue to hope/pray/believe that JMJ has finally seen the light. Ugh, I try not to think about that draft pick and who we could have had.
by Hull Fan on Jul 22, 2008 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That potential
plus he is in AAA which I think deserves more value than a 16-18 year old who isn’t doing anything in rookie ball. I love the potential with them, but I think you have to give guys that are that close a lot of credit since the bust rate for anyone in rookie ball or short season ball is so large. Plus before this slump he’s going through, he had some great looking numbers and I think that he’ll be back there by the end of the season. Lowered his K rate to 16% this season and his walk rate is 7.8% (could be better, but isn’t too bad overall).
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 22, 2008 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mayberry vs Font
Mayberry clearly has more stats upon which you can judge his baseball abilities, but as noted by two Rangers minor league experts, there is very little doubt that Font is the more compelling prospect.
JMJ Stats (Courtesy of The Baseball Cube)
2005 Avg/OBP/Slugging/OPS
Spokane – 253/341/438/779
2006
Clinton – 268/358/479/837
2007
Bakersfield – 230/314/496/810
Frisco – 241/307/453/760
2008
Frisco – 268/322/512/834
Oklahoma – 271/329/493/822
First-hand accounts of Wilmer Font
From Jason Cole:
At first glance, it is hard to believe the 6-foot-4 Font is just 17-years-old. Born in May of 1990, Font’s body and fastball are both well developed for his age. Inconsistent command and control caused Font to have a 4.53 ERA in his first professional season, but he displayed the tools that make him a candidate to be a future front-line starter. Font’s fastball ranged anywhere between 90-98 MPH and consistently sat in the mid-90’s.
From Mike Hindman
Font, who turns 18 in late May, is the most outlandishly gifted young pitching prospect I’ve ever seen. Not only did he show the big, ungodly gas (98 mph), but his breaking ball and changeup are both far more advanced than I’d expected them to be. Moreover, he’s a guy who seems to be playing the game on his own time.
What I mean by that is not that he works slow, but that when he’s on the mound, you get the impression that he knows it’s his ballgame to do with as he pleases. He’s the center attention. He’s aware of it. And he seems to like it that way. Every element of a true ace resides in the Wilmer Font package, and those elements that aren’t yet fully developed aren’t terribly far away from being so. It’s hard to imagine that he’ll need three more years to flesh everything out. Really hard.
by spurdynasty on Jul 22, 2008 7:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Suck it you freedom-hating-Font-dissing-unpatriotic-tommy-hunter-knob-slobbers
Up yours, freedom haters!
Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .
by Brian Thomas on Jul 22, 2008 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
seriously, all you JMJ club members who secretly meet on tuesday evenings at luby's need to see the light!!!!
Font is the future the greatness, he’s next seasons neftali and all you guys are missing out. all aboard!
"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM
by Jayslick on Jul 22, 2008 11:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
theres no doubting font's talent and ceiling
and this is not meant to be a slight or defense of JMJ, but its tough to vote for a guy with a mysterious ailment who hasnt pitched all year and before that above rookie ball.
I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.
by rchawk12 on Jul 23, 2008 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The one clue we have
is that Servais said Font might get assigned to Spokane soon. So, he’s at least looking good enough that the brass think he’s ready to pitch in the NWL. Not bad for a 12-yr-old … or however young he is.
by shroomer on Jul 23, 2008 1:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol
no not bad at all, and personally I cant wait till he takes the mound again. He is no doubt among the (many) favorites I have in terms of prospects. In fact call me the caped (without the cape) crusader of rangers prospects, send out the prospect signal and I will show up and defend them all one by one!
I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.
by rchawk12 on Jul 23, 2008 1:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This isn't even about Font
There are atleast a dozen prospects that should be ranked ahead of JMJ.
One of the nice things about having a deep farm system is that we don’t have to pretend that guys like JMJ are prospects.
by cstorm15 on Jul 23, 2008 7:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Diamond...
