Rangers' top 20 prospects
The initial installment of my new weekly column for MLB.com, featuring my ranking of the top 20 prospects in the Rangers’ farm system, has been posted on the official Rangers website, www.texasrangers.com.
Here’s a direct link to the column:
http://tinyurl.com/58q4ml
I’d love to hear your feedback.
-- Jamey
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Comments
Where's Omar?
Despite dealing with injuries, Poveda is striking out more than a batter per inning and posting a WHIP of 1.33 in the Cal League in his 20 year-old season. His 4.78 ERA is due at least in part to bad luck and an inability of the Bakersfield bullpen to keep inherited runners from scoring. In five starts and 30 innings since returning from injury several weeks ago, Poveda has struck out 30, walked 11, and allowed 20 hits and 8 runs (ERA of 2.40, WHIP of 1, and K/9 of 9). Better than the numbers, I love that fact that he is starting to use his curve to complement the fastball/change-up combo that he has used with great success in his previous two years of minor league ball.
by spurdynasty on Aug 21, 2008 10:22 AM CDT 0 recs
Poveda has all the tools to be a filthty filthy pitcher
Still would like to see him cut down the walks, but ive got a feeling he is going to surprise a lot of hitters in AA next season.
by laxtonto on
Aug 21, 2008 10:28 AM CDT
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Walks
Poveda hasn’t had trouble with walks in the past (2.6 BB/9IP last year in 150+ innings), so I suspect that his walks this year are more due to inconsistent innings and concern about giving up homeruns. In my opinion, Omar’s flyball tendencies likely represent his achilles heel.
by spurdynasty on
Aug 21, 2008 10:40 AM CDT
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That
and that he has episodes were he just loses command completely for a few pitches and walks guy on 4-5 pitches. BB/9 is a bit misleading, since he has probably faces more batters in an “average inning” this season, so the BB counts will be naturally inflated a bit. A better indicator would be percentage of pitches for strikes or percent of all batter walked, unfortunately neither of these two piece of information are available in the minors.
Meanwhile, I will go ahead and throw in the Poveda-McCarthy comparison again.
by Telegraph on
Aug 21, 2008 12:01 PM CDT
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Poveda this year
You’re right about the occasional four-pitch walks. He’s also shown a tendency to get behind in the count this year. I don’t remember him having that problem last year. For what it’s worth, I’ve noticed that Kiker, Reed, and Phillips have also been less aggressive this year than last. Do you think they are concerned about giving up the gopher ball, facing more discriminating hitters, or pitching in a league where the umpires have smaller strike zones?
by spurdynasty on
Aug 21, 2008 12:58 PM CDT
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Swingin' strikes
The reason that I am still bullish on Poveda is the sheer amounts of swinging strikes right now. Usually when hitters swing and miss, either a) they are fooled, or b) they are overmatched by a pitch. The fact that he is continuing to get swinging strikes in Bakersfield lends me to believe that he has legitimate stuff. The curveball improvement has also been good to see. If everything progress as expected, I see a major-league repertoire. The problem is that since I have never seen him pitch outside a few scouting videos, I can’t really say exactly how good the changeup is, or rather it would be an average/above average pitch in the majors.
Flyball is definitely a source of concern, I did a rough calculation based on the game logs a while back and got something like 42% total fly balls (the “line drive” and “popup” categorization seem somewhat arbitrary), assuming 10 percent of all fly balls are popups (this should probably be more, depending on the definition of a pop-up), you end up with 38 percent fly ball, which is definitely high. His HR/9 rate this season is 1.11 (from 1.28 last year and 0.7-ish in Clinton), and given this is the Cal league in the historic Sam Lynn, it ain’t bad. I think the bigger part of this also has to do with how many line drives to gives up. If he is in the 17-18 LD range or better, the extra fly balls won’t hurt him all that much. If it’s like 22%, then it’s a major problem.
