Top 50 Prospects-MLB.COM

[SFGRTB]

1. Mike Trout, Angels |
2. Jeremy Hellickson, Rays |
3. Bryce Harper, Nationals |
4. Domonic Brown, Phillies |
5. Dustin Ackley, Mariners |
6. Aroldis Chapman, Reds |
7. Mike Moustakas, Royals |
8. Eric Hosmer, Royals |
9. Jesus Montero, Yankees |
10. Julio Teheran, Braves |
11. Desmond Jennings, Rays |
12. Kyle Drabek, Blue Jays |
13. Michael Pineda, Mariners |
14. Mike Montgomery, Royals |
15. Jacob Turner, Tigers |
16. Wil Myers, Royals |
17. Freddie Freeman, Braves |
18. Jameson Taillon, Pirates |
19. Zach Britton, Orioles |
20. Shelby Miller, Cardinals |
21. Mike Minor, Braves |
22. Casey Kelly, Padres |
23. Martin Perez, Rangers |
24. Manny Machado, Orioles |
25. Chris Sale, White Sox |
26. Brandon Belt, Giants |
27. Matt Moore, Rays |
28. Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays |
29. Jarrod Parker, D-backs |
30. Jonathan Singleton, Phillies |
31. Jordan Lyles, Astros |
32. Gary Sanchez, Yankees |
33. Tyler Matzek, Rockies |
34. John Lamb, Royals |
35. Manny Banuelos, Yankees |
36. Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians |
37. Jake Odorizzi, Royals |
38. Nick Franklin, Mariners |
39. Aaron Hicks, Twins |
40. Kyle Gibson, Twins |
41. Wilin Rosario, Rockies |
42. Jose Iglesias, Red Sox |
43. Tanner Scheppers, Rangers |
44. Dee Gordon, Dodgers |
45. Devin Mesoraco, Reds |
46. Brett Jackson, Cubs |
47. Chris Archer, Rays |
48. J.P. Arencibia, Blue Jays |
49. Yonder Alonso, Reds |
50. Christian Friedrich, Rockies

As expected, only 1 Giant in the top 50. Not becuase of bad drafting though, great drafting is the reason becuase all of our top prospects have graduated and it ended up pretty good for us...

Thouhts on the list? How about the Royals, they are loaded with young talent, 6 in the top 50, 4 in the top 16. They will be leading the central by 2013.

Breaking down MLB.com's 2011 Top 50 Prospects list | MLB.com: News

Giants' Brandon Belt ranked No. 26 in MLB.com's Top 50 Prospects | SFGiants.com: News

 

[msgkings322]

1. Mike Trout, Angels |
2. Jeremy Hellickson, Rays |
3. Bryce Harper, Nationals |
4. Domonic Brown, Phillies |
5. Dustin Ackley, Mariners |
6. Aroldis Chapman, Reds |
7. Mike Moustakas, Royals |
8. Eric Hosmer, Royals |
9. Jesus Montero, Yankees |
10. Julio Teheran, Braves |
11. Desmond Jennings, Rays |
12. Kyle Drabek, Blue Jays |
13. Michael Pineda, Mariners |
14. Mike Montgomery, Royals |
15. Jacob Turner, Tigers |
16. Wil Myers, Royals |
17. Freddie Freeman, Braves |
18. Jameson Taillon, Pirates |
19. Zach Britton, Orioles |
20. Shelby Miller, Cardinals |
21. Mike Minor, Braves |
22. Casey Kelly, Padres |
23. Martin Perez, Rangers |
24. Manny Machado, Orioles |
25. Chris Sale, White Sox |
26. Brandon Belt, Giants |
27. Matt Moore, Rays |
28. Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays |
29. Jarrod Parker, D-backs |
30. Jonathan Singleton, Phillies |
31. Jordan Lyles, Astros |
32. Gary Sanchez, Yankees |
33. Tyler Matzek, Rockies |
34. John Lamb, Royals |
35. Manny Banuelos, Yankees |
36. Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians |
37. Jake Odorizzi, Royals |
38. Nick Franklin, Mariners |
39. Aaron Hicks, Twins |
40. Kyle Gibson, Twins |
41. Wilin Rosario, Rockies |
42. Jose Iglesias, Red Sox |
43. Tanner Scheppers, Rangers |
44. Dee Gordon, Dodgers |
45. Devin Mesoraco, Reds |
46. Brett Jackson, Cubs |
47. Chris Archer, Rays |
48. J.P. Arencibia, Blue Jays |
49. Yonder Alonso, Reds |
50. Christian Friedrich, Rockies

