Hold the phone, no, it's not the Talking Chop top-10 prospects, which will be released with much more aplomb over the next two days. It's the Baseball America top-10 Braves prospects (which is somehow considered the industry standard). No really, they do a fine job. Here is their top-10.
1. Julio Teheran, rhp
2. Freddie Freeman, 1b
3. Randall Delgado, rhp
4. Mike Minor, lhp
5. Craig Kimbrel, rhp
6. Matt Lipka, ss
7. Arodys Vizcaino, rhp
8. Brandon Beachy, rhp
9. Brett Oberholtzer, lhp
10. J.J. Hoover, rhp
Clearly we disagree on Oberholtzer, whom they rank at number-8, when we have him at 15. The big omission from this list Edward Salcedo. I would also like to know where Carlos Perez ranks (oops, I just gave away our top-10). Oh well, order matters. More to come...
0 recs | 150 comments
Outside of Freeman, Lipka has quickly become my favorite positional prospect
I’ve said it before, but he just gives me the feeling of Aaron Hill/Dustin Pedroia/Ian Kinsler.
ATLandUNC - December 15, 2010
Oberholtzer was the only omission from my top-10, with some of the places mixed up a bit. If you notice on the site, they project Lipka as the opening day CF in 2014, something I definitely agree with.
BenDuronio - December 15, 2010
He'll get evey shot a SS first though
But I agree 2B or CF is more likely though.
Jay212033 - December 15, 2010
He and Salcedo will both get shots at shortstop until they prove to not be suited for the position. In the end, both probably move. Lipka has a better shot of staying due to his athleticism, but I think even then he plays better in centerfield as a pure athlete than at shortstop.
BenDuronio - December 15, 2010
If he's eventually going to CF...
I’d prefer he move soon to go ahead and get used to reading the ball off the bat, getting his jumps, making calls as the man out there and such defensively
Mr. Sanchez - December 15, 2010
But McLouth in LF and Uggla at 2B?
It’s a messed up projected lineup.
Mr. Sanchez - December 15, 2010
For 2014? McLouth is in all probability an ex-Brave after 2011.
fandave - December 15, 2010
maybe in 2014 he will be a Royals CF
joshant - December 15, 2010
green
GeneParmesan - December 15, 2010
add this. according BA
Best Hitter for Average Freddie Freeman
Best Power Hitter Freddie Freeman
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Cory Harrilchak
Fastest Baserunner Matt Lipka
Best Athlete Matt Lipka
Best Fastball Julio Teheran
Best Curveball Arodys Vizcaino
Best Slider David Hale
Best Changeup Mike Minor
Best Control Brandon Beachy
Best Defensive Catcher Jesus Sucre
Best Defensive Infielder Andrelton Simmons
Best Infield Arm Andrelton Simmons
Best Defensive Outfielder Cory Harrilchak
Best Outfield Arm Cory Harrilchak
joshant - December 15, 2010
Surprised to see Haarilchak give Best OF Arm
Not that he’s got a noodle arm, but I’ve never seen it described as + either…
theatlfan - December 15, 2010
Yeah
Harrilchak’s arm isn’t terrible but it isn’t the best OF arm I saw in our system. Heck Adam Milligan has a better arm so does Willie Cabrera IMO.
Jay212033 - December 15, 2010
I didn’t think either one of them had stronger arms. About the same if anything. Harrilchak has a very accurate arm, which goes a long way.
cbwilk - December 15, 2010
its a wow
to see teheran ahead of Freeman, and Delgado ahead of Minor and Kimbrell..
are we sure we cant hold onto Delgado and Teheran and Vizcaino, and in a few years pitch the best of Hanson, JJ, Teheran, Minor, Beachy, Delgado, Vizcaino, and Medlen—that cuold be so nuts!
willlinn - December 15, 2010
I think most people would rank teheran above freeman….and rightfully so, that’s why all this “trade teheran for a big bat if you need to frank” talk needs to end
KJDH2154 - December 15, 2010 via mobile
If Freeman hits his max ceiling
I could see him being more valuable long term.
