SSH2005 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/columnists/askba.html Several of you asked, so my 2007 list is below. Again, it's a ranking of long-term value, limited to players I think will establish themselves in the majors in 2007: 1. Justin Upton, ss, Diamondbacks Probably not a shortstop but could be next Ken Griffey Jr. 2. Brandon Wood, ss, Angels Forcing his way atop Los Angeles' collection of shortstop prospects 3. Ian Stewart, 3b, Rockies An elite hitter in Coors Field is very enticing 4. Alex Gordon, 3b, Royals A better hitter than Billy Butler and actually can play third base, too 5. Lastings Milledge, of, Mets Will New York have traded one of the minors' top five-tool talents by then? 6. Hanley Ramirez, ss, Red Sox Has yet to put up stats to match his prodigious tools 7. Chad Billingsley, rhp, Dodgers Has better chance to get 2006 look after Paul DePodesta's firing 8. Joel Guzman, of, Dodgers Keeps reminding scouts of Juan Gonzalez, could be on trading block 9. Troy Tulowitzki, ss, Rockies Better than Bobby Crosby and gets his stats enhanced by altitude 10. Howie Kendrick, 2b, Angels Pitchers still haven't figured out a way to get him out 11. Mike Pelfrey, rhp, Mets Top pitching prospect in 2005 draft still has yet to sign 12. Jered Weaver, rhp, Angels He's good but he's not Mark Prior, and watch that G/F ratio 13. Jeff Clement, c, Mariners May need just three seasons to eclipse Dan Wilson's career HR total 14. Billy Butler, dh, Royals He can rake but he'll wind up at DH in short order 15. Daric Barton, 1b, Athletics Gifted hitter, but some questions about his power and position 16. Nick Markakis, of, Orioles Best player in Orioles system that's finally making some progress 17. Chris Young, of, White Sox Better prospect than the more-publicized Brian Anderson 18. Ryan Braun, 3b, Brewers May wind up in center field but should mash wherever he plays 19. Felix Pie, of, Cubs My concern is that he gets rushed before his skills catch up to his tools 20. Kendry Morales, 1b, Angels Hopefully for him, Los Angeles' fascination with Darin Erstad will have ended Nice to see that he rated Chris Young above Felix Pie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Finally an expert (not from this board) that agrees with my feelings on Chris Young Surprised to see a couple of last years draft picks in there. None of which are Stephen Drew (well he would be 2 years ago's draft pick). In fact, how the hell is Stephen Drew nowhere near the top on that list. I'd also think Delmon Young would be close. Great to see he thinks Chris Young is a better prospect than Delmon. Oh I assume he feels Drew and Delmon will be in the majors by than? This is a list for guys that will play in 07? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted November 26, 2005 Author Share Posted November 26, 2005 (edited) Oh I assume he feels Drew and Delmon will be in the majors by than? This is a list for guys that will play in 07? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Exactly, look down at the end of the article: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/columnists/askba.html This year, I'm speaking on the subject of the 20 best long-term prospects for 2006 and 2007, listed in the year in which they'll first make an impact at the major league level (and not ranked on the basis of their production during that season). So in lieu of a normal Ask BA, I'll present my Top 20 for 2006: 1. Delmon Young, of, Devil Rays Needs a little more time in Triple-A, but not much more 2. Prince Fielder, 1b, Brewers Legitimate 40-homer threat makes Lyle Overbay expendable 3. Stephen Drew, ss, Diamondbacks Could be Opening Day starter 11 months after signing 4. Jeremy Hermida, of, Marlins My gut feel is that he outperforms Jeff Francoeur in long run 5. Conor Jackson, 1b, Diamondbacks Has best pitch recognition among baseball's elite prospects 6. Francisco Liriano, lhp, Twins Giants threw game's best pitching prospect into A.J. Pierzynski deal 7. Matt Cain, rhp, Giants Underhyped because he pitched in same leagues as Felix Hernandez 8. Carlos Quentin, of, Diamondbacks Prototype right fielder may break into Arizona lineup in center 9. Ryan Zimmerman, 3b, Nationals Washington got exactly what it wanted with No. 4 pick in 2005 draft 10. Andy Marte, 3b, Braves Atlanta would be best off with Marte at third and Chipper Jones in left 11. Justin Verlander, rhp, Tigers Showing more polish and savvy in pros than he did at Old Dominion 12. Andy LaRoche, 3b, Dodgers Los Angeles doesn't have a better option for the hot corner 13. Jon Papelbon, rhp, Red Sox Finished season as Boston's top setup man, should shift to rotation in 2006 14. Jason Kubel, of, Twins Don't forget about this gifted hitter who missed all of 2005 with knee surgery 15. Scott Olsen, lhp, Marlins Better stuff, higher ceiling than Jason Vargas 16. Anthony Reyes, rhp, Cardinals Would rank higher if he could make it through a whole season healthy 17. Dustin Pedroia, 2b, Red Sox Uncanny hand-eye coordination makes him more dangerous than expected 18. Yusmeiro Petit, rhp, Mets Doesn't have the stuff to quite back up his sterling minor league numbers 19. Justin Huber, 1b, Royals No longer a catcher, still projects as regular because of his bat 20. Dustin Nippert, rhp, Diamondbacks Won Southern League ERA title in return from Tommy John surgery Edited November 26, 2005 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 19. Felix Pie, of, Cubs My concern is that he gets rushed before his skills catch up to his tools Another way of saying "He'll be good if the Cubs don't f*** him up." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodAsGould Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 I think Chris Young and Felix pie both are better prospects than most of those mentioned on that 1st list. Looking at his lists they would both be in the top 10 at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Paplebon is in the top 20 but McCarthy isn't? What's up with that??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted November 26, 2005 Author Share Posted November 26, 2005 Paplebon is in the top 20 but McCarthy isn't? What's up with that??? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Maybe Callis already considers that McCarthy was an impact player in 2005. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiff Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 12:08 PM) Maybe Callis already considers that McCarthy was an impact player in 2005. So was Papelbon, maybe even moreso. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3E8 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Did Papelbon use up his rookie status? I know McCarthy did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 09:05 AM) Paplebon is in the top 20 but McCarthy isn't? What's up with that??? McCarthy is no longer considered a prospect. He's pitched too many innings, IIRC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 QUOTE(Spiff @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 12:47 PM) So was Papelbon, maybe even moreso. That's where I was going with that. I don't see how you could have one in and one out???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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