As expected, only 1 Giant in the top 50. Not becuase of bad drafting though, great drafting is the reason becuase all of our top prospects have graduated and it ended up pretty good for us...

Thouhts on the list? How about the Royals, they are loaded with young talent, 6 in the top 50, 4 in the top 16. They will be leading the central by 2013.
Breaking down MLB.com's 2011 Top 50 Prospects list | MLB.com: News

Giants' Brandon Belt ranked No. 26 in MLB.com's Top 50 Prospects | SFGiants.com: News

If only it were that easy. Royals always have a stocked farm because they always trade their emerging MLB ready guys for prospects. They are a small market team that doesn't pay for the talent you need to go with your farm. Think a better Pirates.

Also, if every prospect became a quality MLer every team would have 3 Babe Ruths in the OF. Of those 6, KC will be lucky to see 3 actually become quality MLers, and only 1 a star. At which point that star will be traded to the Yankees.

 

[calsnowskier]

If only it were that easy. Royals always have a stocked farm because they always trade their emerging MLB ready guys for prospects. They are a small market team that doesn't pay for the talent you need to go with your farm. Think a better Pirates.

Also, if every prospect became a quality MLer every team would have 3 Babe Ruths in the OF. Of those 6, KC will be lucky to see 3 actually become quality MLers, and only 1 a star. At which point that star will be traded to the Yankees.

Villalona
Bumgarner
Alderson
Posey

2 wash-outs, 1 ROY, 2 APPARENT stars.

This pretty much fits your template.

 

[msgkings322]

Villalona
Bumgarner
Alderson
Posey

2 wash-outs, 1 ROY, 2 APPARENT stars.

This pretty much fits your template.

More marginals not mentioned: Bowker, Velez, Joe Martinez, Schierholtz, Ishikawa, Fred Lewis, Burriss, Ford, on and on

I can't even remember the names of the true washouts, of which there have been dozens. Actually I can: Brian Bocock anyone? Eric Surkamp? Roger Kieshnick? And those are recent ones...

The Poseys and even Pandas of the world (not to mention all our pitchers) are pretty rare. We were truly blessed to have all the success we did, and with our luck with prospects it's no wonder we won the WS

Very much the exception though. KC will be very lucky to get 2 good MLers out of those 6.

It's fun as fans to look at prospects and say 'ooh this guy looks like he could have Will Clark upside' or 'I can see this one being a solid #2 starter' but that's mostly wishful thinking esp regarding your own team's guys. Most prospects have no impact in MLB.

Re: Villalona - that's a weird example...he might have been the next Cepeda for all we know. His washing out is going to be in prison.

 

[calsnowskier]

More marginals not mentioned: Bowker, Velez, Joe Martinez, Schierholtz, Ishikawa, Fred Lewis, Burriss, Ford, on and on

I can't even remember the names of the true washouts, of which there have been dozens. Actually I can: Brian Bocock anyone? Eric Surkamp? Roger Kieshnick? And those are recent ones...

The Poseys and even Pandas of the world (not to mention all our pitchers) are pretty rare. We were truly blessed to have all the success we did, and with our luck with prospects it's no wonder we won the WS

Very much the exception though. KC will be very lucky to get 2 good MLers out of those 6.

It's fun as fans to look at prospects and say 'ooh this guy looks like he could have Will Clark upside' or 'I can see this one being a solid #2 starter' but that's mostly wishful thinking esp regarding your own team's guys. Most prospects have no impact in MLB.

Re: Villalona - that's a weird example...he might have been the next Cepeda for all we know. His washing out is going to be in prison.

I was keeping my comparison to true Blue-Chippers, so Bocock, Bowker, Surkamp etc do not qualify. I also do not count Panda, even with his success because he was never a "Blue-Chipper".

