A New Prospects List

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 29, 2008 1:58 AM EST

WTM has updated his Pirates top 20 prospects list, which I believe he originally completed in August, to include a listing for Donald Veal, as well as some new details about prospects who were already listed. You can compare WTM's list to mine, also written in August. He and I pretty much agree about the first several prospects (the Alvarez/McCutchen/Tabata top three is pretty obvious at this point, I think), so the interest in these sorts of lists is in players further down--how do you rate someone like Jamie Romak, who has obvious flaws but has skills other Pirates prospects lack? Or someone like Jim Negrych, who's so good at hitting for average and so bad at everything else? Or players like Jarek Cunningham or Nelson Periera, whose statuses are based almost entirely on small samples in rookie ball?

UPDATE: Well, what do you know. Thanks to OlStubbleBeard, who points out that Baseball Prospectus also published their top 11 Pirates prospects today. The player descriptions are subscriber-only, unfortunately, but at least you can see the list by clicking the link. Here's a peek:

The Pirates have some young players, but they don't have many good young players.

The new administration in Pittsburgh inherited a mess, but they addressed it with the most aggressive draft in franchise history. There was nowhere to go but up, and things definitely seem to be heading in that direction.

There's also an MP3 there of an interview with Kyle Stark.

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Link to WTM

Charlie,

You’ve shared two links to your list. Here’s WTM’s list.

Viva Clemente!

by Roberto on Dec 29, 2008 9:25 AM EST reply actions

Oops. Link fixed. Thanks.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 29, 2008 12:28 PM EST up reply actions

Some thoughts on WTM's list:

1) I worry about Jose Tabata’s body getting heavier and forcing a move to a corner OF spot in the not-too-distant future. If he is not a bonafide CF, will he hit for enough power down the road to be a standout player?

2) Bryan Morris-too many injuries. A big red flag.

3) Evan Meek: I’m happy to see that he is progressing well. Some impatient whiners on this site want RESULTS! now, well, let’s give our 2007 Rule V draftee a year in the majors next year and see if GM Huntington made an astute choice or not. Patience, please.

4) It’s probably wishful thinking, but let’s hope Donald Veal turns out to be a Scott Sauerbeck-type find for us. A double dose of patience is in order to see if he can throw strikes in spring training first.

5) Even with our 2008 draft, we have a long way to go in attempting to build a talent-rich, productive farm system. It’s going to take a few years-best case scenario-until we have the talent to move onto bigger and better things at the MLB level.

6) The football season still holds my attention, but it won’t be long before my focus shifts to the date when pitchers and catchers report to Bradenton.

by patthatt on Dec 29, 2008 9:51 AM EST reply actions

Baseball Prospectus' top 11 just came out

Five-Star Prospects
1. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
2. Andrew McCutchen, CF
Four-Star Prospects
3. Jose Tabata, OF
Three-Star Prospects
4. Bryan Morris, RHP
5. Robbie Grossman, CF
6. Quinton Miller, RHP
7. Brad Lincoln, RHP
Two-Star Prospects
8. Neil Walker, 3B
9. Jim Negrych, 2B
10. Brian Friday, SS
11. Donald Veal, LHP

I believe details are subsriber only but in any case, here’s the article.

by OlStubbleBeard on Dec 29, 2008 2:18 PM EST reply actions

And FYI

In Goldstein’s system, five-star usually means the player should make top 50 prospects in baseball. Four-Star: top 100.

by OlStubbleBeard on Dec 29, 2008 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

Negrych

He doesn’t hit home runs, but his power is developing. He was a little old for A+ and didn’t hit many doubles after being promoted last year, but 36 doubles and 5 home runs in 386 at bats isn’t terrible. If he could hit .300, 30-40 doubles and 5-10 hrs, his obp would definately be solid and that would translate to .400+ slugging easy.

That isn’t impressive for a corner, but pretty good for a second baseman.

I know his glove is bad but I think he should play 2B—he probably can’t hit enough to be that valuable at a corner and if he turns out to be a utility guy the innings up the middle will only help him and the club in the long run anyway.

Altoona and Indy have room to give him some innings there, right?

by DITO on Dec 29, 2008 7:40 PM EST reply actions