BA SL Top 20

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Should be posted on BA's site in a few hours.

 

According to the Cub reporter, Sean Gallagher came in at #12 and Eric Patterson at #17.

[Mephistopheles]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/262562.html

 

1. Homer Bailey, rhp, Chattanooga (Reds)

2. Yovani Gallardo, rhp, Huntsville (Brewers)

3. Scott Elbert, lhp, Jacksonville (Dodgers)

4. Matt Kemp, of, Jacksonville (Dodgers)

5. Andy LaRoche, 3b, Jacksonville (Dodgers)

6. Ryan Braun, 3b, Huntsville (Brewers)

7. Joey Votto, 1b, Chattanooga (Reds)

8. Jeff Niemann, rhp, Montgomery (Devil Rays)

9. Anibal Sanchez, rhp, Carolina (Marlins)

10. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, c, Mississippi (Braves)

11. Miguel Montero, c, Tennessee (Diamondbacks)

12. Sean Gallagher, rhp, West Tenn (Cubs)

13. Tyler Lumsden, lhp, Birmingham (White Sox)

14. George Kottaras, c, Mobile (Padres)

15. Alberto Gonzalez, ss, Tennessee (Diamondbacks)

16. Mitch Talbot, rhp, Montgomery (Devil Rays)

17. Eric Patterson, 2b, West Tenn (Cubs)

18. Juan Salas, rhp, Montgomery (Devil Rays)

19. Andy Sonnastine, rhp, Montgomery (Devil Rays)

20. Lance Broadway, rhp, Birmingham (White Sox)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Poised and confident on the mound, Gallagher has three quality pitches with a good idea of how to attack hitters. He finished his second full pro season without experiencing what it feels like to lose at the Double-A level.

 

Thanks to offseason upper-body work and improved mechanics, Gallagher jumped his fastball velocity from 88-90 mph a year ago to 90-93. He varies the look on his curveball, throwing a bigger breaker at times, then zipping a harder version when he's ahead in the count. His changeup has the makings of a plus pitch, and he'll show a slider to keep hitters off balance.

 

"He's a good arm, a real battler," West Tenn manager Pat Listach said. "He'll show you all kinds of breaking stuff, and that curveball has excellent rotation and depth to it."

 

With older brother Corey traded to the Orioles last offseason, there will be no Patterson brothers reunion in Chicago. But Eric is getting close to ready for Wrigley Field, recovering from a second-half slump to bat .358 following a mid-August promotion to Triple-A.

 

Patterson's best tool is his speed, which rates as a 65-70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He also has surprising power for his size, though he sometimes gets caught up too much in trying to hit homers. He has made strides in shortening his swing for a more gap-to-gap approach.

 

Patterson's speed aids his range at second-base, though his first-step quickness and body control are a bit disappointing. His footwork around the bag is questionable, though he does have soft hands.

[Laura]

The BA Southern League chat is at 1:00 pm CT (subscribers only).

[CoolHandLuke]

Q: Matt from Houston asks:

Okay, Scott Moore led the league in homers, posted a respectable OBP, voted the league's best defensive 3B and wasn't too old for the league, but wasn't top 20? He's better than Eric Patterson.

A:

 

Chris Kline: Moore was in the 21-23 range--despite being voted the league's top defender at third, reports were that his footwork and mechanics were still in need of major work. He had a great year, but needs to be more consistent in his approach--his pitch recognition isn't the greatest and still K's too much. For me, Patterson and Mississippi infielder Yunel Escobar were both ahead of him.

 

I'm guessing that was you, kc?

 

I don't understand why Moore didn't make it and klines answer didn't really clear anything up for me.

[Mephistopheles]

Yep. One of these days BA is going to realize that strikeouts don't matter as much if you know how to take a walk. Moore does not have a great walk rate, but it's pretty solid.

 

Q: Greg Tabeek from Ft Lauderdale asks:

Would you expect the Cubs to move Sean Gallagher to AAA next season?? Oneri Fleita the Cubs Minor Lg Director is known for moving players quickly. Sean was able to handle the move to AA even with some control issues but worked those out if you look at his last 4 starts. Could you see the same happening for him as did Sean Marshall making the Club with a good ST or will the Cubs move cautiously?? Last question do you still see him as a #3 starter and thanks for your answers....

A:

 

Chris Kline: If there's a need, that could certainly happen, Greg, and you're right, Gallagher was dominant late in the year. I still think he needs time in Double-A, however. The walks are a legit concern, and he's still learning how to command his changeup. But there's a lot to like--and yes, probably a No. 3 or 4.

 

Q: Bill from Tempe, AZ asks:

Chris, thanks for the chat. Brian Dopirak was the Cubs top prospect after a breakout season in Low A and a good AFL performance, but not much has gone right for him since then. He likely didn't even merit any consideration for this list. Is there any glimmer of prospect status left for the guy or does it look like he'll top out as a AAA lifer? On another note, I'm looking forward to your AFL reports in a few weeks!

A:

 

Chris Kline: I'm looking forward to it as well, Bill, and I appreciate you saying that. Dopirak wasn't right healthwise all year after breaking his foot on Opening Day, but you still expected more out of him. There's still huge raw power in there, however, so I wouldn't hang the Craig Brazell tag on him just yet. Oh, wait . . . Brazell was back in Double-A this year . . . in Jacksonville actually. But no, I don't think he's a Four-A guy--not yet anyway.

