Post by rymiller (Angels GM) on Jan 15, 2014 16:51:51 GMT -6
This still a work in progress...
Tyler Beede - SF
Grant Holmes - LAD
Scott Blewett - KC
Alex Verdugo - LAD
Dylan Davis - SF
Dylan Cease - CHC
Christopher Ellis - LAA
Jeremy Rhoades - LAA
3) Tyler Glasnow, PIT, RHP, Grade B+: Ridiculously good K/IP and H/IP marks in Low-A stand out as big positive and confirm reports of outstanding movement/velocity combination. Walk rate was too high to get an A-grade at this time, but he’s come a long way from being a high school kid throwing 86 MPH to throwing 95 and higher in three years. Further mechanical refinements with 6-7 body will push him into truly elite prospect range and he’s not far off right now.
4) Jorge Soler, CHC, OF, Grade B+. Signed $5M (2015): Injury and questions about makeup hampered his stock somewhat in '13, but he crushed High-A pitching when healthy. If the intangibles don't get in the way he should be another potent bat.
3) Garin Cecchini, BOS, 3B, Grade B+: I won’t be talked out of the B+ grade like I was last year. Absolutely love this bat and superior on-base skills. Have to see where he fits defensively. I’ve gone back-and-forth with Bradley at 2 and this could flip depending on how I want to slot them in the Top 50, but I will worry about that next month.
7) Blake Swihart, BOS, C, Grade B: Only thing he hasn’t done yet is hit for power, but scouts seem to think that will come. Impressive glove, makes contact, controls zone well. Even without big power he can still be a regular.
5) Nick Kingham, PIT, RHP, Grade B. Borderline B+. Stuff not quite at Glasnow level but command is much better, thrived in High-A and Double-A by throwing strikes with low-90s fastball, good curve and changeup. This may wind up as a B+ but I have a couple of other things I need to check first. One week older than Taillon and not far off from him as a prospect if you’re objective about it.
4) Marcus Semien, CHW, INF, Grade B: Borderline B-. I had him rated as a sleeper pick last year but I don’t think anyone expected 19 homers, 24 steals, and 98 walks. Might not hit for a high average but has a broad array of offensive skills and decent defense. He didn’t bring his plate discipline to the majors but overall I think he is for real and should have a very good career.
4) Eric Jagielo, NYY, 3B, Grade B: I think his defense is actually underrated; he isn’t a gold glove but he should do well enough to stay at third as long as he produces as much offense as expected. Should produce power and OBP, but don’t expect high batting averages.
4) Brian Flynn, MIA, LHP, Grade B-. Huge 6-8 lefty led Pacific Coast League in ERA due to improved slider and changeup to go with 88-95 MPH fastball. He got hit hard in 18 big league innings due to command troubles which hadn’t bothered him during the minor league season, but he will get more chances. Relief work is fallback option but he could become a solid fourth starter.
17) Andrew Thurman, HOU, RHP, Grade B-: Reminds me of Tropeano with strong command of three decent pitches and profiles similarly as an inning-eater type.
2) Hunter Green, LHP, Grade B-: Borderline C+: The B- is probably generous and I may go down to C+. I like his arm strength and projectability, and the 2013 second-rounder has the highest upside arm in the system. He also had command problems in rookie ball, so don’t expect a rapid advancement.
11) Courtney Hawkins, CHW, OF, Grade C+: Borderline C. Really tough to grade: the Sox let him flounder in High-A at age 19 (.178/.249/.384 with 19 homers, 160 strikeouts). Had no business at that level given his approach and it showed. Can he use this experience as a positive and make adjustments? Will it kill him or make him stronger? Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
8) Johnny Hellweg, MILW, RHP, Grade C+: Would rank a few notches higher if the only thing that counted was radar gun readings, but his command is horrendous. 81 walks in 126 innings in Triple-A is more telling than his pretty 3.15 ERA at Nashville.
4) Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Grade C+: As stated, he has better tools than Cron and you can make a case to rank him ahead. But his performance collapse in Double-A was so profound I’m starting to wonder if he needs to move back to the mound.
5) Nick Maronde, CLE, LHP, Grade C+: Pitched much better in the second half with better control for Arkansas. Should be a solid relief pitcher who doesn’t have to be confined to LOOGY work.
6) Mark Sappington, TB, RHP, Grade C+: Most Angels pitching prospects look like future relievers but Sappington has a chance to start. He’s got plenty of stuff with a lively fastball, slider, and changeup, but command issues need to be addressed before he’s ready for a big league trial. You can make a case to rank him ahead of Cron and Cowart.