As long as his stuff is legit (I am pretty convince that it is, but not certain because I don’t know his LD% rate nor have I seen enough of his pitches), then he won’t be bothered too much by the smaller strike zones or discriminating hitters since he doesn’t live off Gabbernibbling. As you said, the less aggressive tendencies might stem from the league and park, but also don’t forget that the defense on that team is not so pretty.
by Telegraph on
Aug 21, 2008 2:03 PM CDT
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Alot of real young guys on that list
did i count 10 guys that were either 117,18, or 19
Wow
by laxtonto on Aug 21, 2008 10:22 AM CDT 0 recs
On what planet
is 117 young?
:)
he’s still hitting better than Saltalasuckia—while playing vastly superior defense...Athos
by Escher on
Aug 21, 2008 12:14 PM CDT
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I would have had Beltre
that high before this season, but right now he’s dropped a bit for me. His plate discipline has gone nowhere. I said in April that from him and Andrus (two position guys very young for their leagues) I didn’t expect stellar numbers but improvement over the course of the season. Andrus has done it, Beltre has to a lesser degree but without the OBP. I’d put Beavan and Kiker ahead of him now.
2009 is a very, very important year for Santana, you said that right.
Any chance you’ll compare the Rangers’ top 20 with some of the other better systems at some point in this series? I’d like to see comps with the AL West teams and maybe some other systems flush with talent like Tampa.
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
by t ball on Aug 21, 2008 10:35 AM CDT 0 recs
Great idea, tball!
The Rangers/A’s comparison would be worth the price of admission. Perhaps you should give the project a crack and display the results in a fanpost.
by spurdynasty on
Aug 21, 2008 10:44 AM CDT
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Hmmm
maybe a fanpost. But I’ll wait until some lists come out this offseason. I don’t know nearly enough about other systems to rank them myself.
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
by t ball on
Aug 21, 2008 12:36 PM CDT
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Great job Jamey
I like the list a lot!! It’s amazing how fast Holland jumped up the charts (ranked 14th by LSB recently). I can’t believe how solid that list looks when we don’t even have Davis, Hurley, and Harrison on the list anymore.
My main problem is that I think Lemon should definitely be ahead of Santana. I’d even put Lemon ahead of Duran too.
by Coolbean04 on Aug 21, 2008 10:37 AM CDT 0 recs
Jamey
Just curious, how far away do you rate that Korean guy we signed compared to Ross?
by Coolbean04 on Aug 21, 2008 10:42 AM CDT 0 recs
No idea.
How could anyone who hasn’t seen Ahn pitch even guess?
by Jamey Newberg on
Aug 21, 2008 11:02 AM CDT
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have u seen ross?
"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
Aug 21, 2008 11:53 AM CDT
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Plus...
…plenty of accounts from qualified people who have seen him live. Haven’t seen any such thing on Ahn.
by Jamey Newberg on
Aug 21, 2008 11:55 AM CDT
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what was danks signing bonus?
i seem to remember it being about what ross got. true? i know ross’s bonus is higher by quite a bit than the great drew meyer
"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
Aug 21, 2008 11:56 AM CDT
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Danks signed for $2.1 million.
Beavan’s was very close to what Ross got.
by Jamey Newberg on
Aug 21, 2008 11:58 AM CDT
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wow, i swore it was 1.8M
crap.
"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
Aug 21, 2008 12:01 PM CDT
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any video we can get our hands on on the korean kid?
"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
Aug 21, 2008 11:55 AM CDT
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The farm is so deep..
.. you could re-rank players on a weekly basis. The rankings are not as important as the depth. Let’s hope the front office figures out how to put an end to the pitching prospects failing at the MLB level.
by mattrpav on Aug 21, 2008 10:49 AM CDT 0 recs
Vallejo
Do you have him ranked so low because you think his ascent this year is a statistical oddity or so you just think those in front of him are that much better? I think there is a definite chance that Vallejo is included in a deal this summer for a younger frontline SP (Volstad maybe?).
"But the major difference is where Showalter tried to overthink everything Washington at times seems like he isn't thinking at all. " - rentz
by hillcrest on Aug 21, 2008 10:53 AM CDT 0 recs
Well...