Now if you want to talk Turcato, Linden, Williams, Aardsma, Valdez etc, ok, lets go... (I have an image of Bugs Bunny at the plate, for some reason)

 

[msgkings322]

For fun check these past prospect lists for the Giants.

I'm actually amazed how MANY of these names did in fact make the ML and how many had a big impact. My respect for Sabean and the scouts grows even greater.

If we did this for other teams it'd be a long list of 'who?'

San Francisco Giants Top 20 Prospects for 2008 - Minor League Ball

BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: San Francisco Giants: Top 10 Prospects

Actually, here's the motherlode:

San Francisco Giants Prospects History - The Baseball Cube

Some of those names really take you back...

 

[msgkings322]

I was keeping my comparison to true Blue-Chippers, so Bocock, Bowker, Surkamp etc do not qualify. I also do not count Panda, even with his success because he was never a "Blue-Chipper".

Now if you want to talk Turcato, Linden, Williams, Aardsma, Valdez etc, ok, lets go... (I have an image of Bugs Bunny at the plate, for some reason)

 

[calsnowskier]

For fun check these past prospect lists for the Giants.

I'm actually amazed how MANY of these names did in fact make the ML and how many had a big impact. My respect for Sabean and the scouts grows even greater.

If we did this for other teams it'd be a long list of 'who?'

San Francisco Giants Top 20 Prospects for 2008 - Minor League Ball

BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: San Francisco Giants: Top 10 Prospects

Actually, here's the motherlode:

San Francisco Giants Prospects History - The Baseball Cube

Some of those names really take you back...

Nice finds, especially the BaseBallCube link. BBC is a nice site, I just find it difficult to navigate...

The BBC lists are nice for quick referance, but I would guess that > 80% of anyone who made a top 10 prospect list had at least a cup o' joe. The teams would likely have added them to the 40-man at some time, and then, worst-case, given them one shot at the bigs before cutting ties. I would guess that the VAST majority of those that did not get their cup were due to injury or other outside issues (Villalona, for example).

 

[SFGRTB]

For fun check these past prospect lists for the Giants.

I'm actually amazed how MANY of these names did in fact make the ML and how many had a big impact. My respect for Sabean and the scouts grows even greater.

If we did this for other teams it'd be a long list of 'who?'

San Francisco Giants Top 20 Prospects for 2008 - Minor League Ball

BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: San Francisco Giants: Top 10 Prospects

Actually, here's the motherlode:

San Francisco Giants Prospects History - The Baseball Cube

Some of those names really take you back...

HA!

2010 projected lineup

Catcher- Eliezer Alfonzo
First Base- Travis Ishikawa
Second Base- Kevin Frandsen
Third Base- Angel Villalona
Shortstop- Emmanuel Burriss
Left Field- Eddy Martinez-Esteve
Center Field- Fred Lewis
Right Field- Nate Schierholtz
No. 1 Starter Matt Cain
No. 2 Starter Tim Lincecum
No. 3 Starter Barry Zito
No. 4 Starter Jonathan Sanchez
No. 5 Starter Noah Lowry
Closer- Brian Wilson



I see your point and I was about to argue that that's why I put "could be leading the central" but I have no argument there. My mistake

I've just heard seen little reason that atleast guys like Hosmer and Moustakas should have success at the ML level based on how advanced they are, but that obviously can't be proven until they preform that the ML level.

 

[msgkings322]

HA!

2010 projected lineup

Catcher- Eliezer Alfonzo
First Base- Travis Ishikawa
Second Base- Kevin Frandsen
Third Base- Angel Villalona
Shortstop- Emmanuel Burriss
Left Field- Eddy Martinez-Esteve
Center Field- Fred Lewis
Right Field- Nate Schierholtz
No. 1 Starter Matt Cain
No. 2 Starter Tim Lincecum
No. 3 Starter Barry Zito
No. 4 Starter Jonathan Sanchez
No. 5 Starter Noah Lowry
Closer- Brian Wilson



I see your point and I was about to argue that that's why I put "could be leading the central" but I have no argument there. My mistake

I've just heard seen little reason that atleast guys like Hosmer and Moustakas should have success at the ML level based on how advanced they are, but that obviously can't be proven until they preform that the ML level.