He could be Adrian Gonzalez – light.
With his defense I would not be surprised to see man 4+ WAR season from him.
ATLandUNC - December 15, 2010
But
If Teheran hits his max ceiling think Pedro Martinez in his prime. Hopefully both hit their max ceilings!
Jay212033 - December 15, 2010
Pedro in his prime – I made the same comment 4 or 5 weeks ago and it was then pointed out that Pedro in his prime = several all-time historically great seasons. And that was exactly what I had meant.
Truly, we have no idea how high Teheran’s ceiling could be.
fandave - December 15, 2010
actually
Freeman’s prime is pretty much Adrian Gonzalez.
apoxonbothyourhouses - December 15, 2010
BA typically favors upside over MLB-ready
Don’t confuse these rankings as when they’ll appear in the bigs – it’s more of what sort of impact their “realistic ceiling” would have on the team.
Teheran has the “realistic ceiling” of a #1 SP, many believe that Freeman might settle into the 2nd tier of 1B. Don’t see that as being too big a deal. Delgado over Minor does surprise me a bit, but I’ve always believed that Delgado is a bit overrated as a prospect. Not saying he isn’t a good one, but I wouldn’t put him in the near elite category either.
I’ve seen a lot of reports that think that Vizcaino may end up as a RP. His frame may not be able to take the 200+ IP of a reliable SP. That (along with what could be described as an injury confirmation) would be why he’s rated so low.
theatlfan - December 15, 2010
I project Vizcaino as a potential back-end reliever as well. He could definitely end up starting, but that’s where I envision him landing.
BenDuronio - December 15, 2010
I think delgado has been overrated on this site for a few years, just as carlos perez is now. They both started as live arms with small probability of putting it all together, but huge upside if they do. Delgado has proven to be one of the ones that puts it together at this point and he’s now up to the high levels of the minors where it means a lot more for him to be dominant. I think he’s finally actually as good as people think he is rather than being overrated.
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
So was Delgado really overrated before if he’s lived up to it? Isn’t that just a case of having the right idea about a guy’s ability?
cbwilk - December 16, 2010
he was overrated because he was a lottery ticket. He wasn’t as good of a prospect back then in terms of control or stuff and he was still in the very low levels of the minors. He’s as good of a prospect as he is now because of what he has changed and grown into over the past 2 seasons than because of what he was then.
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
His value as a prospect is the same now as it was then. You just had to have a forward enough thinking mind to see it back then. If a guy only becomes a prospect after he has success, then that’s a very timid way to judge things. You have to be able to look at a guy before he does it and say, yeah, that’s the guy.
cbwilk - December 16, 2010
Things have gone as well for him in the past 2 years as anyone could have expected. His ceiling might be the same, but his chances of reaching it are so much more likely now. Prospect ranking is all about balancing upside with certainty. There was very little certainty 2 years ago, but it’s much better now.
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
So again, how was he overrated 2 years ago? The people who were putting him high were right. I’m sure they missed on other guys, and could have missed on him, but you can’t take away from them on him because they were right. There’s little certainty with any prospect, even the guys in AAA and the ones who have played a little in the Majors. Correctly projecting a guy in the low Minors is something to be given credit for, not to say they were overrating him before but now they’re right cause now he fits your particular definition of a prospect.
cbwilk - December 16, 2010
I just think that he has changed things since that make him what he is now. It isn’t about what he was before. It’s not about seeing something in him 2 years ago. It’s about the coaching he’s received and the changes he’s made. If he had been in a different organization, he may have never become the same thing, so you can’t look back now and say that you knew. Back then, he didn’t have control. Now he does and that’s why he’s so good.