I think this could be a safe spot for him on the list. Yes his fastball is a work in progress to get it where it should be, but with the way his curveball has progressed, hasn’t his value just raised from before when he got hurt? I don’t know about you guys, but I think we could start getting excited about this guy again come next year.
by slimshadty12 on Jul 22, 2008 8:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I have always been a real big TD fan
and would love to see him come back and fulfill his potential. I know a lot of guys see him and have for a while as a closer type, but I for one want to see him stick as a starter as long as possible. One of my favorite prospect stories was right after we drafted him in instructs I believe when he fell off the mound and the A’s team laughed at him, he came back and threw some nasty, smelly, deadly gasoline and stared down at their bench where the laughter had to say the least died down.
I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.
by rchawk12 on Jul 22, 2008 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Completely OT:
But I love the CBS College Sports Network. Right now they are showing the Belmont/Duke game from the tourney which I had totally forgotten about. And I am on the edge of my seat even though I know what’s coming. They basically show badass college football, basketball, and baseball games all summer. It’s random, but I needed to give that channel some love.
And….the refs are screwing Belmont as is always the case with the dookies.
"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos
by SaltyDawg on Jul 22, 2008 10:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I voted for
the most underrated future beast on this list: Christian Santana.
"Mr. Hicks, you watch, I'm going to be a leader on this team." Kinsler
by sprite on Jul 22, 2008 11:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
thats actually not a stretch
thought about him for a second, but chalked it up to a wasted vote and moved on.
I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.
by rchawk12 on Jul 23, 2008 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm the other vote
Or one of the others.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)
by Ed Coffin on Jul 23, 2008 1:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
santana
i can’t even remember how many rounds in a row i voted for him last season before he made the list.
but i just can’t rank him over guys like font and vallejo this year
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Jul 23, 2008 5:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Teagarden
http://www.carrolltonleader.com/articles/2008/07/22/carrollton_leader/sports/81.txt
For many athletes, making the United States Olympic Team is a dream come true.
For others the dream is playing sports professionally, or even better, coming up with the game-winning play.
Former Carrollton Creekview and University of Texas catcher Taylor Teagarden has now checked all of these off of his list. And he did it one week.
by GregoryM on Jul 23, 2008 1:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I voted for JMJ
He’s in AAA, which most of the players on the list will never see. He’s athletic. He has a plus arm. He’s got plus plus power with the potential to hit 30+ HRs in the show. Hes got a decent approach at the plate and it seems like they have shortened his swing even more so this season. His 2005 OPS in Spokane was .779. The following year in Clinton his OPS was .834. After that in 2007 in Bakersfield his OPS was only .810. I would assume they really started to tear his swing down and rebuild it considering his #’s weren’t that impressive for the Cal League. He was for some reason promoted at the midpoint of the season to Frisco posting a .756 OPS. He started out this season in Frisco and had obviously figured something out posting a .834 OPS in 90 PA. Even though he has fallen off of late he is still posting a .823 OPS in Oklahoma.
I could list the numerous negatives but they don’t help my argument at all.
This is the Texas Rangers, professional destroyers of hope, we're talking about. - BAC
by nikpin on Jul 23, 2008 11:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What's the over under on players on this list not making AAA?
4.5?
by ericeric on Jul 23, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
on that whole list?
I predict at least 8 won’t make AAA
by JBImaknee on Jul 23, 2008 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Assuming
You’re talking about the list we are currently voting on since it would be the only relevant one to the discussion. Mayberry, Duran, Madrigal, Arias are already in AAA or the majors so that eliminates 4. That leaves 18 and I would say the only 95% locks of those guys are going to be Diamond and maybe Vallejo.
The rest of the group has a good ways to go so I would set it at around 7-9.
This is the Texas Rangers, professional destroyers of hope, we're talking about. - BAC
by nikpin on Jul 23, 2008 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Went with Font
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Jul 24, 2008 1:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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