Lone Star Ball: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Race to the BCS: rankings, in-game scores & blogs Bar-right-arrows

LSB Community Prospect Project: Mid-Season #19

Cimg0157_tiny by thedirkatron on

After 344 votes (and a bit of controversy), Martin Perez has won the right to be called the LSB Community #18 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
17. RHP, Neil Ramirez
18. LHP, Martin Perez

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 #19 prospect in the Rangers' system?
LHP, Robbie Ross
3 votes
LHP, Beau Jones
9 votes
LHP, Tim Murphy
0 votes
RHP, Omar Poveda
5 votes
RHP, Thomas Diamond
32 votes
RHP, Warner Madrigal
43 votes
RHP, Kennil Gomez
2 votes
RHP, Wilfredo Boscan
7 votes
RHP, Fabio Castillo
3 votes
RHP, Kyle O'Campo
0 votes
C/OF, Cristian Santana
5 votes
1b, Ian Gac
1 votes
2b, Jose Vallejo
31 votes
2b, German Duran
12 votes
SS, Marcus Lemon
31 votes
SS, Joaquin Arias
1 votes
SS, Renny Osuna
0 votes
3b, Matt West
0 votes
3b, Johnny Whittleman
2 votes
OF, John Mayberry, Jr.
57 votes
OF, Mitch Moreland
2 votes

246 votes | Poll has closed

6 recs | Comment 127 comments

Read Related

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Madrigal yet agian

"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 27, 2008 1:27 PM CDT   0 recs

Lil' Lemon is the shiznit

Gotta vote for my boy for real now.

He’s got the best chance to be the best player at this point.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 27, 2008 1:27 PM CDT   0 recs

once again...Vote Lemon

Remember people you need more citrus in your life.. You don’t want Scurvy do you?

by laxtonto on Jul 27, 2008 3:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Tough one,

definitely not Renny Osuna though. I think I may wait on my choice while reading some of the input made on this thread. BTW, dirkatron, appreciate you doing these.

"There is nothing wrong with a good baseball argument, even if it gets a little personal now and then. If someone here get[s] their feelings hurt because of a blog post they really need to get a grip."

t ball

by booyahcaveman on Jul 27, 2008 1:32 PM CDT   0 recs

Tough choice...

Between Lemon, Vallejo and Madrigal. I went with Lemon.

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

by slc ranger on Jul 27, 2008 1:55 PM CDT   0 recs

i've been voting Vallejo

But I’m not going to do it if it is a wasted vote.

I’m going to wait a little bit before I vote.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 27, 2008 2:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I went with Vallejo

but it is hard for me to differentiate between him, Lemon, and Duran. I really think Duran will probably have the best chance of becoming a starter in the ML.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Jul 27, 2008 2:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

me too

i dont even know how many times in a row this is now, 4 maybe?

I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.

by rchawk12 on Jul 27, 2008 3:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The problem with Lemon

I don’t know if he has a position, long-term.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 27, 2008 3:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think he profiles like Kinsler did

below average tools for SS, above average tools for 2b.

His main problem is that he’s blocked cause that Ian Kinsler guy isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 27, 2008 3:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think he can stick at SS

I don’t think he has the arm to play 3B.

I don’t know that he has the range to play 2B.

If he’s a below average defensive 2B, but still serviceable, he can probably carve out a Keith Ginter type career.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 27, 2008 4:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

Not sure about the ‘above average tools for 2b’ part. Haven’t really watched him, though, looking forward to him getting to Frisco where I can.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by zywica on Jul 27, 2008 4:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think he'll end up having more than enough defensive chops to handle 2b at the ML level

and I think his bat is going to surprise some folks. The season Fukudome is having (.278/.384/.402) reminds me a lot of what I expect out of Lemon, though hopefully Lemon will hit a few more doubles and get the SLG% up a bit.

I just think it’s funny that everyone hates on a guy like Borbon cause he doesn’t take a walk, but then a guy like Lemon who takes walks like a fat kid takes trips to McDonalds gets hated on too.

I really thought Lemon would get mad love on this board.

I’m surprised I’ve sort of emerged as his champion.

Is it just the defensive ambiguity giving y’all troubles? Or what’s the deal?