 

Speaking of Dope. He's probably a big bounceback candidate next season. He was really swinging the bat well in Spring Training before hurting his foot. He was never the same once he came back.

 

Q: Mike Emeigh from Raleigh, NC asks:

Chris: Having seen all of the guys on this list (some of them multiple times), I'm surprised that Sonnanstine is below Gallagher, Lumsden, and Talbot. I know that these rankings take into account both ceiling and performance, but I'd still like to hear the rationale for putting all three of the other pitchers above Sonnanstine.

A:

 

Chris Kline: Yeah! Mudcats represent! It comes down to stuff, stuff and more stuff. I can see Gallagher and Sonnanstine being viewed as similar, but Gallagher has a better curveball and he's a couple years younger. Lumsden is a lefty with more velocity and a power breaking ball, and Talbot showed plus velocity with good secondary stuff--and was completely untouchable in the postseason with back-to-back nine-inning shutouts.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Freaking BA. Who give a crap about the Black Eyed Peas, answer one of my questions instead.

 

I sent a similar question as yours, kc, about Moore-EPatt.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Apparently there's some friction between the former Jaxx and the Chattanooga Lookouts over Homer Bailey's beaning Chris Walker:

 

Q: There was some friction between the Jaxx and the Chattanooga ballclub, specifically with Homer Bailey beaning you in the head with a pitch. Is there anything you want to say about that?

 

Walker: You know, I understand it’s a part of the game for pitchers to establish their routines and their rhythms. But if you’re going to hit somebody, personally I think you should never hit a player in the head. You could seriously injure somebody’s career that way and I didn’t take too kindly to that. I know all the guys on the Chattanooga team; I played against them the last three years. I didn’t appreciate it. We weren’t able to retaliate, which is part of the game, but it’s one thing I’ll never forget.

 

I’m pretty sure our paths will cross again and I feel like I came out on the better side of the whole ordeal. This guy is still young and arrogant, and he was just mad because we made him look bad and no other team did. He’s got to learn the game. He’s one of their top prospects, a Texas high school kid. It’ll be something I’ll never forget. All in due time, things will come back and get him. (laughs)

 

Q: So you definitely felt that him hitting you was intentional?

 

Walker: Oh, definitely. If you could have been there that night, this guy was spotting his fastball 92 to 94 on the black; on the plate. He had unbelievable control and all of a sudden, he lets one go at 96 or 97 and it hits me in the head. It was very obvious that it was intentional, but I wasn’t going to let him see that he knocked me down to hurt me. I got back up and got on base.

 

I stepped back into the box and dared him to throw me back inside again. I guess maybe he felt that I wasn’t intimidated. He didn’t throw me a strike again until my next at-bat. He’s a kid; I’m not worried about it and if I face him again in the big leagues, I’ll make sure I show him up.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Might as well make this an all things Cubs prospects-related thread:

 

Kevin (Manassas): With changes at manager and team president for the Cubs, do you thnik they can contend, and what minor leaguers might make a contribution in the near future?

 

SportsNation Jim Callis: I don't think the Cubs are a true contender, though the NL and especially the NL Central are so weak that maybe they can. They'd be best served by retooling for a year, but the Jim Hendry regime may not be able to buy that kind of time.

 

jake (chicago): why's everyone convinced felix pie isn't ready to man cf for the cubs? his numbers in the second half were actually pretty good. i know you're not his biggest fan, but can he be an impact player?

 

SportsNation Jim Callis: I don't dislike Pie. It's more that I think the Cubs should have learned something from Corey Patterson and apply it to how they handle Pie. If Juan Pierre leaves as a free agent, you'll likely get Pie as the Cubs' CF in 2007. He still has a lot of upside, just got off to a slow start this year.

 

Drew (FL): Jim, can you give me any hint of the Cubs top 5 list? Veal, Pie, Patterson???

 

SportsNation Jim Callis: Haven't started it yet--Draft Report Cards come first--but the top five likely will include Pie, Veal, Tyler Colvin, Sean Gallagher and maybe Jeff Smardzija.

 

Drew (FL): Jim, that's not a good sign when two draft picks from this year are in the Top 5 is it?

 

SportsNation Jim Callis: Generally, no. It indicates that there wasn't much depth to begin with. In the Cubs' case, that's in part because they promoted so many guys during the season.

 

Todd (Boston): If Matsuzaka comes over, in what range do you think he'll be on the Top 100 list? 1-5, 5-10, 10-25?

 

SportsNation Jim Callis: Somewhere in the Top 10.

 

Shawn Terre Haute, IN: Cedeno or Theriot at second next year for the Cubs?

 

SportsNation Jim Callis: Cedeno. Theriot is a utility guy for me.

 

lugo (panama): CWS winner is????????

 

SportsNation Jim Callis: Wow . . . for 2007, hadn't thought about it (though I'll be there to see it). I'll pick Clemson to end the long ACC drought by winning it all.

[Chris]

1) Chris Walker is awesome

2) The HBP was intentional

3) The Jaxx did make him look bad

 

If anyone wants any follow up with Chris, I am sure that he would be more than willing to answer some questions.