The Prospect List Revealed

[Chisoxfn]

The Prospect List Revealed

By Jason Gage

July 5, 2003

FutureSox.com

 

July 1st, 2003 was a busy day for the Sox organization as they acquired Roberto Alomar and Carl Everett. We all knew the Sox gave up Royce Ring, Edwin Almonte and Andrew Salvo for Alomar, but all were confused on what was given up for Carl Everett. The confusion is still there, but the list has now been revealed with Anthony Webster being the best prospect on the list.

 

The rest of the list includes: Ruddy Yan (2B), Josh Rupe (RHP), Corwin Malone (LHP), Felix Diaz (RHP), Wyatt Allen (RHP), Frankie Fransisco (RHP) and Emencio Pacheco (RHP).

 

The Rangers are allowed to select either two or three players. If they select a player from the first list they will be allowed to select one player from the second list. To get three players, they would have to select three from the 2nd list. Where this players fit on the lists is unknown, at this point in time.

 

Now that we know the terms, lets take a little closer look at each prospect:

 

1. Anthony Webster, 20 - CF - Bats: Left - Throws: Right - Kannapolis Intimidators (Low-A Ball)

2003 (Kannapolis): .296 AVG, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 18 SB, 27 BB, 49 K

2002 (Bristol): .352 AVG, 1 HR, 30 RBI, 16 SB, 38 BB, 38 K

2001 (Arizona White Sox): .307 AVG, 0 HR, 30 RBI, 18 SB, 9 BB, 33 K

 

Webster was rated as the #3 prospect in the organization by FutureSox and Baseball America, but he became expendable after the 2003 draft and the absolute dominance of Jeremy Reed. Reed is a centerfielder that was recently promoted to Birmingham and is on the fast track to US Cellular. In the draft the Sox took outfielders Bryan Anderson, Ryan Sweeney, and Clint King with the first three picks. They also got a very raw, yet talented outfielder in Ricardo Nanita (14th Round), who many compare to Anthony Webster. Webster is a very talented outfielder. Many scouts believe he has five-tool skills, but I question his ability to become a power hitter. Expect him to see the majors until 2006.

 

2. Josh Rupe, 20 - RHP, RP – Kannapolis Intimidators (Low A Ball)

2003: 4-4, 6 SV, 2.73 ERA, 52.2 INN, 58 K, 30 BB

2002 (Bristol-R): 3-3, 5.26 ERA, 38 INN, 40 K, 22 BB

 

While Webster is the most talked about prospect on the list, Rupe may be the best, considering the Rangers need...pitching. The loss of Ring leaves Rupe as the top closer prospect in the White Sox system featuring a great fastball and an amazing curveball. Despite the great stuff, Rupe is a project, who has to develop a more consistent delivery/arm slot.

 

3. Ruddy Yan, 21 – S/R – 2B – Winston Salem Warthogs (High A Ball)

2003: .298 AVG, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 47 SB, 32 BB, 49 K

2002 (Winston Salem-A): .253 AVG, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 88 SB, 42 BB, 57 K

2001 (Hickory-A): .283 AVG, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 56 SB

2000 (Bradenton-R): .357 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 5 SB

1999 (Dominican Pirates-R): .300 AVG, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 48 SB

 

Previously ranked as the 11th best prospect by FutureSox, Yan is a speedy second baseman that could have a future in the majors. That future depends on his ability to hit. He seemed to end those doubts by starting off the season on a tear, but since then he has fallen into a huge slump. Yan is repeating the league so his status as a top prospect is dwindling and will continue to dwindle until he is promoted to Birmingham and proves he can hit AA pitchers. Despite having great speed, losing Yan wouldn't be huge as the Sox have some other very raw, but good, infield prospects.

 

4. Felix Diaz, 23 - RHP, SP - Charlotte Knights (AAA)

2003 (Charlotte-AAA): 3-5, 3.54 ERA, 73.2 IP, 47 K, 25 BB

2002 (Birmingham-AA): 4-0, 3.48 ERA, 31.0 IP, 30 K, 8 BB

2002 (Shreveport): 3-5, 2.70 ERA, 60.0 IP, 48 K, 23 BB

2001 (Hagerstown): 1-4, 3.66 ERA, 51.2 IP, 56 K, 16 BB

2001 (Arizona Giants): 3-4, 4.16 ERA, 62.2 IP, 58 K, 16 BB

2000 (Salem-Kaizer): 0-1, 8.10 ERA, 3.1 IP, 2 K, 1 BB

1999 (Dominican Giants): 0-0, 0.75 ERA, 12.0 IP, 19 K, 7 BB

1998 (Dominican Giants): 0-4, 7.55 ERA, 39.1 IP, 34 K, 26 BB

 

Diaz is the only prospect on this list that is "Major League Ready". That doesn't mean he'll be sucessful, but he has spent enough time at AAA to warrant a callup. What the numbers don't tell you is that Diaz has a dynamite arm. He throws a mid-90's fastball and has a good changeup and slider. Despite the great stuff Diaz has never had a great K ratio, which tells me that he may be one of those guys thats "over-hyped".