7) R.J. Alvarez, SD, RHP, Grade C+: Excellent K/IP ratio in High-A (70 whiffs in 49 innings) was no fluke, with mid-90s fastball, slider, and changeup. Command needs work but this is another bullpen arm with potential.
10) Nick Wittgren, MIA, RHP, Grade C+: Exceptional performance record for this relief prospect, 0.77 ERA with 63/10 K/BB in 58 innings, just 42 hits, 26 saves between High-A and Double-A. Punctuated this with 0.66 ERA and 19/2 K/BB in 14 innings in Arizona Fall League. Throws reasonably hard and very deceptive. Ninth-round pick out of Purdue in 2012 continues to exceed expectations. I think he could close eventually.
8) Jose Rondon, SD, SS, Grade C+: Venezuelan infielder is renowned for his excellent defense, and he showed some solid contact hitting skills in the Pioneer League. Doesn’t have any power yet, but has improved his plate discipline and doesn’t turn 20 until March. There’s some chance he can exceed expectations offensively.
9) Alex Yarbrough, 2B, Grade C+: University of Mississippi product hits for average and provides steady defense at second base. Knocked 32 doubles, 10 triples, and 11 homers in the California League, although power increase came as a result of a more aggressive approach than he showed in college. We need to see if the power holds outside the Cal League.
10) Zach Borenstein, ARI, OF, Grade C+: Former 23rd round pick from Eastern Illinois had a terrific campaign for Inland Empire, hitting .337/.403/.631 with 28 homers. His defensive tools aren’t outstanding and he’s limited to left field, but he has always hit well, including in the Midwest League in ’12 (wRC+ 129) and dating back to his college days. Cold-weather college guys often don’t get their due and sometimes it takes time for the scouting reports to catch up with the reality. If Borenstein were a Cardinals prospect, people would be comparing him to Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter as a guy exceeding his scouting reports.
That said, it IS wise to be suspicious of California League "breakouts," as the entire league context introduces distortions that are difficult to compensate for, even when you think you have compensated enough. However, given the entirety of his track record, I would not write Borenstein off as a fluke yet. I don’t think he will hit .337 in the Texas League, but he is a prospect, and an interesting one. Tracking him in Double-A will be fun. Even if he develops into a platoon bat or a role player, that’s still a good thing to find in the 23rd round. If he hits in Double-A, he could shoot past Cron and Cowart.
11) Luis Jimenez, MILW, 3B, Grade C+: I still think he’s interesting despite his age (26) and poorly-timed injuries last year. His glove is much better than the scouting reports said it was, but in contrast his bat has stagnated. I still think that he can have a "surprise" season this year or next. He’s in the right age window.
18) Donn Roach, SD, RHP, Grade C+: Ground ball expert has earned spot in Padres bullpen. Held his own in Double-A after a rough start but was sharp in second half. Normally I don’t care for pitchers with such low strikeout rates but I have liked Roach since he was in college and if he maintains his command I think he’ll be successful.
12) Mike Morin, RHP, Grade C+: Here’s another promising bullpen arm, a 13th round pick from North Carolina in 2012 who levered his fastball and changeup into a 1.93 ERA, 76/10 K/BB in 70 innings, and 23 saves between High-A and Double-A. We could see him in 2014.
13) Eric Stamets, SS, Grade C+: Very impressive defensive shortstop with speed, contact hitting ability, projects as a utility guy due to lack of power. Could be similar to Andrew Romine but there’s still a chance he could be better, maybe.
15) Chris Bostick, TEX, INF, Grade C+: Acquired from Oakland in Gentry/Lindblom trade, had a really nice, broad-skill year in the Midwest League (.282/.354/.452, 14 homers, 25 steals). Caveat: very sharp home/road split, .325/.391/.560 in Beloit, .243/.319/.353 on the road stands out. Good athlete with some tools but the split is worrisome enough to sound a note of caution.
17) Ariel Pena, MILW, RHP, Grade C+: Borderline C. Geez talk about frustrating. Great arm, strikes people out at a good clip, but command problems and tendency to leave pitches high in the strike zone hold him back. Better off in relief perhaps?
14) Nataniel Delgado, OF, Grade C: Signed out of Dominican in 2012, hit .271/.311/.422 in the Arizona Rookie League but was just 17 years old. Very raw, particularly on defense, but has the tools to improve. Wouldn’t rank on a top 20 list in most organizations.
15) Reid Scoggins, RHP, Grade C: Clocked as high as 101 in junior college, works in the mid-90s, struck out 76 in 65 innings in Low-A (with 3.46 ERA) but is still working on command and secondary pitches. Another potential relief arm with a good ceiling.
16) Cam Bedrosian, RHP, Grade C: Seems forgotten after difficult Tommy John recovery and awful ’12 season, but he got his velocity back pitching in relief and pitched much better than his 5.30 ERA at Burlington implies (FIP was 3.11). He pitched well in Arizona Fall League and could still have a bullpen future.
17) Ryan Chaffee, RHP, Grade C: Another guy who can be a solid reliever if the command is there, 2.92 ERA with 73/35 K/BB in 62 innings, just 41 hits in Double-A. Low-to-mid-90s fastball.
18) Mike Clevinger, CLE, RHP, Grade C: Tommy John recovery guy, has full arsenal including low-90s fastball, curve, and changeup giving him a starting array if his arm bounces back.
19) Matt Long, OF, Grade C: Older prospect at age 26, tools are limited but he does a lot of things well, hit .293/.371/.471 with 14 homers, 20 steals, 63 walks in Double-A/Triple-A. Platoon/role player type but could prove useful if he gets hot at the right time.
OTHERS: Ryan Brasier, RHP; Tyler DeLoach, LHP; Mike Fish, OF; Sherman Johnson, INF; Kyle McGowin, RHP; Keynan Middleton, RHP; Brian Moran, LHP; Elliot Morris, SD, RHP; Michael Roth, LHP; Ricardo Sanchez, LHP; Nate Smith, LHP; Michael Snyder, 1B; Cal Towey, 3B; Jonah Wesely, LHP; Austin Wood, RHP; Rob Rasmussen, TOR, LHP; Luke Montz, OAK, C; Kenny Diekroger, KC, INF; Kevin Mattison, OF; Andy Oliver, PIT, LHP; Trevor Bell, CIN, RHP; Tanner Rahier, CIN, INF; Alec Grosser, ATL, P; Jeff Beliveau, TB, P
Angels prospects drafted in FYPD:
Hunter Green, by Miami Acquired back via trade
Sean Newcomb
Joe Gatto
Tyler Beede - SF
Grant Holmes - LAD
Scott Blewett - KC
Alex Verdugo - LAD
Dylan Davis - SF
Dylan Cease - CHC
Christopher Ellis - LAA
Jeremy Rhoades - LAA
3) Tyler Glasnow, PIT, RHP, Grade B+: Ridiculously good K/IP and H/IP marks in Low-A stand out as big positive and confirm reports of outstanding movement/velocity combination. Walk rate was too high to get an A-grade at this time, but he’s come a long way from being a high school kid throwing 86 MPH to throwing 95 and higher in three years. Further mechanical refinements with 6-7 body will push him into truly elite prospect range and he’s not far off right now.
4) Jorge Soler, CHC, OF, Grade B+. Signed $5M (2015): Injury and questions about makeup hampered his stock somewhat in '13, but he crushed High-A pitching when healthy. If the intangibles don't get in the way he should be another potent bat.
3) Garin Cecchini, BOS, 3B, Grade B+: I won’t be talked out of the B+ grade like I was last year. Absolutely love this bat and superior on-base skills. Have to see where he fits defensively. I’ve gone back-and-forth with Bradley at 2 and this could flip depending on how I want to slot them in the Top 50, but I will worry about that next month.
7) Blake Swihart, BOS, C, Grade B: Only thing he hasn’t done yet is hit for power, but scouts seem to think that will come. Impressive glove, makes contact, controls zone well. Even without big power he can still be a regular.
5) Nick Kingham, PIT, RHP, Grade B. Borderline B+. Stuff not quite at Glasnow level but command is much better, thrived in High-A and Double-A by throwing strikes with low-90s fastball, good curve and changeup. This may wind up as a B+ but I have a couple of other things I need to check first. One week older than Taillon and not far off from him as a prospect if you’re objective about it.
4) Marcus Semien, CHW, INF, Grade B: Borderline B-. I had him rated as a sleeper pick last year but I don’t think anyone expected 19 homers, 24 steals, and 98 walks. Might not hit for a high average but has a broad array of offensive skills and decent defense. He didn’t bring his plate discipline to the majors but overall I think he is for real and should have a very good career.
4) Eric Jagielo, NYY, 3B, Grade B: I think his defense is actually underrated; he isn’t a gold glove but he should do well enough to stay at third as long as he produces as much offense as expected. Should produce power and OBP, but don’t expect high batting averages.
4) Brian Flynn, MIA, LHP, Grade B-. Huge 6-8 lefty led Pacific Coast League in ERA due to improved slider and changeup to go with 88-95 MPH fastball. He got hit hard in 18 big league innings due to command troubles which hadn’t bothered him during the minor league season, but he will get more chances. Relief work is fallback option but he could become a solid fourth starter.
17) Andrew Thurman, HOU, RHP, Grade B-: Reminds me of Tropeano with strong command of three decent pitches and profiles similarly as an inning-eater type.
2) Hunter Green, LHP, Grade B-: Borderline C+: The B- is probably generous and I may go down to C+. I like his arm strength and projectability, and the 2013 second-rounder has the highest upside arm in the system. He also had command problems in rookie ball, so don’t expect a rapid advancement.
11) Courtney Hawkins, CHW, OF, Grade C+: Borderline C. Really tough to grade: the Sox let him flounder in High-A at age 19 (.178/.249/.384 with 19 homers, 160 strikeouts). Had no business at that level given his approach and it showed. Can he use this experience as a positive and make adjustments? Will it kill him or make him stronger? Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
8) Johnny Hellweg, MILW, RHP, Grade C+: Would rank a few notches higher if the only thing that counted was radar gun readings, but his command is horrendous. 81 walks in 126 innings in Triple-A is more telling than his pretty 3.15 ERA at Nashville.
4) Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Grade C+: As stated, he has better tools than Cron and you can make a case to rank him ahead. But his performance collapse in Double-A was so profound I’m starting to wonder if he needs to move back to the mound.
5) Nick Maronde, CLE, LHP, Grade C+: Pitched much better in the second half with better control for Arkansas. Should be a solid relief pitcher who doesn’t have to be confined to LOOGY work.
6) Mark Sappington, TB, RHP, Grade C+: Most Angels pitching prospects look like future relievers but Sappington has a chance to start. He’s got plenty of stuff with a lively fastball, slider, and changeup, but command issues need to be addressed before he’s ready for a big league trial. You can make a case to rank him ahead of Cron and Cowart.
7) R.J. Alvarez, SD, RHP, Grade C+: Excellent K/IP ratio in High-A (70 whiffs in 49 innings) was no fluke, with mid-90s fastball, slider, and changeup. Command needs work but this is another bullpen arm with potential.
10) Nick Wittgren, MIA, RHP, Grade C+: Exceptional performance record for this relief prospect, 0.77 ERA with 63/10 K/BB in 58 innings, just 42 hits, 26 saves between High-A and Double-A. Punctuated this with 0.66 ERA and 19/2 K/BB in 14 innings in Arizona Fall League. Throws reasonably hard and very deceptive. Ninth-round pick out of Purdue in 2012 continues to exceed expectations. I think he could close eventually.
8) Jose Rondon, SD, SS, Grade C+: Venezuelan infielder is renowned for his excellent defense, and he showed some solid contact hitting skills in the Pioneer League. Doesn’t have any power yet, but has improved his plate discipline and doesn’t turn 20 until March. There’s some chance he can exceed expectations offensively.
9) Alex Yarbrough, 2B, Grade C+: University of Mississippi product hits for average and provides steady defense at second base. Knocked 32 doubles, 10 triples, and 11 homers in the California League, although power increase came as a result of a more aggressive approach than he showed in college. We need to see if the power holds outside the Cal League.
10) Zach Borenstein, ARI, OF, Grade C+: Former 23rd round pick from Eastern Illinois had a terrific campaign for Inland Empire, hitting .337/.403/.631 with 28 homers. His defensive tools aren’t outstanding and he’s limited to left field, but he has always hit well, including in the Midwest League in ’12 (wRC+ 129) and dating back to his college days. Cold-weather college guys often don’t get their due and sometimes it takes time for the scouting reports to catch up with the reality. If Borenstein were a Cardinals prospect, people would be comparing him to Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter as a guy exceeding his scouting reports.
That said, it IS wise to be suspicious of California League "breakouts," as the entire league context introduces distortions that are difficult to compensate for, even when you think you have compensated enough. However, given the entirety of his track record, I would not write Borenstein off as a fluke yet. I don’t think he will hit .337 in the Texas League, but he is a prospect, and an interesting one. Tracking him in Double-A will be fun. Even if he develops into a platoon bat or a role player, that’s still a good thing to find in the 23rd round. If he hits in Double-A, he could shoot past Cron and Cowart.
11) Luis Jimenez, MILW, 3B, Grade C+: I still think he’s interesting despite his age (26) and poorly-timed injuries last year. His glove is much better than the scouting reports said it was, but in contrast his bat has stagnated. I still think that he can have a "surprise" season this year or next. He’s in the right age window.
18) Donn Roach, SD, RHP, Grade C+: Ground ball expert has earned spot in Padres bullpen. Held his own in Double-A after a rough start but was sharp in second half. Normally I don’t care for pitchers with such low strikeout rates but I have liked Roach since he was in college and if he maintains his command I think he’ll be successful.
12) Mike Morin, RHP, Grade C+: Here’s another promising bullpen arm, a 13th round pick from North Carolina in 2012 who levered his fastball and changeup into a 1.93 ERA, 76/10 K/BB in 70 innings, and 23 saves between High-A and Double-A. We could see him in 2014.
13) Eric Stamets, SS, Grade C+: Very impressive defensive shortstop with speed, contact hitting ability, projects as a utility guy due to lack of power. Could be similar to Andrew Romine but there’s still a chance he could be better, maybe.
15) Chris Bostick, TEX, INF, Grade C+: Acquired from Oakland in Gentry/Lindblom trade, had a really nice, broad-skill year in the Midwest League (.282/.354/.452, 14 homers, 25 steals). Caveat: very sharp home/road split, .325/.391/.560 in Beloit, .243/.319/.353 on the road stands out. Good athlete with some tools but the split is worrisome enough to sound a note of caution.
17) Ariel Pena, MILW, RHP, Grade C+: Borderline C. Geez talk about frustrating. Great arm, strikes people out at a good clip, but command problems and tendency to leave pitches high in the strike zone hold him back. Better off in relief perhaps?
14) Nataniel Delgado, OF, Grade C: Signed out of Dominican in 2012, hit .271/.311/.422 in the Arizona Rookie League but was just 17 years old. Very raw, particularly on defense, but has the tools to improve. Wouldn’t rank on a top 20 list in most organizations.
15) Reid Scoggins, RHP, Grade C: Clocked as high as 101 in junior college, works in the mid-90s, struck out 76 in 65 innings in Low-A (with 3.46 ERA) but is still working on command and secondary pitches. Another potential relief arm with a good ceiling.
16) Cam Bedrosian, RHP, Grade C: Seems forgotten after difficult Tommy John recovery and awful ’12 season, but he got his velocity back pitching in relief and pitched much better than his 5.30 ERA at Burlington implies (FIP was 3.11). He pitched well in Arizona Fall League and could still have a bullpen future.
17) Ryan Chaffee, RHP, Grade C: Another guy who can be a solid reliever if the command is there, 2.92 ERA with 73/35 K/BB in 62 innings, just 41 hits in Double-A. Low-to-mid-90s fastball.
18) Mike Clevinger, CLE, RHP, Grade C: Tommy John recovery guy, has full arsenal including low-90s fastball, curve, and changeup giving him a starting array if his arm bounces back.
19) Matt Long, OF, Grade C: Older prospect at age 26, tools are limited but he does a lot of things well, hit .293/.371/.471 with 14 homers, 20 steals, 63 walks in Double-A/Triple-A. Platoon/role player type but could prove useful if he gets hot at the right time.
OTHERS: Ryan Brasier, RHP; Tyler DeLoach, LHP; Mike Fish, OF; Sherman Johnson, INF; Kyle McGowin, RHP; Keynan Middleton, RHP; Brian Moran, LHP; Elliot Morris, SD, RHP; Michael Roth, LHP; Ricardo Sanchez, LHP; Nate Smith, LHP; Michael Snyder, 1B; Cal Towey, 3B; Jonah Wesely, LHP; Austin Wood, RHP; Rob Rasmussen, TOR, LHP; Luke Montz, OAK, C; Kenny Diekroger, KC, INF; Kevin Mattison, OF; Andy Oliver, PIT, LHP; Trevor Bell, CIN, RHP; Tanner Rahier, CIN, INF; Alec Grosser, ATL, P; Jeff Beliveau, TB, P
Angels prospects drafted in FYPD:
Hunter Green, by Miami Acquired back via trade
Sean Newcomb
Joe Gatto