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Sox Top 10 Prospects


Rex Hudler

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1 Reed

2 Honel

3 Cotts

4 Wing

5. Munoz

6 Young

7 McCarthy

8 Borchard

9 Anderson

10 Sweeney

 

 

Next 10 == Pacheco, Diaz, Yan, King, Nanita, Bullard, Bajenaru, Gonzalez, Schnurstein, Morse.

 

didn't include Rauch because I don't think BA will consider him as a prospect any more. Have some question whether Borchard still qualifies, too.l

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Fair enough........ Here is mine:

 

1. Jeremy Reed - Obvious pick

2. Kris Honel - Again, obvious choice

3. Neal Cotts - 4 MLB starts not enough to scare me or BA

4. Ryan Sweeney - bumped him up partly because of Anderson's injury and because he was a HS draftee

5. Joe Borchard - BA doesn't let go easily... He'll get one more year to prove himself

6. Ryan Wing - Performing at every level so far and a lefty!

7. Brian Anderson - Can't ignore a #1 draft pick

8. Chris Young - broke out nicely last season... Seems to have the tools

9. Arnie Munoz - Ignore his first 2 weels last year and focus on him being only 21

10. Brandon McCarthy - BB:K ratio of 15:125 too good to ignore in a hitting dominant league

 

Just missing... Valido, Nanita, Pacheco

 

Others considered... Orionny Lopez, Rick Hummel, Andy Gonzalez, Todd Deininger, and Ruddy Yan

 

Rounding out the 2nd 10... Fabio Castro, Ryan Meaux

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Probably never make it?  How do you define "make it"? 

 

Gload will be on the Sox Opening Day 25-man roster in 2004.

Wow Rex, way to stand and be counted! :lol:

 

If the Sox do not pick up another bench/utility player, I happen to agree with you.

They like this guy and he can play several positions.

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Gload, unlike Daubach, will be happy to be in the bigs and work at being a solid multi-position guy and pinch hitter.

 

Daubach was used to playing five days and week and lost his intensity as a once-a-week guy. I don't know if he thought he was going to supplant Paulie or Frank, but he never seemed to figure it out.

 

And he was far from clutch as a pinch hitter.

 

Gload has something to prove. Daubach didn't.

 

I'll take my chances with Gload.

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1. Jeremy Reed

2. Neil Cotts

3. Kris Honel

4. Ryan Wing

5. Brian Anderson

6. Joe Borchard

7. Emencio Pacheco

8. Jon Rauch

9. Ryan Sweeney

10. Brandon McCarthy

Honorable Mention: Arnaldo Munoz, Fabio Castro, Orionny Lopez, Todd Deininger, Felix Diaz, Robert Valido, Richard Nanita, and Chris Young (That list is in no particular order).

 

Of course that won't be FS's Top 10 (It is my top 10 though), but we should have our top 50 released on February 15th when we have the grand re-opening of FutureSox :headbang

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Let me put it this way.  If Gload replicates Daubach's numbers of last year, I will be impressed.

Then you will be impressed. Gload has a sweet, short, compact swing and is a pretty slick fielding first baseman with a little speed.

 

If he was 3 inches taller, he'd of been playing in the majors a long time ago. I think we'll get very solid production out of Ross. I wouldn't rank him on the list, but its mainly because I no longer consider him a prospect.

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This is my own list, but I will also submit it as my guess for BA's list. I think they follow similar guidelines that I do.

 

1) Reed - Everywhere this guy has been he has hit. His plate disipline is amazing for a kid his age. After his big year he has to be #1.

 

2) Honel - Consistancy. This kid has consistantly put up good numbers from day 1(fewer hits than IP, close to a 1:1 SO:IP ratio, very good BB:SO ratio, ect)

 

3) Cotts - I normally wouldn't rank Cotts that high, because guys with his control problems, despite his good raw stuff and numbers, generally don't suceed in the majors. However, the Sox system is very weak right now, especially in the upper minors.

 

4) Rauch - I was very surprised that he didn't get a shot last year and I believe that he will be the favorite to win a spot if the Sox give a rotation spot to a youngster. He put together a solid year last year in AAA including a dominating second half.

 

5) Diaz - I am a huge fan of this guy. He has a good combination of raw stuff and good(consistant) minor league numbers. He is also coming off a good year in winter ball. I have a feeling that he will play an important role next year either in the pen or rotation.

 

6) Wing - A lefty with plus stuff and good numbers has him at #6, however, his control is a bit of an issue as he reaches the higher minors.

 

7) Borchard - I have never been a huge fan of Borchard, but his potential along with either a good ST or 2-3 months in AAA could have him playing an important role in the majors next year.

