John Sickels' Top 20 Pirates Prospects
Wow. Von Rosenberg at #4. I have no idea why Jeff Locke and Quinton Miller aren't in the top 20.
My most recent top 30 list is here, if you're curious. If I were doing another one today, I'd bump Jose Tabata up to #2 after his awesome AFL performance, move Chase D'Arnaud up a couple of spots, and put Rogelios Noris back on the list after an eye-opening performance in a tiny sample in the Mexican Winter League.
8 months ago
Charlie
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Wow indeed
That was quite a stretch is you ask me.
The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Interesting.....
that he has all of this group:
Brian Friday, SS; Quincy Latimore, OF; Jeff Locke, LHP; Jordy Mercer, SS; Quinton Miller, RHP; Bryan Morris, RHP; Danny Moskos, LHP; John Raynor, OF; Donald Veal, LHP; Neil Walker, 3B
rated as C prospects and not in the top 20. Not necessarily surprised, but telling I think.
So why is Von Rosenberg listed so high?
Is it due to a general lack of talent in the PBC minor league system?
Or a validation of NH’s strategy of drafting kids with large contract demands in higher rounds?
I've been saying it since draft day:
ZVR is the best player we took in the draft last year, in any round. Nice to see him get some props here.
You want an encouraging sign? Look at all those C+ guys in A-ball. Over the next year, most of them will move up to solid "B"s.
by Vlad on Dec 16, 2009 8:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
NY-Penn
He mentions the 2010 NY-Penn rotation and how intriguing it will be…who do you guys think will be there?
Just like Miller...
I don’t think any of the HS guys we drafted last year will top 90 innings. So those that got little to no innings this past year will prob start the season in extended Spring Training just like Quinton Miller did.
Then they will progress to either State College, or, for the more advanced guys like Pounders and ZVR, to WV at mid-season. Expect the starting rotation for WV next April to be filled with guys like Kyle McPherson, Nathan Baker, Jeff Inman, Phillip Irwin, and Victor Black.
Noticed that Rumbunter is calling a breakout year for Neil Walker.
Takes guts to make a call like that…
As for me, I think Jeff Locke breaks out this year.
Anyone else for making a longshot call?
I really liked Quinton Miller when I saw him at Charleston.
You never know with the injury bug, but he sure looked like there’s plenty of potential there to get excited about.
I'm really interested...
in both Brock Holt and Evan Chambers, as both got better as the season progressed at State College, while putting up their best numbers in August. I’d like to see if Holt can stick at SS while still hitting for good power, and as for Chambers, can he cut down on the SO, keep up the ridiculous BB rate, and stay in CF.
But as for a guy that could really shoot up in to the top five, Jeff Locke.
how about
Aaron Pribanic and Hunter Strickland?
by BurgherKing on Dec 16, 2009 10:21 PM EST up reply actions
Strickalnd is a nice pick.
He reportedly gained some velocity towards the end of the year. IIRC he was throwing in the mid 90’s. I guess I could add Lorin to the list as well. I think the Mariners trade will be a nice one for us in the long run.
GIFT!
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Dec 16, 2009 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
I'll toss a few from half court.
Among guys who weren’t on Sickels’ list at all, I’ll say Brent Klinger, Walker Gourley, and Exicardo Cayonez.
Among guys who are regarded as prospects, but underbilled and due to raise their respective profiles substantially, I’ll say Ramon Cabrera, Jarek Cunningham, and Jeff Inman.
by Vlad on Dec 16, 2009 11:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'll throw my hat in the ring
for Chambers, Alderson, and as one of the few who still think Danny Moskos will make it (as RP)
Any one know
anywhere good to get info on fall/winter leagues? I’d love to be able to keep up with our prospects progression
The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Google "Arizona Fall League", there is an official site with all the stats, you could probably find the other leagues the same way
I think there’s a venezuelan league and a mexican league. Isn’t there also a Hawaiian league?
by houksyndrome on Dec 16, 2009 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
Langosch update
Check a few:
Brian Bixler (Mexico): 35 G, .300 BA, 5 2B, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 13 BB, 42 SO
Ronald Uviedo (Venezuela): 19 G, 2-0, 21.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 BB, 23 K
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Dec 17, 2009 1:15 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not quite sure what he was thinking....
putting Jeff Locke that low. I don’t see the major knocks on him, and he looks to have #3 upside. He reminds me of Paul Maholm.
He definitely finished the year strong.
I really hope he can build on that success because he has a ton of upside.
I think Veal.....
unquestionably has major league stuff. I think the comparisions to Meek are appropriate and not only because both were Rule 5. A huge IF, but IF he can further improve his command and control as we saw in the AFL I think there is big upside.
Also, I’m going to show Bryan Morris a little love. The knucklehead incident with the umpire was unfortunate and IIRC he was pretty brutal down the stretch, but I’m going to bank on raw talent and a bit of the “now or never” mentality that he makes a big leap this year.
He ended the year well at least
Had a really good start in the playoffs. Hopefully he builds off that next year now that he’s been using his new mechanics for a while.
I'll say this
It seems like there’s enough pitching talent in the system that I think it’s realistic to expect at least one guy to really step up (and make it stick). Don’t know whether it’ll be ZVR flashing ace stuff or a lower profile guy jumping his rating, but I’m feeling optimistic about that.
As MarkInDallas has been hammering home, just about the only way to get major talent is to draft it and grow it; we’re due for a topline starter to emerge. And if one does, a real run from 2013-2016 looks really promising.
I think if we add an ace-upside pitcher like Anthony Ranaudo next year in the draft, we’ll have a heck of a pitching staff in 2-3 years.
by Adam Reynolds on Dec 17, 2009 8:09 PM EST up reply actions
We're not doing much with FA and trades as expected,
but at least we have an interesting farm system to talk about during the winter, instead of the pathetic imitation of one DL had for years.
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