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 27, 2008 5:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think

Lemon is just one of those players that don’t look well in the field and that creates biases about him. He’s not a physically exciting guy, so people tend to underrate him as a prospect.

by FirebatM3 on Jul 27, 2008 6:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Here's the problem

If he draws walks, but doesn’t really do much else and can’t stick in the MI, he’s basically Matt Murton.

How excited do you think we should be about a guy whose upside is Matt Murton?

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 27, 2008 8:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

right now

he’s hitting for average, hitting for power. Why is it that whenever we talk about Marcus Lemon, people seem to think all he can do is walk?

by FirebatM3 on Jul 27, 2008 8:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

When in fact

Lemon has 88 consecutive plate appearances without a walk..

I wonder if he got tired of people saying all he can do is walk..

Those 88 appearances coincide with a jump in his slg %. As I listed below..

June .405
July .555

by tyd3311 on Jul 27, 2008 8:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not saying all he can do is walk

But we’re talking about someone who isn’t going to hit .300 or have a ton of power. Decent average, some gap power, draws some walks.

That’s Matt Murton.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 27, 2008 8:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why not?

How, at this point, when he’s hitting .300+ and with decent power can we definitively say that he will never hit .300+ and for good power? He’s a 20 year old performing extremely well in A+. I don’t think we can conclude that he’s Matt Murton just yet

by FirebatM3 on Jul 28, 2008 1:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

from baseball prospectus
Marcus Lemon is Chet`s kid. Like dad, he`s a fantastic defender, only this time the position is shortstop, not center field. It cost the Rangers a million dollars to buy him away from college, and he rewarded them with better than expected batting.

by tyd3311 on Jul 27, 2008 7:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Some people worry about....

....Lemon’s power

SLG by month

April .366
May .457
June .405
July .555

by tyd3311 on Jul 27, 2008 7:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Have you seen him?

Regardless of what BP says, he’s not a fantastic defender.

by Baider on Jul 27, 2008 8:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Nope

But all I heard about him when drafted and just after was how toolsy he was, now it seems people talk about his lack of tools…. why the change?

by tyd3311 on Jul 27, 2008 8:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think he was ever described as "toolsy"

He was described as a character/makeup guy, an instincts guy. He’s probably the opposite of a “toolsy” guy.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 27, 2008 8:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep

I just went back and read Newberg’s day one draft report from 2006

Lemon is said to have off-the-charts makeup and exemplary work ethic. What he lacks in tools he makes up for with an all-out, hard-nosed style of play that the best offensive catalysts in the game boast.

Im not sure why I thought he was referred to as “toolsy”. But I stand corrected.

by tyd3311 on Jul 27, 2008 9:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Also saw this...
Marcus Lemon, a shortstop, is considered a tremendous defensive player (Baseball America ranked him as the second-best defensive player at any position among high school draft-eligibles)

Where has his defense gone?

by tyd3311 on Jul 27, 2008 9:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and this...
Davis throws in the low 90s, but the Rangers prefer his potential as a left-handed power hitter.

Thank god…

Mitch Moreland the next Chris Davis?

by tyd3311 on Jul 27, 2008 9:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Moreland

I like him a lot, but he’s not Davis. Different career path, different profile as a hitter. More patient perhaps but he needs to be promoted to face tougher competition soon.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 28, 2008 4:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Speed and defense - Vallejo over Lemon

Neither is a dramatically better hitter than the other. Neither has significantly more power. Vallejo a better defender and has game-changing speed.

I know Lemon plays SS and Vallejo 2B right now, but hard to see Lemon staying there.

by Baider on Jul 27, 2008 5:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I beg to differ

given their performances in A+ this year, I would contend that Lemon is a significantly better hitter than Vallejo

by FirebatM3 on Jul 27, 2008 6:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You may be right

But I don’t think 300 AB’s is enough to make that call.