 

8) Anderson - If he can stay healthy, he has the raw tools to climb the minors very fast. Like I mentioned before, I go to the U of A, so I got to see him play in person. He is a true 5 tool player, however, I am a little cautious because his junior year was his 1st big year, and he sometimes strikesout a little too much.

 

9) Sweeney - The steal of the 2003 draft. I have become a huge fan of this guy(in only half a year). This guy has unlimited potential and could surpass Anderson(along with a few other on this list) in the very near future.

 

10) Munoz - Even after a so-so year in AAA, I still think this guy has good potential. One of the things that I like about him is his age. Most guys his age are in A ball, but he was pitching in AAA. He has a plus arm and after the 1st couple of weeks he put together a pretty solid year.

 

Guys just missing the list(in no particular order):

 

Majewski - Still young, and put a solid year together in AAA.

Pacheco - 1st good year, and the fact that he will be 25 prevents him from making the list.

Malone - Came back from an injury and pitched well. Next year will be a big year for him.

Yan - His speed is hard to ignore, but unless he can get on base consistantly he won't be in the majors.

Castro(Julio and Fabio) - Both of them put up some impressive number.

Phillips - Young lefty with good control.

Tisch - Big righty with a plus arm and solid number.

LaMura - Might have the best "raw" stuff of all the Sox pitchers

Valido - The only true middle infield prospect. Has a chance to be very good.

Young - 5 tool outfielder who had a great year. His strikeouts are a little high.

Lopez(Orionny) - I am a huge fan of this guy and he put together his 2nd solid year in rookie ball.

Nanita - Came out of nowhere to put a great year together. Is a little old and needs to show same potential in higher minors.

Bounds - He is a little old for rookie ball, but his numbers are hard to ignore.

King - After a slow start, finished the year hitting over .300.

McCarthy - Big righty with an outstanding BB:SO ratio.

 

I find that very few of you guys predict that Diaz will be on the list. If I remeber correctly, Diaz was on the top 10 list last year and has done nothing to warrant being taken off the list. A sub-4 ERA in a good hitters park, at the age of 23, with in above average arm should almost certainly have him on the list.

 

I also think that you guys rate Chris Young a little too high. He had a nice year and has some good raw skills, but BA rarely puts prospects from rookie ball on their top 10 list, especially if they aren't highly thought of(like Anderson or Sweeney). He also struggled when promoted to advanced rookie ball. Its a small sample size, but he hit .176(in 34 AB's), with no HR's, and poor plate disipline(1 BB and 10 SO). I also worry about his 40 SO in 238 AB's. I highly doubt that he makes the top 10 list.

 

The one guy that might make BA's list that doesn't make my personal list is Pacheco. I am not very high on this guy, but BA might include him after his impressive year at AA.

 

BA will probably have Borchard a little higher then 7th and Diaz a little lower then 5th(you could probably switch them). Besides that, I think my list will be realitively similar.

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Great job on your list.

 

I left Diaz off my list, but am now thinking about his winter ball stint. BA looks for stuff like that, and I'd guess he will sneak into the top 10.

 

I tend to agree with you on Chris Young, he's got potential but that's about all right now. He's definitely one to watch though.

 

It's likely all the guys on your just-miss list will be in the print edition of the prospect handbook, and I would guess for sure we'll see McCarthy, Bounds, and Clint King getting some positive PR.

 

King in particular really came on strong after a so-so start, probably from the adjustment to wood bats.

 

And you go to U of A, huh? What's the best places for me to go for some nightlife in Tucson? Maloney's, The Shanty, O'Malleys? Or are there some other good ones I'm missing?

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I left Diaz and Rauch off because I think they have somewhat spun their respective wheels the last two years. Neither has stepped up and separated themselves the past two years and I think that will be reflected in BA's list. Does that mean they will never make a contribution? No

 

But Diaz just hasn't done anything to stand out. He gave up more hits than IP and his BB:K ratio is not all that impressive. His 3.97 ERA is the only thing that you can latch onto as hopeful. He will need to step it up. Rauch's numbers were slightly better, but I am still not convinced with him and never have been. He may contribute in the Majors, but I don't think he has top or even of middle of the rotation potential as was once predicted.

 

I rated Young in the top ten after my first draft because I have heard some good things from a couple of scouts during the past year. I have not seen him play, but he had an impressive year and apparently has all the necessary tools. Being a HS draftee, he is still young. Full season baseball will certainly give us a better indication of his long term abilities.

 

If you saw Pacheco, you would have been impressed. Yes, he has developed late and his age will not give him time to "spin his wheels". He will need to have another big year and make progress toward the Majors or he will lose his opportunity. This will be a key year for him, but he certainly has the stuff required to pitch in the big leagues.