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
You can say back then you knew if you did. It’s about projecting guys into the future. After 2008 some folks didn’t think Teheran would turn out because he’d had a rough year and be injured. Some folks did because they saw his obvious skill. Those folks were right, and they can absolutely look back and say they knew. It’s about having the guts to project a guy rather than wait until he puts up stats, especially since stats in the Minors don’t really say much.
cbwilk - December 16, 2010
If you go on guts and feeling, you fall in love with every wiry 16 year old kid from latin america that can throw 95 mph. To truly evaluate prospects, you have to look at the skills they have at their age and stage of development. You have to realistically consider their ability to develop the skills that they lack in the years that they have ahead of them on their development path. That’s why they say you can’t project college hitters very far. It’s because they’re older and expected to be further along in their development. Some guys exceed the expected development path and some guys don’t and that’s where the variability comes into play. Teheran had a lot of polish and a feel for pitching at a very young age, something that made him advanced for his age and ahead of the curve developmentally. Delgado was on the development path to make him a decent prospect a few years ago and has since exceeded that. People loved cody johnson coming into pro ball because he had tons of power and tons of time to develop the skills that he didn’t have like contact and pitch recognition.
What I’m saying is that following a prospect is not about how much you wish a guy would become the next ace in the major leagues. It’s about how far you can project his current skills with a normal development path in order to figure out what he’ll be at the major league level and the chances that he’ll actually follow that path. Young, high upside guys like carlos perez have tons of ability at a young age, so if they follow the normal path, they’ll become well above average. But because they’re so young, they’re also farther away from the big leagues and there are more chances for them to fade into oblivion.
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
Sounds like you and I are on the same page. Which is why I still don’t understand how people were overrating Delgado before. They were rating him higher because they saw the projection.
cbwilk - December 16, 2010
CB
meet Wall. Have fun talking to it.
Doghnut - December 16, 2010
Ah. Cool. Hadn’t met Wall yet. Thanks for the intro.
cbwilk - December 16, 2010
Are Wall and Cash cousins??
dunnytwogloves - December 17, 2010
I don’t think it’s about seeing a particular development path. I think you assume a normal development path and see where that takes him from where his present skills are. I think he has taken bigger strides with his command than you would reasonably expect. If he had taken a more normal development path, he wouldn’t be amongst the top tier of pitching prospects. It’s the same thing for minor. He made strides with his stuff and command that people didn’t expect. That doesn’t mean he was poorly evaluated before. It’s just that he was so far along his development path already that you can’t reasonably expect a jump in his skills.
With respect to delgado, I don’t think it’s as bad as I’ve been portraying it. With a guy like carlos perez though, I’m much more adamant. He can throw hard, but I don’t think he should be anywhere near the top 10. Right now, he’s just a young, live arm.
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
Well, that’s an incredibly safe way of judging prospects. I guess under those guidelines you’ll rarely be wrong. You won’t ever be ahead of the curve, but you’ll rarely be wrong.
cbwilk - December 17, 2010
Overrated?
I think, if anything, you could say he’s been underrated thanks to the success of JT.
king of games - December 16, 2010
only 2 position player
who could be the next prospect after Lipka?
joshant - December 15, 2010
No Salcedo and no Perez?
Hmmm….
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010 via mobile
Perez
He’s the biggest surprise to me since he was their Appy League #1 Prospect and he has much more upside than Oberholtzer.
Jay212033 - December 15, 2010
Per the current ongoing chat...
…Perez just missed the top 10, while Salcedo was in the middle of the top 30 due to the rawness of his game. Both were said to be guys who could easily shoot up the list.
cavebird - December 15, 2010
30? What?
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010
middle?
I guess 15? That wouldnt be too far off.
Doghnut - December 15, 2010
Oh wow…I read that as “in the middle of the 30’s”, not “in the middle of our top-30 list.”
Now I feel pretty stupid. Great.
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010
I did too at first so don't feel bad.
Of course, I’ll never admit it though.
Creek Johnson - December 15, 2010
I would guess that you have that feeling a lot huh?