Also just Vallejo’s third season as a switch hitter. He should keep getting better.

by Baider on Jul 27, 2008 6:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Vallejo

is about 6-0, 185ish right now, unless he goes CHase Utley on everyone, I doubt he’d get significantly better

by FirebatM3 on Jul 27, 2008 6:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

improve? yes

significantly better? unlikely

He’s been at it for quite awhile and he’s about the size he’s not exactly got much growing left to go. I don’t think he’ll be a better hitter than Lemon

by FirebatM3 on Jul 27, 2008 7:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I am a Lemon fan

but even if Lemon is a bit better hitter…it is hard to ignore Vallejo’s game breaking speed and game changing defense…two things Lemon does not have…so Vallejo got my vote

"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 27, 2008 8:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I really wonder

if 2B defense is indeed game changing.

by FirebatM3 on Jul 27, 2008 8:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

2B defense can absolutely be game changing

and with some of Soriano and Kinsler’s issues there I would think you have cursed an error or two. Just like Kinsler’s range allowing him to get to a lot of would-be singles has an effect on the game.

And, as it pertains to Lemon vs. Vallejo…two guys that may well wind up in a utility role…Vallejo’s defense is a big factor for me. It’s the same reason I rate Duran ahead of Lemon. As far as possible utility guys (those 3 + Arias), Lemon is the most limited defensively.

"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 27, 2008 9:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Meh

what’s the best case scenario for runs saved for a 2nd basemen? I’m honestly curious, because I don’t think it makes up the difference between two dramatically different bats.

by FirebatM3 on Jul 27, 2008 9:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well then that's where we differ

You see Lemon as having a “dramatically different” bat. While I think he will be a better overall hitter than Vallejo, I don’t know that he will be “dramatically different.”

But, it’s really not fair at this point b.c. I haven’t seen Lemon play and I have seen Vallejo. So, in all honesty, I should probably withhold my judgement b.c. Vallejo is an exciting guy to watch. I am looking forward to seeing Lemon in Frisco next year.

"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 27, 2008 10:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Centerfield II?

Firebat – I’m not sure what your response refers to, so please forgive me if I misunderstand. If you are suggesting that Vallejo convert from 2nd base to centerfield, then I think that is pure brilliance. Vallejo’s greatest strength is speed, so put that to work where it has it’s greatest value – centerfield. JasonParks claims that Vallejo is awesome at going back on fly balls, so let the guy play a shallow centerfield and put his exceptional speed and defensive ability to work. Add the plus arm, good average (.286 on the year), solid obp (.348), and developing power (.426) and voila, the Rangers have three outstanding centerfield prospects where last year at this time they had none.

Just to finish the thought, Vallejo could do the Arizona Fall League thing and spring training to convert himself from MIF to centerfielder and then line-up next spring as the starter and lead-off hitter for Frisco. Borbon gets to start and lead-off in Oklahoma and Beltre gets to start and lead-off in Bakersfield. You’ve got three levels of outstanding prospects/trade chips that you can use to bolster your big-league club either via call-ups or trades. This looks exactly like the current catcher situation, especially when you consider that Hamilton/Boggs already represent pretty good centerfield solutions on the major league team.

Sorry for the tangent, but I love the idea, Firebat! If that’s what you meant.

by spurdynasty on Jul 27, 2008 11:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

same

i switched off vallejo a few rounds ago, its pretty much a wasted vode.

to me vallejo,lemon and santana all fall in around here. and diamond and duran arent far off

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

by rentz on Jul 27, 2008 3:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Since he's 2nd

and not out of reach from Mayberry, I don’t think that it’s a wasted vote at this point.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by zywica on Jul 27, 2008 3:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah

i saw that after i posted so i went vallejo.

though i must admit, i’m coming around on diamond again

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

by rentz on Jul 27, 2008 3:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

For me, Vallejo and Santana are the most interesting players here, with Lemon seeming overdue himself. I remind myself that 2-4 players that we have ranked will not be prospects by the end of the season, so we may be talking about the #15-16 prospect right here, by the winter. I think that I have to go Vallejo.

Also, I think that Robbie Ross likely belongs in this range and will be voting for him if this goes much longer, but it is pretty hard to vote for a guy in his situation.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by zywica on Jul 27, 2008 2:19 PM CDT   0 recs

I can't see how Ross gets voted in right now

His contract situation is much more unsure and he isn’t a top 10 talent like Smoak.which warrants a lot of talk before signing and playing in a single game. But hey, I wouldn’t have ranked Neil Ramirez that high either

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

by Gdawg1 on Jul 27, 2008 2:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Duran Duran

Keepin the faith!

by bushe on Jul 27, 2008 2:31 PM CDT   0 recs

Still a part of the JMJ fan club here

Don’t let that bad cold streak in the beginning of July fool you, a power hitting 24 year old in AAA needs to be in the top 20 overall. Even in this system.