 

The rest of the guys that you mentioned that I failed to will likely appear in the top 30 in the Prospect Handbook. Some may crack the top 20.

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If he comes in and hits, sure he has a chance, but my guess it is small. I'd be surprised if they don't find someone to be their 4th OF before ST and only if that person fails would a spot open for a Valenzuela.

 

Hell, I thought he was gone from the organization. lol

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I left Diaz and Rauch off because I think they have somewhat spun their respective wheels the last two years.  Neither has stepped up and separated themselves the past two years and I think that will be reflected in BA's list.  Does that mean they will never make a contribution?  No

 

But Diaz just hasn't done anything to stand out.  He gave up more hits than IP and his BB:K ratio is not all that impressive.  His 3.97 ERA is the only thing that you can latch onto as hopeful.  He will need to step it up.  Rauch's numbers were slightly better, but I am still not convinced with him and never have been.  He may contribute in the Majors, but I don't think he has top or even of middle of the rotation potential as was once predicted.

 

I rated Young in the top ten after my first draft because I have heard some good things from a couple of scouts during the past year.  I have not seen him play, but he had an impressive year and apparently has all the necessary tools.  Being a HS draftee, he is still young.  Full season baseball will certainly give us a better indication of his long term abilities. 

 

If you saw Pacheco, you would have been impressed.  Yes, he has developed late and his age will not give him time to "spin his wheels".  He will need to have another big year and make progress toward the Majors or he will lose his opportunity.  This will be a key year for him, but he certainly has the stuff required to pitch in the big leagues.

 

The rest of the guys that you mentioned that I failed to will likely appear in the top 30 in the Prospect Handbook.  Some may crack the top 20.

Rex, would you happen to have a list of BA's top 10 prospects from last year? That is usually a good indicator for who will make the list this year.

 

I disagree with you on Diaz. I really think this guy could be a sleeper. I have seen him pitch and understand why scouts are so high on his arm/stuff. The only problem I see with him is that he isn't very big and he could breakdown with too much work or be prone to injuries. Besides that I see nothing wrong with him. He fits most of the guidelines that I listed in the other thread. He is still very young at 22. For example, he is 3 years younger then Pacheco and pitching at a higher level. His numbers(over his career and last year) are pretty solid and consistant. He gave up about a hit per inning pitched last year, however, he did post a solid ERA(3.97), only gave up 12 HR in 115.2 IP(in a good hitters park), had very good control(only 33 BB in 115.2 IP), and had a solid 2.5 SO:BB ratio. Like I said before, I believe that he was on last years list and he has done nothing to warrant being taken off the list. I think this guy could play an important role next year, and don't understand why you think he is spinning his wheels. He is still very young and hasn't spent more then a year at a given level in the minors.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love what I hear about this Chris Young. From what I have read of him he is one of those highly thought of 5 tool centerfielders. He is coming off a very solid year, however, like I mentioned before I don't think BA includes many prospects from rookie ball unless that are top picks. Next year he will probably start the year in low A ball and it will be interesting to see how he adjusts. We should get a better understanding of what to expect from him this upcoming season.

 

I did see Pacheco pitch once while I was down in Birmingham this past summer, and hope to get a better idea of his stuff this spring in Tucson. He could be a late bloomer, but since I have only seen him pitch once and have to rely on scouting reports I am still skeptical. His age along with his inconsistancy before last year are the reasons why I left him off the list. I think he will start this year at AAA, and it will probably be a make or break type of year for him. I hope for the best, but I am not getting my hopes too high.

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I don't disagree with you on Diaz in that I also think he still has a chance to help the big club and I like his potential. But from a prospect list standpoint, I don't think he is doing anything to separate himself from the Rauch's or Cotts' or Pacheco's, etc.

 

FWIW, he is less than 2 years younger than Pacheco. 7/27/80 vs. 8/31/78

 

I think both can contribute but I think Pacheco's ceiling is higher because of the size/injury issues with Diaz. Diaz may be more likely to help in the pen. Both need to step it up this year and make their mark. An adequate year for either of them will allow others to pass them and cost them opportunities.

 

I don't think either will see BA's Top Ten this year, but both arguably deserve to be in it.

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Rex, would you happen to have a list of BA's top 10 prospects from last year? That is usually a good indicator for who will make the list this year.

 

Ask and ye shall receive......

 

BA 2003 Top Ten Prospects - Chicago White Sox

 

1. Borchard

2. Olivo

3. Webster

4. Honel

5. Rauch

6. Malone

7. Gonzalez

8. Diaz

9. Munoz

10. Ring

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