…that was sort of the point of the "He’ll be higher on this list in the spring " comment. Love the guy, but until he does something, I didn’t see where on the list I should move him up. He may very well be number three a month from now.
(And sorry about the “Funny” retort. Thought you were kidding, maybe taking a shot at some LSB poster who thinks CD was moved because Smoak should be starting at 1B tomorrow night.)
by Jamey Newberg on
Aug 21, 2008 11:07 AM CDT
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I'd probably slot him 2nd or 3rd...
…behind Feliz, and maybe Holland…
by Adam J. Morris on
Aug 21, 2008 11:13 AM CDT
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Happily...
…this sort of debate can be had around here.
You ought to show your Astros buddies that some Rangers clown has Smoak #7. Wonder where he’d fit on Houston’s list.
Nah. That would be sort of mean.
by Jamey Newberg on
Aug 21, 2008 11:20 AM CDT
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Man
you ain’t kidding. At least they actually signed their first round pick. It sucks even more to be a Nats fan right now, though their system is in a little bit better shape.
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
by t ball on
Aug 21, 2008 12:33 PM CDT
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yikes
even ignoring this organization’s overwhelming need for pitching, taking a player that hasn’t had a full week of professional ball under his belt and putting him over a lefty with a 12-1 record in 24 starts with a 2.40 ERA, over a K per inning, and a ridiculous strikeout-to-walk ratio that touches 97 on the radar and has absolutely DOMINATED in each promotion seems pretty far-fetched to me. Are you ranking Smoak ahead of Holland based on pure upside and talent? It sounds like you’ve already penciled in Smoak producing offensively and defensively like Teixeira did…
"So you have no frame of reference here, Donny. You're like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know... "
by Walter Sobchak on
Aug 21, 2008 3:46 PM CDT
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how so Adam,
projection shouldnt be the only tool to rank a farm team. Production should be heavily factored in and Smoak hasn’t done jack yet.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
by NYTXFAN on
Aug 21, 2008 4:04 PM CDT
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yeah
I had him #3 behind feliz and Davis at the MiLB ASB and Holland 31 (which was higher than other people pegged him but before he became feliz-numero-dos).
So now 1-3 are: feliz holland and smoak. Holland has had some crazy-good kinda season, but, he wasnt a sleeper as he had a great year last year too…
by Goyogringo on
Aug 21, 2008 4:51 PM CDT
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Holland's ave preseason ranking from published rankings
was about 40.
by Goyogringo on
Aug 21, 2008 4:53 PM CDT
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Question
Will the rankings take into account who is hot? It seems to me that the rankings will stabilize at a certain point, and a “Power Ranking” approach would be a good fit. That way, if someone like Santana has a week or two where he is on an absolute tear, he could surpass someone like Font, who is doing little to nothing at the moment.
Either way, great feature. I’ll be keeping an eye on it.
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 Aug 21, 2008 10:58 AM CDT 0 recs
Poveda, Lemon, etc.
Lots of guys I wanted to put on there but “couldn’t” (Diamond, Laughter, Beau Jones, JMJ, others).
by Jamey Newberg on Aug 21, 2008 11:04 AM CDT 0 recs
Poveda again
Poveda’s stuff and performance are extremely similar to Kiker’s. I agree with you that Kiker is at the back end of the top ten prospects in the system. In my opinion, Poveda should come soon after and would therefore be in the Top 15.
Have you seen something in Poveda that concerns you about his ability to pitch in the majors?
by spurdynasty on
Aug 21, 2008 11:25 AM CDT
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Poveda pitched more than 150 innings in both 2006 and 2007
Hopefully, 2008 is just an aberration.
by spurdynasty on
Aug 21, 2008 11:32 AM CDT
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You know...
…that’s a fair point. I ignored the health question on Font so I probably should have on Poveda, too. Still, he’s in that 17-20 range for me, so he probably stays in that pack of 5 or 6 who were right on the edge but missed for me anyway.
by Jamey Newberg on
Aug 21, 2008 11:49 AM CDT
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you did not consider it for
Santana either who has been hurt about 1/2 the season.