Boom. Roasted
KJDH2154 - December 15, 2010 via mobile
I saw this scene last night...
“Michael, what are you doing? My mother is coming!”
“That’s what she said!”
I almost lost it. I forgot all about that episode.
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010
lazy reading.
fandave - December 15, 2010
Sweet.
Ballew just said he prefers Teheran over Hellickson long term.
cavebird - December 15, 2010
Please keep us updated.
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010
I think he is the best pitching prospect in the minors
Braves24 - December 15, 2010
Me too. But Hell Boy is pretty badass. He’s a great kid too. Looking forward to seeing what he does for them next season.
cbwilk - December 15, 2010
Well this is pretty embarrassing for BA:
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010
Pastornicky projected in 2014 instead of Salcedo or Simmons???
TBuzz - December 15, 2010
Well it’s tough for them to project since they obviously won’t make any FA or trade predictions, but McLouth in 2014? Really? There’s a better chance Barbaro Canizares is out there.
And while Pastornicky has nowhere near the potential Simmons or Salcedo do, he also have a much better chance of playing in the Majors one day. That’s probably why he’s there.
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010
Salcedo will never stick at SS anyway, from what I've heard.
I don’t know Simmons though. I’ll have to read up.
Creek Johnson - December 15, 2010
From TC...
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010
Okay this rings a bell.
I wonder where he’ll end. 98 mph is just nasty.
Creek Johnson - December 15, 2010
end up. end UP.
Creek Johnson - December 15, 2010
More embarrassing for Baseball American than...
their projecting McLouth to be our left fielder in 2014 is their inability to spell his name correctly. That’s just bad for an outfit like BA.
cavebird - December 15, 2010
So they didn't spell it McOut?
Tarkus - December 15, 2010
Julio can't push Tommy out of the #1 spot?
That’s not what I heard. Very interesting, BA.
Creek Johnson - December 15, 2010
Ehh…both are top-5 prospects and it won’t really matter who’s our “#1” and “#2”.
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010
Gotcha.
I get caught up in labels too easily.
Creek Johnson - December 15, 2010
And Hanson probably gets based on experience alone.
king of games - December 15, 2010
Its like Glavine Maddux Smotlz.. Which number one starter should I go with today?
yondaime4 - December 15, 2010
Amen
+1
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010
I think by 2014, there aren’t going to be many pitchers in the game better Hanson.
BenDuronio - December 15, 2010
Haarilchak??
Pretty embarrassing that we get a guy who wins 3 awards in the tools section and he’s not even projected as a starter in 2014… and he’s behind McLouth.
theatlfan - December 15, 2010
He's a Scott Podsednik type to me
More of a decent CF starter without much pop but has tremendous speed and plays good defense.
Jay212033 - December 15, 2010
Better plate discipline though. Poor mans Brett Gardner, which isn’t incredibly valuable but still useful. I think Harrilchak ends up as a solid fourth outfielder for the big club, kind of like Gardner was for the ’09 Yankees.
BenDuronio - December 15, 2010
Sounds like a slightly better version of Gregor Blanco.
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010
Pretty much, or maybe exactly the same as Blanco. The Braves never valued Blanco appropriately, in my opinion. Didn’t have enough offensive powers at other positions to be fine with Blanco’s defense and OBP. Harrilchak has a better arm though.
BenDuronio - December 15, 2010
Agreed. Blanco definitely isn’t a starter, but he has a ton of value off the bench. Hopefully Harrilchak can be our own Wilson Valdez or something.
Scott Coleman - December 15, 2010
yondaime4 - December 15, 2010
I'd take 70 steals from Harritchak
If you are comparing him to podsednik
BravosFanatic - December 15, 2010
Not really the point though...