 

5. Corwin Malone, 22 – LHP, SP – Birmingham Barons (AA)

2003: 2-2, 7.16 ERA, 27.2 INN, 17 K, 24 BB

2002 (Birmingham-AA): 10-7, 4.71 ERA, 124.1 INN, 89 K, 89 BB

2001 (Birmingham-AA): 2-0, 2.33 ERA, 19.1 INN, 20 K, 12 BB

2001 (Winston Salem-A): 0-1, 1.72 ERA, 36.2 INN, 38 K, 10 BB

2001 (Kannapolis-A): 11-4, 2.00 ERA, 112.1 INN, 119 K, 44 BB

2000 (Burlington-A): 2-3, 4.90 ERA, 71.2 INN, 82 K, 72 BB

1999 (Arizona-R): 0-2, 18.00 ERA, 18.0 INN, 24 K, 19 BB

 

Malone was once one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in the game. Now, he finds himself on the disabled list and when he isn't there, he finds himself behind in the count (ie, control trouble). Malone is very raw and does have good stuff, but right now he doesn't rate in the Top 20 on the minor league depth chart.

 

6. Frankie Francisco, 23 - RHP, SP – Winston-Salem Warthogs (High A Ball)

2003: 6-3, 3.69 ERA, 68.1 INN, 60 K, 31 BB

 

Fransisco has put up very good numbers for the Warthogs, but is old for the league. Fransisco does have a good fastball (mid 90's), but is just a marginal prospect until he proves himself at higher levels. He was ranked 22 by FutureSox.

 

7. Enemencio Pacheco, 24 – RHP, SP – Birmingham Barons (AA)

2003: 6-2, 2.80 ERA, 83.2 INN, 66 K, 31 BB

2002 (Winston Salem-A): 1-1, 4.74 ERA, 24.2 INN, 24 K, 8 BB

2002 (Salem-A): 2-2, 3.16 ERA, 51.1, 31 K, 26 BB

2001 (Salem-A): 4-2, 4.68 ERA, 42.1 INN, 29 K, 18 BB

2001 (Asheville-A): 1-2, 4.21 ERA, 36.1 INN, 34 K, 9 BB

2000 (Asheville-A): 8-10, 3.69 ERA, 117.0 INN, 79 K, 35 BB

1999 (Asheville-A): 3-9, 5.29 ERA, 85.0 INN, 59 K, 29 BB

1999 (Portland-A): 4-3, 3.95 ERA, 73.0 INN, 44 K, 21 BB

1998 (Asheville-A): 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 4.0 INN, 2 K, 1 BB

1998 (Az Rockies-R): 5-0, 3.99 ERA, 58.2 INN, 59 K, 17 BB

1997 (Dominican Rockies-R): 1-6, 5.26 ERA, 51.1 INN, 39 K, 22 BB

 

While Rupe is on the list, Pacheco may be the best one for the Rangers to select. Armed with a live fastball and hard slider, Pacheco has very good stuff and is constantly moving up the prospect charts with his success in Birmingham thus far. The big difference in Pacheco this year is the addition of an off-speed pitch, something that is still a work in progress. Ranked 17th by FutureSox.

 

8. Wyatt Allen, 23 - RHP, SP – Winston-Salem Warthogs (High A Ball)

2003: 6-3, 3.21 ERA, 87.0 INN, 56 K, 59 BB

2002 (Charlotte-AAA): 0-1, 9.00 ERA, 5.0 INN, 2 K, 6 BB

2002 (Winston-Salem-A): 8-9, 4.45 ERA, 161.2 INN, 110 K, 80 BB

2001 (Kannapolis-A): 4-5, 3.16 ERA, 62.2 INN, 45 K, 16 BB

 

Wyatt had one of the best arms in the 2001 draft, but mechanical flaws led him to slip all the way to the 39th pick. Two years later Allen is still a project and his arm is still "for real". He can throw the ball in the upper 90's (97), but has trouble finding the strikezone. Allen has shown progress recently, and could finally be on the verge.

[Cerbaho-WG]

Odd, on the way home from my relatives' home, I was thinking about writing this. Eerie!!

[witesoxfan]

You know, right now, I kind of hope that the Rangers select Webster and Rupe. For starters, I do not want to lose Diaz. I think he could land a spot in our bullpen this year. Also, I want to keep Pacheco. I just have got to hear DJ say "Enemencio Pacheco", and I want to hear him say it while Pacheco is in a Sox uni.