I am all in favor of keeping a palyer where I ranked him in preseason if his difficulties can be tied to health issues for highly regarded players, so for me, Castillo, Santana, Font, Poveda stay close to where i ranked them in preseason. It is the year after a poor season that counts for these guys, though, i give Castillo a break only if he is moved to the bullpen next year.
by Goyogringo on
Aug 21, 2008 4:59 PM CDT
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The early season injury is the only real one (arm fatigue)
Then he had some manicure problems
by Telegraph on
Aug 21, 2008 12:02 PM CDT
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Hmm
Looks like the new pitching philosophy is working throughout the minors…
to me, abortion is not a religious issue, it's a common sense one...
by Longhorn on Aug 21, 2008 11:12 AM CDT 0 recs
Max Ramirez
I think he is going to be a dominant hitter. That’s all.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
by tricer on Aug 21, 2008 11:20 AM CDT 0 recs
Max
I went back and forth on Max and Smoak, but to me it came down to the fact that we hope Smoak hits the way Max already does. Smoak is the better defender, but at a less demanding position.
by Jamey Newberg on
Aug 21, 2008 11:23 AM CDT
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bold prediction
I think Max will be a more productive big league hitter than Davis or Smoak.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
by tricer on
Aug 21, 2008 7:28 PM CDT
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Not so bold prediction
you’re wrong.
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
by t ball on
Aug 21, 2008 10:22 PM CDT
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Max
Not ready to agree with you, but I don’t think it’s such a crackpot idea.
Davis needs to show he can avoid K/G strikeout rates.
Smoak needs to prove he can hit as a pro.
In these, Max has them both topped.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on
Aug 21, 2008 10:31 PM CDT
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This will be a fun item to watch.
Hurley hasn’t thrown 50 innings in the bigs, and I’m not sure he’s going to get the 25 innings he needs to top that number by the end of this season. He’s still a top 5 guy.
Holland is finishing well, but I think #2 is a bit high, even if this list is meant to have a dash of BA’s Hot Sheet in it. I’d say Hurley’s secondary stuff rates him above Holland.
I think the top group is Feliz.
The next group is Max and Hurley followed closely by a group that includes Smoak, Holland, Andrus, T2, Main. After that, there’s a glut of guys with various combinations of high upside or nearness to the majors that pretty much aligns with Jamey’s 8-19.
Max and Smoak both appear to have the talent to hit in the middle of the lineup, but Max is much further along in his development. A little less upside but closer to the bigs gets Max a higher ranking than Smoak in my book.
Main gets thrown into the last group because he has performed well but also because I’m biased toward athletic pitchers, who I believe (though can’t confirm with numbers) are more able to make physical adjustments and avoid over exertion. Kiker is another athletic pitcher, but I’ll give the edge to Main who has a few inches of height on Kiker.
Not too excited about Robbie Ross at 20 rather than someone like Kennil Gomez, Castillo, Pimentel, or maybe even O’Campo.
Go Rangers!
by rooster on Aug 21, 2008 11:50 AM CDT 0 recs
Kennil
Anyone heard whether he’ll pitch again this year? I definitely got the vibe they’re trying to avoid fatigue with him, and it wasn’t necessarily a more acute injury…
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Aug 21, 2008 12:00 PM CDT 0 recs
Eleven
pitchers in the top twenty, five in the top ten, three in the top five. Have the Rangers ever had this much top end talent pitching in the minors? How would you rate the top three now compared to Diamond, Volquez, and Danks at similar points in their careers?
Formerly known as OKRangerFan
by B_Black on Aug 21, 2008 12:07 PM CDT 0 recs
The Spokane Trio
I really like the Perez/Ramirez/Boscan triumvirate at 13/14/15. The movement on Boscan’s fastball, curve, and change-up were fantastic in the few innings that I saw on the video at the Boise Hawks site. Can anyone comment on whether he is as impressive in person? Do you know teh velocity on Boscan’s fastball? How about Perez’?
by spurdynasty on Aug 21, 2008 12:13 PM CDT 0 recs
I have nothing to base this on
but I have a hunch that Boscan really “breaks out” next year. Maybe not at the level of Holland or Feliz, but to the point that he is on top 100 lists after next year.
by clark on
Aug 21, 2008 12:25 PM CDT
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Boscando
I’m glad Jamey;‘s giving him some love. This past winter I’d been expecting him to really break out this year along with Font (oops) so it’s good he didn’t disappoint. If he can be the Holland of this year next year we’ll really have some great prospect matriculation on our hands. Exciting stuff indeed!