Saying that he wouldn’t be better than McLouth is…
theatlfan - December 15, 2010
I know
I was just joking
BravosFanatic - December 15, 2010
CharlestonBrave
BA will only typically project players currently in the organization. The reality is that our 2014 LF is likely coming from somewhere else.
charlestonbrave - December 15, 2010
haha, 2014 yankees rotation should be something like tim lincecum, ubaldo jimenez, jurrjens, hanson, and greinke
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
Hanson will still be under team control in 2014.
king of games - December 16, 2010
just trying to come up with 5 young stud pitchers that were not in the yankees organization because their rotation will undoubtedly not be comprised of home-grown talent in 2014
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
You had Harrilchak, ....
who they apparently loved, Adam Milligan, Jordan Schafer, even a Myke Jones from the IF, among others who could have fit in LF instead of someone who clearly won’t be here anymore.
Mr. Sanchez - December 16, 2010
haha god i hope not
i just saw that too …. was wondering the same thing
JKowalek - December 15, 2010
Hoover
He’s one of my favorite prospects right now. I could see him being better than Vizcaino or Beachy. He probably won’t be, but I could definitely see that.
BenDuronio - December 15, 2010
yea I could see that
Braves24 - December 15, 2010
no
i couldn’t see him being better than Vizcaino if both reach their ceilings.
apoxonbothyourhouses - December 15, 2010
no
If Vizcaino and Hoover reach their ceilings, Vizcaino will be the better pitcher.
Braves24 - December 15, 2010
sorry fail
didn’t read what you said at all. Vizcaino could eventually become a reliever
Braves24 - December 15, 2010
but the issue
is “ceiling”. Vizcaino’s ceiling per say is a #2 starter. Hoover? More like a #4. Thus, Vizcaino’s ceiling is higher than Hoover’s. Will Vizcaino get there? Hard to say, but I do like his arm.
apoxonbothyourhouses - December 16, 2010
thats not the issue at all, you have decided that is the issue unilaterally. Ben merely said he can foresee a situation where Hoover is better than Vizcaino. Tthis is due to the fact that Hoover is much more likely to meet him ceiling, I would say about 75%, whereas Vizcaino realistically only has like a 5% chance of reaching his. is a back of the bullpen reliever as valuable as a 5th starter, its hard to say, but that is most likely where each will end up respectively,
Swo12bv - December 16, 2010
please explain why you believe Vizcaino realistically only has only a +/- 5% chance of reaching his ceiling.
respectfully: that seems pretty crazy pessimistic to me – even after some downward adjustment to account for his critqued mechanics and recent elbow issues (i.e., lots of pitchers adjust their mechanics and lots have elbow issues, including TJ transplant surgery, and do very well).
fandave - December 16, 2010
his ceiling is so high, thats why i am so pessismistic….
It would also be helpful to clarify something, I think too many people use the term “ceiling” improperly. The best evidence of this is Andruw Jones, Andruw Jones was a great player, but he didnt reach his ceiling. The same could happen to Vizcaino, he could end up as a really good starting pitcher and be a #3, but he wouldn’t have reached his ceiling, he could be a dominant 8th inning guy, but thats not his ceiling. There is too much going against Vizcaino to reach his ceiling, the arm issues, the mechanics, the size, the lack of a good third pitch (right now, his changeup is developing), its a lot to overcome, and I’m not saying he can’t I just don’t think the odds are in his favor.
Also, the 5% was for illustrative purposes, I don’t have any idea how to apportion a percentage to Vizcaino’s ability to reach his ceiling, but it would be rather low regardless.
Swo12bv - December 16, 2010
first of all, +/- 5% isn’t possible, only the +5% is.
second of all, 5% is probably actually realistic. Just look back at past top 10 lists. The unrealistic part is hoover’s 75%. He’s probably more like 10-20%.
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
Of course if both reach their ceilings, but that is far from a sure thing. My point was that I could envision Hoover being more valuable than Vizcaino, especially if Arodys eventually moves to relief.
BenDuronio - December 15, 2010
Can't wait for the draft next year.
With our pitching depth, we’re free to focus on adding OF depth and maybe a bit more corner infield depth.
king of games - December 15, 2010
ummmm
2B? wait, we were too cheap to sign Alvord this year.
