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LSB Community Prospect Project: Mid-Season #17

Tongue_out_tiny by thedirkatron on

After 270 votes, Wilmer Font has won the right to be called the LSB Community #16 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
16. RHP, Wilmer Font

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.

Poll
Who is currently the #17 prospect in the Rangers' system?
  • RHP, Thomas Diamond
  • RHP, Neil Ramirez
  • RHP, Kyle O'Campo
  • RHP, Warner Madrigal
  • RHP, Kennil Gomez
  • RHP, Wilfredo Boscan
  • RHP, Omar Poveda
  • RHP, Fabio Castillo
  • LHP, Martin Perez
  • LHP, Robbie Ross
  • LHP, Tim Murphy
  • LHP, Beau Jones
  • C/OF, Cristian Santana
  • 1b, Ian Gac
  • 2b, German Duran
  • 2b, Jose Vallejo
  • SS, Marcus Lemon
  • SS, Joaquin Arias
  • SS, Renny Osuna
  • 3b, Matt West
  • 3b, Johnny Whittleman
  • OF, John Mayberry, Jr.
  • OF, Mitch Moreland

  289 votes | Results

9 recs | Comment 151 comments | Add your comment

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Comments

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alright

im the first to vote…shut down the vote… Neil Ramirez all the way!!

by booyahcaveman on Jul 24, 2008 1:33 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Too late!

He’s tied with Martin Perez now. :)

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 24, 2008 1:34 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Dangit!!

Haha….Yeah I wouldnt be upset with either guy getting the spot here. I did vote for Ramirez although I do think that by next season Perez will be challenging for top 10. We just need to get some of these young guys up to the majors. Ideally, without getting the Rangers pitching curse.

I mean we have to hit on at least a few of these guys, right?

by booyahcaveman on Jul 24, 2008 9:21 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Gotta go with M-Per again

Prolly Perez, NeRa, Lemon, Ross, Duran, Diamond, Madrigal, Vallejo, Santana.

Or at least that’s the order I’m thinking I like right now.

My list is always so freaking fluid in-season.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 24, 2008 1:33 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

I'll go with Perez here...

then Ramirez.

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

by slc ranger on Jul 24, 2008 1:43 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

yup its getting tough but im going the same route

Marty, then NealRam, then Vallejo and then Asuna and Lemon can beat each other up for the next one.

then all the busts or non top tier guys at that point.

"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 24, 2008 1:57 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

oh and the JMJ fan club meeting was canceled for this week so just letting you guys know in advance.

if he wins this one over NealRam and Marty, im not gonna be a happy camper.

"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 24, 2008 1:59 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

went with madrigal

Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future

by Steal Home on Jul 24, 2008 2:25 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Marcus Lemon...

way underrated on here..

.315/.405/.458, developing power…

20 years old.

Well on his way to Double A next season.

by tyd3311 on Jul 24, 2008 8:57 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

vallejo

then after him for me it’s guys like perez, santana, neil ramierez, lemon , madrigal and jmj

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

by rentz on Jul 24, 2008 8:59 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

went Ramirez the last few times

but after watching Madrigal yesterday and the past couple of outings, have to go with MadDog

"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 24, 2008 9:05 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

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 24, 2008 9:53 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Duran

He was in the majors.
He hit AA far better than JMJ
He plays a much harder defensive position
he’s younger
he drives a panzer tank in to work

what more could you hope for?

by bushe on Jul 24, 2008 10:36 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Agree

I don’t see how anyone can vote for JMJ when Duran is on the board. If you want to vote for proximity to the big leagues, Duran is your man.

by JBImaknee on Jul 24, 2008 10:48 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Duran though projects to be a utility man in the Majors

Mayberry, even though his defense will suck, can be a good slugging COF.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg1 on Jul 24, 2008 4:46 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

projections

I dunno I think that the odds of Mayberry sticking 6 years in the majors is maybe 1 in 8, where as Duran I’d put at 1 in 3 or 4. I think Duran is a much better bet to be a more productive player for a longer period of time. I also think that Duran could match Mayberry on the mythical projection scale if you are realistic about the amount of Ks JMJ will have.