Fair enough, I wasn't trying to play 'gotcha'. Just feel kinda sorry for teams like KC that have to get excited about farms because up here in the ML they (the Royals as a team) ain't never going to cut it. No matter how stacked their farm is, only 2-3 quality players at best will emerge, and if they are really good they will not be with KC for long.

By the way that projected 2010 lineup is funny, which link was that from? To be fair I think those prospects sites just try to project lineups based solely on who's in the farm. Obviously in real life trades and FAs round it out.

 

[SFGRTB]

Fair enough, I wasn't trying to play 'gotcha'. Just feel kinda sorry for teams like KC that have to get excited about farms because up here in the ML they (the Royals as a team) ain't never going to cut it. No matter how stacked their farm is, only 2-3 quality players at best will emerge, and if they are really good they will not be with KC for long.

By the way that projected 2010 lineup is funny, which link was that from? To be fair I think those prospects sites just try to project lineups based solely on who's in the farm. Obviously in real life trades and FAs round it out.

It was from Baseball America and you are correct, they base the projected lineup based on prospects and current players who frankly ain't going anywhere (Rowand/Zito/Renteria in the past).

Here is the 'projected' lineup for 2014, which you could really call a prospect projected lineup.

Catcher- Buster Posey
First Base- Brandon Belt
Second Base- Brandon Crawford
Third Base- Pablo Sandoval
Shortstop- Ehire Adrianza
Left Field- Thomas Neal
Center Field- Gary Brown
Right Field- Francisco Peguero
No. 1 Starter Tim Lincecum
No. 2 Starter Matt Cain
No. 3 Starter Madison Bumgarner
No. 4 Starter Jonathan Sanchez
No. 5 Starter Zack Wheeler
Closer- Brian Wilson

So, this basically shows that if all the prospects pan out (and we are able to keep our current crop of stars), this is what it would look like.

 

[Heathbar012]

It was from Baseball America and you are correct, they base the projected lineup based on prospects and current players who frankly ain't going anywhere (Rowand/Zito/Renteria in the past).

Here is the 'projected' lineup for 2014, which you could really call a prospect projected lineup.

Catcher- Buster Posey
First Base- Brandon Belt
Second Base- Brandon Crawford
Third Base- Pablo Sandoval
Shortstop- Ehire Adrianza
Left Field- Thomas Neal
Center Field- Gary Brown
Right Field- Francisco Peguero
No. 1 Starter Tim Lincecum
No. 2 Starter Matt Cain
No. 3 Starter Madison Bumgarner
No. 4 Starter Jonathan Sanchez
No. 5 Starter Zack Wheeler
Closer- Brian Wilson

So, this basically shows that if all the prospects pan out (and we are able to keep our current crop of stars), this is what it would look like.

Me likey.

 

[SFGRTB]

Me likey.

That team would be pretty lockdown defensively. Crawford, Adrianza, Belt, Posey, Brown and Peguero are all expected to be plus defenders and Neal isn't bad himself.

 

[SFGRTB]

Keith Law's top 100...