As for Corner OF, we drafted Sabol to do that but were too cheap to sign him, too.
Don’t look to the draft to find players for the Braves. We spent the LEAST amount of money on the draft in the past decade of ANY team in baseball.
apoxonbothyourhouses - December 15, 2010
(O)
You picked 2 late round picks that were not expected to sign…wonder if any other teams had that happen.
bighop - December 15, 2010
The reports were saying that they were close in agreement with both at one point. I think they decided against signing them to save money for a midseason pick up, ala Derreck Lee..
bwellnjonesco - December 15, 2010
I won’t be the least bit surprised if we pick them both again this June.
bighop - December 15, 2010
We lost out big time on Anthony Rendon, so who knows..
bwellnjonesco - December 15, 2010
and the winner is
apoxonbothyourhouses - December 16, 2010
I think they both went to 4 year colleges, so they couldn’t be drafted until after their junior seasons.
cbwilk - December 15, 2010
No clue
I had no clue that rule existed, it’s nice to learn new stuff.
bighop - December 15, 2010
yeah
Alvord went to Auburn. Sabol went to Oregon.
apoxonbothyourhouses - December 16, 2010
If they chose to use the money on Lee instead of sign two late round picks, it was probably a smart move. Lee played in 39 games with the Braves and had a .849 OPS for the Braves, that’s more games than any player in the Braves Minor League system might ever play in the Majors, so it was worth the money.
cbwilk - December 15, 2010
We have like 4-5 good SS prospects, most likely one or two will switch over to 2B.
king of games - December 15, 2010
And Salcedo maybe to 3b
BravosFanatic - December 15, 2010
Also,
We spent the least amount of money, yet have one of the best systems. I’m ok with that.
king of games - December 15, 2010
Really hoping there isn’t an organizational shift taking place in tending towards drafting cheaper college players over upside high school players. The player development staff has been so great here over the past 2 decades so they get more than just the benefit of the doubt but I do wonder if the ownership situation maybe has crept into baseball operations. Roy Clark leaving was significant and given what was said about the Minor-Purke situation in the 2009 draft, I hope they aren’t forcing scouts to pass on the talent they like best. Developing stars and impact talent is the goal of championship organizations and it’s going to be tougher for the organization to do that if the draft budget shrinkage is a mandate.
jeg - December 16, 2010
Interesting
When Ballew mentions the rookie contributions we received this year, especially the pitching ones, he does not mention Medlen. I think Medlen was really lost in everything that has happened since his injury; many overlook just how valuable and good he really is.
“Atlanta got contributions from several other rookies as well, including bullpen stalwart Jonny Venters, who made 79 appearances with a 1.95 ERA. Brandon Beachy, Craig Kimbrel and Mike Minor plugged holes on the pitching staff, while Brooks Conrad was a useful utility player.”
I mean, how can you NOT mention Meds when talking about “plugging holes on the pitching staff”?
atlbravosfan - December 15, 2010
I could be wrong but I thought Meds was called up even before Tommy was?
vooodooo - December 15, 2010
you are right
he was called up before Hanson
Braves24 - December 15, 2010
Medlen lost his rookie status in 2009. I agree with you that he was ultra valuable for us last season. I feel the same way about what Beachy could bring to the table in 2011, although some here want to keep him in AAA.
bwellnjonesco - December 15, 2010
Depressing from Baseball America
Nate McOut starting left field in 2014
Delaware Boiler - December 15, 2010
Completely ridiculious, I’d say.
In 2011, he’s in year 3 of a 3 year deal and is due $6.5M. In 2012, he is either gone for a $1.25M buyout or the Braves voluntarily elect to exercise a $10.65M club option. For the Braves to pick up that option and then, additionally, resign him to another multi-year contract that keeps him in our OF into 2014 is extremely far-fetched to say the very least.
fandave - December 15, 2010
I will say this
For that scenario to play out, it must mean McLouth makes one hell of a comeback…that’d be nice.