by bushe on Jul 25, 2008 8:05 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I can understand that

I just don’t feel the same way. Unlike with Neil Ramirez, both guys are in AAA right now and I think that that makes their likelihood of being Major League regulars enough to look at just what their ceilings are.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg1 on Jul 25, 2008 6:26 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Green Autos

Tanks are bad for the environment.

by 3Bagger on Jul 25, 2008 12:48 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

who knows

it could be a solar powered tank?

by bushe on Jul 25, 2008 8:05 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

So let me get this straight...

We’re excited that he “had obviously figured something out” by posting at .834 OPS in 90 PA in Frisco and an .823 OPS in Oklahoma (at age 24 I might add)?

Duran, as a 22-year-old second baseman put up an .877 OPS at AA over a full season. Duran’s .525 slugging percentage at AA is higher than Mayberry has ever put up at any level during his four years in the minors.

So if Mayberry has “plus plus power,” why is he getting out-slugged by a 5’10” second baseman who is a year and a half younger?

I just can’t possibly understand how Mayberry has any votes right now, let alone him being tied for the lead in voting.

by cstorm15 on Jul 24, 2008 11:17 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

give him some adequate playing time

he just got sent down last week

"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 24, 2008 1:07 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

better ops in his last 74 AAA at bats (this year)

than Mayberry has in his.

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

by DSheppard on Jul 24, 2008 3:32 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

also

Duran is a year and half younger than JMJ?

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 24, 2008 1:17 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

JMJ & Duran

Sorry, I got the months reversed when I did the math:

JMJ born December 21, 1983
Duran born August 3, 1984
Duran born 224 days after JMJ.

As for Duran’s AAA numbers, Duran so far has played only 20 games at AAA, hitting .243 / .288 / .378. I hope you’re not suggesting that we ignore his AA dominance in favor of that 20 game stretch. Remember, any player can have a bad 20 game stretch at AAA. Just as JMJ, who is hitting .154 with 1 homer, 8 walks, and 21 strikeouts in his last 20 games.

by cstorm15 on Jul 24, 2008 1:57 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

No you shouldn't

But I think it is very logical to think his development has been stunted or at least put on hold by him spending so much time in Arlington playing sparingly. I wouldn’t put either of them in my top 20 right now.

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 24, 2008 2:05 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You also wouldn't put Teagarden in your top 10 though, ....

"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 24, 2008 2:11 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

And your point being?

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 24, 2008 2:28 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Good Point

but, I still think JMJ should be in the top 20 somewhere with the changes he’s made and his improvement in some parts of his game. He did have a ridiculous OPS with both Cruz and Davis surrounding him. Yes, he’s tailed of since the Davis promotion…and I think he might be pressing now. Hopefully, he can forget about all that stuff and concentrate on hitting again…

Also, he’s still rail thin…if he can bulk up it should definitely help his offensive output.

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 24, 2008 2:19 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

How so?

He already generates an incredible amount of power. How will bulking up enhance his offensive output? Will it give him a better approach at the plate? Will it close the hole in his swing?

Give it a Name

by jparks77 on Jul 24, 2008 2:28 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

While it will not close a whole

more strength will make less outs. Just ask Vlad Guerrero

by FirebatM3 on Jul 24, 2008 2:50 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I don't think

skinniness is his problem.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 24, 2008 3:44 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Neither do I

I think the big long swing chock full of holes is his problem, but I don’t see why he couldn’t add more power if gets stronger and fills out.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 24, 2008 3:45 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Mayberry

is 6’6’’ and weighs close to 235 lbs. He’s skinny but he isn’t exactly Brandon McCarthy. He has a very athletic build.

He could probably add a little more power with some more bulk but power isn’t his problem.

Give it a Name

by jparks77 on Jul 24, 2008 4:00 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

6'6" 225

yeah, that’s a problem

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 24, 2008 4:17 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

not suprising

from a notorious JMJ hater.

