Post by rock30 (Cardinals GM) on Jan 6, 2014 23:13:11 GMT -6
2012 Draft Selections
1. Lewis Brinson
2. Pierce Johnson
3. Dennis Torres
1) Trevor Bauer, RHP, (Diamondbacks) Grade A: I am a total believer, and fully expect Bauer to be a number one starter. I would have picked him over Gerrit Cole. Despite the heavy UCLA workload, I don't think his risk is any higher than any other pitcher his age, and it could be lower.
2) Tyler Skaggs, LHP, (Diamondbacks) Grade A-: I don't know what to say here other than he's really good. Scouting reports are quite strong, numbers excellent, future number two starter although if everything works out. If everything works out (more on that below).
3) Archie Bradley, RHP, (Diamondbacks) Grade A-: I very seldom give a grade like this to a high school pitcher, but I believe in Bradley almost as much as I believe in Bauer. He could be number one on this list a year from now.
4) Martin Perez, LHP, Grade B+: I think he's been pushed too quickly, but all the talent to be a number two or three starter is still there.
5) Zach Lee, RHP, (Dodgers) Grade B+: His statistical performance in the Midwest League was solid rather than spectacular, but I like the combination of present stuff and projection. Future number two starter if all goes well.
6) Jake Odorizzi, RHP, (Royals) Grade B+: He has been a favorite of mine for three years and I see no reason to change that opinion, although he needs to work a bit lower in the zone.
7) Michael Montgomery, LHP, (Royals) Grade B: Erratic, but still has high upside and is close to the majors. Slight adjustments could result in a breakthrough.
8) Robert Ross, LHP, Grade B: Remained effective after promotion to Double-A, which is a very good sign. Doesn't have as high a ceiling as some other arms in the system, but also has a higher floor. Possible number three or four starter
9) Roman Mendez, RHP, Grade B: Seems like he deserves more attention than he gets. Owns plus stuff and showed considerably better command this year. Mid-rotation projection.
10) Dillon Howard, RHP, (Indians) Grade B-: Borderline B. No pro innings yet, but has body and stuff of a number two starter. Grade is cautious given lack of pro data. Could be much higher next year.
11) Justin Grimm, RHP, Grade B-: Made progress with secondary pitches and command, could be mid-rotation starter or power relief arm.
12) Will Lamb, LHP, Grade B-: Clemson product making transition to the mound full-time after spending most of college in the outfield. Three potential plus pitches but needs innings to refine them.
13) Jacob Skole, OF, Grade B-: First round pick from 2010 has tools but skills are still raw, had mediocre season in Low-A. Draws walks but strikes out too much.
14) Zach Cates, RHP, (Cubs) Grade C+: Acquired in the Cashner/Rizzo trade. Often overlooked due to 4.78 ERA in Low-A, but he has a live arm and peripheral stats were much better. Breakthrough possible.
15) Kevin Matthews, LHP, Grade C+: Undersized lefty from 2011 draft seems similar to Robert Ross and now-traded Robert Erlin.
16) Nomar Mazara, OF, Grade C+: Earned $5,000,000 bonus out of the Dominican due to his power potential. Most teams think this was too much money since his other tools are just so-so, and not everyone buys that his swing will work, but the Rangers believe. Impossible to grade properly until we get some data to see who is right.
17) Luke Jackson, RHP, Grade C+: One of my favorite high school pitchers from 2011 draft, but struggled with his command in the Sally League. Give him more time.
18) Odubel Herrera, 2B, Grade C+: Fast, makes contact, young, solid glove, but league observers worry that impatience and lack of power will hinder him at higher levels.
19) Luis Sardinas, SS, Grade C+: Got just as much press as Profar when he signed, but hampered by injuries and barely played. High ceiling with defense and speed.
20) Justin Miller, RHP, Grade C+: Sleeper relief prospect, throws in mid-90s, looked very sharp in the Texas League.
21) Matt West, RHP, Grade C+: Former third baseman converted to mound with stunning results: 35/1 K/BB with a 94 MPH fastball. Could move fast as relief option if he maintains that.
22) Miguel De Los Santos, LHP, Grade C+: Erratic, but still putting up insanely good strikeout numbers.
OTHERS: Jordan Akins, OF; Engel Beltre, OF; Jacob Brigham, RHP; Yefry Castillo, C; Zach Cone, OF; Abel De Los Santos, RHP; Wilmer Font, RHP; Leury Garcia, SS; Kyle Hendricks, RHP; Mike Kirkman, LHP; Luis Marte, SS; Tommy Mendonca, 3B; David Perez, RHP; Jimmy Reyes, LHP; Tomas Telis, C; Nick Tepesch, RHP; Johan Yan, RHP
1. Lewis Brinson
2. Pierce Johnson
3. Dennis Torres
1) Trevor Bauer, RHP, (Diamondbacks) Grade A: I am a total believer, and fully expect Bauer to be a number one starter. I would have picked him over Gerrit Cole. Despite the heavy UCLA workload, I don't think his risk is any higher than any other pitcher his age, and it could be lower.