Doghnut - December 15, 2010
McLouth is just a placeholder on the list.
They don’t put someone outside of the organization on it, and if they don’t see any minor leaguers who will take over by then, they just keep the current guy. Nothing to see there.
cavebird - December 15, 2010
Well, there’s Schafer, though his perceived value will be nil until he shows that he can hit again.
Lennox - December 15, 2010
But McLouth isn’t a LFer
bighop - December 15, 2010
Yes he is.
Lennox - December 15, 2010
It is really sad
but he’s a better CF than he is a LF. McLouth is completely lost in LF. His routes to balls are nearly comical.
bighop - December 16, 2010
Oh, he looked awful in LF last season ...
But we’re talking about 50 innings late in the season (and, he looked awful in almost every aspect of the game last season).
Even with his horrible performance last season, he still has a positive UZR in LF for his career Given a chance to adjust to playing LF, he’d probably be a much better defender there than he has been in CF.
Lennox - December 16, 2010
Don't believe the hype!
This is all speculative opinions. What matters is what Frank Wren says. Last year, Beachy wasn’t on this list and was an organizational player bound for a couple more seasons of minor league bus rides…and he gets 3 big league starts and showed guts and calmness that impressed every Braves fan. On the flip side, Cody Johnson was rated #9 on BA’s list, struck out more than Pedro Cerrano, and is gone!!!
The nice thing is, a guy like Beachy is #8 for us, but for another team, he might be a 2-5 rated player.
We have depth, baby!
Braves12 - December 15, 2010 via mobile
Beachy supposivly has pinpoint control on every pitch even though he doesn't have a A+
Beachy supposivly has pinpoint control on every pitch even though he doesn’t have a A+ pitch, if you have great control with good pitches then you can make it in the majors
BravosFanatic - December 15, 2010
worked out okay for that Mad Dog guy.
fandave - December 15, 2010
Maddux had two A+ pitches in his prime and his curveball and slider were both plus pitches too.
jeg - December 16, 2010
and he had the best command/control of any pitcher ever
comparisons to Maddux are worthless and relatively dumb
Swo12bv - December 16, 2010
I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid. I ask Joe Boo to come…take fear from bats. I offer him Cigars…and Rum. He will come.
TBuzz - December 15, 2010
I'm pissed now, Joboo. Look, I go to you. I stick up for you. You no help me now...
I say, f*ck you, Joboo. I do it myself.
DolphinNation - December 15, 2010
So if you're looking...
for some Big-League clout, apply for that little green home-run hitter!
TBuzz - December 15, 2010
don't steal home without it
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
Well you can't have studs at all positions
and that may be why they put Mclouth in there. I could def see a below average player ala Mclouth or Alex Gonzalez still in the lineup then. Well not Gonzalez but at least Mclouth. Otherwise our payroll would be around $200 mill and we def can’t afford that.
Second, we are better off in the long term because we have great bullpen depth. The bullpen is going to be awesome for the next 7 years. That’s what’ll make our team better than the Phils or Cards.
Finally, lets just say we don’t get any major free agents next 3 years. It’ll mean more money to resign Tommy, Jason, Brian, Freddie, Martin, Dan, Johnny and Craig to long term contracts.
redjohn - December 15, 2010
you can if you are the royals.
yondaime4 - December 15, 2010
I guess I'll just have to agree to disagree with these guys...
Leaving out the guy who could be our best position player prospect(Salcedo) is just irresponsible research.
MWhitexx - December 15, 2010
I know some people like him
but ranked higher than Freddie? When Freddie is so close to being a major leaguer? Dunno about that…
Doghnut - December 15, 2010
you misunderstand...
I would put him about 7 overall, but he may have the highest ceiling of the Braves position player prospects, so he deserves a spot in the top 10.