1 CF Mike Trout LA Angels
2 RF Bryce Harper Washington
3 RF Domonic Brown Philadelphia
4 C Jesus Montero NY Yankees
5 1B Eric Hosmer Kansas City
6 RHP Julio Teheran Atlanta
7 2B Dustin Ackley Seattle
8 C/RF Wil Myers Kansas City
9 RHP Shelby Miller St. Louis
10 CF/RF Aaron Hicks Minnesota
11 LHP Zach Britton Baltimore
12 LHP Manny Banuelos NY Yankees
13 RHP Kyle Drabek Toronto
14 RHP Jeremy Hellickson Tampa Bay
15 LHP Aroldis Chapman Cincinnati
16 LHP Matt Moore Tampa Bay
17 1B Brandon Belt San Francisco
18 LHP Martin Perez Texas
19 RHP Casey Kelly San Diego
20 CF Desmond Jennings Tampa Bay
21 RHP Michael Pineda Seattle
22 RHP Jacob Turner Detroit
23 3B Mike Moustakas Kansas City
24 LHP Tyler Matzek Colorado
25 RHP Jarrod Parker Arizona
26 SS Manny Machado Baltimore
27 1B/LF Jonathan Singleton Philadelphia
28 LHP Mike Montgomery Kansas City
29 3B Miguel Sano Minnesota
30 RHP Jameson Taillon Pittsburgh
31 C Devin Mesoraco Cincinnati
32 RHP Kyle Gibson Minnesota
33 C Derek Norris Washington
34 RHP Jarred Cosart Philadelphia
35 2B/SS Jean Segura LA Angels
36 RHP Zack Wheeler San Francisco
37 2B Brett Lawrie Toronto
38 1B Anthony Rizzo San Diego
39 3B Lonnie Chisenhall Cleveland
40 RHP Chris Archer Tampa Bay
41 LHP John Lamb Kansas City
42 RHP Jordan Lyles Houston
43 1B Freddie Freeman Atlanta
44 RHP Zach Stewart Toronto
45 SS Jose Iglesias Boston
46 LF/RF Jaff Decker San Diego
47 RHP Arodys Vizcaino Atlanta
48 SS Wilmer Flores NY Mets
49 SS Hak-Ju Lee Tampa Bay
50 RHP Randall Delgado Atlanta
51 SS Billy Hamilton Cincinnati
52 RHP Carlos Matias St. Louis
53 SS Nick Franklin Seattle
54 RHP Anthony Ranaudo Boston
55 3B Matt Dominguez Florida
56 2B Jason Kipnis Cleveland
57 C Travis d'Arnaud Toronto
58 SS Grant Green Oakland
59 C Yasmani Grandal Cincinnati
60 LHP Drew Pomeranz Cleveland
61 LHP Mike Minor Atlanta
62 C Hank Conger LA Angels
63 C Tony Sanchez Pittsburgh
64 RHP Simon Castro San Diego
65 1B Yonder Alonso Cincinnati
66 RHP Trey McNutt Chicago Cubs
67 LHP Chris Sale Chicago WS
68 C Gary Sanchez NY Yankees
69 C Wilin Rosario Colorado
70 SS Devaris Gordon LA Dodgers
71 CF Ben Revere Minnesota
72 3B Zack Cox St. Louis
73 RHP Dellin Betances NY Yankees
74 OF Oswaldo Arcia Minnesota
75 3B Nick Castellanos Detroit
76 RHP Brody Colvin Philadelphia
77 LHP Alex Torres Tampa Bay
78 LHP Tyler Skaggs Arizona
79 1B/OF Christian Yelich Florida
80 1B/OF Chris Carter Oakland
81 SS Jurickson Profar Texas
82 C J.P. Arencibia Toronto
83 RHP Matt Harvey NY Mets
84 SS Chris Owings Arizona
85 RHP Jordan Walden LA Angels
86 3B Matt Davidson Arizona
87 LHP Christian Friedrich Colorado
88 RHP Andrew Brackman NY Yankees
89 RHP Alex Colome Tampa Bay
90 LHP Drake Britton Boston
91 RHP Zach Lee LA Dodgers
92 3B Nolan Arenado Colorado
93 RHP Trevor May Philadelphia
94 RHP Rubby de la Rosa LA Dodgers
95 C Wilson Ramos Washington
96 SS Adeiny Hechevarria Toronto
97 LHP Jake McGee Tampa Bay
98 LHP Danny Duffy Kansas City
99 RHP Aaron Sanchez Toronto
100 OF James Jones Seattle



Brandon Belt- 17


The Red Sox actually took Belt in the 11th round in 2006 as a pitcher, but he went to junior college and eventually to Texas before signing with the Giants as a fifth-round pick in 2009.

San Francisco, whose 2010 World Series win was fueled by a number of successful high draft picks, selected Belt despite poor results because they thought they could help him by altering his stance and swing. They were right. By getting himself more upright at the plate, Belt became the year's breakout prospect, with a good, balanced swing and excellent hip rotation and weight transfer for future power. He has some extraneous movement while setting up, but once he gets his hands going forward everything is simple and direct.