2) Tyler Skaggs, LHP, (Diamondbacks) Grade A-: I don't know what to say here other than he's really good. Scouting reports are quite strong, numbers excellent, future number two starter although if everything works out. If everything works out (more on that below).
3) Archie Bradley, RHP, (Diamondbacks) Grade A-: I very seldom give a grade like this to a high school pitcher, but I believe in Bradley almost as much as I believe in Bauer. He could be number one on this list a year from now.
4) Martin Perez, LHP, Grade B+: I think he's been pushed too quickly, but all the talent to be a number two or three starter is still there.
5) Zach Lee, RHP, (Dodgers) Grade B+: His statistical performance in the Midwest League was solid rather than spectacular, but I like the combination of present stuff and projection. Future number two starter if all goes well.
6) Jake Odorizzi, RHP, (Royals) Grade B+: He has been a favorite of mine for three years and I see no reason to change that opinion, although he needs to work a bit lower in the zone.
7) Michael Montgomery, LHP, (Royals) Grade B: Erratic, but still has high upside and is close to the majors. Slight adjustments could result in a breakthrough.
8) Robert Ross, LHP, Grade B: Remained effective after promotion to Double-A, which is a very good sign. Doesn't have as high a ceiling as some other arms in the system, but also has a higher floor. Possible number three or four starter
9) Roman Mendez, RHP, Grade B: Seems like he deserves more attention than he gets. Owns plus stuff and showed considerably better command this year. Mid-rotation projection.
10) Dillon Howard, RHP, (Indians) Grade B-: Borderline B. No pro innings yet, but has body and stuff of a number two starter. Grade is cautious given lack of pro data. Could be much higher next year.
11) Justin Grimm, RHP, Grade B-: Made progress with secondary pitches and command, could be mid-rotation starter or power relief arm.
12) Will Lamb, LHP, Grade B-: Clemson product making transition to the mound full-time after spending most of college in the outfield. Three potential plus pitches but needs innings to refine them.
13) Jacob Skole, OF, Grade B-: First round pick from 2010 has tools but skills are still raw, had mediocre season in Low-A. Draws walks but strikes out too much.
14) Zach Cates, RHP, (Cubs) Grade C+: Acquired in the Cashner/Rizzo trade. Often overlooked due to 4.78 ERA in Low-A, but he has a live arm and peripheral stats were much better. Breakthrough possible.
15) Kevin Matthews, LHP, Grade C+: Undersized lefty from 2011 draft seems similar to Robert Ross and now-traded Robert Erlin.
16) Nomar Mazara, OF, Grade C+: Earned $5,000,000 bonus out of the Dominican due to his power potential. Most teams think this was too much money since his other tools are just so-so, and not everyone buys that his swing will work, but the Rangers believe. Impossible to grade properly until we get some data to see who is right.
17) Luke Jackson, RHP, Grade C+: One of my favorite high school pitchers from 2011 draft, but struggled with his command in the Sally League. Give him more time.
18) Odubel Herrera, 2B, Grade C+: Fast, makes contact, young, solid glove, but league observers worry that impatience and lack of power will hinder him at higher levels.
19) Luis Sardinas, SS, Grade C+: Got just as much press as Profar when he signed, but hampered by injuries and barely played. High ceiling with defense and speed.
20) Justin Miller, RHP, Grade C+: Sleeper relief prospect, throws in mid-90s, looked very sharp in the Texas League.
21) Matt West, RHP, Grade C+: Former third baseman converted to mound with stunning results: 35/1 K/BB with a 94 MPH fastball. Could move fast as relief option if he maintains that.
22) Miguel De Los Santos, LHP, Grade C+: Erratic, but still putting up insanely good strikeout numbers.
OTHERS: Jordan Akins, OF; Engel Beltre, OF; Jacob Brigham, RHP; Yefry Castillo, C; Zach Cone, OF; Abel De Los Santos, RHP; Wilmer Font, RHP; Leury Garcia, SS; Kyle Hendricks, RHP; Mike Kirkman, LHP; Luis Marte, SS; Tommy Mendonca, 3B; David Perez, RHP; Jimmy Reyes, LHP; Tomas Telis, C; Nick Tepesch, RHP; Johan Yan, RHP