MWhitexx - December 15, 2010
he was also atrocious after a long layoff with very few actual scouting reports out there for him. He’s got upside, but he also has no polish at all. He’s a long way off.
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
Five thoughts this list envokes in me
1. Information I already knew, we have amazing pitching depth in the minors, that could very well be used for a potential trade this upcoming deadline.
2. We have high ceiling players that are not even included in this list ala C. Perez and Salcedo
3. Our draft can primarily be focused simply on B.P.A, but prolly more towards offensive side. With this being said, we can also take any approach in our drafting style as well. risky or more cautious.
4. I would look for higher upside draft picks in the latter rounds, coming out of high school and look for them to actually get signed.
5. I’m very pleased with our scouting department, and with new additions to our scouting staff look for our minor leagues to be even better in the years to come.
Overall, the ability of our organization to provide the major league club with high profile talent and production has been simply amazing. This has been the case,especially the last couple of years.
Since 2009, our organization has provided us with Heyward, Big Red, Kris Medlen, Venters,Beachy, Minor, Kimbrel, Freeman, Schafer, and Brooksy.
Not many teams, if any, can say they have brought up an equal amount or better of this level of telent. These are ten quality major league contributors, and arguably 6 (+/- 1) players who could become all-stars. This is simply incredible.
I do know one thing, I am proud to be a Braves fan, and with the previously mentioned information, how can you not be.
I am greatly looking forward to this years draft, the upcoming season, and seeing what other contributions come from more players brought up from the Braves, simply awesome, minor leagues.
chicagobullies - December 15, 2010
+1
Nice Post
BravosFanatic - December 15, 2010
Best Tools, last year
No one of these guys are in this year best tools. and McLouth was 2013 LF of the proyected lineup
joshant - December 15, 2010
Jordan Schafer
Has he really become this bad? What happened to him?
MurphyHOF - December 15, 2010
What do you mean? He lost his rookie eligibility, and thus his prospect status, so he can’t show up on any prospect lists.
cbwilk - December 16, 2010
for the sake of argument, where would he be though, I would have a hard time putting him in the top ten, and I really love Jordan, his ceiling and his abilities. I think he would settle in anywhere from 9-15 for me personally, just because he hasnt played in so long.
Swo12bv - December 16, 2010
Love that sig line by the way. Yeah, I’d say your 9-15 range sounds about right. He’s missed a ton of time the last few years, and until he proves otherwise (which I think he will) you have to wonder if that wrist isn’t permanently injured in a way that would prevent him from playing at his highest level. I think Jordan can be a very dynamic player and I really believe he’s gonna rebound in a big way this year, but yes, he’s still a big question mark.
cbwilk - December 16, 2010
Chance he wins a spot out of ST or is he going to have to go to AAA for a month or two??
KJDH2154 - December 16, 2010
The prevailing wisdom around here is that after two full seasons of wrist injury, wrist complications and being unable to effectively swing the bat, he needs consistent playing time against minor league competiton to build up his strength and confidence, and maximize his chances of acheiving long-term success.
My guess is even if he absolutely raked throughout ST, it would still require a total collapse-level fail or major (season-ending type) injury to at least one or probably two of the other projected outfielders (McLouth, Prado, Mather, Young, etc.) for him to have any real shot at the 25 man roster coming out of camp.
fandave - December 16, 2010
I think he needs to go to AAA no matter what happens in ST. He just needs the regular at bats and it’s much less pressure in AAA.
cbwilk - December 16, 2010
i agree completely, absent massive injuries to the entire OF there is no reason Schafer shouldn’t get a minimum half a season in AAA
Swo12bv - December 16, 2010
I think if BA would agree to rank him, he’d hit somewhere in the 20-30 range. There is very low confidence from just about anyone right now that he’ll be able to rebound from his struggles. I think he’s a solid sleeper because he’s off of most people’s radars right now, but I also think there’s too much for him to overcome to become a major league contributor.
telemakhos - December 16, 2010
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