What's the rumpus?
by Hypo-Luxa on
Aug 21, 2008 12:35 PM CDT
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Main - Beavan
I’d be interested to hear what seperates these two. I guess Main has more velocity now, but Beavan appears to have better command and is flourishing at a higher level.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
by tricer on Aug 21, 2008 12:17 PM CDT 0 recs
true
I’d forgotten about Main’s promotion. But still, Beavan has over 110 ip at that level, while Main has less than 35.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
by tricer on
Aug 21, 2008 12:33 PM CDT
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Main has about 80 ip total though
this year and last year so they are close enough…
by Goyogringo on
Aug 21, 2008 5:05 PM CDT
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He's taller?
:)
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
by t ball on
Aug 21, 2008 12:36 PM CDT
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"How do you measure yourself against other golfers?"
“By height.”
Physician: Primum non nocere
Batter: First, make no out
by Chad Crudup on
Aug 21, 2008 4:01 PM CDT
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yeah
the gap between the two is pretty interesting. Main is placed in front of a glut of significant talent, and Beavan is right at the back end of that glut.
by clark on
Aug 21, 2008 12:27 PM CDT
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I think
that if you took anyone in the top 12, they could be #1 in some organizations. i.e. if Brobon were in the Nats system
"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
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by hinduplaya on Aug 21, 2008 12:26 PM CDT 0 recs
Nitpicking I know
But Borbon would definitely not be #1 in the Nats system. Their system is quite weak on the whole, but Burgess and Marrero would be above him. Probably Detwiler too, though he’s been horrendous this year.
by nivarsity on
Aug 23, 2008 6:44 PM CDT
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Jamey, if you're still around...
Or if Scott Lucas or Mike Hindman is checking in, I was hoping you could give your thoughts on some questions (Obviously, since you don’t have to answer, you also don’t have to answer all of them):
1) Do you see the Rangers giving up on Michael Schlact or Zachary Phillips as starting pitchers?
2) Is Chad Tracy emerging as a legitimate prospect, and can he play a decent catcher?
3) Is Mitch Moreland on your radar screen? Ian Gac? Renny Osuna?
4) Do you see Kennil Gomez moving up next year? Do you know why he hasn’t pitched in over a month?
5) A case of the “Mehs” (mild depression that is alleviated by thinking about the rest of the Rangers’ prospects) seems to have settled in regarding John Whittleman. What’s your take? Can he bounce back?
6) Could the market for catchers ever develop so that the Rangers would trade away enough of them to leave Manuel Pina the starter and Ranger fans happy?
7) Who do you see as the potential starting third baseman for the Rangers next year and what do you think the odds are of each?
8) Ben Harrison, major leaguer in 2009? If yes, with Rangers or somebody else?
MLB Commissioner's Office Press Release: Because 23 is now considered old, the physical required before draftees can sign must now include a prostate exam.
by YourNameHere on Aug 21, 2008 12:32 PM CDT 0 recs
Not who you asked for but heres my .02 anyway
1: I think they will be forced out of starting roles with the amount of talent moving up the chain. Although both would probably be perfect spot starters next year so we don’t have to rush Feliz or Holland and add them to the 40.
2: I doubt he plays catcher. Ideal solution is a cross between Brandon Inge and Chris Shelton in the fact he can play there as an emergency but only an emergency. (I know Inge is the starter now in Detroit but you get the idea)
3: Moreland…yes. Gac….no simply because he will soon be passed by Smoak. Osuna…..yes although he is stuck behind alot of talent at his position
4: Probably starts at Clinton again mainly because there won’t be room at Bakersfield. Hes been out for a month with arm fatigue I believe and the Rangers said they wanted to limit his innings.