[Cerbaho-WG]

I'd want to keep Diaz and Rupe over everyone.

[Chisoxfn]

I'd want to keep Diaz and Rupe over everyone.

I'm with you. Despite my "over-hyped" remarks on Diaz he has really been turning it on over the past month. Just a guess, but his ERA around that time has to be around 2.00 (I don't know where to find that type of info), but it dropped drastically from the last set of stats I had which was about a month ago.

 

He has very good stuff and seems to have better control then most. Still, I do think his strikeout numbers could be better considering, but on the plus side he seems to know how to pitch and I agree he could definately be of help.

 

I'm a huge Rupe fan. In all honesty Yan, one of my favorite prospects (I love speed) is one of the guys that I hope is selected and I wouldn't even mind losing Webster and him (not that the Rangers will take two hitters), simply because their is so much depth their. Rupe has the shot to be a damn good closer, a position that is very costly, so its nice to have cheap relief help. If you notice, lower payroll teams, typically have weaker bullpens cause all the pieces there don't cost much.

 

I've always noticed how Williams builds up with a lot of relief arms and I think he has a plan in his mind that having a ton of arms to insert there keeps the overall cost of the team down and you can just keep rotating next people and build their "value up" and then move them for younger talent (Like Beane says, closers are way over-rated and I agree with him on that).

[Chisoxfn]

Odd, on the way home from my relatives' home, I was thinking about writing this. Eerie!!

When I was making updates to the site (trying to catch up from the stuff I missed while on vacation) the idea hit me.

 

What can I say Mike, great minds think alike, even if I don't like stats too much. I got to say, your making me look more at stats though.

 

Only ones I really care about are, ERA, K/BB ratio, K per inning pitched and hits an inning (Although some could argue hits per inning is just a luck stat, see: MoneyBall)

[Cerbaho-WG]

WHIP WHIP WHIP WHIP! Most important pitcher's stat right there.

[Chisoxfn]

WHIP WHIP WHIP WHIP! Most important pitcher's stat right there.

I'm down with you on that. I'm surprised you didn't buy into the stat that hits are basically luck, the key is keeping the ball out of play.

 

I think that idea is a bunch of crap, cause if good pitchers, especially a good sinkerballer hits his spots, then there is no luck in giving up hits. Its typically luck that a squibber gets through.

[Rex Hudler]

Felix Diaz' splits...

            W- L- S   ERA GP    IP   H   AB   AVG  TBF   R  ER HR  BB  SO WP BK

TOTALS      3- 5- 0  3.54 19  73.2  72  282  .255  313  32  29  8  25  47  3  0

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Home        2- 3- 0  4.50  9  28.0  30  112  .268  124  14  14  6  10  18  1  0

Road        1- 2- 0  2.96 10  45.2  42  170  .247  189  18  15  2  15  29  2  0

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April       2- 1- 0  4.58  5  17.2  21   69  .304   77   9   9  1   6  12  1  0

May         0- 3- 0  4.64  7  21.1  19   79  .241   90  12  11  4   8  13  1  0

June        1- 1- 0  2.48  6  29.0  29  115  .252  126  10   8  2  10  18  1  0

July        0- 0- 0  1.59  1   5.2   3   19  .158   20   1   1  1   1   4  0  0

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Start       1- 3- 0  2.93 10  55.1  52  210  .248  232  20  18  6  20  36  2  0

Relief      2- 2- 0  5.40  9  18.1  20   72  .278   81  12  11  2   5  11  1  0

[Chisoxfn]

Thanks Rex

 

Its definately a plus that he's back in the rotation. I guess I was right with my guesstimate of his June numbers.

[Rex Hudler]

I understand the concept behind the "hits given up are luck" theory. I think to a point, the book somewhat sensationalized the A's views on that.

 

I believe that a pitcher does have a hand in controlling the number of hits he allows, even if he doesn't strike out a ton of guys. It's called command within the strike zone. But I also do agree that the more times the ball is in play, the greater the percentage for luck hits. I think in isolated circumstances that luck can skew the numbers, but not in the big picture.

 

I don't have numbers to back me up but generally the guys with low hits/innings pitched ratios do it consistently, and they are not always guys with lots of strikeouts.

 

That is why I do agree that WHIP is important. If a guy gives up more hits, but few walks, then he will be fine. If a guy gives up few hits but walks a lot, then he is no better off. Unless the first guy gives up a ton of home runs.

 

I don't necessarily compute WHIP or look at the number very often. I just look at the same stats you do Jason and can come up with the same conclusion.

[MnSoxFan]

Cerbaho, you gotta change that pic, every time my girlfriend sees that when I am perusing thru the sox info, I get that disgusted look.

[Loaiza21]

Gotta keep Diaz and Pacheco. They will be very good for us.

[Ishmookie]

cotts is safe!