BA League-Specific Top 20 reports

[danman31]

There was a Hudson question in chat. Matt Forman said he needed 46.1 innings to qualify for SAL consideration. That would have him eligible for AA and just missing the cut for High-A, though he said he would be in the Carolina League. Also said Hudson would be in consideration for top 3.

[NorthSideSox72]

There was a Hudson question in chat. Matt Forman said he needed 46.1 innings to qualify for SAL consideration. That would have him eligible for AA and just missing the cut for High-A, though he said he would be in the Carolina League. Also said Hudson would be in consideration for top 3.

Nice. Any other Kanny questions yet?

 

[danman31]

Nice. Any other Kanny questions yet?

Nothing. I asked one about Mitchell, but haven't seen it. The chat is still going which is pretty impressive.

[maggsmaggs]

There was a Hudson question in chat. Matt Forman said he needed 46.1 innings to qualify for SAL consideration. That would have him eligible for AA and just missing the cut for High-A, though he said he would be in the Carolina League. Also said Hudson would be in consideration for top 3.

 

He lie like a rug. Jordan Danks checks in at 14 and Morel at 20. No Hudson. Carolina league was pretty so this really isn't surprising. Complete list:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prosp...009/268965.html.

 

Someone wanna post the scouting reports?? THANKS!

[Ozzie Ball]

14. Jordan Danks, of, Winston-Salem (White Sox)

Age: 23. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 210. Drafted: White Sox ’08 (7)

Danks spent little time in the Carolina League, but one month was all the White Sox needed to see before promoting him to Double-A for good in May. Danks continued hitting well at Birmingham before wrist and finger injuries took a toll on his numbers.

 

At the plate, Danks shows good bat speed and a solid swing. Despite his size, he has below-average power, though that could improve as he fills out his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame. He can be susceptible to offspeed pitches, but he does a good job working the count to get on base and is a good bunter.

 

Danks’ athleticism stands out on the bases and in the field. He’s an above-average runner, though he could slow down as he matures physically. He gets good jumps and takes good routes to the ball in center field. He also shows a solid-average arm that will serve him well if he winds up in right field.

20. Brent Morel, 3b, Winston-Salem (White Sox)

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 220. Drafted: White Sox ‘08 (3).

Scouts and managers use words like “throwback,” “old-fashioned” and “blue collar” to describe Morel, whose solid tools play up because of his instincts and feel for the game. He was one of the CL’s best hitters after the all-star break, batting .304/.361/.496.

 

Morel puts together quality plate appearances, with managers around the league praising him for his intelligence and preparation. He has a compact, line-drive swing and doesn’t strike out much. He mostly works the gaps but has the potential to hit for at least average power in the future.

 

A good defensive third baseman, Morel has first-step quickness, soft hands and a plus arm. He’s a solid-average runner with good instincts on the basepaths.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prosp...009/268965.html

 

[NorthSideSox72]

Love the Morel report - hard to find a weakness in it.

 

[Balta1701]

D2: the mighty Danks had a finger injury?

[bmags]

Really hope Danks starts showing power next year.

[southsider2k5]

Love the Morel report - hard to find a weakness in it.

 

Sounds like a Twins 3B.

[MnSoxFan]

Michael (NY, NY): What is one guy you originally thought was sure to make the list who got left off, and why was he left off?

 

 

Ben Badler: White Sox reliever Nathan Jones was a last-minute cut, but he has outstanding arm strength. His fastball ranges from 94-98 mph, while some people have seen him sitting at 96-98. So that's always going to give him a chance, but he's more of a thrower than a pitcher right now. The command needs work, his breaking ball is a power pitch in the low- to mid-80s but still gets slurvy, and doesn't have much deception, which is one reason why his strikeout rate isn't as high as you might expect for a guy who can pump it into the high-90s.

 

[MnSoxFan]

FIVE YEARS AGO Carolina League
 

1. *Jeff Francouer, of, Myrtle Beach (Braves)

2. *Michael Aubrey, 1b, Kinston (Indians)

3. *Brian Anderson, of, Winston-Salem (White Sox)

4. *Zach Duke, lhp, Lynchburg (Pirates)

5. *Kyle Davies, rhp, Myrtle Beach (Braves)

6. *Brandon McCarthy, rhp, Winston-Salem (White Sox)

7. *Ryan Sweeney, of, Winston-Salem (White Sox)

8. *Brian McCann, c, Myrtle Beach (Braves)

9. Richie Gardner, rhp, Potomac (Reds)

10. *Fernando Nieve, rhp, Salem (Astros)

an * indicates player has played in major leagues

[bmags]

FIVE YEARS AGO Carolina League
 

1. *Jeff Francouer, of, Myrtle Beach (Braves)

2. *Michael Aubrey, 1b, Kinston (Indians)

3. *Brian Anderson, of, Winston-Salem (White Sox)

4. *Zach Duke, lhp, Lynchburg (Pirates)

5. *Kyle Davies, rhp, Myrtle Beach (Braves)

6. *Brandon McCarthy, rhp, Winston-Salem (White Sox)

7. *Ryan Sweeney, of, Winston-Salem (White Sox)

8. *Brian McCann, c, Myrtle Beach (Braves)

9. Richie Gardner, rhp, Potomac (Reds)

10. *Fernando Nieve, rhp, Salem (Astros)

an * indicates player has played in major leagues

 

That's pretty good success

[Ozzie Ball]

2. Gordon Beckham, ss, Birmingham (White Sox)

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 190. Drafted: White Sox ’08 (1).