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

by Gdawg1 on Jul 27, 2008 2:46 PM CDT   0 recs

consistency

even if we never get our paydirt at least we’re consistent!

by bushe on Jul 27, 2008 9:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Cristian Santana...

Jamey Newberg’s “In their footsteps” series covered Santana in the left fielder entry http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080619&content_id=2961846&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex
.................................................................................................................................................................
From the article, it sounds like he’s injury prone in the more literal sense of the term (e.g. different injuries as opposed to someone who keeps re-aggravating the same injury). The most recent injury being an ankle injury that he suffered in late May.
.................................................................................................................................................................
While his numbers for the year (.238/.305/.413 all at Clinton) aren’t anything to write home about, there are some factors worth considering; First, in 96 at-bats last year in the Arizona League, he managed to draw the kind of attention that got him rated the number 9 prospect in the circuit by the league’s managers and scouts. Second, he’s rebounding in July, with a .284/.346/.432 for the month. And third, he’s very young. Had he been born in the States and drafted out of high school, he would have been selected in 2007. Santana turned 19 last month, which is young even by Midwest League standards. Although one’s expectations could be distorted by the performances of Michael Main and Blake Beavan (#7 and #8 on this list, for which I’d like to give much thanks to thedirkatron), Santana was moved to A-Ball pretty quickly.

Oh, and by the way, Cristian Santana got my vote.

by YourNameHere on Jul 27, 2008 2:50 PM CDT   0 recs

Santana

I guess I’m looking at him as getting healthy and by age 24 being an indispensable part of the Rangers’ core. Even if he is a 5th OF-DH-backup C and not the starting C I had envisioned when he was 16.

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

by Ed Coffin on Jul 27, 2008 11:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What's up with the TD

lack of respect? I don’t get it?

"...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 27, 2008 4:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I do not get it either,

It seems to me that until he proves otherwise he should be considered a top prospect.

Someone please explain

Laird for President

by rldwb on Jul 27, 2008 10:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

IDK

This is my 4th consecutive vote for him.

"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 27, 2008 11:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yay!

Still no avalanche of Renny Osuna votes.

Not that he’s unworthy of consideration, I’m just glad that no player has gotten 30 votes in 5 minutes again.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 27, 2008 3:54 PM CDT   0 recs

The lack of Warner love hurts.

But the absolute dirth of votes for Gomez is just baffling.

The twenty year old has this line for the season:

G 16
IP 88
H 75
R 40
ER 29
BB 20
K 70
ERA 2.97
WHIP 1.08

The kid pitched lights out and was nearing his innings limit when he went on the DL. Now there have not been many reports about what’s going on with him but damn, how does this line from the 20 year old Dominican garner just one freaking vote? He was a guy to keep an eye on from last year and by any reasonable expectation has exceeded all but the most bullish opinions about him. He’d arguably be the best pitcher in the Astros system yet he gets no love here. What the hell guys?

by Hull Fan on Jul 27, 2008 6:27 PM CDT   0 recs

Personally

I tend to value relief prospects the lowest of all prospects. It’s not that they can’t be good, it’s more that their market value tends to be pretty low.

by FirebatM3 on Jul 27, 2008 6:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Kennil

- Pitcher’s league.

- Shut down early.

That’s the thought process here.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 28, 2008 12:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

he’s had a great year and been a nice surprise, but he does not have the stuff or projection that some of the other arms do.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 28, 2008 4:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Vallejo

2nd time in a row.

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 27, 2008 8:07 PM CDT   0 recs

Bigger disappointment this year

Whittleman, Castillo, or Phillips?

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 27, 2008 9:04 PM CDT   0 recs

Whittleman

2nd rd pick repeating the league in tremendous hitters environment. Castillo first time in full-season ball and has at least shown flashes.

by Baider on Jul 27, 2008 9:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Castillo first because of my hopes for him and how big of a difference he could make if this had indeed been a breakthrough year. Whittleman next because he should be a real quality AA 3B prospect right now, which would be nice.

I don’t think that Phillips really belongs with those two because it’s not like he was ever going to be that meaningful of a player even if he met his ceiling.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by zywica on Jul 27, 2008 9:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs