Comments on: Midseason Top 50 Prospects List

By: Former BlueClaws Recognized By Baseball America | BlueClaws Blog

Former BlueClaws Recognized By Baseball America | BlueClaws Blog — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:34:50 +0000

[...] here)…d’Arnaud and Singleton were both top 25 in BA’s mid-season list this year (here)…We were a little surprised that fellow 2010 BlueClaw Jonathan Villar didn’t make the [...]

By: doiiii

doiiii — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:42:48 +0000

where's alex meyer? he had a really good year.

By: Why MLB Needs to Universalize 40-Man September Roster Expansion | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 23:36:41 +0000

[...] Rangers and Shelby Miller of the St. Louis Cardinals. These are the guys that publications such as Baseball America rave about, and suddenly here they are in the major [...]

By: Why the Boston Red Sox Now Have a Brighter Future Than the New York Yankees | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:38:14 +0000

[...] in point, three Red Sox prospects showed up in Baseball America‘s midseason rankings of the top 50 prospects in baseball: right-hander Matt Barnes, shortstop Xander Bogaerts and [...]

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 00:42:41 +0000

I was surprised to see Tyler Thornburg on the Top 50 over some other Brewer Prospects such as Wily Peralta, Tyler Jungmann, or Jed Bradley. I understand Jungmann and Bradley dont have much experience but what about Peralta?

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:22:19 +0000

For real, how can the baseball world's leading strikeout pitcher NOT be listed. Dan Straily has torn his way through every level of the minors this year and'll likely be called up in the next few weeks and he doesn't make the top 50 midseason?

By: Oz

Oz — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 22:59:59 +0000

How in the world is Daniel Straily not listed? I guess having a sub 1.5 FIP and leading all of baseball (Majors included) in strike outs is not a big deal…

By: Robbyrobdu

Robbyrobdu — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 06:07:19 +0000

Good list, everyone is going to debate things, but whatever. Anyone who think Profar shoul be anywhere but #1, and it's by a mile, has no business talking.

As someone already mentioned a plus defensive and arm SS.

Taveras swings at everything and is not even a good fielder.

He is ranked just where he should be.

Arenado is still the top 3B prospect in my book, pitchers are so hard to rate it doesn't matter…guess some people don't realize most of them are working on pitches and command in the minors, not necessarily trying to pitch just for THAT game.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 20:18:55 +0000

I was amazed that Trevor Rosenthal wasnt on this list. This kid has great sinking action on his hard fastball. I also think that Taveras is listed too low. The kid just skipped a full level and is in the running for the player of the year for his league. To say he doesnt care about other aspects of the game other than hitting is shameful. That has been his main focus this year and because of that he is even getting looks at CF. Glad to see Profar has moved up to #2. For his age he is very complete. I have been impressed everytime I watch him. I dont see any problem with him being an allstar shortstop other than being blocked by Andrus.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:26:29 +0000

Are scouts really impressed with Billy Hamilton the ball palyer or Billy Hamilton the track star? While he may have + + speed I don't see much more in him. He certainly has a 2B arm at best, evidenced by his workout and play in the Futures game. All these high rankings for a pinch runner seems excessive or does he seriously have a chance to hit and field at the big league level?

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:21:19 +0000

Bundy is a beast

By: Hal W.

Hal W. — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:54:52 +0000

I was intrigued by the comparison between Taveras and Vlad Guerrero. If Guerrero could succeed with an unorthodox approach, maybe Oscar can do the same.
Who knows?

By: Ed

Ed — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 04:37:03 +0000

Steve, not entirely sure i agree with the 18 (i also agree taveras should be higher), but there are some concerns. On one hand taveras really only cares about hitting, which is a good thing to think about, but is still only part of the game. Also, he has somewhat of an unorthodox swing so many experts are concerned it might not create contact at higher levels. Finally, he enjoys swinging and therefore there is improvement that could be made for his eye (his BB:K is 24:44). Concerning Profar, his position is more valuable and he has a much better eye (39:49).

By: Steven

Steven — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 13:52:36 +0000

You got to be kidding me. You guys put Oscar Taveras at #18. He has showed that he is betting for his age than any other hitter except Myers including Profar. He hits for better average than Profar and has way more power. Oh yeah he is only about 8 months older than Profar. You guys must be blind. Come on you put Nolan Arenado, Machado,Nick Castello. Mike Olt is to old for what he is doing compared to Taveras. Taveras has put up better numbers than all these guys and the only one that is younger than him is Profar and not by much. You guys have him #74 on the BA 100. I think he has more Power potencial than even your beloved Sano. The only reason Sano hits for power and not average is because he swings at everything. Oscar does it all. Go Oscar.