He's an average runner and an above-average glove at first, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him handle left field well now that he's semi-blocked by Aubrey Huff. He's a potential impact callup for the Giants this year and a middle-of-the-order bat in the near future.


Zach Wheeler- 36


Wheeler missed a chunk of the first half of 2010 with a badly cracked fingernail that forced him to slightly alter the way he grips the baseball and hurt his control, but it had no effect on the quality of his stuff. Wheeler will sit at 90-94 mph and show 96 or better with a big, slow, but tight curveball in the low to mid-70s; he has been mixing in an above-average slider in the 85-89 range and will flash an average changeup, the one pitch for which he doesn't show great feel yet.

Wheeler still is filling out physically and should have the workhorse, 220-inning build we expect from No. 1 starters, although I'm a little concerned about the stress his arm action might put on his shoulder. Overall he's an elite arm, with the potential for four average or better pitches including a plus fastball and the body to handle a big workload.

 

[Heathbar012]

That Keith Law really knows his shit. Thanks for posting these, best.

 

[SFGRTB]

That Keith Law really knows his shit. Thanks for posting these, best.

If you want the analysis of any of them, let me know

 

[ColinCoby]

It was from Baseball America and you are correct, they base the projected lineup based on prospects and current players who frankly ain't going anywhere (Rowand/Zito/Renteria in the past).

Here is the 'projected' lineup for 2014, which you could really call a prospect projected lineup.

Catcher- Buster Posey
First Base- Brandon Belt
Second Base- Brandon Crawford
Third Base- Pablo Sandoval
Shortstop- Ehire Adrianza
Left Field- Thomas Neal
Center Field- Gary Brown
Right Field- Francisco Peguero
No. 1 Starter Tim Lincecum
No. 2 Starter Matt Cain
No. 3 Starter Madison Bumgarner
No. 4 Starter Jonathan Sanchez
No. 5 Starter Zack Wheeler
Closer- Brian Wilson

So, this basically shows that if all the prospects pan out (and we are able to keep our current crop of stars), this is what it would look like.

This might need to be its own thread but...Even with the Zito and Rowand contracts going bye-bye by then, I wonder what the chances are that those 5 starters and Wilson are still with the team in 2014?

 

[xxERICSMITHXX]

If only it were that easy. Royals always have a stocked farm because they always trade their emerging MLB ready guys for prospects. They are a small market team that doesn't pay for the talent you need to go with your farm. Think a better Pirates.

Also, if every prospect became a quality MLer every team would have 3 Babe Ruths in the OF. Of those 6, KC will be lucky to see 3 actually become quality MLers, and only 1 a star. At which point that star will be traded to the Yankees.

Have any proof of this? I don't remember them having a quality minor league system, but I haven't always been paying attention to that sort of thing.

 

[SFGRTB]

This might need to be its own thread but...Even with the Zito and Rowand contracts going bye-bye by then, I wonder what the chances are that those 5 starters and Wilson are still with the team in 2014?

It'll be tough because Cain, Sanchez, Lincecum and Wilson will need new contracts before Zito and Rowand are gone, not to mention they will likely (hopefully) want to be locking up Posey long term.

MadBum will still be here, he's still got 3 years till arbitration (maybe 4???), Wheeler will likely be in his rookie or sophomore season, so he'll be here. Wilson is the most likely to have to be let go, followed by Sanchez. Lincecum is a fan favorite so it's doubtful they let him walk no matter the cost and Cain is a work horse so they'd be smart to keep him as well.

They may have to get together and all take a discount if they all want to stay a la the Miami Heat (yes, they all took discounts), but that's just wishful thinking.

 

[msgkings322]

Have any proof of this? I don't remember them having a quality minor league system, but I haven't always been paying attention to that sort of thing.

It's not some scientific detailed thing I just kind of have them pegged that way, along with Pittsburgh, Florida, and other perennial mediocre to bad teams that play in 'small markets' and so have to run on a model of trading young talent away right before they have to pay them. What do they trade their emergent stars for? Prospects.