5: AA is gonna be huge for him. hes right on the fence of falling off the prospect radar. But a good showing in Frisco puts him right back on the map.
6: Its a ways away but I think that could very well be the end result of our catching situation in 6 years.
7: Travis Metcalf starts the year there
Metcalf 5-2
Davis 4-1
Blalock 100-1
Vazquez 10-1
Duran 8-1
?? 10-1
8: Sometime in 09 yes but not to start the year. And I doubt he is picked up in the rule 5 draft by anyone.
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
Aug 21, 2008 2:04 PM CDT
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Thanks...
Thanks for the insight.
MLB Commissioner's Office Press Release: Because 23 is now considered old, the physical required before draftees can sign must now include a prostate exam.
by YourNameHere on
Aug 21, 2008 2:15 PM CDT
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i agree with those odds
with Davis and Metcalf being the most likely guys.
by Goyogringo on
Aug 21, 2008 7:33 PM CDT
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3B odds...
I’d add in MY to that bunch at 10-1.
I think the Rangers pick up Hank’s option and try Davis at 3B next year.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on
Aug 21, 2008 8:57 PM CDT
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OK...
1. No.
2. I don’t see how he figures in as a catcher any longer (past the Big Four, there are Pina and Macumba and Telis coming), and while these AA numbers are promising, I still think he’s on the outside of the prospect core.
3. Osuna, Moreland, Gac, in that order.
4. Love Kennil. One of the very few health-related disappointments of the season.
5. I believe in Whittleman, but it’s time for him to convert promise into more than just very good plate discipline. Let’s see what he does with the promotion.
6. Cart, horse. Pina isn’t close to being a starting big leaguer. A year from now, the backup talk could start to percolate if there’s room.
7. Biggest unknown outside of the pitching staff. I’d be fascinated to know what the front office considers Plan A.
8. Yes, here. Not going to have a Boggs impact, but a Duran-esque contribution isn’t out of the question. Don’t think he’ll be roster-protected this winter, though (or drafted).
by Jamey Newberg on
Aug 21, 2008 2:33 PM CDT
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1. I would certainly agree on Phillips. He is a strikeout/groundout lefty. There will always be patience for a guy like that. I do wonder why so many people are high on Schlact. Age and groundball tendencies, I guess.
3. Interesting Jamey has Osuna over Moreland. I am a big Osuna fan but he often gets lost behind our glut of middle infield prospects and Moreland really seems to be coming on of late now that he has spent a whole year focusing on hitting exclusively.
6. If there is some circumstance that allows Borbon, Andrus, and Pina to man middle infield positions in the future for the Rangers, that will be a very strong defensive squad with a lot of singles hitters.
8. I think the org has to be hoping Harrison is good but not “too” good from here on out, because I can’t see him making the 40 this winter.
by clark on
Aug 21, 2008 2:42 PM CDT
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Thanks..
Much appreciated.
MLB Commissioner's Office Press Release: Because 23 is now considered old, the physical required before draftees can sign must now include a prostate exam.
by YourNameHere on
Aug 21, 2008 2:51 PM CDT
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my 2 cents 2
1. Schlact and Phillips s/b be displaced not only be the rising wave of pitching talent but also because they have had 2-3 years now to turn the corner and they have not. Schlact and phillips to the bullpen in AAA and AA respectively.
2. no one has ever given a satisfactory answer as to why Tracy and Greene and Santana have not caught on at least a part-time basis this season (the 450ab goal stated for Santana makes no sense to me). For the first to one might argue position depth at catcher and lack thereof at other positions was the motivations. However, I think they don’t care where tracy plays (right now he is a 1b) as they are mainly interested in his bat.
3. Gac is not a prospect only an org guy
5. I predict Whittleman spend 1 1/2 yrs at AA like he has at all levels and gets passed up by another 3b prospect…
6. Why would pina over TG make the fans happy?
8. I can see him getting taken in the rule 5; all a team loses is money and what it might get is a guy who hits with power if he succeeds