One year after sharing the NCAA Division I lead with 28 homers at Georgia, Beckham began 2009 in Double-A and quickly advanced to Chicago, where he was one of the top rookies in the American League. Beckham has a short, efficient swing with good bat speed, using quick hands and strong forearms to routinely put the barrel to the ball and drive it for power. He has a solid approach at the plate, showing the ability to recognize offspeed pitches, use the opposite field and employ a sound two-strike approach.

 

Most managers felt that Beckham could play shortstop at the major league level, as he has good athleticism, first-step quickness and a solid arm. Others thought he might be a better fit at second or third base partly because of his fringe-average speed, and the White Sox used him solely at the hot corner alongside Alexei Ramirez at short. Beckham’s base­running still could use additional polish.

 

“I put a higher grade on Beckham than I put on any other player I saw this year,” a National League scout said.

 

6. Tyler Flowers, c, Birmingham (White Sox)

Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 245. Drafted: Braves ‘05 (33).

Flowers’ best tools are his ability to hit, hit for power and control the strike zone. He has excellent plate discipline, recognizing offspeed pitches well with a patient approach that makes him an on-base machine. His size, strength and power swing give him plus power that’s evident both in batting practice and game situations.

 

Flowers is an offensive-minded catcher, but he made significant improvements behind the plate his year. While some projected him as a first baseman entering 2009, his throwing, receiving, blocking and footwork all got better. He threw out 29 percent of basestealers between Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte.

 

Some scouts still see Flowers as a bit stiff, but others think he could become an average defensive catcher with more work. Like most backstops, he’s a below-average runner.

 

15. Dan Hudson, rhp, Birmingham (White Sox)

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-4. Wt.: 220. Drafted: White Sox ‘08 (5)

A fifth-round pick a year ago, Hudson opened the year in low Class A and breezed through all four of the White Sox’s full-season affiliates before making his major league debut in September.

 

Hudson’s fastball ranges from 90-93 mph, sitting at 91-92 and getting outs by riding in on righthanders and tailing away from lefties. His 81-83 mph changeup is his best secondary pitch, an above-average offering with fade and late sink.

 

Hudson’s slider flashes average tilt and depth when he stays on top of it, though he has a tendency to drop his three-quarters arm slot down lower, causing it to flatten out. He can elongate the slider to make it sweepier against righthanders, or shorten up the break to make it more like a cutter against lefties.

 

Hudson’s arm action has a long arm arc in the back, but his mechanics still provide deception because he’s able to stay closed. He has a tendency to fly open with his delivery at times and needs to show more consistency with his command.

 

16. Jordan Danks, of, Birmingham (White Sox)

Age: 23. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 210. Drafted: White Sox ’08 (7).

Danks had only 40 games of pro ball under his belt when he received a promotion to Birmingham in mid-May. He batted .308/.387/.442 in his first 29 games for the Barons before missing two weeks in June with a sprained wrist. His hitting tailed off afterward, and he missed another week and a half in August with a finger injury.

 

A good athlete, Danks has a nice swing with good bat speed. He has a 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame, but he never has developed into a home run threat and his power still grades as below average. He works counts well enough to draw a fair number of walks, though he still needs to improve his ability to hit offspeed pitches. He’s also a good bunter.

 

Danks is an above-average runner with good instincts in center field and a solid-average arm. He isn’t wiry but still has room to pack on more mass, which would help his power but also might affect his future defensive position.

 

“He can play center field now,” a NL scout said. “but I think with his body frame, he’s going to grow to be a bigger guy, lose some speed and be a corner guy. But I like him.”

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prosp...009/268974.html

 

 

[NorthSideSox72]

No Retherford or Shirek. Not so surprised with Shirek, but I thought CJ had a shot.

 

[Ozzie Ball]

No Retherford or Shirek. Not so surprised with Shirek, but I thought CJ had a shot.

A lack of tools/upside plus a stacked league was always going to make it difficult for him.

[ChiSox_Sonix]

No Retherford or Shirek. Not so surprised with Shirek, but I thought CJ had a shot.

 

And remember, this is stile moreso a "best prospects in the league" thing rather than one based off performance.

[NorthSideSox72]

And remember, this is stile moreso a "best prospects in the league" thing rather than one based off performance.

Of course. If it were performance, we might see someone like Cook or F Hernandez on the list, but as a prospects, clearly they don't deserve to be there.

 

That said, I personally think that as players move up levels, their performance is itself more and more indicative of their chances of major league success. Once you reach AA, it can't just be about tools or physical traits anymore - they need to be able to actually perform.

 

[ChiSox_Sonix]

Of course. If it were performance, we might see someone like Cook or F Hernandez on the list, but as a prospects, clearly they don't deserve to be there.

 

That said, I personally think that as players move up levels, their performance is itself more and more indicative of their chances of major league success. Once you reach AA, it can't just be about tools or physical traits anymore - they need to be able to actually perform.

 

Yeah that is true. Hopefully someone brings up CJ in the chat. I'm also just realizingViciedo wasn't mentioned. For a 20 year old kid I thought that was a great performance this year. Hopefully something is mentioned about him in the chat too