Top 10 Right-Handed Pitching Prospects
Jonathan Mayo lists his top 10 righty pitching prospects. Jameson Taillon is at No. 3, and Gerrit Cole is No. 6. I'm a little surprised by that -- I'd think most analysts would put them in approximately the opposite spots. Personally, I had Taillon above Cole in my last prospect list, but that was before Cole showed up at the AFL throwing 100 MPH. And I thought I was cutting against the grain by putting Taillon above Cole to begin with.
4 months ago
Charlie Wilmoth
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It's interesting
to see Mayo not only mention Taillon’s slider but describe it as a plus-pitch (he also talks about Taillon’s rarely used change so who knows). I absolutely love Taillon and it’s hard to complain about a guy with an elite fastball and a plus-plus curve. If he develops any type of quality third pitch he is a perennial All-Star but it’s great to hear somebody describe his change and his slider (at least after HS scouting reports) as potential plus pitches.
by KentuckyPirate on Jan 16, 2012 10:36 PM EST reply actions
I think Bauer has just got to show off more than cole since he signed early and got to pitch in the minors. Once the kid gloves are taken off of Taillon and Cole unleashes upon minor league baseball I think we could have the #1 and 2 pitching prospects by the end of the season
by Merle1989 on Jan 16, 2012 10:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Me too
I watched both pitch on the west coast in college, and while Bauer is intriguing, I’d take Cole’s potential as a #1 any day. Not going by stats at all with this statement, but just by watching opposing batters and how comfortable they looked facing them.
" I think this is probably the best team ever assembled. They talk about the Vince Lombardi Era, but I think the Chuck Noll Era is even greater. " - Mel Blount
by michaelbro8 on Jan 16, 2012 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
it's impossible to explain to yinzers
that we have NEVER had prospects like this. never ever.
but that’s fine we aren’t yinzers. the day will be glorious
That's not strictly true.
In 1998, we had two of BA’s top 10 overall prospects (Ramirez at 5 and Benson at 7), plus another guy just barely outside that range (Hermansen at 13).
I agree with your larger point, though.
by Vlad on Jan 17, 2012 7:35 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
IIRC
that was the year the Bucs had the #1 farm system in baseball and managed to become the only example since BA started ranking organizations that the #1 overall farm system didn’t produce a playoff team within five years…sigh.
by KentuckyPirate on Jan 17, 2012 8:30 AM EST up reply actions
Think that might’ve been ‘97 (though it’s some of the same guys, of course).
The ’97 rankings were unreal: Benson at 8, Hermansen at 21, Jose Guillen at 24, Ramirez at 26, Ron Wright at 48, Abe Nunez at 69, and Jimmy Anderson (!) at 88.
That might be right
It was crazy how the organization rushed Guillen to the bigs in ‘97 straight out of A+ ball. I interviewed Kevin McClatchy for my middle school newspaper that year (I have no idea why he ever called me back) and he compared Guillen to Clemente. The organization was clearly high on him, but when you look at the stunted early development of A-Ram (didn’t become a consistent starter until his 4th or 6th year depending on how you look at it) and Guillen (6th year) it really makes you wonder how things would have been different if organization was a little less hasty.
by KentuckyPirate on Jan 17, 2012 10:32 AM EST up reply actions
he compared Guillen to Clemente
I remember hearing that comparison at the time as well.
At the time I heard it, I didn’t really appreciate that Clemente took six seasons to become a truly productive ML hitter.
Yep
and then man did he have a career.
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 18, 2012 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
yinzer speak
Dey havet made it to the Burgh a’at
by BadAndy on Jan 17, 2012 7:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Finally
someone else who has Taillon ahead of Cole, but as Charlie points out, Cole’s velocity (and stuff in general) have made me waiver.
Good to see this two guys high on the list. On the other hand, two guys drafted behind Cole ahead of him on the list. One guys opinion though.
On Cole, I keep trying to stay level-headed and not get geeked up, but I can see Cole coming out and absolutely dominating A+ and then AA ball and vaulting himself into the conversation about the #1 overall prospect, although Harper may not be able to be unseated if he has a good year.
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 17, 2012 12:38 AM EST reply actions
And
then I re-read this and he talks about Taillon’s slider, which according to what I’ve read has been scrapped, so take this list with a grain of salt I guess.
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 17, 2012 12:45 AM EST up reply actions
any chance
that if Taillon were to dominate, he gets a shot at AA? Or does BD think that too aggressive of a move?
Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott
I don’t think that be out of the question if he’s dominating in Bradenton. That’s the route Shelby miller took last season when they were at the same time in their development.
by Merle1989 on Jan 17, 2012 1:45 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
It might be aggressive
for the Bucs based on their apparent developmental model. However, if he does move up, I get the feeling that it wouldn’t be based on any kind of statistical “dominance” of A+ hitters but instead being truly ready for the jump. If Taillon has crazy good numbers because he’s better than the hitters he’s facing but the team can identify things that they don’t feel he’s doing well enough (let’s just say FB command for example) I’d bet he stays in high A. On the other hand, if they like everything they see from him but for whatever reason his numbers resemble his WV numbers (very good in some respects but not as dominant as some might hope) I think he could still get bumped up.
by KentuckyPirate on Jan 17, 2012 8:34 AM EST up reply actions
I’m not saying that the pirates should rush him if he isn’t ready but if he is dominating then that’s a pretty good sign that he’s better than those hitters so why not hone his skills and mechanics at a higher level against better competition? I believe the Pirates need to start being more aggressive with there prospects for two reasons. 1. A lot of other teams around the league have moved their prospects at an aggressive rate and have already seen good results in the majors. 2. The Pirates window of opportunity to win with the current core of young major league players is a lot smaller than some people realize. By the time Cole and Taillon are both in the majors players like Cutch and Walker will be getting expensive through arb. Therefore, the Pirates must be aggressive if they ever want to see multiple seasons of their of their current young core and current top prospects playing together, which I think we all can agree it’d be spectacular and a Pirates fan dream.
if harper debuts this year
it won’t be an issue. can’t be on a prospect list if you’ve lost rookie eligibility.
True
but I don’t see that happening. The Nats aren’t in a rush, especially with Gio given an extension. Another year to delay his clock and let him develop more won’t hurt and I think they figure that out.
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 17, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
i bet you Harper sees time in Washington this season, if not substantial.
Especially if they somehow get Fielder in the fold, the Nats will make a huge push to out Philly the Phillies
I doubt
Harper gets enough time to lose prospect status. He’s definitely an elite prospect (obvious understatement) but he also struggled a bit with in his first shot at AA. While that’s not totally unexpected for an 18 year old, it at least makes me hesitate to say that he’ll definitely play his way out of AA and AAA in time to get enough ML AB’s to disqualify himself.
by KentuckyPirate on Jan 17, 2012 5:55 PM EST up reply actions
But
why? Fielder is gonna sign for more than two years. I guess they lose Zimmerman kinda soon, but the Phillies are going to be on the decline soon, so why not let it happen. The Nats should look long-termish still.
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 18, 2012 12:23 AM EST up reply actions
they SHOULD look long term, but that doesnt mean they WILL.
They rushed Strasburg. If they push Harper, he could bring the same kind of buzz to DC. Remember, the only times that the Nats really sold any tickets was when Strasburg pitched.
the only way Harper doesnt get the call is if he struggles badly.
by white angus on Jan 19, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
With Werth and Morse they don’t exactly have room for him atm either (not that they won’t make room when the time comes), so they probably want to see if Morse is for real and they still need an answer in CF.
Werth
is playing in CF I thought. That’s the plan at least.
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 18, 2012 12:24 AM EST up reply actions
there are 3 outfield positions there chief
and roger bernadina is in one of them right now. their reserve outfielders are the ghost of mike cameron and bucs dugout favorite xavier paul. i wouldn’t call that not having room.
Someone has to play CF, sport
did they not re-sign Ankiel yet? Looks like they really should have dealt for Gorkys
someone does have to play CF
and it’s a good thing harper has done it in the minors
I really don't care
which one of them is slightly better than the other one. The thought of having both of them in the rotation at the same time is exciting enough for me.
As thin as the offensive pipeline is,
if Taillon and Cole hit the Majors within a year of each other and both deal from the outset, we could have a quick window of competitiveness.
The idea recalls the Wood/Pryor/Clement Cubs teams of the early 2000s, doesn’t it?
No jinx no jinx no jinx.
Or “Prior,” not Pryor. Excuse me.
No jinx no jinx no jinx.
by Suffering Buc on Jan 17, 2012 8:13 AM EST up reply actions
Dang
Terrell and OSU and tattoos.
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 18, 2012 12:24 AM EST up reply actions
JFC
Wood and Prior? Why not just call them “Generation K” if you want to jinx them?
Now you’re making me think unhappy thoughts.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Jan 17, 2012 8:25 AM EST up reply actions
Cole getting a NRI for Spring Training...
Along with Mike Crotta, Ramon Cabrera, Eric Fryer, Tony Sanchez and Robbie Grossman per a Kristy Robinson tweet.
Excited to see Taillon's development/progress in 2012.
Perhaps Cole’s rough outing in the AFL all-star game pushed him down the list a little bit.
I’m pretty sure one bad outing doesn’t influence the Pirates’ player development decisions. Littlefield is no longer in charge.
No jinx no jinx no jinx.
by Suffering Buc on Jan 17, 2012 5:52 PM EST up reply actions
Littlefield is no longer in charge.
Well, under Littlefield they never had anybody who had only one bad outing.
Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!
It
was that one rare good inning.
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 18, 2012 12:25 AM EST up reply actions
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