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 24, 2008 4:28 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I'm not a JMJ hater

I just recognize his current limitations. I think he is an extremely nice guy and I hope he becomes a successful major league player. I just don’t see that happening.

Give it a Name

by jparks77 on Jul 24, 2008 4:36 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Im Gonna Be Really Bummed If the JMJ Book Club Pulls This One Out.

"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 24, 2008 8:30 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

What improvement?

OPS the last four years:

.779 (Spokane)
.837 (Clinton)
.785 (Bakersfield and Frisco)
.827 (Frisco and Oklahoma)

The only thing Mayberry can be proud of is that he’s been consistently mediocre at every level in the minors.

I know people got excited because he started off well in Oklahoma, but what makes you think that he’s somehow improved? Given his track record at Spokane, Clinton, Bakersfield, and Frisco, we knew that his numbers were going to come back down at Oklahoma. And they have. What JMJ has done over the last 20 games wasn’t merely a slump, but rather a statistical correction.

by cstorm15 on Jul 24, 2008 2:33 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Mayberry

he crushes lefties and can play COF and 1B. At the very least he’s a good part of a very good platoon. Guys like that aren’t fantastic, but are more of a bet to make it then guys like Ramirez or Perez. Some people rate closeness to the majors as importantly as they rate future potential.

by FirebatM3 on Jul 24, 2008 2:37 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

But that gets back to the original question

If you put alot of emphasis on closeness to the majors, then why pick Mayberry over Duran?

by cstorm15 on Jul 24, 2008 2:45 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Because you like power

and Mayberry still has some upside. The fact that his floor right now is a bench guy that’s a part of a good platoon makes him, imho, a better bet than Duran.

by FirebatM3 on Jul 24, 2008 2:50 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Again, like I said before...

Duran’s .525 slugging percentage at AA is higher than Mayberry has ever put up at any level during his four years in the minors. That’s pretty sad for Mayberry. Mayberry has one thing he’s supposed to do well-hit for power-yet he was out-produced by a 5’10” second baseman.

by cstorm15 on Jul 24, 2008 3:54 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Quit

cherry picking and using surfacy numbers. Mayberry’s situation is much more complex than that, and so is Duran’s. Why didn’t you use Duran’s other minor league stops? He had a slugging pct. of .393 in Spokane, and a .446 in hitter-friendly Bakersfield.

Mayberry’s ISOP numbers are very nice, and superior to Duran’s. Mayberry showed significant improvement much of this year in his K rate and line drive rate. Will it stick? We hope so, but you are wrong to just dismiss him using the limited numbers you quoted above.

To me, Duran and Mayberry are pretty close in rank, and both are probably right around #20.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 24, 2008 4:39 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

"surfacy"?

i like it.

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 24, 2008 4:50 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

It's simple

German Duran has improved every year with each promotion until he struggled in a short stint at AAA and was thrown into the majors too early. I’m using his AA numbers because they’re the best representation of where he’s at as a hitter. I haven’t seen anything numbers that suggest his AA performance was a fluke.

With Mayberry, his AAA numbers don’t really help because they’re unappealing as his numbers at AA, A+, A, and A-. I keep being told that Mayberry has somehow improved at AAA, but that hasn’t translated into overall production. Sure, you can “cherry pick” numbers by looking at his improved K rate and line drive rate, but two months of production at AAA isn’t enough to overcome the rest of his mediocre four year career. There’s no evidence to suggest that Mayberry actually improved his swing or otherwise developed as a hitter; he just got hot for a short stint.

The point is that if Mayberry is this good power prospect who’s close to major league ready, then he should be blowing away Duran offensively. But he doesn’t. If Mayberry hasn’t been able to match the “surfacy” numbers of a 5’10” second baseman, that should say something about Mayberry, right? Given Duran’s position, I don’t see how you can say they’re close in rank.

by cstorm15 on Jul 24, 2008 5:36 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I can see both sides of your argument

and think Duran could be ranked ahead of Maybe