Ozzie Ball Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Baseball America have started up their top 20 prospect/league again this year. Today was the turn of the Appy League. APPY TOP 20 PROSPECTS 1. Tim Beckham, ss, Princeton Rays 2. Wilmer Flores, ss, Kingsport Mets 3. Matt Moore, lhp, Princeton Rays 4. Gabriel Noriega, ss, Pulaski Mariners 5. Mario Martinez, 3b, Pulaski Mariners 6. Randall Delgado, rhp, Danville Braves 7. Jordan Lyles, rhp, Greeneville Astros 8. Angel Morales, of, Elizabethton Twins 9. Albert Suarez, rhp, Princeton Rays 10. Kelvin Herrera, rhp, Burlington Royals 11. Jon Gilmore, 3b, Danville Braves 12. Jay Austin, of, Greeneville Astros 13. Niko Vasquez, ss, Johnson City Cardinals 14. Craig Kimbrel, rhp, Danville Braves 15. Paul Clemens, rhp, Danville Braves 16. Gregory Infante, rhp, Bristol White Sox 17. Sam Runion, rhp, Burlington Royals 18. Federico Hernandez, c, Greeneville Astros 19. Juan Silverio, ss, Bristol White Sox 20. Fernando Cruz, 3b, Burlington Royals 16. Gregory Infante, rhp, Bristol Sox B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 185 Age: 21 Signed: Venezuela '06 Infante got a later start to his career than most international free agents, signing with the White Sox as an 18-year-old in 2006 and turning 19 while pitching in the Rookie-level Venezuelan Summer League that summer. He posted an ugly 8.61 ERA in the VSL, and followed up by going 2-3, 4.01 with 23 walks in 34 innings in the Appy League in 2007. Infante showed the same wildness in an assignment to low Class A Kannapolis this May, but he finally hit his stride in a return engagement in Bristol. Though he's already 21, Infante's arm strength and clean delivery are difficult to ignore. His fastball ranges from 89-95 mph and sits at 92-93. While his command comes and goes, he holds his velocity late into his starts. He also throws a hard 74-79 mph downer curveball that functions as his out pitch. Because he tends to overthrow everything now, he lacks feel for a changeup. But if he develops that pitch and improves his command, he could become a No. 3 starter. 19. Juan Silverio, ss, Bristol Sox B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 175 Age: 17 Signed: White Sox '07 Silverio signed with the White Sox for $600,000 out of the Dominican Republic in August 2007, but both parties credited with his signing—international scouting director Dave Wilder and scout Victor Mateo—were fired in May for their roles in alleged international bonus skimming. Silverio's bonus may or may not have been inflated in the scandal, and he's also a difficult player to evaluate because he seemed completely overmatched by Appy League competition. That's understandable in one regard, seeing as only Wilmer Flores was the only position player who was younger. Silverio has a mature upper body and the ball carries off his bat when he makes contact. However, his rudimentary pitch recognition rendered him helpless against breaking balls, and his pull-happy approach left him exposed on the outer half of the plate. He earned plaudits for his solid-average arm, but Silverio likes to stand up to throw, costing him time. His range and reads at shortstop both were below average, and he bobbled more balls than he should have. He has slow feet and is a below-average runner. Link. Shedule for the rest of the leagues. Would have liked to see Upchurch on there but he was the only real omission from our org. that I can think of. The projection of Infante seems a little optimistic to me also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggsmaggs Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 I am excited about tomorrow's Pioneer League. I think both Carter and Hudson could be in the top 10. Kuhn also should make the top 20 based purely on stats. But he is a guy who will get the usually "gets the most out of his non-existent baseball package." But Sox should have three guys in there and then with Kanny, probably 2-3 more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 That's very discouraging on Silveiro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palehosefan Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Man, Dave Wilder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bighurt4life Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Even though all they did was bash Silverio they must have liked him at least a little bit otherwise they wouldn't have put him on the list so hopefully with another year of maturation and development he can start to pull it together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 The 600K signing bonus got him on the Appy league prospect list. His play did not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bighurt4life Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Sep 17, 2008 -> 11:49 AM) The 600K signing bonus got him on the Appy league prospect list. His play did not. What about Po Yu Lin? If i recall he got a pretty fat signing bonus and he's not on any lists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 QUOTE (bighurt4life @ Sep 17, 2008 -> 08:42 PM) What about Po Yu Lin? If i recall he got a pretty fat signing bonus and he's not on any lists. $300,000, but I don't believe he was in the Appy League. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiSox_Sonix Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 18, 2008 -> 08:12 AM) $300,000, but I don't believe he was in the Appy League. He was in GF who play in the Pioneer League Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 18, 2008 -> 04:12 AM) $300,000, but I don't believe he was in the Appy League. Plus, when he first had signed he probably would have had some consideration. Of course he wasn't even hitting 86 MPH which makes it pretty tough to make any sort of prospect list as a pitcher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Sounds like Infante has a pretty live arm... seems like a guy to keep a closer eye on for next year. Also, looks like Silverio would fit in with the current MLB squad and Greg Walker just perfectly: However, his rudimentary pitch recognition rendered him helpless against breaking balls, and his pull-happy approach left him exposed on the outer half of the plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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