By: Herv

Herv — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 07:47:38 +0000

To the folks complaining about the Lansing big three not being on there:
It's irrelevant. The Blue Jays organization has them. No one else. What a certain group of evaluators think in terms of order etc is irrelevant. Obviously all three would be on the top 100.

By: Gold Glove CF

Gold Glove CF — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:28:21 +0000

Why is Adam Eaton not on this list? His minor league numbers are very impressive. With the lack of quality leadoff hitters in The Show, this kid deserves more recognition.

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:03:40 +0000

I think Jackie Bradley Jr. should be higher considering his numbers from salem and portland…but overall good list.

By: Adam

Adam — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 03:03:18 +0000

Taijuan #4 overall?!?!?
Taijuan — currently streaking 7 straight starts of 3+ Runs, < 6 IP

By: Big Daddy

Big Daddy — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 18:14:53 +0000

Hamilton is OLD for single A — Joey Gathright was just as fast.

By: Hellion

Hellion — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:50:29 +0000

Billy Hamilton at #27 is insulting. The kid has almost 100 steals at the All Star break!!! I don't recall any player since Vince Coleman with as much skill and aggressiveness on the base paths.
Hamilton will eventually move to center field in the majors but he is a future MLB steals leader while 50% of the guys in front of him will flame out or eventually be traded.

By: de la

de la — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:43:42 +0000

Any idea where Soler would fit on this list were he eligible?

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:10:30 +0000

No Tony Cingrani?

By: Roger V.

Roger V. — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:55:01 +0000

This is a "Mid season" top prospect list right? Has any of these so called "industry consensus" evaluators seen Aaron Sanchez pitch and his numbers so far? or know how old he is, his size and his fastball? He should easily be on at least the back end of this list. Especially if James Paxton and Zach Lee make the cut. That's a blatant oversight on BA's part and the "so called" experts and talent evaluators of this mid season evaluation.

By: B Wood

B Wood — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 05:52:42 +0000

Great list, thank you! My inquiry is on Brett Jackson and his fall from grace compared to the Top 100 list put out in February. What are you seeing that has so many other OF's (Gose, Marisnick, Marte, J,.Bradley even) passing him up? Certainly he has shown regression in the first half of this year, but his counting stats are still there with a 20-20 plus season in AAA. Secondly, who might be a comp for Jackson? Rasmus?

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 05:23:52 +0000

Wilmer Flores has improved his stock, no? Was he in consideration for this list?

By: Dennis

Dennis — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 02:05:58 +0000

With everybody and their brother posting top prospect lists, what are BA's distinctives? Most people don't have the industry sources, but at least a few others do. Everyone has their biases and blind spots, players they undervalue, players they fall in love with. By virtue of the committee approach and discussion process, BA has been able to mostly avoid extreme rankings and hasty overreactions.
I am not indignant about a particular player being omitted/underrated, nor am I outraged at any particular player being ranked too highly. I am disappointed at the quality of the work. I can appreciate Mr. Cooper's opinions for what they are. They just aren't representative of the thorough approach we expect from BA.
There are several rankings that don't seem to make sense, and I mean by BA criteria, not by mine. For example, look at the grade and ranking of Jose Fernandez in February. Look at the grades of the highly ranked players from the same list. Think about what Fernandez would need to do for the remainder of the season in order to maintain his current position Look where Fernandez gets ranked next winter. Then try to explain where he is on this list. The explanation is that this list does not meet the standards I have come to expect from BA. It is very apparent that the usual perspective and balance are not present.
Producing excellent work got BA to the top of the industry. Being at the top, however, does not guarantee that all the work will be excellent. Defending sub-standard work erodes the consumer confidence that is the foundation of BA's success.

By: John

John — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 01:04:33 +0000

J.J. and Matt: No Brad Miller? Despite his three-ring circus performances in the field this season, he still has numbers that make him a viable candidate for the Top 50. Thoughts?

By: Patrick Devitt

Patrick Devitt — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:21:29 +0000

Matt,
If we were going to have a next 5…who was #51 through #55?
And how long until we see Mr. Myers and Mr. Odorizzi in Kansas City?

By: Dennis

Dennis — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:10:31 +0000

Kinda surprised Jacob Turner's not up there…I know he was called up in late june, but from what I can find, he was sent back down on the 24th, so he should be eligible, right?

By: Matt Eddy

Matt Eddy — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 23:07:04 +0000

@ TJ
I like Gyorko as an average regular at third base, .275-.285, solid on-base skills with 15 homers in a neutral environment. Does he have a plus attribute? Maybe not, but his floor is lower than many prospects.