We've been having the debate here at Talking Chop, but it's interesting to see how the industry rates newly acquired Braves pitching prospect Arodys Vizcaino. Jim Callis at Baseball America has been busy on the issue and gives us this response in his weekly mailbag column:
Vizcaino would rank No. 3 on an updated Braves list, between first baseman Freddie Freeman and Teheran. Vizcaino is a rare Yankees prospect who hasn't been overhyped, mainly because he hasn't reached full-season ball yet. He dominated older hitters as an 18-year-old in the short-season New York-Penn League last summer, showing a 90-94 mph fastball and a nasty curveball. He can be a frontline starter if he can improve his changeup and command.
Teheran has a little more polish than Vizcaino, but his mechanics and durablility are more worrisome, so I give Vizcaino a slim edge. Delgado has similar velocity to Vizcaino, but his curveball and command aren't as good.
For the record, the collective Talking Chop poll ranked him fourth, which is probably understandable since most people are more familiar with Teheran, and he is a level ahead of Arodys (for now).
Third, fourth... it's a good problem to have.
0 recs | 40 comments
Liking the Javier V trade better over time
Mostly because of Arodys. I tvoted twice, once Arodys 3rd, the other time ahead of Freeman at 2. More out of hope that he’s that good.
jbird29 - January 4, 2010
Also notable on that link to BA
“Top 100 Prospect All-Bust Team” is our (formerly) very own Andy Marte.
Whew, that was a good trade for us, getting rid of him.
blairblink - January 4, 2010
and to think he was a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame before he hit the majors…
bwellnjonesco - January 4, 2010
he became Renteria (and cash)...
who became Jurrjens (among others). So yeah, we are still reaping the many benefits of that deal.
Mr. Sanchez - January 4, 2010
does anyone have any clue on how to pronounce his first name?
Doghnut - January 4, 2010
Using my sweet Spanish skills that I gained from multiple years of formal schooling, I would guess it’s something like “ah-ROAD-ees”.
get swoll yunel - January 4, 2010
Exactly how i wudda pronounced it
nick9314 - January 4, 2010
WHO—LEE—OOO
That’s Julio…
bwellnjonesco - January 4, 2010
Rooo-Fi-Ooooooooooooo
Mr. Sanchez - January 4, 2010
lol
telemakhos - January 4, 2010
R-O-Deez.
MichaelProcton - January 4, 2010
LOL
I think we should just nickname him R.O.
gondeee - January 4, 2010
I like Vizzy.
ATLforlife - January 4, 2010
Figures
i thought thats why most people were ranking him about Teheran because of his durability. Either way we have 3 of the most talented A ball pitchers in the game and thats a good problem to have.
drumzalicious - January 4, 2010
Um, Spruill, Devall, Hoover, et al
we got more than 3 great prospects pitching in A ball. Although on your point, even better problem to have.
Mr. Sanchez - January 4, 2010
im aware of them
however at this time they arent in the same rank as Delgado, Teheran, and Vizcaino.
drumzalicious - January 4, 2010
I don’t know if delgado belongs in the conversation with those guys either. Vizcaino and Teheran are clear top 100 prospects, while delgado probably won’t make the list.
telemakhos - January 4, 2010
Well, we have 3 really good Latin American low-minors pitching prospects. Does that make everyone happy?
ATLforlife - January 4, 2010
+1
bwellnjonesco - January 5, 2010
Nope...
you forgot Carlos Perez, Robinson Lopez, Andy Otero, Dimaster Delgado, among others (in sarcasm font)
Mr. Sanchez - January 5, 2010
they aren't far behind Teheran and Vizcaino...
and Spruill and Devall are usually around, if not above, Delgado. We’ve got a load of quality arms for A ball this year, including the 3 highly hyped 20 or younger Latin American righties (as well as Robinson Lopez and lefty Carlos Perez who likely start in Danville but may well end the year at A ball in Rome).
Mr. Sanchez - January 5, 2010
Again, I’m not really getting why people keep thinking Teheran isn’t durable. He pitched twice as many innings as Vizcaino this year. He had no injury problems and Viczaino did. I guess it’s because of 08, but that seems a little odd to discredit a guy because of his pro debut.
cbwilk - January 6, 2010
I'd guess it's two fold...
2008 and his slender frame.
Mr. Sanchez - January 6, 2010
Does anybody know where he will be assigned? I’m really hoping it’s AA so I can see him in Birmingham often when Mississippi comes to town.
Bmacbandwagon - January 4, 2010
Very, VERY unlikely.
He’s very young and too inexperienced to get sent that high. He might not even be on one of the full-season teams to start the year.
MichaelProcton - January 4, 2010
Yikes! Didn’t know he was only 19.
Bmacbandwagon - January 4, 2010
hmm
prob Danville with a move up to Rome. Would be nice to see him and Teheran in the same place
drumzalicious - January 4, 2010
I agree with your assessment drumzalicious. That would be very nice.
Sparhawk - January 4, 2010
Personally I think
Both may start in Rome but unless Teheran stinks it up in Rome he’ll be in MB by mid-season and may even start there with a great spring.
Jay212033 - January 4, 2010 via mobile
I assume rome. He’s currently listed on rome’s roster.
telemakhos - January 4, 2010
That's just because...
…that’s where he ended last season. I don’t think anything has been changed since then officially.
cavebird - January 5, 2010
I think the op was asking about Vizcaino, who hasn't played anywhere in our system.
MichaelProcton - January 5, 2010
Teheran v. Vizcaino
OK here’s my reasoning why i’d rank Teheran over Vizcaino and what other’s are over looking in the ranking.
Teheran is almost a full year ahead of Vizcaino in terms of pitching. Teheran logged just a many innings in Rome as Vizcaino did in SS Ball. Also look at both guys numbers in SS Ball they are very comparable besides a slight edge ERA and K rate Teheran otherwise has better numbers than Vizcaino, Teheran has a better GO/AO ratio and a way lower BB rate which are more important stats to me at this point for an 18 y.o. Also BA and BP are quick to point out Teheran’s injury history but Vizcaino also has had back issues as well but not one source has mentioned that.
Jay212033 - January 4, 2010 via mobile
This. All this.
cbwilk - January 6, 2010
What about
Micheal Dunn where would he rank on the list?
bravesforever16 - January 4, 2010
um
is he still considered a prospect?
drumzalicious - January 4, 2010
I don't know
he made his debut with the Yanks last year but I don’t think he played much.
bravesforever16 - January 4, 2010
should be...
only 24, with 4 career innings.
Mr. Sanchez - January 4, 2010
ah ok
for some reason i was thinking he was more established. kinda mixing him and the Chavez fellow up
drumzalicious - January 4, 2010
He’s #16 (I think) on John Sickels’ updated list.
ajones2522 - January 4, 2010
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